A portable two-way protective respirator system to be worn by a person that filters ambient air of harmful viruses, bacteria, and other airborne contaminant particles and vapor components for safe and fresh breathing by the wearer, while also removing any harmful viruses, bacteria, and other airborne contaminant particles and vapor components from the person's exhaled airstream before it is emitted to the surrounding community to protect other persons therein is provided according to the invention. The system comprises a respirator mask connected by a flexible hose to an air inflow blower fan unit containing filter media that produces an incoming airstream for a first chamber contained inside the respirator mask free of those harmful contaminant particles and vapor components. A gaiter made from finely woven cotton material extending from the bottom of the respirator mask defines a second chamber for a second airstream exhaled by the person to remove viruses and bacteria from that second airstream by a diffusion mechanism as it passes between the threads of the finely woven gaiter material. The two-way protective respirator system is comfortable for the person to wear, while being highly portable to accommodate a variety of work, educational, and lifestyle activities conducted within a group setting.

A portable two-way protective respirator system to be worn by a person that filters ambient air of harmful viruses, bacteria, and other airborne contaminant particles and vapor components for safe and fresh breathing by the wearer, while also removing any harmful viruses, bacteria, and other airborne contaminant particles and vapor components from the person's exhaled airstream before it is emitted to the surrounding community to protect other persons therein is provided according to the invention. The system comprises a respirator mask connected by a flexible hose to an air inflow blower fan unit containing filter media that produces an incoming airstream for a first chamber contained inside the respirator mask free of those harmful contaminant particles and vapor components. A gaiter made from finely woven cotton material extending from the bottom of the respirator mask defines a second chamber for a second airstream exhaled by the person to remove viruses and bacteria from that second airstream by a diffusion mechanism as it passes between the threads of the finely woven gaiter material. The two-way protective respirator system is comfortable for the person to wear, while being highly portable to accommodate a variety of work, educational, and lifestyle activities conducted within a group setting.

A gaiter-containing pouch for use with a number of boots or other footwear. The pouch is comprised of an inner wall, an outer wall, with the gaiter held between them. The back of the inner wall includes a fixation surface to allow it to be attached to any of a number of different types of boots. The outer wall includes one or more enclosure means that allows the outer wall to be attached to the inner wall when the gaiter is contained inside the pouch in a storage position. The enclosure means can be released allowing access to the gaiter for use. When the gaiter is no longer required, the gaiter can be collapsed into the pouch and the enclosure means used to close the pouch.

A method of producing a sock including a gaiter (e.g., knitted integrally in a single garment). The sock further comprises a legging and a foot Upon knitting the legging to a predetermined point and to have a tubular form, first thread used to knit the legging is secured and second thread to knit the gaiter is released. Upon completing the knitting of the gaiter with the second thread, the first thread is released, and a remainder of the sock, including the foot portion of the sock, is knitted with the first thread.

A method of producing a sock including a gaiter (e.g., knitted integrally in a single garment). The sock further comprises a legging and a foot Upon knitting the legging to a predetermined point and to have a tubular form, first thread used to knit the legging is secured and second thread to knit the gaiter is released. Upon completing the knitting of the gaiter with the second thread, the first thread is released, and a remainder of the sock, including the foot portion of the sock, is knitted with the first thread.

A footgear barrier and a foot covering incorporating a footgear barrier. The footgear barrier is sized and shaped to be placed around a user's ankle and over the footgear, such as an athletic shoe, to block the gaps between the user's ankle and the footwear and reduce the amount of debris that may pass through the gaps. The footgear barrier may be incorporated within a foot cover such as a sock, such that the barrier is secured within an upper portion of the sock.

A footgear barrier and a foot covering incorporating a footgear barrier. The footgear barrier is sized and shaped to be placed around a user's ankle and over the footgear, such as an athletic shoe, to block the gaps between the user's ankle and the footwear and reduce the amount of debris that may pass through the gaps. The footgear barrier may be incorporated within a foot cover such as a sock, such that the barrier is secured within an upper portion of the sock.

An article includes a first garment, a second garment, and a waterproof fastener system configured to join the first garment to the second. The waterproof fastener includes: a first annular gasket, coupled to the first garment, the first annular gasket including a flexible substrate and a continuous groove radially oriented on the first garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first garment, and a second annular gasket coupled to the second garment, the second annular gasket including a second flexible substrate and a continuous rib radially oriented on the second garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the second garment. The continuous groove is configured to receive the continuous rib to form a waterproof interference fit.

A shoe includes a sole, an upper connected to the sole, a foot cavity defined in part by an inside surface of the upper, a top gaiter receiving member positioned on a forefoot portion of the upper, a heel gaiter receiving member positioned on a heel portion of the upper, a lateral gaiter receiving member positioned on a lateral side portion of the upper, and a medial gaiter receiving member positioned on a medial side portion of the upper.

An apparel top for use by a user is worn about a user torso and a user waist. The top includes an outer shell portion having first and second panels, a back panel, shell outside and inside surfaces, and a bottom edge. The apparel top includes a snow gaiter having upper and lower gaiter edges, first and second gaiter ends, and gaiter inner and outer surfaces. The upper gaiter edge is attached to the outer shell portion at the shell inside surface and extends along the first front panel, the back panel and the second front panel. The lower gaiter edge is generally positionable about the user waist relative to the user torso with the lower gaiter edge extending away from the user torso. The top includes a liquid bladder sized and configured to be inflated with a liquid. The liquid bladder is attached to the snow gaiter.