Rugby Banter Page Kit Bag: Guide To Boots for the 2014 Season – FORWARDS EDITION

DUE TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR LAST BOOT GUIDE, HERE AT RBP HQ SAID IT’S ABOUT TIME FOR AN UPDATE AS MOST TEAMS WILL BE STARTING, OR HALF WAY THROUGH, PRE SEASON.

So sit back, relax, and choose your new boots!

We’ll give you 2 different options for each position. We have compiled all our research and looked for the best options for every player, suiting budget and quality.

#1&3 – THE PROPS

The fat guys. They need to have boots that have good traction, which usually means the extra 2 studs on the forefoot of the boot, but you need to find a mix of stability, support, and weight. if you have a strong sturdy boot but it’s too heavy and weighs you down, you’ll fatigue trying to get around the pitch.

OPTION 1 – ADIDAS ADIPOWER KAKARI II 

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The Daddy. Suited to the player who wants to dominate the scrum and is the foundation of their team, the Kakari performs in every way. Treated to a Bravo synthetic leather, this has the feel of a soft K-leather but is far stronger to deliver a specific forward play boot. From a performance perspective, this material also helps prevent boot deformation and stretching, resulting in the shape being retained for longer while also moulding quickly to your feet. Most professional players’ first choice. Apart from a redesign, the Adipower kakari is still pretty much the same boot we saw last year, but it has set the standard for all Forward’s boots and in my opinion is unrivaled in comfort and stability.

CURRENT PRICE: £84.99

RATING: 8/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

 

 

OPTION 2 – MIZUNO FORTUNA 4 SG

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A great value boot for players of all abilities, the Mizuno Fortuna 4 SI SG Rugby Boots are a humble offering which should not be under-estimated. With a price tag of only £30, it’s very hard to go wrong. Made from a durable synthetic upper, for durability and ease of maintaining, the Fortuna employs a traditional central lacing system and fold-over tongue for optimum comfort and support across the boot. The light weight and flexible outsole combines with a reinforced midfoot to offer great traction through the implementation of eight screw-in studs across the heel and forefoot. Best suited to soft natural surfaces, the Fortuna makes light work of heavy and wet conditions throughout the demanding rugby season.

A very comfy boot and will serve you well.

CURRENT PRICE – £29.99

RATING – 6/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

 

 

2 – HOOKER

The guy who’s stuck between the two fat guys and is usually fat himself. The hooker has two choices when it comes to boots – he can go for a lighter 6 stud pair and sacrifice some traction in scrums, or get an 8 stud pair like the props but risk not being as mobile around the pitch.

OPTION 1 – XBLADES LEGEND SPEED SG

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A lesser known brand but certainly making a great impression (apart from being worn by Dylan Hartley..), The Aussie brand are really impressing us here at RBP. Weighing in at only 267g (UK size 8), the ultra-thin premium kangaroo leather ensures plenty of comfort to treat your feet to. Employing a traditional central lacing system this further enhances the overall feel, as does the padded heel and ankle support. Designed to make light work of soft natural surfaces, the Legend Speed employs strategically positioned screw-in, metal tipped studs. Can easily whack a set of 21mm’s on them and go to town.

CURRENT PRICE – £79.99

RATING: 7.5/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

OPTION 2 –  ASICS LETHAL WARNO ST2

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One of Australia’s finest exports, the Asics Lethal Warno ST2 SG Rugby Boot has made the long journey to grace our shores with power, speed and comfort in perfect harmony. Featuring a mix of leather and synthetic leather across the upper, wearers will experience instant comfort supported by great durability. Perfectly suited for positions 1 ‒ 8, the Lethal Warno is enhanced by the Asics HG10mm (heel gradient) which is now common place in all their rugby boots as an innovative way of preventing injury by placing less stress on your foot during play. One of the lightest 8-stud boots around, they’re not to be messed with.

CURRENT PRICE – £109.99

RATING – 8/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

 

 

4&5 – THE LOCKS/SECOND ROWS

The Tall guys, their main jobs involve having their heads stuck between two fat guys’ legs, or have their fingers up their arse. Either way, it’s not a position I’d like to play! But here’s our suggestions for their boots.

OPTION 1 – ASICS LETHAL SCRUM 

One of the Take-downs from the Lethal Warno, this boot is still nothing to be messed with. sporting a £60 price tag and a striking yellow colour, these are great for any player 1-8. This boot incorporates a synthetic leather upper and EVA cushioning making it both sturdy and comfortable, enhancing fit and performance all round. With an interchangeable eight stud configuration, the Lethal Scrum lends itself perfectly to natural soft conditions and is suited to players seeking extra traction in their forward play.

CURRENT PRICE – £55.99

RATING – 7/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

 

 

OPTION 2 – MIZUNO MORELIA PRO SG 

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The lightest 8-stud boot on the market. A distinguished reputation as a true classic in terms of design and fit, the Mizuno Morelia Pro SG Rugby Boot has stood the test of time and just keeps on performing. A timeless black and white offering, with touches of red for flair, the Morelia Pro is an all-round high performer that is as popular now as it was when introduced back in 1985.

CURRENT PRICE – £89.99

RATING – 9/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE!

 

 

6,7 & 8 – THE BACK ROW

The workhorses. These guys will win you the ball, get you over the gain line, and score some pretty epic tries as well as stopping some. They need to be mobile as fuxk and able to get over the ball in rucks and not be budged easily.

OPTION 1 – ADIDAS FF80

The boot specifically designed for the back row. It’s hard not to mention it in a boot guide! Every aspect of the adidas FF80 has been engineered to increase traction in scrums, rucks and mauls; allowing loose forwards to be faster to the breakdown and provide a solid platform for explosive acceleration. After all, this is the boot of choice for All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and Kieran Read.Made from a strong, light and secure Bravo synthetic across the upper, a great inclusion is the TPU weld, a band of power wrapping over the forefoot which improves lateral stability. Another performance enhancing addition is that of the 5mm heel raise, designed for a dynamic foot position to aid sprinting.

CURRENT PRICE  – £129.99 (CHEAPER IN OLDER COLOURS)

RATING – 8.5/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

 

 

OPTION 2 – ASICS LETHAL FLASH DS3

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Presented as a traditional platform for rugby play, the Asics Lethal Flash DS 3 ST SG Rugby Boot thrives off standing out on the field but without compromising on high performance and comfort. The soft synthetic leather across the upper creates a natural touch and comfortable fit which has the look and feel of real leather. The material also helps reduce the weight of the boot and in addition allows your foot to breathe. Unique to Asics, the 10mm HG (heel gradient) is a subtle feature feature which helps to shift body mass forward to reduce the strain on lower limbs. A very light and sturdy boot that will not let you down and will last for the ages.

CURRENT PRICE – £79.99

RATING – 9/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

 

All the boots shown above are available at Lovell Rugby , Which offer free UK shipping with orders over £100. How can you go wrong!!

2 Comments
  1. Hi,

    Looking at the Adidas Kakari (I play loose-head) and on the Lovell website, it talks about Wide Fit and Regulate? Is there a difference, and if so, which one is better for me?

    Thanks

  2. really don’t rate the kakaris,… barely lasted a season before the upper came apart,… and thats with looking after them properly

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