If you are after the best adidas rugby boots for backs, the answer is the RS15 line. RS stands for Rugby Speed, and adidas builds it around the things a backline player actually does: accelerate, change direction sharply, and strike a ball cleanly. The rugby boots in it are engineered down to weight rather than up for contact.
This guide explains what matters in a back's boot, which RS15 tier suits your level, and why the lacing is the detail worth understanding.
What backs actually need
A back spends the game covering ground and reacting. The boot has to let you get off the mark, turn without fighting the surface, and — for at least half the backline — kick accurately.
That means:
- Low weight, because you are carrying it for eighty minutes of running.
- A six-stud outsole, which rotates more freely than the eight-stud forward layout when you cut.
- A clean striking surface on the instep for kicking.
- Heel lock, so the foot does not slide forward when you decelerate.
The lacing detail that matters most
Every boot in the RS15 line uses asymmetrical, off-centre lacing. It is the single most relevant feature in the range and the easiest to overlook.
Moving the laces off the centre of the boot leaves a larger flat area on the instep — the exact part of the foot you strike a ball with. If you take kicks at goal, out of hand, or restarts, that flat zone is a genuine advantage over a centrally-laced boot. adidas designed it specifically for rugby kicking.
Which RS15 suits you
| Tier | Built for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| RS15 | New and developing players | Soft synthetic upper, 50%+ recycled content, off-centre lacing |
| RS15 Elite | The regular club back | Leather-and-synthetic upper, metal studs for wet ground |
| Adizero RS15 Ultimate | Serious club and student players | Ripstop upper, synthetic forefoot, Sensepods, Speedframe outsole |
| Adizero RS15 Pro | The top level | Same Adizero build with a Fusionskin leather forefoot |
The standard RS15 gives you the kicking shape and the lightweight brief at the most accessible price.
The Elite moves to a leather-and-synthetic upper with metal studs, which bite into genuinely wet ground where moulded plastic sits on top of it. Leather also beds in over a season.
The two Adizero tiers change construction rather than trim — a ripstop upper, foam Sensepods in the heel to cut heel slip, and a Speedframe outsole tuned for acceleration. The Pro adds a Fusionskin leather forefoot for a softer touch on the ball; the Ultimate keeps it synthetic, which holds its shape better in the wet.
Full detail is in our guide to the adidas RS15 range.
By position
Scrum-half and fly-half. Kicking is part of the job, so the off-centre lacing matters most here. Both also need acceleration off a standing start.
Centres. Direction change and contact tolerance. Any RS15 tier works; the Elite's tougher upper suits a centre taking regular contact.
Wings and full-backs. Pure speed and covering ground. This is where the lightest builds — the Adizero tiers — pay for themselves.
Back row. Flankers and number eights sit between the two lines. If you cover as much ground as the backline, the RS15 suits you; if your game is scrummaging and carrying, look at the Kakari line instead. Our RS15 vs Kakari comparison sets them side by side.
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 Adizero RS15 Pro Firm Ground Rugby Boots – Off Whitefrom £69.99
Adidas Adizero RS15 Pro Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Junior – Core Black/Spark Yellowfrom £73.35
Adidas Adizero RS15 Ultimate Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Junior – Core Black/Zerofrom £46.80
Adidas RS15 Firm Ground Rugby Boots – White/Blue/OrangeNo offers today-13%
Adidas RS15 Firm Ground Rugby Boots – Light Bluefrom £69.99 
Adidas RS15 Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Core Blackfrom £80.00
Adidas RS15 Firm Ground Rugby Boots – Lucid LemonNo offers today-18%
Adidas Adizero RS15 Ultimate Soft Ground Rugby Boots – Solar Turbofrom £139.99 Before you buy
Check the surface. Most of the RS15 range is soft ground, built for soft, wet natural grass. The firm ground versions we track — the standard RS15 and the RS15 Pro — use moulded angular studs for dry, hard pitches. Check the surface on the product page before ordering, and see our guide to firm ground vs soft ground rugby boots.
Check the size run. adidas builds its senior boots UK 6 to UK 15 in every colourway — what varies is which of those sizes the retailers we compare have in stock.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best adidas rugby boots for a winger?
The RS15 line, and the lighter the better — the Adizero Ultimate and Pro are the lightest builds. Wings spend the game accelerating and covering ground, which is exactly what the line is designed for.
What are the best adidas rugby boots for a fly-half?
Any RS15 tier, because the whole line uses the off-centre lacing that gives a larger flat striking area for kicking. Choose the tier on how often you play rather than on position.
Do backs need metal studs?
Not necessarily, but they help on genuinely wet, soft ground. The RS15 Elite is specified with metal studs on a soft-ground plate; moulded studs suit firmer pitches.
Can a back wear Kakari boots?
You can, but you would be carrying two extra studs and a more supportive upper you do not need, and losing the RS15's kicking shape.
Related guides
- The adidas RS15 range explained
- adidas RS15 vs Kakari
- How to Choose Rugby Boots
- Rugby Boot Size Guide
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