Looking for the best rugby boots for this season? You’re in the right place!
To help you in your search, I’ve compiled a list of my top five rugby boots for both league and union players of all shapes and sizes, based on my own personal experience and research.
Best rugby boots for 2025, at a glance:
- Best Overall: Adidas Malice Control (SG)
- Best For Backs: Nike Legend 10 Academy SG
- Best For Back-Row: Canterbury Stamped Grndbrk Team Stiefel
- Best For Kids/Juniors: Optimum Aztec
- Best For Wingers & Sevens: Canterbury Speed Pro SG
- Best For Forwards: Canterbury Unisex’s Phoenix Raze SG
Disclosure
Note: This article contains some affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links. You will incur no additional cost. All costs and information are correct at the time of publishing and I will occasionally edit for freshness and accuracy. Always check the retailer for more information.
Best Rugby Boots of 2026
Explore my top picks for the best rugby boots, including popular brands such as Adidas, Nike and Canterbury. I’ve taken my own experience as a rugby player into account, as well as research into third-party reviews and customer satisfaction.
Adidas Malice Control (SG)
- Amazon Rating: 4.3/5
- Price: £119.98
- Best Overall
I wore these Adidas Malice Control (soft ground) rugby boots as a scrum-half and would certainly recommend. The design is timeless and you know you’re going to get quality materials with a brand like Adidas. They’re slightly more expensive than other options you’ll see in this list and across retailers like Pro Direct Rugby and Amazon, but you get what you pay for. These are robust, well designed and sleek rugby boots, great for both forwards and backs. Based on my own experience, I absolutely recommend!
Nike Legend 10 Academy (SG)
- Amazon Rating: N/A
- Price: £79.99
- Best For: Backs
Nike boots are nothing if not sleek. These Nike Legend rugby boots are beautiful; I’ve worn similar boots in the past (Nike Tiempo’s) and I must admit that these are some of my favourite boots for both backs and maybe even loose forwards. They feature cushioned insoles and a tongue construction with additional padding for greater support. These Nike cleats also feature on my best rugby boots for ankle support list, and for good reason!
Canterbury Unisex Stamped Grndbrk Team Stiefel
- Amazon Rating: 4.5/5
- Price: £60.00 – £82.92
- Best For: Back Rowers
Canterbury are one of the most recognisable brands in world rugby, and their selection of boots are impressive – none more so than these beauties. I love the striking blue colour, but they’re also available in ‘Mars Dust’ and black. These are great options for both backs and loose forwards. They’re more suited to firm grounds, with the metal stud, but I’d recommend as a regular in-season pair for those in the UK and similar climates.
Optimum Aztec 6 Stud Rugby Boots
- Amazon Rating: 4.1/5
- Price: £44.95
- Best For: Kids/Juniors
These Optimum rugby boots are perfect options for junior rugby players (they’re also available for seniors – but there are better options out there for adults). Some reviews call this out – “Son is very happy with his new boots”, and reference the “excellent quality”. As far as junior rugby boots go, you can’t go far wrong with these. Your son or daughter will be thrilled with the design, colour and feel of these boots. One concern mentioned by reviewers are the laces splitting through boot, so be careful with that. Still, I fancy these as the best rugby boots for kids in the UK.
Canterbury Speed Pro SG Rugby Boots
- Amazon Rating: 4.7/5
- Price: £76.02 – £95.00
- Best For: Wingers
These Canterbury boots are unique and top quality options. They’re listed as “men’s” rugby boots, but they look pretty unisex to me – like most rugby boots. The colour contrast between the bottom part of the boot and the main foot area is striking. Reviewers call out their “great quality”, but it’s worth noting that the sizing is relatively small, so you might want to order half a size up.
Canterbury Unisex’s Phoenix Raze Soft Ground
- Amazon Rating: 4.5/5
- Price: £52.99
- Best For: Forwards
A best seller, these Canterbury Phoenix Raze SG rugby boots are the best options for props, hookers and forwards in general. Robust and strong, while breathable, these boots are popular among many players in the UK and beyond. They include both metal and moulded studs for better traction, which I know from experience as a half-back is incredibly important for my forwards. No excuses in the scrums here! They are great value-for-money, as is often the case with Canterbury boots, and reviewers praise their quality, comfort and fit. If you’re in the front row, you’ll want to consider these bad boys!
How to Find the Best Rugby Boots For You
I’ve listed my top picks for the best rugby boots for a variety of people and positions – including forwards and backs – but ultimately, it the right option for you depends on your personal preferences. I’ve been playing rugby as an amateur for over 20 years now, and I can say from experience that it takes some trial and error to find the right brand and style of rugby boot that suits your feet and the way you play the game. I like to wear dark boots as I’m not the most flashy player, and I have wide feet so I always look for brands with wider fits, for example. You may be the world’s most flashy sevens rugby player who has narrow feet, so it’s all down to your personal preferences and unfortunately sometimes it comes down to trial and error.
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FAQs
How do I choose the right rugby boots for me?
You should choose your rugby boots based factors such as cost, fit, comfort, design and practicality. If you’re a back, for example, you may want lightweight boots. If you’re a forward, you may want more durable boots.
Can you wear football boots in rugby?
Football boots and rugby boots are usually interchangeable, provided they are within the rules. If you’re in doubt, check with a referee and take a spare pair of boots if possible, just in case yours don’t comply to the rugby law. I generally shop for rugby-specific brands, but you can’t go far wrong with brands which are better known for football either.
What boots can you not wear in rugby?
Blades, runners or trainers, and boots with worn metal studs are not permitted in rugby. If you turn up to a game with these, the ref will not (or at least should not) let you play. And as someone who’s played amateur rugby for over 20 years, trust me, they check religiously before EVERY match.
What are the best wide-fit rugby boots?
Some people, including myself, naturally have wider feet than others, which can make choosing a pair of rugby boots a bit of a struggle. There are, however, specific wide-fit rugby boots available. The best wide fit rugby boots available to buy online are the Canterbury CCC Phoenix 3.0 SG boots.
How long do rugby boots last?
A new pair of rugby boots should always last a full season, and many more in fact. In my experience, I’ve had rugby boots last anywhere up to three or four seasons before they begin to break down. I’ve also seen cheap rugby boots last less than one season before either breaking or wearing down; so it varies. How long a pair of rugby boots lasts depends on factors such as: the quality of the materials, how often you play, the condition you keep them in, how many accidents (stamps or rips) your boots undergo, and more. Just remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to rugby boots!
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