Another rugby season is underway and it is time to decide whether you will try and get those battered boots at the bottom of your kit bag to last throughout another long winter or go out and treat yourself to a new pair.
What to look for?
It all depends on which position you play. Forwards tend to look for sturdier boots which won’t fall apart when you are under pressure in a scrum, while backs usually prefer featherweight footwear that will not weigh them down, or a pair of tried and tested football boots that allow them to kick with confidence. But you also need to consider your price range, the shape of your foot and whether you are more interested in stability or flexibility.
Soft ground or hard ground boots
When playing a winter sport in the UK, you can always rely on heavy rain and mud. It is wise to go for boots with removable studs, so you can screw in some 21mm if you need to pack down in the front row on a soft grass pitch or switch to some plastic studs if you are asked to play on 4G.
Will they last?
A long, attritional season of rugby will take its toll, especially if you are a tight-five forward who spends a lot of time digging your studs into the ground to try and generate some force. Premium boots, made with high-quality leather, tend to last longer but you should also need to take care of them. Don’t leave them caked in mud between matches, clean them by hand and apply a little leather cream.
Best rugby boots at a glance
- Best for overall performance: Canterbury – Stampede Pro 3.0, £90, Canterbury
- Best for forwards with wide feet: Canterbury – Phoenix Raze, £60, Canterbury
- Best for equal parts comfort and style: Mizuno – Morelia Neo III ß Elite Mix, £175, Mizuno
- Best for wingers: Nike – Mercurial Superfly Elite DF SG, £200, Lovell Rugby
- Best for speed: Adidas Adizero RS7, £96.50, Sports Direct
- Best for support: Canterbury – Phoenix 3.0 Pro, £45, Canterbury
- Best for forwards prioritising power: Adidas – Kakari-SG, £59.99, AA Sports
- Best for value for money: Puma – King Pro Rugby H8 SG, £35, Sports Direct
- Best for grip: Puma – Avant Pro, £55, Puma
Shop the best rugby boots below
Canterbury – Stampede Pro 3.0
Best for: overall performance
The days of forwards wearing rigid leather boots that cover the ankles and come with steel toe caps are long gone. But Canterbury is still looking to provide a similar level or support and protection, without all that extra weight.
The sock-like collar keeps your ankle securely strapped in during a set piece battle, without restricting your movement, and there is reinforced leather to protect your toes.
These sleek black Stampede Pro 3.0s are designed for wider feet, but are far from clunky, and with 11 studs (eight removeable), you don’t need to worry about losing your footing. The abrasion-resistant material means they can endure plenty of stress and strain.
Buy now £90.00, Canterbury
Canterbury – Phoenix Raze
Best for: forwards with wide feet
These boots are ideal for tight-five forwards with wider feet who are looking for stability and durability.
The Phoenix Razes, which come in the Canterbury’s classic black and red colours, are designed to provide plenty of traction in muddy conditions, but you can also wear them on firmer pitches without worrying about blisters. With a cushioned ankle collar and wide-fitting forefoot shaping, they are also extremely comfortable, especially for those who spend a lot of time scrummaging on the balls of their feet.
They are reasonably priced but if you are looking for an extra yard of pace, you may want to go for a lighter and more flexible boot.
Buy now £60.00, Canterbury
Mizuno – Morelia Neo III ß Elite Mix
Best for: equal parts comfort and style
Mizuno is renowned for high-quality craftsmanship and the label has produced yet another sleek and stylish pair of boots in the Morelia Neo III ß Elite Mix that offer a snug fit and slipper-like comfort.
Made with k-leather, a knitted collar and thinner laces, these low-cut boots are designed for speed and flexibility and weigh in at just 240g. But they are also popular with kickers, and are worn by some footballers.
The rugby boots come with the instantly recognisable Mizuno logo, but the bulky leather and large tongue that featured on some of the company’s older boots are long gone.
Forwards may want to look for more wear-resistant footwear.
Buy now £175.00, Mizuno
Nike – Mercurial Superfly Elite DF SG
Best for: wingers
Technically, they are football boots. But you may see a few speed merchants, who are prepared to spend a little extra, sporting them on the wing this season.
The narrow Nikes, which come with a high collar, are designed to fit like socks, and weigh little more. And while they will be of little use to anyone who needs to scrummage and there is no padding to protect feet against stray studs, they provide maximum traction for those who are looking to rip holes in defences with searing acceleration and agility.
They are available in black and a range of bright colours, but each boot comes with the traditional Nike branding.
Buy now £200.00, Lovell Rugby
Adidas – Adizero RS7
Best for: speed
Here is another pair of boots that are clearly made for those with fleet feet, who want to turn heads and skip past defenders.
They are slightly heavier than the Air Zooms, but still provide a snug fit and plenty of traction. And with a nylon outsole and 11 studs, you can rely on them on soft, muddy pitches.
Adidas claims the Adizero is the fastest boot they produce and that is why they are worn by some of the quickest players on the planet, such as Wales international Louis Rees-Zammit and All Black Jordie Barret.
The forefoot and asymmetrical laces are also designed to give kickers full control over each strike of the ball.
Buy now £96.50, Sports Direct
Canterbury – Phoenix 3.0 Pro
Best for: support
These are a typical pair of Canterbury boots. They aren’t made to attract a lot of attention. They’re made to last throughout a tough season and provide plenty of support.
Durable, supportive and comfortable, the understated, 11-stud Phoenix 3.0 Pros are made for dynamic forwards, but are light enough to be worn by players in every position. They also have an internal mesh lining which keeps your feet cool and dry, and provide plenty of padding for extra protection.
Buy now £45.00, Canterbury
Adidas – Kakari-SG
Best for: forwards prioritising power
Adidas has designed these boots for forwards who are looking to dominate scrums, rucks and mauls. They are relied on by tight-five forwards in amateur and professional teams around the world, but are of little interest to backs who prioritise pace.
Made with some recycled materials and the unmistakable Adidas design, these sturdy boots lock in your feet, with an effective heel grip, and offer stability when you need a steady base to generate force in the contact area. But the sportswear giant has also worked hard to keep the weight down and ensure that no one needs to sacrifice a yard of pace for some extra support
Buy now £59.99, AA Sports
Puma – King Pro Rugby H8 SG
Best for: value for money
These no-nonsense synthetic leather boots are incredibly comfortable, due to the thick soft padding around the heel and ankle, and easy on the eye, with the traditional Puma strip.
According to the brand, the H8s are considerably lighter than their predecessors and are ideal for dynamic forwards. They are made with a lighter outsole, which is still extremely tough, and eight removable metal studs. And with several retailers selling them for less than £40, they offer fantastic value for money.
Buy now £35.00, Sports Direct
Puma – Avant Pro
Best for: grip
Another pair of Pumas which are designed for comfort and stability. And while they are more expensive than the H8s, they are also more durable.
The streamline Avant Pros each come with 11 studs, to provide you with plenty of grip, a high-quality leather casing for your toes and ArmoYarns technology that wraps the foot at the heel to keep your ankle fastened in place.
It takes very little time to break in them, as they mould to your feet quickly. They can be worn by players in every position, and come in black and bright orange.
Buy now £55.00, Puma
Verdict
If you play in the forwards then you should look to get yourself some Stampede Pro 3.0s, as they offer plenty of support and protection, but are also lightweight and comfortable. While backs who care about quality should invest in a pair of the impeccable Morelia Neo III ß Elite Mixs.
