Adidas Rugby Boots

adidas Rugby Boots - Kakari vs RS15

adidas currently make two dedicated rugby boot lines: the Kakari for forwards and the RS15 for backs and agile back-row forwards. Understanding which line suits your position is the first decision, and it's a straightforward one. The Kakari runs an 8-stud configuration built for scrum and maul traction, with a wider upper designed to handle the lateral forces of forward play. The RS15 uses asymmetrical lacing to create a clean kicking zone and 3D-printed elements for precision kicking - it suits anyone from scrum-half to fullback who relies on ball-in-hand accuracy and acceleration.

RS15 Pro, Elite and Ultimate - What's the Difference?

The RS15 range runs across four tiers and each one uses different materials to hit a different price and performance point, all feature a 6-stud outsole. The Standard tier uses a synthetic upper and is the sensible starting point for players who want adidas's RS15 platform without the top-end price. The Elite steps up with an adaptive leather upper that moulds to the foot shape over time, giving a broken-in feel earlier than most synthetic boots manage. The Ultimate goes further still - a synthetic forefoot for responsiveness, rigid stability wings for lockdown during explosive sprints, and ripstop fabric with foam Sensepods in the heel for a secure rear-foot fit. The RS15 Pro is the top-tier option, built around a Fusionskin leather forefoot and Sprintframe outsole that prioritises lightweight acceleration above everything else.

Kakari Elite and Kakari RS - Forward Boot Tiers

The Kakari follows a similar tier structure. The Kakari SG is the entry point into the Kakari range, with a synthetic leather upper built to handle the demands of forward play without the premium price of the Elite or RS models. The Kakari SG Elite uses an adaptive leather upper and a split outsole designed to reduce weight without sacrificing the stability forwards need. The Kakari RS is the top-end forward boot, with a Fusionskin upper for durability and weight saving, plus an inner support system built to improve stability and ground feel in the tight confines of rucks and mauls. If you're a prop or hooker buying on performance rather than budget, the Kakari RS is the one to look at.

adidas Predator Rugby Boots - What to Know

The Predator boots we stock are adidas football Predators used by rugby players, primarily kickers and backs. The current Predator Pro is built around the fold-over tongue that creates a clean, unobstructed striking zone - exactly what a fly-half or fullback wants when kicking for goal or looking for hang time on a 50-22. The Nanostrike Pro technology on the upper adds grip textures designed to improve friction at the point of contact with the rugby ball. These are firm or soft ground boots suited to backs and kicking specialists on drier surfaces, not a forward's boot.

FG or SG?

FG (firm ground) boots use moulded studs and suit most grass pitches from late spring through summer. SG (soft ground) boots use metal screw-in studs designed for heavy, wet ground. The RS15 and Predator both come in FG and SG versions. The Kakari is only made in SG. For most UK club players the SG is the more practical choice across the season, particularly in Scotland, the north of England, Ireland and Wales where pitches hold moisture into spring.

Sustainability

All adidas rugby boots incorporate a minimum of 50% recycled content in the upper. It's worth knowing if it factors into your buying decision.

If adidas isn't the right fit, we also stock rugby boots from Canterbury, Mizuno and OXEN - including the Canterbury Phoenix and Speed, the Mizuno Morelia, and the OXEN Metasock.