RBP Gear Bag: Adidas Predator Incurza

If you look at the feet of some of the World’s best halfbacks, centers, outside backs, and even back rowers, you will see a very common trend. Many of them wear the Adidas Predator Incurza, the latest in Adidas’s seemingly never ending line of fantastic rugby boots.

The choice of Jonny Sexton, Dan Carter, Sean O’Brien, Handre Pollard, Dan Biggar, and many more, these are among the most well designed and thought out boots I have ever come across.

Looks are important to many of those who will be buying these boots (they are designed for backs primarily) and the Incurza’s do not disappoint. Available in Yellow/black, black/black, or black/yellow, the boots have a flashy, and yet somehow classy look to them, and are guaranteed to have you stand out on the pitch.

Adidas have made more adjustments to the kicking surface of the boots, and went with a pattern of raised rubber hexagon type shapes that offer great grip and feel when kicking. I have never had kicks feel as clean as I have with this new pattern, and even when kicking from hand they provide an excellent sweet spot for you to strike the ball with.

Adidas seem to have made these boots far more durable than the previous renditions of the incurza, in which the rubber kicking surfaces and parts around the outside edge of the boot would start to peel off after a few seasons of wear. These boots seem to have been put together with a bit more strength and they do not look like they will be coming apart any time soon.

The Incurzas do take a little bit of time to break in (two training sessions for me) but beyond that they are very comfortable. They fit snugly, and yet do not make you feel like you are undergoing foot binding. Instead they are supportive and very comfortable, some of the most comfortable rugby boots I have worn.

They are available with either metal studs or plastic molded ones, and one key factor is that these boots are very light, and the heel wedge (omnipresent in Adidas boots these days) gives you a great burst off the line. Having worn the boots on both artificial turf and grass, I can say that they have no shortage of grip, but do not feel like they are dragging your feet.

Overall, I would recommend these boots to a friend, though I would offer a warning regarding the prices. They can run up to £154 for the newer black/yellow ones, but the yellow/black are around 90 pounds, which is not too bad for a high quality boot that will last. Adidas continue to set a high bar, and if you ask me, they are currently the best brand for boots in rugby.

Ratings:
Looks: 9/10

Comfort: 8/10

Weight 9/10

Technology: 9/10

Overall: 9/10

Get Your pair of Predator Incurzas Here!