In need of a break from the heat for his football players, Auburn equipment manager Dana Marquez decided something needed to be done.

Through a partnership with Russell Athletic, Marquez developed CarbonTek, a lightweight shoulder pad system that keeps players cool and deflects energy for increased safety during games.

“Being in the South, we’re always trying to look at moisture management,” Marquez said in an Auburn press release. “The average shoulder pad will weigh anywhere from eight to 15 pounds when it gets wet, so we were really trying to reduce that weight issue.”

From Auburn’s release:

The carbon fiber shell in the CarbonTek shoulder pad system maintains its shape throughout tough hits. This exoskeleton is molded to specifically fit each athlete’s body and features a military grade buckle system for easier usability. Combined with the compression vest, a custom fit is achieved for maximum comfort and protection.

“Football is a big time collision sport,” Marquez said. “The average impact right now in college football is 55 miles per hour; this two piece system can disperse that energy.”