The simple answer is yes. The long answer is that it depends on the type of studs that your boots have and, even then, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Are Football and Rugby Boots the Same?
Football and rugby boots are different. Football boots are designed to be lightweight, offering more speed and precision, whereas rugby boots are built for power. You would struggle to play football wearing a pair of rugby boots due to their more robust nature, as well as the fact they tend to be wider than football boots.
That is because, in rugby, players do not kick the ball anywhere near as much as footballers and, when they do, power is more important than accuracy (i.e. kicking the ball back up the pitch). Playing rugby in football boots is easier than the other way around, but it is possible.
Rugby Stud Regulations
Metal, screw-in studded boots should be used to allow the player wearing the boots to switch between studs. This is because, in both codes of rugby, players are required to wear larger and more rounded studs (10mm minimum) than footballers.
Football studs are too narrow and sharp to play rugby, causing more damage should a player be stood on (with there being a greater possibility of this happening in a game of rugby). Some moulded studs may be usable in both football and rugby, but if you are planning to use the same boots across both sports you are much safer being able to switch between studs.
The main problem that rugby players will find with moulded studs is that they will wear much quicker than metal studs. This means that they can soon become too sharp and measure below the minimum 10mm size, therefore meaning that a completely new pair of boots will be required rather than simply replacing the studs themselves.
Why Some Rugby Players Wear Football Boots
Some players prefer to wear lighter weight football boots than those specifically designed for rugby to allow them to be more agile. These are usually backs (scrum-half, fly-half, centre, and wing) as their game is more centred around speed and kicking the ball than other players on the field.
Forwards who get involved in scrums and rucks are less likely to benefit from wearing football boots, due to their lightweight nature. The boots will offer very little protection when stood on. The narrower design also means that players would not be able to call upon as much power in the scrum or ruck, giving the advantage to their opponent.
Rugby Boots vs Football Boots
If you or someone you know plays both football and rugby, having one pair of boots that you can wear offers a more cost-effective solution – especially when you consider the price of modern-day sportswear. For those who only play one or the other, the clear choice is to buy boots designed for that specific sport – so always opt for dedicated rugby boots if you won’t be playing football.
As rugby boots are geared towards power and stability, often designed with extra support around the ankle (something which some newer football boots do offer), footballers will struggle. Compared to dedicated football boots, players will find that they do not benefit from the same touch and feel of the ball, making it harder to control and accurately pass and shoot.
The other difference between rugby and football boots is whereas football boots always have six studs, boots for rugby can have either six or eight. Backs generally wear six studs while forwards opt for eight studs, providing extra grip and allowing for more power. A pair of rugby boots typically weighs 250g, compared to 220g for a pair of football boots.
It is also typical for rugby boots to have a raised heel, which is again designed to provide the player wearing the boot with extra power in a scrum, ruck, or maul. Football boots do not have a raised heel, with the foot sitting on a flat surface.
In Conclusion
You can wear football boots for rugby, but only if the studs measure at least 10mm wide so as not to be classified as being too sharp. While you can wear moulded studs, it is much better to wear screw-in metal studs as they can be replaced and will not wear as quickly.
Additionally, you should only consider wearing football boots in a rugby match if you are playing as a back and do not require the same brute force that forwards do in the scrum. Playing in the back positions, you will be thankful for the additional support that rugby boots provide compared to lightweight football boots, which are built for speed over power.
