Boots and Boot Studs

Studs

Molded Studs

• Permanent studs made of rubber or another non metal material
• Seen on Firm Ground Boots, soft ground hybrid boots, Artificial Grass Field Boots and Turf/Hard Ground Boots. Firm ground pitches are usually in sunnier, dryer climates.
• Usually tailored to backs

Detachable / Replaceable Metal Studs

• Replaceable studs made of aluminum
• Seen on Soft Ground Boots
• Allow players to tailor their boots with the stud lengths they prefer based on field condition, playing style and position.

Pros of Metal Studs

Metal studs wear more evenly than molded studs. If you take care of your boots by
cleaning the leather and replacing the studs when they wear down, your boots will last longer than molded boots.

Shorter vs Longer Studs:

Studs are available in 8mm - 21mm lengths

Shorter:

Backs tend to push less than forwards. Consequently they require less grip in
the ground. Backs typically use shorter studs that make for a lighter boot
and therefore, faster movement and pivoting.

Longer:

Forwards tend to shove, push and bulldoze forward meaning they need
better grip, especially at scrum time. Therefore, forwards use longer studs.
Many players push from the front of the foot. However, a longer stud at the
rear of the boot improves standing poster and helps the player lean forward
ever so slightly, making it harder to push him/her back. Therefore, the back
2 studs are often longer. Longer studs are also an asset in wet conditions.

Outsole Stud Designs

Firm Ground Boot Outsole Stud Design

• consist of 10-14 molded studs made of rubber or another non-metal material
• grip better than soft ground boots
• tailored to all positions in dryer parts of country
• if you only own one type of boot, this is good unless you live in a very wet part of country as they can be used on soft but not wet fields
• studs are bladed, conical or a mixture of both. The more one cuts and jukes, the more bladed
• the design should be, the more one twists and pivots, the more conical the design should be.

Turf/Hard Ground Boot Studs

• short, usually rubber studs uniformly across the outsole
• great force displacement
• grips ground with shallow studs that just penetrate surface of field

Soft Ground Outsole Designs

6 stud

• 4 up front and 2 on back heel
• allows for faster foot turn over for cutting and moving
• tailored to backs and loose forwards who want a lighter boot for cutting
  and pivoting

8 stud

• 6 up front and 2 on back heel
• slower than 6 stud design but has better traction
• tailored to tight 5 players or loose forwards who want increased traction and grip

7 stud (less common)

• 5 up front and 2 on back heel
• balance of speed and grip
• geared toward loose forwards

Boot / Stud Compatibility

Shop all Studs

Gilbert Boots                                                                              

adidas Boots                                                          

Canterbury

Gilbert Aluminum Studs

Canterbury