THE RUGBY BANTER PAGE GEAR BAG – ADIDAS PREDATOR INCURZA XT

The initial impression of this rugby boot is certainly a good one. They are very pleasing to the eye.

With a striking yet not to crazy colour way and a design that complements the colour way nicely.

Adidas seems to be leading the market in terms of rugby boots which take us away from the days of rugby boots looking big ugly and feeling heavy on the feet.

This boot, I would have to say that the boot certainly lives up to this claim. There is also a 5mm heel.

The Technology Adidas claim to have put in to this boot is the 3d puff print on the inner heel which is aimed at making the boot easier to break in and stop slippage.

In my experience of wearing wedge placed in the boot which is said to give better running/striking and reduce injury and strain on lower limbs.

You can certainly feel the feet sitting in a higher position than normal when you wear these boots compared to other boots in the same price bracket on the market.

This technology also allows for better grip than any other soft ground so far even in the wettest/muddiest conditions, which is pretty evident from the second you start to sprint and turn aggressively in them.

Durable rubber panels have been put over the instep in order to enhance the kicker’s performance.

I have found that certainly when kicking for goal from a kicking tee the rubber panels give a great aesthetic feel when you catch the sweet spot of the ball which is also something that you don’t get from other boots on I’ve tried on the market.

Kicking out of hand you do not always get the ball in contact with the rubber panels as much as I would like. I personally think this is down to the lacing system, which I will come to later in this piece.

The fit of these boots is good. Straight out of the box they are very snug but this does affect the lacing area which expands vastly when putting the boot on compared to when the boot does not have a foot in it.

This I would say is the only downside to the boot as the rubber panels tend to get a few bumps and do not stay completely flat to the inner foot.

I do not have wide feet and have not had this problem with the previous boot I was wearing which was the predator LZ which had a much closer tight knit lacing system and allowed plenty of lace left over to tie to the desired tightness as well as making the most of the striking system unlike the Incurza II.

I think this is down to the 5mm heel wedge making the foot sit a lot higher in the boot putting more stress on material width of the boot. It also makes the boot sit a lot lower in the ankle and Achilles area however I still felt there was more than sufficient support in this area of the boot.

Break in and comfort of the boot are very good from the off and my feet have never been in any discomfort or pain since I started wearing them.

Performance and durability of the boot overall are pretty good they have been through some terrible weather and good weather and have kept to a good shape and with the synthetic material they are easy to clean. Around the toe are of the boot the material does become a bit softer over time but does not hinder performance or alter fit in any way.

Where these boots sit as a half back rugby boot?

Percentage rating system:
(0%= terrible 100%= outstanding)

Wear and tear

• Comfort:   90%
• Grip:   100%
• Durability:   75%
• Ability of claimed technology within boot:   75%

Overall

• Fit:   75%

Boot Overall:

9.5/10

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