Are rugby boots the same as football boots? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Are rugby boots the same as football boots?

77
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 18:40

I know that soccer players wear slender, brightly colored football boots with plastic studs. I have paid for enough of them over the years but now my son plays rugby. It's hot, sweaty and that's only watching. And did I mention it's on at an ungodly hour on a Friday morning? I understand nothing about it but I have noticed that lots of the other kids have different kinds of boots. A few wear those brightly colored ones, but most seem bigger, bulkier, heavier and they clink on the ground so I am assuming the studs are metal. Can anyone clarify? Are these other boots required? Are they bigger and bulkier for a reason?And are metal studs safe? What if someone stood on someone's face? And what about these black padded things a minority of the boys wear? Are they important? Is it not too hot for them? Any insight would be appreciated.
<em>edited by realist on 12/10/2012</em>

4329
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 13 October 2012 - 17:50
oh and the black padded things ? I would imagine you are talking body armour - some like to wear and others don't - they provide protection at the key impact areas namely shoulders, chest and kidneys. You get them in a variety of levels - some with minor padding, others with extensive..they can also be pricey but they are a safety thing...one thing that many of them do wear is a " base layer" ie something that will help them cope with the heat - one brand is Under Armour available at Go Sport. Make sure you get the Heat Gear ones. There are also Skins and other brands. Some also wear safety helmets - again depends on the position played. Don't rush in and buy everything at the start and I am assuming you have got a good gumshield for him!
4329
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 13 October 2012 - 17:21
This is something that I know a fair bit about. I don't know how old your son is but there are regulations about the wearing of metal studs here at certain clubs and in certain events in the year and they will not be allowed to play. Perhaps you should check..However after saying that - They must follow IRB regulations which basically state that studs or cleats should not be longer than 21mm and must not have any burring or sharp edges. The ground here is HARD and therefore the people with the metal clunky boots are wearing exactly the wrong type ! I think they get them due to lack of information/education as well as feeling " hard" - there used to be a little **** who used to point at his metal studs all the time to threaten the others. Personally I think that any parent sending a child out in metal boots needs their head examined. There are enough injuries sustained without metal studs! I have seen the effect of these on knees, legs and faces! Not good! There are different boots for different positions with different number of studs but really a basic pair of boots with cleats or studs will do. http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/Rugby-Boots/Adidas/Adidas-R15-II-FG-Rugby-Boots-Black-or-White-or-Blue Here's an example - look at the base. Pricey because they are leather. I would go to Go Sport ( often have offers on) . Try them on - what is comfortable - that is the best brand. Some brands are very narrow e.g. Puma if I remember correctly! Depends whether you want to pay for leather or not. Try to avoid the latest models as they are always expensive and ridiculously priced.
25
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 October 2012 - 16:13
You can get rugby boots in Go Sport, at Ibn and at MOE. Again, if your son is a back, just use football boots with the moulded studs (I think they call them astros ?). Good luck x
77
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 October 2012 - 15:29
Ok. I am getting the impression from you that he needs a new pair. Festival city is really far from me. Where else can I buy them? And what is a good brand? And when he plays at school he obviously can't wear studs on the AstroTurf so are his flat football boots without the studs suitable for that?
25
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 October 2012 - 14:44
It also depends whether the player is a back or a forward. Backs can normally get away with moulded studs on the bottom of the boot, but forwards need them with strong ankle support and toe coverage to stop them getting stamped on ! We buy ours in the UK in the summertime, much better quality and value.
1618
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 18:44
For kids yes but the Cantebury (sp) store in festival city has rugby boots.
84
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 October 2012 - 18:43
You can have the same boots but change the studs. Rugby studs are wider and rounder at the bottom. HTH
 
 

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