An apparatus for attachment to a backpack includes an elongate fabric sleeve having a length of between about 16 inches and about 20 inches, and including an opening through which a sternum strap of the backpack extends during use. The elongate fabric sleeve can be removably secured to a shoulder strap of a backpack, and can be positioned about an entire circumference of the shoulder strap such that the fabric sleeve covers the shoulder strap along a length of the shoulder strap between a first end portion of the shoulder strap and a second, opposite end portion of the shoulder strap.

An article of apparel includes a base layer defined by a Poisson's ratio, and a polymer structure coupled to the base layer. The polymer structure is configured to lower the Poisson's ratio of the base layer. The polymer structure includes a plurality of interconnected members forming an array of cell units. The plurality of interconnected members form cell walls with interior recesses defined within the cell walls.

Embodiments provide a water-resistant VAD lifestyle bag including a removable strap connected to two connectors along the top of the bag, a lower unit having two curved top edges connected to two connectors and having at least one water bottle pocket to contain water bottles and a front pocket cover flap, a zipper configured along the top of the lower unit, an emergency information window made of clear material to view the status of a VAD device, a plurality of pockets built into the back of the bag, at least one credit card pocket built into the bag, a VAD controller pocket having clips and configured to secure a VAD controller, and at least one VAD battery pocket having clips and fitted to house at least one VAD battery for powering the VAD device. The plurality of pockets is configured to secure pens, phones, and snacks.

A reconfigurable backpack with enhanced safety features uses a base panel, a folding line, a storage compartment, a shoulder strap, and a bag-securing mechanism. The base panel is a flexible piece of material that has a first edge and a second edge which are located on opposite ends of the base panel. The folding line is a line of demarcation that is integrated into the base panel and indicates where the base panel should be folded to be correctly reconfigured. The storage compartment is a sealable pouch that is connected to the base panel and used to carry personal items. The shoulder strap is connected in between the first edge and the second edge so that the user is able to support the base panel and the storage compartment on the shoulders. The bag-securing mechanism maintains the base panel in a folded configuration when engaged.

A collapsible backpack cooler includes a base, a collapsible portion, a back portion, and one or more straps configured for use by a user in securing the collapsible backpack cooler to their back. The collapsible backpack cooler is configured to allow the collapsible backpack cooler to transition between an expanded configuration, and a collapsed configuration having a reduced volume as compared to the expanded configuration.

A system comprises a first body, comprising: a backpack suspension; a first storage region; and a first portion of a first attachment mechanism. A second body comprises: a second storage region; and a first portion of a second attachment mechanism. A third body comprises: a third storage region; a second portion of the first attachment mechanism; and a second portion of the second attachment mechanism. In a first configuration, the first portion of the first attachment mechanism is coupled to the first portion of the second attachment mechanism. In a second configuration, the first portion of the first attachment mechanism is coupled to the second portion of the first attachment mechanism, and the first portion of the second attachment mechanism is coupled to the second portion of the second attachment mechanism.

Embodiments of universal adapter system including a belt adapter for a belt, such as a tactical belt, configured to couple one or more pack adapters secured to a respective load bearing pack, such as a backpack. Other embodiments of the universal adapter systems may be described and claimed.

A backpack for transporting articles and for ballistic including at least one compartment and opposing straps vertically attached to a back-facing portion of the backpack. A first compartment includes a plurality of pouches disposed on an inner surface of the first compartment to store various accessories, a second compartment immediately behind the first compartment defines a cavity sized to receive a bullet-proof material, and a third compartment is formed between the second compartment and the back-facing portion and used to store or transport various articles. Once the user senses danger or comes under fire, the user may deploy the backpack as a ballistic protection by shifting the backpack from where the back-facing portion rests on the user's back side to where the back-facing portion rests on the user's front side. While in the ballistic protection mode, the straps remain situate on the user's shoulders so that both of the user's hands remain free to access accessories stored within the backpack and to utilize firearms if necessary.

A backpack shoulder strap protector includes laminated padded shoulder coverings that are in direct contact with the skin. The padded coverings are held together and in place by elastic material around the waist, also elastic material that is attached between the pads keeping them in place. The primary function is to prevent abrasion and damage of the skin due to the weight and movement of the backpack straps while walking that have clothing or other items under the straps.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a hammock. The hammock comprises a body. The body comprises a plurality of layers of material cut to form a channel in each end when folded and sewn together to form a quadrilateral parallelogram. A length of grosgrain ribbon is sewn down a length of edges of long diagonals of at least two of the plurality of layers of material, so as when folded over and sewn the channels are formed.