Buying the right pair of boots is always tricky, especially as a powerful forward who relies on performance. To help give you a greater insight, we enlisted the help of Biggar RFC prop Donald Voas to test and review the latest adidas Kakari X-Kevlar 2 rugby boots.
We asked Donald to wear the boots during pre-season and report back to us on four areas: traction, comfort, structure and style. Here’s what he thought…
Traction
The stud configuration gives excellent grip in the scrum, even in wet conditions, yet the boots are not so heavy as to impact moving about the pitch.
As a loosehead prop, staying upright in the scrum is critical and for Donald these boots certainly delivered.
The classic 8 stud pattern has been pushed to the very outside of the sole, giving traction to more of the foot and assisting in balancing out power in the drive phase.
Comfort
I was sceptical that the internal sock would have any significant impact on the comfort of the boots, but having tried them out I was proven wrong; the boots hug nicely around the feet, without being uncomfortably tight.
Internal sock liners are becoming more commonplace in rugby boots and are a great fit in the Kakari range by helping to lock your foot in and improve power efficiency.
Donald’s only negative comment was that it may make it slightly harder to take your boots on and off if you’ve got big feet.
Structure
The boots are rigid enough to provide stability in scrums and at the breakdown, but flexible enough to be comfortable when running.
Life as a forward is about more than just scrummaging so you need a pair of adaptable boots that won’t feel like an added burden.
While being weightier than boots designed for loose forwards, you’ll have plenty of mobility as you get around the pitch.
Style
The styling of the boots is also very nice, providing some character, but without being overstated or flashy.
Membership of the front row union may be under threat by rocking up in a pair of white or fluorescent boots. The adidas All Blacks design however offers a traditional colour style while featuring some intricate design when viewed up close.
Overall
All in all a brilliant pair of boots!
A nice, succinct summary from Donald! These boots will be worn by many of the top front row players at Rugby World Cup 2019 so will be perfect for you to wear in the new season.
These boots are available today at rugbystore.co.uk as part of the All Blacks range featured, or the blue and orange Horizon pack.
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