Finding the best rugby boots is essential for those looking to take up the sport – whether it’s league or union – and you’ll almost certainly need a pair before you cross the whitewash and head out onto the pitch.
But finding the best rugby boots for you in 2023 isn’t always the easiest thing to do, and with the number of high-street stores in decline, you don’t get the same advice from shop assistants that know the ins-and-outs anymore.
Fear not, here at Your Sport Bets, our aim is to give you all the advice and tips you need to choose the most comfortable, suitable and best rugby boots for you, regardless of your position, the level of rugby you play at, or anything else for that matter.
Whether you call them boots, togs, cleats, shoes, or daps, here’s our guide to finding the best rugby boots for you.
Tap the below links to skip to any section!
Different Types of Rugby Boots
The Best Rugby Boots for Backs
The Best Rugby Boots for Forwards
The Best Rugby Boots with Ankle Supports
Shopping for the Best Rugby Boots
How to find the best rugby boots for you
Finding the best rugby boots for you comes down to a number of factors:
- Your position
- Whether you want all-weather, winter or summer-specific boots
- If you have a previous ankle or foot injury you need to support
- Most importantly, your preference
There’s no real right and wrong type of rugby boot to go for, but certain styles are better suited to specific weather or specific positions, and so on.
Rugby boots can be found in a whole range of different types and styles, so we better go through those first.
What are the best rugby boots for backs?
Take a look at the Adidas Kakari Force SG Mens Rugby Boots – they’re great all-round boots for backs.
Backs are known to typically be the more elusive, skillful and agile of the two – not to say that you can’t be all those things as a forward – and because of those traits, they tend to opt for a specific type of rugby boots.
The best rugby boots for backs are usually:
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Easy to get full range of movement in
- Useful for kickers
- Stylish (optional…)
Now, the best boots for wingers are bound to be pretty similar to the best boots for centres, but there are some positions that need to make sure that their boots help them with certain areas of their game.
Take the fly-half for example. Boots for a fly-half, who usually does a lot of the kicking, should have the extra bit of padding on the inside for kicks to touch, out of hand, and at goal.
The best rugby boots for kicking will always have that added bit of padding, and they’ll be light so the player can really generate the most power, as well as precision, as possible.
You’ll find that most boots have this, but they definitely won’t be found on the majority of forwards boots – unless you’re Zinzan Brooke (check his drop-goal in the 1995 Rugby World Cup).
Remember, for backs, lightweight rugby boots are the preferred choice.
The best boots for forwards have very different traits…
Best rugby boots for forwards
The best rugby boots for forwards at the moment are the Optimum Men’s Viper Senior Rugby Boots – tap the link to take a look at them, but they might be a bit too flash for some!
You might prefer these Adidas Kakari (Soft Ground) Rugby Boots – they are stunning, practical but more “modest” than the flashy Optimum Viper boots.
The best rugby boots for forwards are typically thought to be “mid cut boots” – big, sturdy, supportive boots with larger metal studs.
Their added support is useful in the tight quarters of scrums, rucks and mauls, reducing the risk of general twists and sprains.
Forwards’ boots, or mid cut boots, also tend to be made of stronger materials than backs’ boots, so you’re less likely to feel the odd stud to the toe in the boiler house, and they also intend on reducing the risk of twisting an ankle.
The larger metal studs also act as ‘anchors’ to help keep the pack steady under foot, which helps at the set-piece (line-outs and scrums). They’re usually heavier, but not too heavy, otherwise it would be really difficult to get around the park.
No boots are exclusive to backs or forwards, but there are certain traits that players in each position should look for in their footwear.
The best rugby boots with ankle support
The best rugby boots with ankle support are the Canterbury Unisex’s Stampede Pro Soft Ground Rugby Boots, which are ‘high-tops’ with additional fabric around your ankle to provide an added level of protection.
Another great rugby-specific boot with ankle support is the Canterbury CCC Phoenix Raze SG Rugby Boots, as it provides “extreme comfort and support”, and its sturdiness will undoubtedly help keep your ankles protected.
Rugby boots with ankle support can mean two things.
Mid cut boots (for forwards) provide good ankle support for those in the tight quarters, including scrums and mauls, but recent times have seen a new trend of backs rugby boots with fabric, elastic ankle supports.
These ankle supports on lightweight rugby boots may not help much if a 150kg prop catches you with his studs, but it should give you some extra support and might help reduce the risk of ankle twists.
You can also get ankle supports that are separate to your boots, worn by the likes of Gareth Davies and other international players.
These supports or ankle braces for rugby help with Achilles Tendonitis, heel pain, and ankle strains.
Best rugby boots for props
Props and hookers are likely to need the biggest, strongest and most sturdy boots, to help them in the set piece mainly.
The best rugby boots for props and hookers will be light enough for the players to comfortably get around the pitch, but their studs will be large and it’ll provide plenty of support.
The best rugby boots for props will typically include the following characteristics:
- Strong, sturdy materials
- Long, metal studs
- High-tops for ankle support
The front row is a tough place to play your rugby, but that doesn’t mean your boots have to be ugly! But it does traditionally come with the territory.
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Best rugby boots for flankers (back-row)
Although flankers are forwards, like props, they are loose forwards – meaning that they are normally more athletic and need to do more work around the pitch, such as making cover tackles and making turnovers.
The best rugby boots for flankers are similar to those of other forwards, but will typically be lighter and will let allow slightly more movement.
In other words, they’re a bit less block-like, and they’ll let the back-rowers get around the pitch and do their work.
Here’s the factors to look for in the best boots for flankers:
- Sturdy enough, but not too block-like
- Plenty of movement
- Lightweight but enough support for work in the boiler house
Same goes for number 8s as well. But with there being many different types of number 8s, be sure to buy a pair of rugby boots or cleats that suit your personal preferences. Compare Sam Simmonds, Taulupe Faletau and Billy Vunipola for example – all three players have very different strengths and attributes, but their choice of boots is a matter of personal preference.
What are the different types of rugby boots available?
There are many different types of rugby boots, including: standard boots with all-metal studs, moulded boots or “mouldies” with soft studs, or (quite popular now) a combination of both metal and moulded studs.
Soft ground boots
The best boots for the winter, or soft-ground season, are soft ground boots.
These usually have metal studs, whether it’s a mix of both metal and plastic studs or simply metal on their own.
Some of the best soft ground rugby boots include Adidas Kakari (Soft Ground) Rugby Boots – check them out using the link!
Soft ground boots with metal studs provide good grip below foot, and are often sturdier to suit more challenging conditions.
They used to look more like typical, basic “forwards boots”, but as the sport becomes more popular, the range available will please even the pickiest of people.
Hard ground boots
Hard ground boots (also called “mouldies”) are usually pretty similar to football (or soccer for the Brad Bobleys out there) boots, and the studs are a type of molded rubber.
One of the best firm ground boots on the market at the moment is the Adidas Men’s Predator Malice FG Rugby Boots, they’re great for backs and 7s rugby!
These are best for sevens rugby or rugby during the summer months, as they will be light on your feet and you won’t need that extra grip that you needed in the winter months.
Don’t worry too much about having both of these if you’re a beginner, however, we’d recommend getting a pair of boots with metal studs (at least half and half) to start, because certain mouldies or hard ground boots will leave you sliding all over the place with the slightest spot of rain.
“Cool” rugby boots
We’ve all been there, spending hours choosing the most “cool” rugby boots on the shelf.
- Adidas Men’s Predator Malice Control Sg Rugby Shoes – unique colouring andspecial tri-colour stripes.
- Adidas Men’s Predator Malice Sg Rugby Shoes – individual pattern and both metal and rubber studs.
- Optimum Boys’ Viper Junior Rugby Boots – the best rugby boots for young boys and girls out there!
Whether it’s a young aspiring player hoping to be the next Gavin Henson, or a middle-aged local-league player, some people just want cool rugby boots – and there’s nothing wrong with that.
We can’t tell you what’s cool and what isn’t though, that’s down to you to decide.
Back in the 2000s, bright colours were popular, but in more recent years, it’s seemed trendy to wear all-black or vintage-type boots, as worn by many of the internationals.
Shopping for the best rugby boots
You can buy a nice pair of rugby boots online or in-store – whether you’re a back or a forward.
There’s plenty of options out there and loads of different styles and brands to choose from.
You don’t have to splash out on boots if you’re a beginner – get an idea of what type of boot suits your position and your foot shape first.
But ultimately, what boots you go for is down to your preferences and what you want from your boots. Comfort or style? Sturdiness or a good range of movement? Long metal studs or mouldies?
Be sure to check out our upcoming full guides for each specific type of boots and give us a follow on Twitter and Facebook!
You might like our other rugby guides and reviews, including:
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