Football boots versus rugby boots - is there really a difference?

[AuntLucy]

I'm sorting the children's footwear for the autumn term and my son needs boots for rugby. Facebook marketplace turns up a selection advertised as 'football' boots in his size (metal studs, not moulded) but nothing tagged as rugby boots. Is there any practical difference, given that he is not likely to be trying out for England in them?

Technically - yes. I think the studs might be longer also there are specialised boots for forwards and backs. I think to give more ankle support and better grip in the scrum.
Also I think that astroturf blades aren’t recommended for really muddy pitches as they don’t have enough grip.
However saying all that if it is just for PE in school and he’s unlikely to be playing for the firsts in serious games then one pair should do.
If he plays for a local team then double check with the coaches as they may insist on proper studded boots for matches.

No, there isn't really as you can just switch the studs to rugby ones (the metal ones)

DSs played rugby from age 7 all through to 6th form and had football boots with rugby studs all the time.

I think the studs might be longer

Two studs on each boot are longer and I can never remember where they go 😂

@SoupDragon

I think the studs might be longer

Two studs on each boot are longer and I can never remember where they go 😂

Two back studs are longest.

You can get away with football boots so long as they have removable studs. I always buy extra studs when my daughter gets new boots because they wear down so quickly when they trek across the concrete in their boots.

Rugby boots are often much wider. Watch out for this if DC have unusual shaped feet. DS can only wear ruby boots as football ones won't for on his feet...

Won't fit on*

The studs are different but you can get one pair and switch between. When my DC were at school they got their boots checked every match as football studs not appropriate for rugby. I gave up swapping and ended up with separate boots but they were playing at school and weekends so it was not worth it to keep changing them over

Two back studs are longest.

I always thought it made sense for the two front ones to be longest. It was only fairly late in my "rugby mum" career that I was told this wasn't right.

My son has played rugby and football for years. He is now at U13s and has worn moulded type boots for both all the way through. I think most people wear football boots at that age from what I have seen. It’s never caused him a problem and no one has ever said anything even in matches.

Forwards rugby boots are padded on top to protect feet in the scrums etc, football boots are much thinner to allow for feeling and ball control. If the boots are just for school sports it probably doesn't matter in the slightest!

Yes, difference in studs, but also they’re typically wider, the ankle support at the back is also higher and around the actual ankle compared to a football boot. Football boots often have six studs, rugby boots have eight.

I always go for canterbury stampedes or mizuno.

Bright colours are also frowned on in rugby (although some players do now go for colours), where as in football bright colours are more common place.

Interesting stuff thank you. He does have very wide feet so I shall make an effort to get real rugby shoes now 😁

Don't Rugby boots come up over the Ankle bone to prevent injuries due to stamping?