Articles of apparel include: (a) a garment structure having one or more fabric elements structured and arranged to provide a close fit to at least one predetermined portion of a body (e.g., area(s) of the body for which enhanced position sensing and/or feedback are desired); and (b) a body position feedback system engaged with or integrally formed as part of the garment structure. The body position feedback system may apply higher tensile or constricting (compressive) forces to selected portions of the wearer's body and/or stretch resistance, which can help stimulate or interact with nerves and deep tissue receptors located in various portions of the body. The increased forces at selected locations of the body give the wearer sensory feedback regarding the position or orientation of these parts of the body and can improve or accelerate development of “muscle memory.”

A cycling garment, said garment being a jersey, a jacket or a vest having a structure realized with an outer fabric layer and further comprising an inner fabric layer having different breathability properties from the outer layer, wherein the inner layer is internally joined to the outer layer and forms an inner lining of at least part of said cycling garment.

The present invention provides a garment (1) for covering a wearer's thighs. The garment comprises a pair of front resistance elements (6) each of which, in use, extends obliquely across the front of a respective one of the wearer's thighs. It also comprises a pair of rear resistance elements (10) each of which, in use, extends obliquely across the rear of a respective one of the wearer's thighs. Each of the front and rear resistance elements extends from a respective upper position (7, 11) located proximal to the midline (8) of the garment to a respective lower position (9, 12) located distal from the midline of the garment. This provides a stabilizing effect on the wearer's hip joint.

A device that provides support for sailors while hiking from a sailing vessel is disclosed. The device is a pair of sleeves tailored with pockets under each thigh that allow for supporting pads to be inserted in various combinations. The pads are ergonomically designed and can be designed with internal fiberglass battens, or molded plastic, and optionally in shapes that help apply torque to the boat dynamics. The sleeves are designed with one way stretch to optimize grip to the leg, and constructed in a choice of composite materials to aid durability and comfort.

A method of making articles of apparel that include a base layer having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The base layer is associated with a thermoplastic polymer element, then an aperture is formed through the base layer and the thermoplastic polymer element. A cushioning elements that may have a first material layer, a second material layer, and a plurality of foam components is positioned proximate the aperture. The first material layer and the second material layer are bonded to the second surface of the base layer. The foam components are located between and secured to the first material layer and the second material layer. In addition, the foam components are positioned to correspond with a location of the aperture.

A garment for increasing resistance to a wearer's body, the garment having a first portion with a fabric of a first resistance characteristic operable to stretch to conform with movement of the wearer's body and at least one second portion of a fabric having a second resistance characteristic, where the second portion conforms to an associated specific body area of the wearer's body such as a muscle or muscle group. Motion of the wearer's body causes the at least one second portion to either apply greater or lesser resistance to the associated specific body area of the wearer's body than the at least first portion applies to the wearer's body to enable targeting of resistance to specific body areas of muscle.

A cooling garment, including a garment body (1) and an external-air introducing three-dimensional member (2); and the external-air introducing three-dimensional member (2) includes a base material (2a), a side-wall material (2b) enabling an opening portion to be open during wearing, and an opening portion support material (2c). The three-dimensional member arranged on the garment enables a large amount of external air to be introduced into the internal portion of the garment, even to an exhausting area thereof, especially during movement, thus improving efficiency of air entry and exhaust.

In one embodiment, a fabric is treated by creating a treatment solution comprising a fluid repellant and an antimicrobial compound, creating a treatment foam from the treatment solution, and applying the treatment foam to only an outer side of a fabric so as to coat the outer side of the fabric with the fluid repellant and the antimicrobial compound without coating an inner side of the fabric with the fluid repellant and the antimicrobial compound.

An article of apparel includes at least one fabric panel including a first yarn having a first denier and a second yarn having a second denier. The first yarn forms an auxetic structure on the fabric panel comprising a pattern of interconnected segments defining cells, each cell having an interior area. The second yarn forms a fill portion extending between the interconnected segments of the auxetic structure and substantially fills the interior area of each cell.

A martial arts kimono component of a kimono (800) having a jacket (810) and trouser (820) and for the wearing thereof of a user (801), wherein said kimono component is formed for compliance with one or more pre-determined articulations of the limbs of a user (801).