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.

A multi-threat base ensemble is provided that can include a shirt and pants. The shirt and pants provide flame and chemical protection to a wearer such as a first responder. The base ensemble also includes a targeted hazard protection system providing protection to the wearer at predetermined areas and a cinching system for selectively adjusting a portion of the shirt or pants allowing the targeted hazard protection system to be selectively drawn into proximity with a body of the wearer. Areas of stretchable ventilation and selectively-actuated ventilation openings, and additional comfort and protection elements are also provided.

A construct of selectively ventable insulation. The construct includes a substrate layer of a cohesive, bulky web of entangled fibers, with the web material defining a first side and an opposing second side of the substrate layer. The web material has an undulated form based on lapping of the web material. A covering layer is disposed adjacent to and coextensively over the first side of the substrate layer. A plurality of slits are formed in the covering layer. The slitted covering layer is configured so that when it is in a first condition, the slits are closed, and when in a relatively tensioned second condition, the slits become open perforations through the covering layer, thereby allowing venting of air or other fluid from a side of the covering layer that is adjacent the first side of the substrate layer. In another embodiment, the construct includes a substrate layer of a cohesive, bulky web of entangled fibers, with the web material defining a first side and an opposing second side of the substrate layer. The substrate layer may or may not have undulations. A plurality of slits are formed in the substrate layer so that when it is in a first condition the slits are closed, and when in a relatively tensioned second condition, the slits become open perforations through the substrate layer, thereby allowing venting of air or other fluid from the first side of the substrate layer to its second side.

An intelligent fabric includes: a base layer with vent holes, a thermal insulation layer on the base layer and capable of being moved relative to the base layer, an instruction generator configured to generate a switch instruction, and a controller connected to the instruction generator and the thermal insulation layer, and configured to control the thermal insulation layer to be moved relative to the base layer in accordance with the switch instruction, so as to switch the thermal insulation layer between a state where the thermal insulation layer covers the vent holes completely and a state where the thermal insulation layer does not cover the vent holes, or among the state where the thermal insulation layer covers the vent holes completely, a state where the thermal insulation layer partially covers the vent holes, and the state where the thermal insulation layer does not cover the vent holes.

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 vent structure and a method of forming a vent from a vent structure are described herein. The vent structure includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a set of ribs extending between the first elongate member and the second elongate member. The first elongate member is configured to be attached to a first side of an opening formed in an article of apparel and the second elongate member is configured to be attached to a second side of the opening, the second side being opposite the first side. Collectively, the first elongate member, second elongate member, and the set of ribs bias the first side and the second side to an open configuration that exposes and expands the opening.

An article of apparel is disclosed that includes zones with a textile having a structure than changes or is otherwise modified by a physical stimulus, such as the presence of water or a temperature change, to modify a property of the textile. The zones may be along a center back area and/or side areas of the apparel, and the textile may increase in air permeability when exposed to water. In some embodiments, slits are formed in the textile.

This disclosure relates generally to a drawstring closure that allows the user to pull up the shirt when needed. In multiple sports women find the need to pull their shirt over their chest because of the heat or other reasonsfor example cheerleading. The shirt will allow women to conveniently pull their shirt up, they can pull the draw string and the shirt will stay up on their chest.

A garment sleeve having a proximal shoulder end coupled to an armscye of the garment, and a distal, cuff end, terminating at a cuff, the garment sleeve including: (a) a seam running from the armscye to the cuff the seam being joined at least at the shoulder end and at the cuff end; (b) a non-separating zipper including;(i) teeth, and (ii) at least one slider adapted to reversibly couple the teeth, at least partially, between the shoulder end and the cuff end; the non-separating zipper operationally coupled proximate to the shoulder end of the seam and proximate to the cuff end of the seam.

A valve includes a substrate, a shape-memory wire, a conductive polymer, and a current source. The substrate defines an opening therethrough and includes at least one flap selectively extendable across the opening. The shape-memory wire is coupled to the at least one flap. The conductive polymer is coupled to the at least one flap. The current source is coupled to the shape-memory wire and the conductive polymer, such that electrical current from the current source selectively energizes the shape-memory wire and the conductive polymer thereby moving the at least one flap between a closed position and an open position.