Rugby boots are designed for stability and power, whereas football boots focus more on speed and agility. Rugby boots generally have a slightly raised heel and have more studs than football boots.
Depending on position, some rugby players opt for football boots. For example, backs tend to kick more and need a focus on agility, so football boots are more suitable.
Rugby boots also tend to be wider than football boots, as there’s not as much kicking involved in rugby. Wider boots also provide more power.
What are Soft Ground Rugby Boots?
When the ground is wet and muddy,soft ground bootsare the ones to go for. Soft ground boots provide more stability and tend to have longer studs, which is particularly important for players in forward positions who require extra stability for scrums and rucks.
What are Firm Ground Rugby Boots?
In drier seasons, firm ground boots are more appropriate. Firm ground boots tend to have shorter, moulded studs for more stability on hard ground.
How to stop rugby boots from smelling?
Playing rugby is a very sweaty business, so smelly boots are unavoidable. However, there are a few things you can do to prevent the odour.
The best preventative measure for your boots is to make sure you get them dry as quickly as possible. Leaving boots festering in your bag is a recipe for disaster, so get them out of there pronto.
Weather permitting, leaving boots to dry in the fresh air is one of the best options as the sun helps to kill the odour-creating bacteria.
Another option is to fill boots with old newspapers to speed up the drying process. The newspaper helps absorb moisture whilst helping the boots keep their shape. Swap out the newspaper every two to three hours for the most effective result.
Whilst it might be tempting to throw your rugby boots in the tumble dryer or use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process, you really should avoid this at all costs. Excessive heat will only damage your boots, causing materials to crack and split and break down adhesives that are holding the boots together. Letting your rugby boots air dry may take longer but is worth the wait to help them last.
As we mentioned before, baking soda and water are great solutions for reducing odours. However, when your boots are already dry, you can use baking soda on its own - simply pour some into the boots and let them sit for 24 hours before tipping it out.
