Hot Pockets generally come in two temperatures: ice cold and scalding hot. Often, those temperatures exist at the same time somehow.
But, people love them. And for those who want to keep them at their intended temperature, Hot Pockets just collaborated with Columbus Fashion Alliance on a pair of branded cargo shorts with an insulated pocket.
A literal “hot pocket.”
Hot Pockets made cargo shorts with a built in Hot Pockets warmer… We have never been more conflicted about a pair of shorts. pic.twitter.com/RNPbRstmZi
— Chubbies (@Chubbies) December 2, 2022
“Each pair has an insulated cargo pocket that keeps your satisfying Hot Pockets sandwiches boiling lava hot,” the company wrote on its webstore. “The shorts also come with a matching hoodie to make sure you ‘stay heated’ even when the temps drop.”
The khaki shorts feature a “stay heated” design with a little flaming devil guy. One pocket has a “hot” indication with “Insert Sandwich Here” instructions, and the rest of the pockets have blue “cold” indicators.
The hoodie is really the branding centerpiece, with a four-side decoration featuring flaming logos and a “Hotter in the Midwest” slogan on the back.
This is creative, and you know we love some good wordplay over here. But it seems a little late and obvious from Hot Pockets, doesn’t it? Especially after other companies like KFC have been creating ways to heat up food, sometimes while also running video games.
But what Hot Pockets does well here, flame designs aside, is subtlety. The “hot pocket” gimmick can easily be ignored, and these are a perfectly good pair of branded shorts, making them more appropriate for everyday use – especially if you’re one of those people who wear shorts every day, even in the winter.
The other thing that will keep people interested in these is the exclusivity factor. Hot Pockets only created a limited amount, and they’re already all sold out. So, you know collectors will flaunt these two pieces in the hopes that someone will say, “Whoa. Are those the Hot Pockets shorts?”
And they can smirk and say, “You know it,” as they pull out their hot pockets, kept warm in their shorts pockets, and promptly burn the inside of their mouths.
