Rugby boots

[Howlingwithlaughter]

DS will be starting secondary school in September and will be doing rugby in pe for the first time. Can anyone recommend any rugby boots suitable for an 11 year old which aren't going to break the bank please? Also, he needs a mouth guard, do these come in different sizes? Or is it one size fits all?! Thanks

[prettybird]

Strike that - this latest gumshield does go through the wash apparently unscathed Ds knows he is lucky to be alive I thought I'd also checked his shorts on Sunday before putting them in the wash

[prettybird]

SoupDragon - I gave a lovely purple & green ball which was once a gum shield! I think it went through a hotter wash as I'm sure he's had other ones go through the wash

Ds has a habit of chewing the mouldable gum shields so keeps on taking them out. The custom ones he actually keeps in his mouth! But yes, I did have to invest in a new set once a season! It's only this last one that the dentist has said will last him for longer as his mouth is now pretty mature and his teeth are all well spaced he's fortunate that he's "got" his dad's mouth and not my overcrowded one

The dentist has sons who play rugby too

[SoupDragon]

The boil and bite ones go through the washing machine, when protected by a shorts pocket, just fine too. Several times.

[SoupDragon]

According to DSs orthodontist, if they are still growing, their jaw is changing shape and they shouldn't have the custom fit ones. He is horrified by the idea of them lasting more than one season. The boil-and-bite ones are absolutely fine.

[prettybird]

We had to wait until all ds' adult teeth were through before getting a custom-fit gum shield (from the dentist). We had to get a new one each year though ; this year's one is the first one the dentist has said could if ds doesn't put it through the washing machine again last him for more than a year as his mouth is now "stable" (he turns 15 next month).

[SoupDragon]

DSs orthodontist said that no way should any child have the Opro specially fitted mouthguards.

DSs have been playing rugby for years and they have to have metal studs. Usually we buy footy boots and just switch the studs.

[prettybird]

Forgot that if you're likely to play on artificial pitches (3 or 4G AstroTurf) then they'll prefer/require rubber studs.

[MN164]

On the gum shield it isn't worth getting a custom fit expensive one until their baby teeth have all gone and their mouths stop growing and changing shape. Adolescents teeth move quite a bit as the jaws and gums grow.

[MN164]

We got these (£25) which have changeable studs (metal rounded for Rugby, thinner plastic/metal for footie).

www.hi-tec.com/uk/league-pro-si-ez-junior-football-boot-red-black.html

[BertrandRussell]

My DS plays both football and rugby in the same pair of football boots. Not allowed metal studs for either.

[Ahwoo]

Gum shields and boots - Sportsdirect.
Buy the cheaper ones. 11yr olds grow quickly and the boots rarely lasts longer than a year.

[prettybird]

We discourage "blades" at ds' rugby club for safety reasons. You can buy studded football boots and change the studs to rugby studs (either metal or rubber). That can sometimes be cheaper - although Sports Direct usually has reasonable prices. (Football studs are usually? a mix of nylon and metal and can sharpen which is dangerous. Anyway they're not allowed for rugby)

Decathlon is the other place to look for cheap rugby/football boots - and is also good for spare studs and cheap gum shields. Asda is also good for cheap gum shields.

Don't bother with a custom fit gum shield until you know he'll a) like it and b) will look after it. Our dentist charges £50. BTW they don't like going in the washing machine

[Howlingwithlaughter]

I don't think we have the indoor/outdoor trainers. Will have to double check the list again in case I've missed it. I know cricket whites are on there but they can wait until next summer.

I'm almost sorted but have a long list for my weekend shopping trip and only this coming weekend to get it done.
My name labelling is up to date. Sew in woven labels to start with. If primary school is anything to go by, a few weeks in and I'll be using a sharpie pen!!

[BackforGood]

I would hang on until September and then check when they are going to be playing rugby.
It's pretty common in Secondary schools to try a whole range of sports for about 1/2 a term each. If He's not starting with rugby, his feet might grow before (say March) when he starts. There might also be a thriving second hand market from other parents who have fallen for the 'buying new for September' thing then finding they didn't really get used.

[nagsandovalballs]

Also, if you get boots with screw in studs, you can use them for rugby and football with just a change of studs.

[MaryBerrysEyelashes]

Get a diy one from go pro. Some nhs dentists will make proper ones for free.

[Berthatydfil]

The moulded gum shields are £&& and unless he has all his adult teeth and has stopped growing will probably be a waste of money. Also you don't know how often they will play or if there's a risk of losing it. You can get the mouldable ones in sport shops which are fine - don't buy the very cheapest and experiment with fitting - you can also take a kitchen scissors and trim them.
With regard to boots it might be worth waiting till school starts back to ask if they have any rules on studs etc. You might find one pair will double up for rugby and foot ball if they are the blade types and again you don't know how often they will actually play and he may grow or lose them so unless he plays for a team it's not really worth spending ££££.

[nagsandovalballs]

Unlikely to get his teeth knocked out. Mainly it's to prevent concussion (from your lower jaw snapping shut too hard) and I've played for years with cheap mould yourself mouth guards without getting concussed. It's a brilliant sport, especially for teens - discipline, team work, bravery, pride, a position for every body shape.

[WorraLiberty]

Interestingly enough, at my DS's school they're not allowed to wear metal studded boots for football but they have to wear them for rugby.

[murphys]

Sorry, meant to post about gum guard. Those mould yourself guards are okay, but if he is going to take up rugby seriously, then I would suggest a properly fitted and moulded one from the dentist.

Its not just to protect the teeth, mouth guards are mainly used to prevent concussion.

[murphys]

I have found that the boys are wearing the football type boots, not the round stud but the longer blade type one. And my 16 yr old ds plays rugby and not many of them wear the metal studs. For younger boys, they don't allow them to wear the metal studded boots, as they are quite dangerous, if you got one of those to the head you would know about it. Plus they damage the floor if they walk through the school with them on, plus - the noise! And ds says those are the most uncomfortable.

[WorraLiberty]

My local uniform shop sells gum shields for £2.99 and they're just as good as the more expensive ones.

And as senua said, just as easily lost!

[senua]

OPRO: Does anyone know are they much different to the ones you can get in the shops?

No - DC are exceedingly capable of losing both sorts.
Save your pennies.

[honeysucklejasmine]

Gum shields from shops are put in to hot water to soften and then you pop them in your mouth and clench your teeth to mold it to shape. You may need to trim the ends down to fit his mouth. The posh ones are moulded exactly to his mouth as is. If he's still growing, it might become uncomfortable over time.

Studs wise... I am surprised they haven't specified. Lots of clubs have rules about it based on whether they will be "sharpening" them on concrete on their way to the pitch.

Either way, please check his studs regularly to make sure they aren't sharp. Often the pre training check isn't really adequate to pick up problems.