Rugby boots are very similar to football boots in many ways, although they normally feature a high cut design for extra support and protection.

What Style Of Boot?

There are a number of options to consider such as low, mid or high cut and soft or hard toe.

Most back players will wear a low cut, soft toe boot that will allow them maximum mobility and feel for kicking the ball.

Forward players tend to be in direct contact with the opposition on a regular basis so require a mid or high cut boot with a hard toe for added support and protection.

What Type Of Upper?

As with football boots, the two types of uppers are traditionally leather and synthetic which each have their own advantages.

Leather boots will mould to the shape of your foot for supreme comfort and are very durable. Although they are waterproof, they can stretch if used in wet conditions.

Examples include: Asics Lethal Testimonial ST, Mizuno Timaru, Asics Lethal Tigreor 2 ST

Synthetic materials are becoming more common place and vary at either end of the price scale. High quality synthetic upper is found on many modern boots as it is strong, light and waterproof. However, some cheaper synthetic uppers will rip and tear easily under strain and tend to be found on boots at the lower end of the market.

Examples include: Gilbert Revolution X, Asics Tiggerug Seed, Mitre Italia II

What Are The Conditions?

The type of conditions that you will be playing on make a significant difference to the type of boot that you should consider buying. A boot will not allow the player to function correctly if the conditions are not suitable for the type of sole.

Traditional metal studs are designed for use on soft ground and there are usually eight studs on the boot to provide sufficient traction and grip. If pitches are very wet and muddy, many players will use a longer version of a metal stud.

When the ground is hard at the beginning and end of the season, you should consider wearing boots with moulded (also known as firm ground) studs. The studs are spread out across the base of the boot to provide greater stability, whilst also reducing pressure on the foot.

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