The adidas RS15 rugby boots are the brand's speed line, and RS15 stands for Rugby Speed. The range is built for players who cover ground, change direction sharply and kick off the same foot, which makes it the natural choice for backs and loose forwards rather than the front five.
This guide explains what separates the four tiers, what the Adizero name actually means, and which model suits your position and budget across the rugby boots we compare.
The four tiers at a glance
Every model in the line shares the same design brief. What changes between them is the upper material, how the studs are fixed, and how much support the midfoot gives you.
| Tier | Model | What defines it |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | RS15 | Soft synthetic upper, 50%+ recycled content |
| Club | RS15 Elite | Leather-and-synthetic upper, metal studs |
| Performance | Adizero RS15 Ultimate | Ripstop upper, synthetic forefoot, Sensepods |
| Top | Adizero RS15 Pro | Ripstop upper, Fusionskin leather forefoot |
What Adizero actually means
Adizero is adidas' designation across all its sport for its lightest, fastest footwear. On a rugby boot it signals the construction has been built down to weight.
Only two models in this range carry it: the RS15 Ultimate and the RS15 Pro. That matters because the step up from Elite to Ultimate is a change of construction rather than an upgrade of the same boot. The two Adizero models use a ripstop upper with foam Sensepods and a Speedframe outsole; the two below them do not.
Why the RS15 suits backs and loose forwards
Every boot here is designed around acceleration and direction change rather than scrum work: lightweight uppers, padding concentrated at the heel and collar, and asymmetrical lacing across the range.
That lacing detail matters more than it sounds. Moving the laces off centre leaves a larger flat area on the instep, which is the part of the boot you strike a ball with. If you kick, it is the most relevant feature in the range.
- Backs: wings, full-backs and centres who need acceleration and a clean striking surface.
- Loose forwards: flankers and number eights, who cover as much ground as the backline does.
- Front five: better served by the Kakari line, which is built around scrummaging and contact.
RS15: the entry model
The standard RS15 uses a soft synthetic upper with padding at the collar and heel, and foam in the heel to absorb the impact of sudden acceleration. The upper carries at least 50% recycled content, which is unusual at this level and worth knowing if it matters to your club or school.
It keeps the off-centre lacing, so you get the kicking shape of the range at the most accessible price. It suits newer and developing players, and anyone who wants a dependable boot without paying for elite-tier materials.
RS15 Elite: the wet-weather option
The Elite moves to a leather-and-synthetic upper on a soft-ground plate fitted with metal studs. Metal bites into genuinely wet ground more effectively than moulded plastic, which is why it appears on match-day boots rather than training ones.
Leather also softens and takes the shape of your foot across a season, which a synthetic upper never really does. That pays off for anyone out three or four times a week rather than once a fortnight — the boot ends up fitting you specifically. This is the tier for regular club rugby on heavy winter pitches.
Adizero RS15 Ultimate: the lightweight build
The construction changes here. The Ultimate uses a tough ripstop upper with a synthetic forefoot, foam Sensepods in the heel to cut heel slip, and a Speedframe outsole tuned for acceleration on soft ground. Moulded stability wings run through the midfoot, and it keeps the asymmetrical lacing and regular fit.
It suits serious club and student players who want a genuinely light, high-performance speed boot without moving to the top tier.
Adizero RS15 Pro: the top tier
The Pro shares the Ultimate's construction — ripstop upper, Sensepods, Speedframe outsole, stability wings — with one specified material change: a Fusionskin leather forefoot in place of synthetic, for flexibility and a more natural touch on the ball.
It sits at the top of the range, and it is the tier most associated with the professional game.
A note on the firm ground models
Most of this range is soft ground, but not all of it. The firm ground versions we track are the standard RS15 and the RS15 Pro. The RS15 Pro Firm Ground uses a premium synthetic upper, a low-cut profile to reduce bulk, and rests on moulded angular studs with a stability plate rather than metal studs.
That makes it a different tool. Firm-ground boots are for dry, hard pitches and are not a substitute for a soft-ground boot in midwinter mud. Most of the adidas rugby range is soft ground, so check the surface on the product page before ordering. Our guide to firm ground vs soft ground rugby boots covers the difference in full.
Which RS15 should you buy?
- New to the game or want reliable basics: the standard RS15.
- Playing and training most weeks on wet pitches: the RS15 Elite.
- Want a genuinely lightweight performance boot: the Adizero RS15 Ultimate.
- Want the highest specification and a leather touch: the Adizero RS15 Pro.
- Playing on dry, hard ground: the RS15 Firm Ground or the RS15 Pro Firm Ground.
adidas also builds two women's models in this line, the RS15 Rise and the RS15 Avaglide. We explain what separates them in our guide to the RS15 Rise and Avaglide, and compare them directly in best adidas rugby boots for women.
Compare adidas RS15 prices
We track the RS15 range across the UK retailers we work with, so you can see which sizes are in stock and what each model is selling for right now.
Adidas RS15 Firm Ground Rugby Boots – Light Bluefrom £69.99 
Adidas RS15 Elite Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Solar Turbofrom £89.99 
Adidas RS15 Elite Soft Ground Rugby Boots – White/Blue/Orangefrom £61.60 
Adidas RS15 Elite Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Royal Bluefrom £89.99 
Adidas Adizero RS15 Ultimate Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Solar Turbofrom £139.99 
Adidas Adizero RS15 Ultimate Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Redfrom £109.00 
Adidas Adizero RS15 Ultimate Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Royal Bluefrom £139.99 
Adidas Adizero RS15 Pro Firm Ground Rugby Boots – Off Whitefrom £69.99
Adidas Adizero RS15 Pro Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Junior – Core Black/Spark Yellowfrom £73.35Sizing
The RS15 range is listed as a regular fit. adidas builds its senior men's rugby boots in UK 6 to UK 15, including half sizes through the middle of the run. Junior boots are made in smaller sizes again, running from around UK 1. Sizing for the women's models is covered in our guide to the RS15 Rise and Avaglide.
The full size run is made across the range, but what you can actually buy depends on stock. The sizes shown on each product page are the ones available right now from the retailers we compare, so a size that has sold through at one retailer may still be sitting at another. Regular fit means your usual size is the right starting point, though if you are between sizes or buying for someone else it is worth measuring first — our rugby boot size guide covers how.
Frequently asked questions
What does RS15 stand for?
Rugby Speed. It is adidas' line built around acceleration, agility and kicking, as opposed to the Kakari line which is built for scrummaging and contact.
What is the order of the adidas RS15 range?
From entry to top: RS15, RS15 Elite, Adizero RS15 Ultimate, then Adizero RS15 Pro. Each step up changes the upper material or the construction rather than simply restyling the same boot.
What does Adizero mean on a rugby boot?
Adizero is adidas' badge for its lightest, fastest footwear across all sports. On the RS15 line it marks only the two top tiers, the Ultimate and the Pro, which use a different weight-focused construction to the models below them.
What is the difference between the RS15 Pro and the Ultimate?
They share the same ripstop upper, Sensepods, Speedframe outsole and stability wings. The specified difference is the forefoot: Fusionskin leather on the Pro, synthetic on the Ultimate. Leather softens the touch on the ball; synthetic holds its shape better when it is constantly wet.
Do RS15 boots have metal studs?
The Elite is specified with metal studs on a soft-ground plate. The firm ground models use moulded angular studs instead. Check the individual product before buying.
Is the RS15 good for forwards?
For loose forwards, flankers and number eights, yes, since they cover similar ground to the backline. For the front five, the Kakari and its eight-stud outsole is the boot designed for that job.
Related guides
- How to Choose Rugby Boots
- Firm Ground vs Soft Ground Rugby Boots
- Rugby Boot Size Guide
- Best Rugby Boots for a Forward
- The adidas Kakari range explained
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