Slovan Liberec footballers will test Hot Boots warm leg warmers
Liberec – Football players of Slovan Liberec will be testing Hotboots, heated leg covers with a nanolayer and power bank, while sitting on the bench. The innovative product was developed by scientists from the Technical University of Liberec. Slovan will be the first top-division team to have access to the new gear, university spokesperson Radek Pirkl told ČTK. The heated "boot" with a cover ensures that players’ feet don’t get cold during winter matches, helping to minimize the risk of injury. Similar solutions are still rare worldwide.
The idea originated from former footballer and football academy owner Karel Kozma, and the concept was in development for about a year at the university's Department of Textile Evaluation. The result is a smart textile-based cover featuring three integrated heating pads in the lining, powered by a power bank. Players can step into the sack with their football boots on and pull it up over their thighs. Even in freezing conditions, the cover can maintain a comfortable temperature of around 25°C, and thanks to the outer nanomembrane, it is also resistant to rain and wind.
“We’re excited that FC Slovan Liberec has become the first professional football club in the world to adopt Hotboots for its players. It’s amazing that our entry into the professional football market is happening right where the product was developed. We truly appreciate the trust the club's management has placed in our innovative solution — especially since it's such a new product on the market. During the pilot phase of our cooperation, we have fully equipped the A-team, and we plan to build a long-term partnership,” said Kozma on behalf of the Hotboots company.
The heated leg covers have also been tested by other clubs. “We’re pleased that thanks to our cooperation with Hotboots and the Technical University of Liberec, we can further improve the service provided to our players while also reducing the risk of injury during the winter months. We're especially proud that this is a product developed right here in Liberec, and that we are the first club to have access to it. I believe this partnership with the Technical University of Liberec will be long-term and that we’ll continue to expand it over time,” added Štěpán Hanuš, Marketing and Sales Director of FC Slovan Liberec.