The Rugby Banter Page Gear Bag: Nike Premier FG Review

The Premier Nike FG Boots

The Boot

With rugby slowly ditching grass and mud for rubber and plastic, 3 and 4G pitches are slowly taking over grounds up and down the country, and this poses a new question for boot makers. With huge metal studs no longer needed to wade through swamps and bogs in the winter months of our season, what’s the next step for boots? Well Nike have cracked this problem with the gloriously classic Nike Premier FG Boots.

The black and white classic are a throwback to an era where the only variation in boots was the size, and protein was taken in the form of pre match pints. The design is based on an original 1994 classic named only as ‘The Boot’, which occupied the feet of every player from Dublin to Dunedin, but the modern take on the boots is by no means a step back.

Weighing a meagre 244g (UK Size 8), and with an arsenal of 13 solid mould studs, this boot offers the tools for a fly half to feel and guide every kick with pin point precision with minimal weight resistance, while also allowing props the ability to pack down against a freight train without giving an inch thanks to the stud placement which offers all round foot support.

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Breaking In/Feel of the Boots

Initially the lightness of the boots is apparent, feeling comfortable and fitting well. Prospective buyers note that although the boot is a good fit from heel to toe, it is smaller than average across the foot.

While this may not affect the majority of people, if you are stuck in that awkward stage between two sizes, I would recommend opting for a size 11 for example if you are a snug size 10, (or if you visit Lovell Rugby, they are one of a few sites that offer a size 10 and a half).

We’ve all suffered from new boot blisters, but so far, my achilles remains safe from that old agony. As a utility forward I got the chance to test this boot all over the park, and as a sufferer of the plague that is recurring ankle injuries, I felt that this boot did not provide me a strong and safe support to my ankle, especially in the front row, although the grip and traction were fantastic, and far beyond anything I’ve previously encountered that was 100% moulded studs.

There is a mix of goat, kangaroo and cow leather all used in the making of this boot, which makes them as comfy as a normal pair of trainers, but with the extra effort that went into executing the tenants of a petting zoo to make them, this boot truly is a wonderful feeling piece of gear.

Summary

This type of boot will undoubtedly become the norm as pitches change and don’t accommodate to the metal studs we know and love, but while we may soon have to say goodbye to our long time metal friends, the replacement is more than capable of filling the role. While of course the grip is not as strong as metal studs are, it is by far an improvement of previous moulded studs and things can only improve.

Position

While I wore these as a forward, I feel these boots suit numbers 9 to 13, and possibly some particularly pacey loose forwards. It offers the comfort and lightness for an accurate kicking game to be played, and with well placed studs, agility is supported from all angles. Loose forwards would not be totally out of place in these either as they offer solid support and in the times where the burnes really need to be turned on, these boots will not let you down.

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Price

At £100 (£90 at Lovell Rugby in the sales), these boots are in the upper regions of most peoples budgets for boots, and all things considered I would say that they are not value for money. These boots are a step ahead in moulds, but you could easily find a pair of solid boots for £30, and the extra £70 is near extortionate when you look at it that way.

OVERALL

Fit: 7/10
Performance: 9/10
Price: 4/10
Overall Rating: 8/10