adidas cooling overshoe worn by 2026 FIFA World Cup footballers tested at 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ
Someone is about to put on adidas’ CLIMACOOL SYSTEM overshoe. This is a pink textile boot with three black stripes on the side
Image courtesy of adidas.

Researchers at 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ collaborated with adidas to define the benefits of a cooling overshoe worn by footballers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

adidas’ CLIMACOOL SYSTEM – which includes a cooling vest, jacket and overshoe – looked to combat the impact of the high temperatures experienced during the tournament on athlete performance.

Ahead of the World Cup, the Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre in 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ’s School of Design and Creative Arts helped define the benefits of the overshoe – which is placed directly over a player’s boot and contains a cooling gel.

This evaluation involved footballers undertaking exercise in the Centre’s climatic chambers, simulating the peak heat conditions anticipated during World Cup matches. 

A treadmill with two large fans behind it. This is the climate chambers at 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ Unviersity.

Professor Simon Hodder, an expert in environmental ergonomics, said: “The cooling overshoe designed to be worn over football boots during halftime, helped reduce foot temperature, provided a sense of overall cooling and gave a reduced sense of physical effort when players restarted exercise, which would be the equivalent of a potential power boost after the break, compared to no cooling.”

Further information on the CLIMACOOL SYSTEM can be found in the dedicated adidas news story:

All media enquiries should be directed to nevena.milenkovic@adidas.com.

Press Release Reference: 26/149

Meg Cox

PR Manager

Tel: 01509 222608

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines. 

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2026 QS World University Rankings – the tenth year running. 

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ has been ranked eighth in the Complete University Guide 2027 – out of 130 institutions. The achievement means 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ remains among a select group of universities that have maintained a top 10 position for more than 10 consecutive years, alongside Oxford, Cambridge, the London School of Economics, St Andrews, Durham and Imperial.

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ was also named University of the Year for 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 - the fourth time it has been awarded the prestigious title. 

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ has been awarded eight Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education. 

The 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓÆµ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.