When choosing your next pair of rugby boots, there are many factors that go into choosing the best boot for your foot and playing style.
You may be concerned about the heel height on the boot, the outsole and type of studs best for different surfaces, or the overall weight affecting your performance. All are important elements to explore when selecting the best rugby boots for comfort, performance, and to assist in the prevention of injury on field. Read below to learn how to find the right boots for you.
How Do You Choose the Right RUGBY Boots?
When selecting the right footy boots for you, there are some boot features that you will need to assess. Start by looking at the heel on the boot, a raised heel is an important feature developed to help prevent injury. Next look to the outsole, the boot upper (the material that goes over the top of the foot), and finally the width of the rugby boot.
1. Look for Raised RUGBY Boot Heel to Help Prevent Injuries
The first and most important factor is to pick a boot with a raised heel to keep you playing longer and help reduce injury by taking stress off the lower limbs of the leg. By choosing ASICS rugby boots you are straight away accessing the great technical features of HG10MM found in many of our rugby boots. Compared to most in the market which have ‘zero’ heel raise which tend to put stress on lower limb structures when you play.
2. Consider Which RUGBY Boot Upper Material Best Fits Your Needs
ASICS utilises natural kangaroo or calf leathers as well as synthetic materials in their rugby boots. Natural fibers are strong, but it is the feeling and touch of the natural fibers that is the big difference to synthetics. Some higher-grade synthetics can be useful in wetter conditions as an option to the natural fibers. If feeling the ball on your foot is important to you, nothing is better than leather and in particular kangaroo football boot upper as it is much thinner than calf leather, giving you closer contact with the ball.
Are Leather RUGBY Boots Better Than Synthetic?
Leather or synthetic? While the fibers of each material provide different benefits, it often comes down to preference, with both leather and synthetic options available in the ASICS range.
The main benefit of a natural leather upper is the structure can never be replicated by synthetics. The flexibility and breathability of the material allow great fit around the foot and a more sensitive feel of the ball on your foot. No synthetic can replicate that ‘feel’ and comfort of leather.
The main benefit of a synthetic upper is water repellence for wetter or muddier regions. Where a leather boot may absorb the moisture, a synthetic boot will repel this, keeping you comfortable in wet conditions and drying out quicker than a natural leather.
3. Pick RUGBY Boot Widths Specific to New Zealand to Lessen Discomfort
Many rugby boots available in New Zealand are made for international markets, with a narrow boot design. While this might be suitable for some people, if your boot is too narrow, it may cause discomfort and increase the risk of injury. By choosing ASICS you will get a boot designed with unique technical features for the New Zealand market and the New Zealand foot shape. The foot shape ASICS build the boot around is derived from our extremely popular running shoes, making our football boots suited to the New Zealand foot shape.
The Best ASICS RUGBY Boots in 2023
The following rugby boots are the only rugby boots in New Zealand recommended or endorsed by PodiatryNZ and Sports & Exercise Physiotherapy New Zealand.
Turf Suitability: grass and turf pitches
Good for players who play on hard surfaces in wet conditions frequently and want a lightweight, quick-drying boot.
Turf Suitability: grass and turf pitches
Good for players who want a comfortable lightweight rugby boot design. The Lethal Flash IT 2 is suitable for playing on all turf surfaces, with a calf leather toe box in the upper.
Turf Suitability: grass and turf pitches
Good for those who play on harder surfaces, requiring a greater spread of studs. A unique SOLYTE ™ POLYMER outsole material is utilised that has an amount of give. This boot has good internal support in the midfoot and is specifically developed for women to comfortably fit the shape of the female foot.
Turf Suitability: grass pitches
Good for players who want a lighter rugby boot featuring an ultimate lightweight nylon outsole, with a full kangaroo upper for great feel of the ball and overall comfort.
Learn more about our full range of rugby boots and find the best pair to support your game.
Article Written By: Dr Chris Bishop PhD, Podiatrist, Fellow at Australasian Sports Medicine Federation, and Director of Biomechanics at The Biomechanics Lab