Rugby Boots for Backs & Backline Players

Backs need a lightweight boot with a platform built for open play rather than the set piece. A 6-stud boot is the standard choice, giving enough grip on natural grass to accelerate and change direction without the weight and bulk that comes with the screw-in 8-stud boots forwards rely on for scrummaging. On firm ground or artificial pitches, a moulded sole is a perfectly good option and many backs prefer them for the cushioning they offer on hard surfaces.

Get the fit right and the rest follows. A boot that sits snugly on the foot transfers power cleanly every time you push off, and for backs that matters on every single run.

Wingers need the lightest boot they can find without compromising on grip. Pure pace is the priority and any unnecessary weight works against you over the course of a game. The Mizuno Alpha is one of the lightest rugby boots available and is a popular choice among backs and wingers at all levels - the synthetic upper gives a locked-in fit straight from the box. The Mizuno Morelia Neo Mix is another strong option, offering a kangaroo leather upper for exceptional feel and touch, which matters when you are chasing kicks and handling on the wing. The Adidas RS15  is widely used by professional backs and sits at the top end of the lightweight category. For wingers on soft ground pitches through winter, a 6-stud soft ground boot is the right call - the grip in wet grass makes a real difference when you are trying to accelerate from a standing start.

Scrum halves have a unique set of demands. They need to pass off both sides quickly and accurately, operate close to the base of the scrum and ruck where they take contact, and still cover the ground of a back across the full 80 minutes. A lightweight backs boot is generally the right choice, but with a slightly more robust feel than a pure winger boot. Many scrum halves favour the Oxen Metasock or the Adidas RS15 for exactly this reason - light enough to play at pace, sturdy enough to handle the contact around the breakdown. A 6-stud soft ground boot is the match day choice on natural grass pitches through winter.

Fly halves/stand offs need a boot that performs with ball in hand and off the tee, and feel through the upper is a big part of that. Knowing exactly where the ball is making contact on your foot when you kick comes down to how much feedback the boot gives you, which is why leather uppers remain popular at 10. The kangaroo leather on the Mizuno Morelia Neo is the classic choice for this reason, giving a softness and sensitivity that synthetic uppers struggle to match.

If kicking is a major part of your game, the Adidas Predator is worth serious consideration. The grip zones built into the upper are designed specifically to improve ball contact and control, and for fly halves who kick from hand as well as the tee they can make a genuine difference to consistency and accuracy. The Adidas RS15 Pro is another boot featuring grip zones for kicking. 

For fly halves who want a more straightforward lightweight backs boot, the Oxen Metasock and Canterbury Phoenix are both solid options. They do not have the specialist kicking features of the Predator but they are light, well-fitting boots that handle the running demands of the position comfortably.

A 6-stud soft ground boot is the right choice on natural grass through the winter months. On firm ground or artificial surfaces a moulded sole works well and gives good cushioning during those sessions where you are putting a lot of kicks through.

The Canterbury Speed is the standout answer for pure pace. It is one of the lightest rugby boots made and designed specifically with backs in mind - less boot between your foot and the ground means faster turnover and better feel when you are going at full pace. The Mizuno Morelia Neo Beta Elite Mix is another option frequently mentioned alongside it, sitting slightly heavier but offering better touch through the kangaroo leather upper. The Adidas RS15 completes the top three for backs who want a boot at the lighter end of the spectrum from a brand with a strong presence at professional level. Weight is not the only factor in speed - fit matters just as much. A boot that fits well transfers power more efficiently than a slightly lighter boot that does not lock your foot in properly.

It is close between Mizuno and Adidas at the top end. Mizuno have built their rugby boot range around the demands of the backs game - the Morelia Neo and Alpha are both purpose-built lightweight boots with strong followings at club and professional level. Adidas counter with the RS15, which is widely worn across all back positions in the Premiership and international rugby. Canterbury and Oxen are worth considering for backs who want reliability at a lower-mid price point - their backs range offers good fit and durability without the premium price tag of the top Mizuno and Adidas models. The right brand ultimately comes down to the shape of your foot as much as anything else. If you have tried Adidas and found the fit narrow, Mizuno often works better for players with a slightly wider foot.

For pace and agility, the adidas RS15 Pro is one of the lightest soft ground boots available at 313 grams. The Canterbury Speed range is built specifically for backs, with a low profile 6-stud outsole and a close fit that doesn't sacrifice feel underfoot. The Mizuno Alpha is worth considering too, a lightweight boot with a responsive feel that suits backs who want something different from the adidas and Canterbury options. All three are used regularly at club level by players who prioritise footspeed above everything else.

Asics don't currently distribute rugby boots in the UK, so we don't stock them. If you're drawn to Asics for the fit or the raised heel, the OXEN Metasock boot is worth a look. It has a 10mm heel wedge that gives a similar feel underfoot, and we stock it here.