Boot Review: Canterbury Speed Falcon Elites - Black & Gold Edition

Friday, 03 October 2025 at 13:26

byTom Sansom

The Canterbury Speed Falcon Elite SG (soft ground) in black and gold is billed as lighter, faster, and stronger. After a full round of testing in proper Autumn rugby conditions, it’s clear Canterbury are positioning this as one of their sharpest speed boots yet.

The latest edition to the 'Speed Elites' saga, that also features a unique 'cheetah' colour-way designed by none other than England's Rugby World Cup winning fullback Ellie Kildunne, the black and gold edition deliver a class act on the pitch. With a performance-driven fit and a tech stack aimed at maximising acceleration and control, this boot is for the players who want every ounce of energy channelled into their explosive attacking game. The new boots can be purchased via the official Canterbury website.

First Impressions: Out of the Box

Upon first glance, the black and gold colourway looks sharp, premium, and unapologetically aggressive. The matte black woven monomesh upper is stylish but minimal, with subtle texturing and golden accents on the branding and heel. Compared to some of Canterbury’s previous designs, this feels sleeker, more modern, and built to stand out without the flashness of the luminous Speed Infinite Elites.

The boot looks like it's made for those players who enjoy the element of the unknown. Those speedsters that know their scorching abilities along the touchline, and want to keep that 'secret-weapon' mentality right up to kick-off. Dark, brooding and timeless with the gold flecks, this is a boot for the players that let their actions do the talking.

The boot is ultra-light in the hand, immediately reinforcing the “speed” in its name. There’s a clear design priority here: strip back weight while adding reinforcement exactly where it’s needed.

Comfort & Fit

The all-new ultra-lightweight monomesh upper wraps snugly around the foot, with targeted stitch reinforcement and a VAPOSKIN membrane providing both durability and structure. This results in a tighter, second-skin fit aimed at minimising energy loss. Every stride feels direct, with no wasted movement inside the boot.

The knitted collar sits comfortably around the ankle, giving breathable flexibility without constriction, while targeted zonal padding and the Ortholite® footbed keep the foot stable and cushioned.

Fit-wise, it’s deliberately narrow and performance-oriented, ideal for players who value responsiveness, but those with wider feet may need a pre-season break-in period. The heel profile is slightly looser, however, which has been engineered for unrestricted power and precision when kicking.

Performance On the Pitch

Traction & Stability

On soft ground, the stud layout performs impressively. The plate is powered by FLIGHTBEAM technology, delivering a combination of explosive energy response and lightweight stability. Bursting onto the ball in attack or exploding off the line in defence, the outsole responds quickly without feeling overly rigid. The studs dig in deep and consistently, giving the kind of bite you want in heavy conditions.

Acceleration & Agility

This is where the boot shines. With such a light build and snug fit, acceleration feels instant. Cutting lines and stepping off either foot feels smooth, with the stiffened mid-foot plate providing snap and responsiveness. The locked-in feel means there’s no lag, so what you put in, you get out.

Kicking Performance

One of the more noticeable upgrades is the textured front of foot profile. For kickers, this translates into a cleaner strike zone and improved precision when finding the touchline from hands. There’s no bulk getting in the way, and the streamlined design supports a more natural follow-through.

Tech Breakdown

Ultra-lightweight monomesh upper with stitch reinforcement and VAPOSKIN membrane: strong, breathable, and durable.
FLIGHTBEAM technology in the soleplate: explosive energy response and lightweight stability.
Tighter performance fit: reduces energy loss, enabling faster acceleration.
Unrestricted heel profile: maximises power and precision when kicking.
Knitted collar, zonal padding, Ortholite® footbed: breathable comfort and cushioning.
100% woven monomesh upper: premium feel with high strength-to-weight ratio.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Striking black & gold look — subtly stylish but performance-first
Featherlight construction without feeling flimsy
Explosive acceleration thanks to FLIGHTBEAM soleplate
Secure, locked-in fit for speed and agility
Kicking-friendly design with textured heel and front of foot profile
Breathable comfort with Ortholite® footbed and knitted collar

Cons:

Narrow, performance-oriented fit won’t suit every foot shape
Premium pricing puts it in the elite tier, which reflects the quality of the boot (RRP: £160 / €180)
Mud can still clog studs in extreme conditions (as with all SG boots)
Not exactly suited to the front row or lock forwards that dig up the turf at scrum-time

Verdict

The Canterbury Speed Falcon Elite SG (Black & Gold) is a speed boot in every sense of the word — light, explosive, and precision-focused. It’s engineered for backs and fast, mobile forwards who thrive on acceleration, agility, and sharp changes of pace, but it also packs enough durability to withstand the realities of soft-ground rugby.

If you’re after a high-performance boot that looks as sharp as it plays, the Speed Falcon Elite deserves serious consideration.