In certain embodiments, the inventive subject matter it is directed to a garment, e.g., boardshorts that includes pelvic and leg regions, the pelvic region being free of a fly structure in a fly region. A waistband system included at the top of the pelvic region for encircling the user's waist. The waistband system has an elastic housing configured to fully or partially encircle a user's waist, an elastically tensionable element having a portion slidably disposed in the housing and through an opening formed in the housing. A lock is associated with the tensionable element and the garment to allow for selective adjustment of tension in the tensionable element. The opening and lock are disposed off and away from the front pelvic region so that the front of the garment, or selected areas thereof, may have a flush finish.

A device for use in securing two or more laces on an article of clothing includes (a) a piece of flexible and elastic material having shear-resistive properties and an initial disk-like shape and (b) a hole formed in the material. When the laces are inserted through the hole a first time, wrapped together around a portion of the piece of material, inserted together through the hole a second time, and pulled tightly in opposite directions, the material deforms to (1) assume a self-herniated shape in which the material grips the laces and folds upon itself and the laces toward the hole, and (2) retain the self-herniated shape and secure the laces in place after pulling forces are removed from the laces.

A cord lock includes various components used to slidably adjust a cord length, such as one or more housing components that releasably clamp around the cord. In one aspect, the cord lock includes an arrangement of magnets that bias the cord-lock housing components away from one another, in order to secure the cord between the housing components. The housing components can be pressed towards one another to slidably adjust the cord. In a further aspect, the cord lock may also include a magnetized excess-cord retainer that attaches to a portion of the cord and that releasably attaches to the cord lock in order to help gather excess cord pulled through the cord lock.

Various example garment, footwear and bag articles may include a closable circumference in the form of a mouth, waist or foot opening. A circumference closing system may utilize at least one constrict-able tubular length to releasably retain a selected size of the closable circumference or opening.

An assist garments worn on or below the waist has finger loops mounted on a band to assist in dressing and undressing.

An expandable joint for use in, for example, a headband, includes elastic material, a low-friction sleeve, and a tube. The low-friction sleeve covers at least two opposing sides of a portion of the length of elastic material. The length of elastic material is affixed to the low-friction sleeve at a first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The length of elastic material extends beyond a second end of the low-friction sleeve opposite the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The tube substantially encloses the low-friction sleeve. The low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube at the first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve, and the length of elastic material extends beyond a first end of the tube.

A closing and tightening system for the waistband of a garment is provided. Two drawstrings are fed through four grommets. When both strings are pulled tight, both sides of the garment are pulled towards each other, and are secured on top of each other when tied down. The strings are woven through the grommets to allow the garment to be tightened on both sides, creating a secure attachment suited to use on athletic wear.

A tire exercise system has a tire having an interior portion covered with an inner tire cover. At least four shoulder strap attachment points are attached to the tire and configured to secure a right and left shoulder strap. At least two handles are attached to the tire and configured to accommodate human hands. At least two anchors are attached to the tire and configured to accommodate a rope system. A waist harness includes a waist belt. An anchor is attached to the waist belt. A rope system is attached to the tire and the waist harness. The rope system includes a first carabineer attached to a bungee cord, which can then be attached to the tire. A ring is attached to the bungee cord. A rope is attached to the ring. A second carabineer is attached to the rope, which can then be attached to the waist harness.

The invention concerns an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a garment 1 (e.g. motorcycle jacket 1, motorcycle trousers). The adjustment mechanism according to the invention uses a zipper 7, 8, 13 to adjust the garment.

A magnetic system for fastening of an apparel belt is disclosed herein which differs substantially from conventional belt buckle fastening systems in that the present invention utilizes magnets concealed within the belt to secure the belt in the desired waist size, with said system eliminating the need for a functional buckle for fastening of the belt. The system disclosed herein further provides for novel application a non-slip coating to opposite contact ends of the belt to facilitate a secure fit of the belt and prevent loosening or unfastening of the belt once secured in the desired waist size by the wearer.