An outdoor item such as a sleeping bag, jacket, hat or blanket with one or more ventilation/temperature adjustment openings. Each ventilation/temperature adjustment opening includes, in one embodiment, a mechanism that serves to either form an opening in one or both of the outer layer, and the inner layer of the outdoor item. In another embodiment, the one or more ventilation/temperature adjustment mechanism includes an air bladder which, when inflated, serves to push aside any insulation adjacent the deflated air bladder while in both embodiments, allowing the outdoor item to vent better, thereby cooling an occupant using or wearing the outdoor item thereby offering temperature regulation.

Ventilation device comprising a flexible support having first and second edges delimiting a longitudinal opening and being provided with first and second closing devices arranged to cooperate with one another, the ventilation device comprising at least one elastic spacer member which includes a first tab extending along the first edge and a second tab extending along the second edge, the elastic spacer member being constrained when the closing devices are in the closed position, so that the first and second tabs tend to separate from one another, the length of at least the first tab being less than half the length of the first edge

Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item that promotes thermo-regulation through the use of engineered openings, venting, and/or stand-off structures. In exemplary aspects, 20-45% of the apparel item may comprise the engineered openings. Vents may be positioned on the apparel item in areas that experience high amounts of air flow to help channel air into the apparel item. The stand-off structures may be positioned on an inner-facing surface of the apparel item where they help to create a space between the apparel item and the wearer's body surface in which air can flow and help cool the wearer by promoting evaporative cooling.

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods of integrating dynamic materials into articles for adjustable physical characteristics (e.g., aesthetic, functional). For example, in response to a human's body heat, a dynamic material may change shape to allow additional permeability in an article of clothing. Similarly, in response to the presence of moisture, an article of clothing may close a vent to prevent the introduction of rain into an internal portion of the article. The shape changing material may change shape that merely affects a feature formed by the shape changing material. Additionally, it is contemplated that the shape changing material may change shape that affects a geometric structure of the article as a whole (e.g., protrusions, dimples, vents, etc.).

A garment is disclosed that includes (a) a back panel, (b) a front panel including an openable seam, wherein the back panel and the front panel are coupled together and define a neck opening, a first arm opening, a second arm opening and a torso opening, (c) a first sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first sleeve coupled to the first arm opening, the first end of the first sleeve having a first plurality of elastic panels each covered by a scallop-shaped panel, and (d) a second sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second sleeve coupled to the second arm opening, the first end of the second sleeve having a second plurality of elastic panels each covered by a scallop-shaped panel.

A protective device for maintaining body temperature in a living being is provided. The inventive protective device comprises a first sheet member having a left portion and a right portion. The first sheet member has a left edge and a right edge. A first channel member defines structure defining a first channel. The first channel member defines structure which is secured to and overlies a first portion of the left portion of the first sheet member and overlies a first portion of the right portion of the first sheet member. A second channel defining structure defines a second channel, the second channel defining structure secured to and overlying a second portion of the left portion of the first sheet member and overlying a second portion of the right portion of the first sheet member. Each of the channels have a first side and an opposite side opposite the first side. A variable length member is disposed on and extends along the length of each of the channels. There is a connection structure positioned proximate the left edge; and a mating connection structure positioned proximate the right edge.

Aspects herein are directed to an apparel layer system configured to provide variable levels of insulation, warming, or air permeability. The apparel layer system comprises a first layer of material and a second layer of material both extending in a first planar direction. A third layer of material is positioned between the first and the second layers of material and is selectively affixed thereto. An adjustment mechanism coupled to the second layer of material can be mechanically manipulated to shift the second layer of material between different positions or states to achieve variable levels of offset between the first and second layers of material in the first planar direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first planar direction.

Systems and methods of integrating dynamic materials into articles for adjustable physical characteristics including aesthetic and functional characteristics are provided herein. For example, in response to a human's body heat, a dynamic material may change shape to allow additional permeability in an article of clothing. Similarly, in response to the presence of moisture, an article of clothing may close a vent to prevent the introduction of rain into an internal portion of the article. The shape changing material may change shape that merely affects a feature formed by the shape changing material. Additionally, it is contemplated that the shape changing material may change shape that affects a geometric structure of the article as a whole, such as protrusions, dimples, vents, etc.

An outdoor item such as a sleeping bag, jacket, hat or blanket with one or more ventilation/temperature adjustment openings. Each ventilation/temperature adjustment opening includes a fastening mechanism that when opened, an opening is formed in the outer layer and insulative material/layer of the sleeping bag but not in the inner layer, allowing the outdoor item to vent better, thereby cooling an occupant using or wearing the outdoor item thereby offering temperature regulation.

A method of manufacturing an article of apparel having dynamic vent-slits includes providing a fabric having a first surface and a second surface, forming a plurality of slits in a repeating fashion on the fabric, wherein a spacing between two adjacent slits in linear alignment is less than a length of a slit in non-linear alignment with the two slits and that is offset from the two slits such that the slit in non-linear alignment overlies the spacing between the slits in linear alignment, and the slit in non-linear alignment is parallel to the slits in linear alignment. The method further includes forming the fabric into at least part of the article of apparel. The slits may be positioned in one or more groupings, or aligned in different directions to open in response to different directions of stretch or movement, to provide dynamic ventilation.