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It all comes down to this. After carefully evaluating every option, eagerly awaiting the latest releases, and rigorously field-testing a wide range of rugby boots, we’re excited to unveil our top 5 picks for the best rugby boots of 2024!
Trust us, the competition was fierce, and narrowing it down wasn’t easy…
But now, without further ado, let’s dive in!
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#5. Canterbury Speed Infinite Elite
Canterbury wasn’t exaggerating when they dubbed their Speed Infinite Rugby Boots as the lightest Cantebury boots ever made.
Weighing in at an astonishing 217 grams for a UK Size 8, these boots owe their featherweight design to the New Zealand brand’s innovative use of AI, which trims away unnecessary bulk.
The result? A boot that’s not only incredibly lightweight but also a perfect match for back players who prioritise speed and agility on the pitch.
The Speed Infinite Elite boasts a patented stitch reinforcement within its signature ultra-lightweight monomesh upper, which supports the innovative VAPOSKIN membrane.
This makes the boot 25% lighter than last year’s model while retaining a rugged, robust feel. This durability ensures you can secure possession under pressure and make tactical kicking a breeze, whether you’re clearing the lines with precision or executing attacking kicks.
On the sole, Canterbury has reintroduced their FLIGHTBEAM technology from the Speed Infinite Elite 2023 model, but with an upgrade: the outsole is now made from 97% bio-based Pebax® RNEW® material, derived from castor beans.
This sustainable choice doesn’t just benefit the environment—it also delivers explosive energy response for quick starts, giving you an edge on the field.
The only minor drawback, if you can call it that, is the knitted collar, which may take some getting used to. However, after a few warm-ups and training sessions, it quickly becomes one of the snuggest and most comfortable fits available.
Pros (+)
- Ultra-Lightweight: At just 217 grams, these boots are designed to be incredibly light, enhancing speed and agility on the field.
- Enhanced Speed: Engineered for explosive acceleration, making them ideal for backs and wingers.
- Comfortable Fit: The snug fit and knitted collar provide excellent comfort and support, reducing the risk of blisters.
- Durable Construction: Made with high-quality materials, including a 97% bio-based outsole, these boots are both durable and environmentally friendly.
Cons (-)
- The knitted collar may require some getting used to due to its high-cut construction.
- Break-in Period: Some players might find that the boots require a break-in period to achieve maximum comfort.
- Specific Use: These boots are tailored for speed and agility, making them less suitable for forwards who require more stability and support.
#4. Canterbury Stampede Elite
While the Speed Infinite excels in lightweight agility, the Stampede Elite is built for players who need that extra stability and power in the scrums. Let’s take a closer look at how Canterbury has engineered this forward-focused boot.
As a New Zealand-based brand, Canterbury has unique advantages, especially in how they’ve engineered the Stampede Elite Rugby Boots. Drawing directly from the insights of New Zealand’s top athletes, these boots are designed to put power at the core of a forward’s game.
Weighing in at an impressive 240 grams for a UK Size 8, the Stampede Elite rugby boots may not be as lightweight as their Speed Infinite cousin, but this is a deliberate choice to meet the needs of forward players who require enhanced stability to compete for the ball in scrums and line-outs.
Thanks to player insight, we found these boots to be a considerable improvement over last year’s take, with a renewed last shape and well-calculated placement of internal foam at key contact zones that results in unbeatable push off.
The knitted tongue wrap within the upper offers exceptional comfort, and the midfoot lockdown provides additional security. This is further enhanced by the Stampede’s stability heel lock, which reinforces the boot’s structure while delivering remarkable energy return.
And let’s not forget the upgraded Flightbeam 2.0 outsole. With its two-part construction, the Stampede Elite promises triple the power.
The Flightbeam 2.0 outsole’s two-part construction might sound complex, but what it really means for you is more power with every step and greater stability when you need it most.
While it may be hard to measure exactly, we certainly felt the benefits of enhanced stiffness on the pitch, with improved power transfer and undeniable stability underfoot.
The icing on the cake is how the Flightbeam 2.0 outsole significantly improves forefoot bending stiffness. Paired with the wider toe-box and anatomical heel support, these boots offer supreme comfort.
Pros (+)
- Enhanced Power and Stability: The Pebax Flightbeam 2.0 outsole provides three times greater power output and enhanced stability, crucial for forward play.
- Excellent Traction: The boots feature eight 18mm studs, offering ultimate traction during scrums and rucks.
- Comfort: The wider toe-box and heel support, along with strategic internal foam placement, ensure a comfortable and secure fit.
- Durable Construction: Made with 92% bio-based materials, the boots are designed to be both durable and environmentally friendly.
Cons (-)
- Heavier than the Speed Infinite boots designed for backs, which could be a consideration for players prioritising speed over power.
- Break-in Period: Some players might find that the boots require a break-in period to achieve maximum comfort.
#3. adidas Kakari RS
Say goodbye to synthetic, and hello to ‘Liquid Leather’, the latest forward-focused material that places adidas’s patented Fusionskin technology at the heart of the Kakari RS’s design.
Inspired by the material used in their iconic Copa Pure football boots, Fusionskin has now entered the rugby arena, blending traditional calf leather with knit to create a material that offers the flexibility of a synthetic boot while retaining the classic fit and feel of leather. And it’s safe to say, we’re absolutely smitten.
Weighing in at approximately 399 grams for a UK size 8.5, the Kakari RS is adidas’s lightest Kakari rugby boot to date. While it may not be as lightweight as the Canterbury Stampede or Speed Elite boots reviewed above, the Kakari RS offers incredible value, especially given its premium leather construction and superior quality.
As an updated version of last year’s highly popular Kakari Z.1, the Kakari RS emphasizes durability. adidas has added subtle embroidered stitching on the medial side of the boot to enhance midfoot support, making them perfect for withstanding the rigors of rucking, scrummaging, and mauling that define the game.
The heel features reinforced stitching, providing optimal energy retention when sprinting for the try-line or exerting pressure during rucks, mauls, or scrums.
However, where this boot truly excels is in its ‘One Piece’ tooling on the soleplate. This design is the secret to keeping the Kakari light and is a significant improvement over the Kakari Z.1, offering enhanced flexibility, stability, and energy retention. The eight-stud configuration ensures maximum grip, making it ideal for forward players.
Perfect for those in the front five (props, hookers, and second rows), the Kakari RS delivers exceptional traction for scrums, mauls, and other forward-specific activities.
Pros (+)
- Excellent Traction: The eight-stud configuration provides maximum grip during scrums and mauls, essential for forward play.
- Durability and Stability: The robust upper design and one-piece soleplate construction offer great stability and durability, making them suitable for the physical demands of forwards.
- Comfort: Designed to adapt to the foot, these boots offer good heel support and a comfortable fit, reducing the risk of blisters and discomfort during long matches.
- Lightweight: While not the lightest on the market, the Kakari RS is relatively lightweight for a forward-specific boot, aiding in mobility and speed.
Cons (-)
- Price: These boots are on the higher end of the price spectrum, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious players.
- Specific Use: Tailored specifically for forwards, these boots might not be the best choice for players in other positions who require different features.
#2. adidas RS15 Pro
Introducing the adidas RS15 Pro, the rugby boot that’s been making waves with its sleek design and performance-enhancing technology. Built to deliver optimal responsiveness in every direction, this boot provides backs with the agility and quick reactions needed during dynamic play.
With comfort at the heart of its design, adidas integrates their signature Fusionskin leather—also featured in the Kakari RS—to deliver a first-class feel and a fit that molds seamlessly to the shape of your foot.
Weighing in at just 313 grams for a UK size 8, the RS15 Pro is 86 grams lighter than the RS, yet it’s packed with features like rigid stability wings, ripstop fabric, and foam sensepods placed at key contact zones.
Combined with asymmetrical lacing and 3D-printed grip textures, these boots offer exceptional ball contact, resulting in improved accuracy when delivering powerful kicks and passes.
The RS15 Pro truly shines in its speed-enhancing design, thanks to the speedframe outsole that provides biting traction while keeping players in control during explosive bursts of speed—exactly when the game demands it.
Pros (+)
- Lightweight Construction: Weighing just 313 grams for a UK size 8, these boots enhance speed and agility, making them ideal for backs and agile forwards.
- Fusionskin Technology: The upper is made from full-grain leather that moulds to your foot, providing a personalised fit and exceptional touch.
- Sprintframe Outsole: This technology offers a lightweight platform for explosive acceleration, helping players move quickly and change direction with ease.
- Multi-Directional Traction: The Speedframe technology in the sole provides excellent traction and support, allowing for quick cuts and changes in direction without losing footing.
Cons (-)
- Break-in Period: Some players might find that the boots require a break-in period to achieve maximum comfort.
- Specific Use: While versatile, these boots are particularly suited for backs and agile forwards, making them less ideal for players who require more stability and support.
#1. Mizuno Morelia NEO IV
The undisputed king of the pitch, the Mizuno Morelia Neo IV rugby boots take center stage as our top pick for the best rugby boot of 2024.
Weighing a mere 190 grams for a UK size 8, these are the lightest rugby boots in the lineup, providing unmatched agility without sacrificing performance.
Continuing their reign as the K-leather champions, Mizuno has integrated cutting-edge material construction into the Neo IV, ensuring these boots can withstand the toughest weather conditions, grueling training drills, and intense match days.
Staying true to their design philosophy, the latest Morelia Neo IV Elite utilizes K-leather to deliver a barefoot feel that doesn’t compromise on durability, no matter how fast you sprint to the try line.
With curves accentuated through striking pops of laser blue and brilliant white, the Neo IV Elite features quilted leather that instantly evokes a luxurious feel while enhancing touch for executing precise passes, accurate place kicks, or long-range drop goals to dominate your opponent’s 22.
Let’s face it—full leather boots with no mesh or air circulation provisions can be uncomfortable, especially when heat builds up with no escape…
But Mizuno’s relentless pursuit of innovation solves this with an updated structural 3D knit pattern that is soft, durable, and, when paired with the mesh midfoot, highly comfortable.
This significant upgrade from the previous iteration not only improves breathability but also makes slipping the boot on and off effortless.
The redesigned eyelet arrangement reduces lace pressure on the midfoot and minimises creasing when flexing, ensuring optimal energy retention for those split-second side-steps and forward momentum in scrums.
Further technological advancements include an ultra-light external heel counter made of nylon and TPU resin, which provides enhanced stability and support, significantly reducing strain on the feet and ankles.
Crowning it all, Mizuno has upgraded the outsole with a stiffer shank, delivering even greater stability. This enhancement makes the Morelia Neo IV a true all-rounder for serious players looking toenhance their game.
Pros (+)
- Premium K-Leather: The use of high-quality kangaroo leather provides a soft, durable, and excellent touch on the ball.
- Lightweight Design: Weighing approximately 190 grams (UK 8) , these boots are incredibly light, enhancing speed and agility.
- Enhanced Fit and Comfort: The snug fit with a knitted collar and redesigned heel counter offers excellent lockdown and reduces the risk of blisters.
- Advanced Outsole: The outsole includes a stiffer shank for greater stability and an ultra-light external heel counter made from nylon and TPU resin, reducing strain on the feet and ankles.
Cons (-)
- Specific Use: While versatile, these boots are particularly suited for players who need a balance of speed, agility, and stability, making them less ideal for those who require more support.
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