SPORTSWEAR design experts at Reebok in Bolton have joined forces with their US counterparts and two top American universities to design a revolutionary new uniform for the top ice hockey league in the world.

The Rbk Edge Uniform System made its first appearance at the 2007 NHL All-Star Game in Dallas last month and will be worn by all NHL players from the start of the 2007-08 NHL season in October.

The kit was developed after three years of study with the focus being on performance and player protection.

Reebok used the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to conduct wind tunnel tests on the new uniform design and the University of Central Michigan's test labs to conduct heat mapping to see how much cooler the new design would be.

The new kit is designed to keep players lighter, drier and better protected while avoiding the energy-draining effect of wearing a wet sweater at freezing temperatures.

Matt O'Toole, CEO of Reebok-CCM Hockey said: "It had to be about improving performance on the ice. Over the years, the biggest change was the move from woollen sweaters to synthetic materials. And the jerseys got bigger as the players looked for a wider range of motion."

Reebok has its European headquarters at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. The company opened its design centre, employing 200 people in 2003, and recently announced plans to move a further 250 posts to Bolton from its site in Lancaster.

Player input has been important in the development of the uniform. Sidney Crosby, who endorses Reebok equipment, made several suggestions which were incorporated in the design.

Crosby, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, said: "I'm pretty picky about my equipment, so I'm probably a good one to test it on. The jersey is a lot lighter and tighter, but it moves with you. Hey, it's a new era for the NHL, it may as well be for the uniform too."