US20200178624A1

US20200178624A1 - System, method and apparatus for a garment that is convertible between a jacket and a vest/leggings

Info

Publication number: US20200178624A1
Application number: US16/443,617
Authority: US
Inventors: Jordan K. LAUB
Original assignee: Velu LLC
Current assignee: Velu LLC
Priority date: 2018-12-05
Filing date: 2019-06-17
Publication date: 2020-06-11

Abstract

A garment can include a body having arm openings. Sleeves can be removably mounted adjacent the arm openings. Each sleeve can have a shoulder end and a wrist end. The garment also can include a jacket configuration where the sleeves are removably mounted to the body at the arm openings. In this mode, the body can be worn as a jacket on a torso and arms of a user. The shoulder ends of the sleeves can be removably fastened to fasteners on the body located adjacent the arm openings. The garment can further include a vest/leggings configuration wherein the sleeves are unfastened and removed from the body. The body can be worn as a vest on the torso of the user such that the garment does not cover the arms of the user. Each sleeve can be worn as a legging on a respective leg of the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. 62/775,438, filed Dec. 5, 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application generally relates to clothing and, in particular, to a system, method and apparatus for a garment that is convertible between a jacket and a vest/leggings.

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Conventional outer garment coverings such as jackets, vests, leggings and the like are well known in the garment industry. For example, conventional jackets comprise a garment body having a garment torso and sleeves for the body and arms, respectively, of a wearer of the jacket. Conventional vests are similar to jackets, but typically do not include sleeves so that the arms of the wearer of the vest are exposed. Conventional leggings comprise separate coverings for at least portions of the legs of the wearer of the leggings. Although these designs are workable, improvements in garment functionality, utility and adaptability continue to be of interest.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for a garment that is convertible between a jacket and a vest/leggings are disclosed. For example, the garment can include a body having a front, a back, a head opening, a hood extending from the head opening and arm openings. Sleeves can be configured to be removably mounted adjacent the arm openings. Each sleeve can have a shoulder end and a wrist end. The garment also can include a jacket configuration wherein the sleeves are configured to be removably mounted to the body at the arm openings. In this mode, the body can be configured to be worn as a jacket on a torso and arms of a user. The shoulder ends of the sleeves can be removably fastened to fasteners on the body located adjacent the arm openings. The wrist ends of the sleeves can extend away from the arm openings.
The garment can further include a vest/leggings configuration wherein the sleeves are configured to be unfastened and removed from the body. The body can be configured to be worn as a vest on the torso of the user such that the garment does not cover the arms of the user. Each sleeve can be configured to be worn as a legging on a respective leg of the user. The shoulder ends of the sleeves can be located adjacent feet of the user, and the wrist ends of the sleeves can be located adjacent knees of the user.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of these embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the embodiments are attained and can be understood in more detail, a more particular description can be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. However, the drawings illustrate only some embodiments and therefore are not to be considered limiting in scope as there can be other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a user wearing an embodiment of a garment in a jacket configuration.

FIG. 2 is a reverse isometric view of an upper portion of the user and garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of an embodiment of a wrist end of a sleeve of the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an upper portion of the user and garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is an isometric view of a user wearing an embodiment of a garment in a vest/leggings configuration.

FIG. 5B is a schematic sectional view of a portion of a leg of the user wearing an embodiment of a legging from the vest/leggings configuration of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the legging of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a user placing an embodiment of a legging on a leg of the user from the vest/leggings configuration of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of a garment showing a first side in the vest/leggings configuration.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of the garment of FIG. 8 showing a reversible second side in the vest/leggings configuration.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an embodiment of one layer of a fabric pattern for the sleeve of the garment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an embodiment of a layer of a fabric pattern for a back of the garment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an embodiment of a second layer of a fabric pattern for the sleeve of the garment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an embodiment of a layer of a fabric pattern for a front of the garment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an embodiment of a layer of a fabric pattern for a hood of the garment.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of embodiments of the layers of fabric patterns for the sleeve of the garment, prior to being joined together.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the layers of fabric patterns for the sleeve of the garment, after being joined together.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a user wearing another embodiment of a garment.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the garment of FIG. 17 with the hood somewhat cinched to provide leash to the drawstring and earplugs attached to ends of the drawstring, and depicting an ear protection embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a rear view of an embodiment of a backpack in a default configuration.

FIG. 20 is the backpack of FIG. 19 in an ear protection configuration.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIGS. 1-20 depict embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for a garment that is convertible between a jacket and a vest/leggings are disclosed. For example, the garment 31 depicted in FIGS. 1-4 can include a body 33 having a front 35, a back 37, a head opening 39, a hood 41 extending from the head opening 39, and arm openings 43. Embodiments of the garment 31 include sleeves 51 that are configured to be removably mounted adjacent to the arm openings 43. For example, zippers 44 having zipper portions on the adjoining components can be used to mount the components to each other. Each sleeve 51 can include a shoulder end 53 and a wrist end 55.
Embodiments of the sleeves 51 can comprise permanently fastened (e.g., sewn), closed tubes that are not configured and/or intended to be unfastened to become open tubes during use. For example, the sleeves 51 can be permanently sewn to form closed tubes, such that no hook and loop fasteners, Velcro or other releasable fasteners are employed to form the sleeves 51.
Versions of the garment 31 can include a jacket configuration (FIGS. 1-4) wherein the sleeves 51 are configured to be removably mounted to the body 33 at the arm openings 43. The body 33 and sleeves 51 can be configured to be worn as a jacket on a torso and arms of a user, respectively, as shown. In the jacket configuration, each sleeve 51 can be configured to completely surround and envelop an arm of the user.
In some examples, the shoulder ends 53 of the sleeves 51 have fasteners (such as the zippers 44 described herein) that are removably fastened to fasteners on the body 33 located adjacent the arm openings 43. As shown in the jacket configuration of FIGS. 1-4, the sleeves 51 can be configured to be secured to the body 33 with zippers 44. Embodiments of the wrist ends 55 of the sleeves 51 can extend away from the arm openings 53, as shown. As depicted in FIG. 4, one or both of the wrist ends 55 can be rolled up or cuffed (see large curved arrow) to a desired position.
FIGS. 5A-9 depict the garment 31 in a vest/leggings configuration wherein the sleeves 51 are configured to be unfastened and removed from the body 33. In this mode, the body 33 is configured to be worn as a vest on the torso of the user such that the body 33 does not cover the arms of the user, as shown. Note that the sleeves 51 and the leggings are the same respective items, whether worn in the jacket configuration or in the vest/leggings configuration.
In the vest/leggings configuration, each sleeve 51 can be configured to be worn as a legging on a respective leg of the user. In this mode, examples of the shoulder ends 53 of the sleeves 51 are configured to be located adjacent feet of the user. The wrist ends 55 of the sleeves 51 can be located adjacent knees of the user.
In some embodiments, each sleeve 51 can be provided in a desired shape. In the example of FIG. 6, the sleeve 51 can taper down in size from the shoulder end 53 toward the wrist end 55. This can provide a conical or pyramid-like grade or shape to the sleeve 51. Note how the shoulder end 53 can be oversized and larger than necessary, and/or uniquely shaped, in order to accommodate, cover, or substantially cover the foot or footwear of the user in the vest/leggings configuration. In some versions, a minimum dimension 57 of each sleeve 51 can be defined adjacent to but spaced apart from the wrist end 55. In addition, each sleeve 51 can taper up or increase in size from the minimum dimension 57 to the wrist end 55 to define a flare 59 at each wrist end 55.
Examples of the garment 31 can include, in the vest/leggings configuration, the minimum dimensions 57 of the sleeves 51 to be configured to be located below the knees of the user. In some embodiments, the flares 59 can extend upward (FIG. 5B) from the minimum dimensions 57 to surround at least portions of the knees of the user. In the vest/leggings configuration, each sleeve 51 can be configured to completely surround and envelop a lower portion of a leg of the user, from a foot of the user to about a knee of the user, such that the leggings (i.e., sleeves 51) are not configured to extend to thighs of the user. In some examples, in the vest/leggings configuration, the sleeves 51 are configured to extend past ankles of the user and cover at least portions of the feet or footwear of the user. In a particular version, in the vest/leggings configuration, the sleeves 51 are configured to substantially completely cover the feet or footwear of the user. In the vest/leggings configuration of FIGS. 5A-7, the sleeves 51 can be configured to be secured to legs of the user with drawstrings 46. The zippers 44 on the sleeves 51 can be configured to act as fabric protectors when worn as leggings.
In some embodiments, in the jacket configuration of FIGS. 1-4, the shoulder end 53 of each sleeve 51 can include a top 81 configured to be located adjacent a top of a shoulder of the user, and a bottom 83 configured to be located adjacent an underarm of the user. In the vest/leggings configuration of FIGS. 5A-7, the tops 81 of the sleeves 51 are configured to be located adjacent toes of the user, and the bottoms 83 of the sleeves 51 are configured to be located heels of the user.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the garment 51 can be configured to be reversibly worn by the user with different first and second materials (see different hatchings) exposed to an exterior of the garment when worn in each reversible orientation. In some versions, the zippers are visible from the exterior of the garment 31 when worn in each reversible orientation. The reversibility of the garment 31 can apply to any of the configurations disclosed herein, and certainly can include the sleeves 51.
FIGS. 10-14 depict exemplary patterns for the various components of garment 31. For example, FIG. 10 depicts a fabric pattern 61 for one layer of sleeve 51, and FIG. 12 depicts a different fabric pattern 63 for a second layer of sleeve 51. Pattern 61 can have one texture, style, etc., and pattern 63 can have a different texture, style, etc. These different patterns 61, 63 can provide garment 31 with different looks for its reversibility when worn by a user. In the examples shown, each fabric pattern 61, 63 for each sleeve 51 can be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the fabric pattern. In some versions, the shoulder ends 53 can be shaped to accommodate not only the shoulders of the user (in the jacket configuration), but also the feet or footwear of the user (in the vest/leggings configuration). In some examples, the shoulder ends 53 can be generally diamond-shaped, and each wrist end 55 can be conical or cylindrical.
In addition, FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of a layer of a fabric pattern 71 for the back 37 of the garment 51. FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a layer of a fabric pattern 73 for the front 35 of the garment 31. FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment of a layer of a fabric pattern 75 for the hood 41 of the garment 31. Other patterns and layers also can be employed in garment 31, as is known in the art.
FIG. 15 depicts embodiments of the layers of fabric patterns 61, 63 for the sleeve 51 of the garment 31, shown aligned but prior to being joined together. FIG. 16 shows how the layers of fabric patterns 61, 63 for the sleeve 51 of the garment 31 can be joined together. Note how the minimum dimensions 57 can be aligned with each other when fabric patterns 61, 63 are joined, and before the sleeve 51 is fabricated into a closed tube as described herein.
FIGS. 17-20 depict a user wearing another embodiment of a garment 131. In this version, the hood 141 can further include an inner drawstring channel 191, and a drawstring 193 located at least partially in the inner drawstring channel 191. Examples of the drawstring 193 can include ends 195 (e.g., distal ends) that extend to an exterior of the hood 141 outside of the inner drawstring channel 191. The ends 195 of the drawstring 193 can have earplugs 197 coupled thereto. In some embodiments, the garment 131 can comprise a retracted configuration (FIG. 17) wherein the drawstring 193 is configured to be primarily located within the inner drawstring channel 193 of the hood 141. In addition, the garment 131 can comprise a cinched configuration (FIG. 18) wherein the hood 141 is configured to be at least partially cinched such that lengths of the drawstring 193 to the earplugs 197 are extended, and the earplugs 197 are configured to be mounted in ears of the user. The garment 131 can be returned to the retracted configuration from the cinched configuration.
Embodiments of the garment 131 can be equipped with equipment 201 configured to detect ambient audible levels. In some versions, the equipment 201 includes sound detection, such as a microphone, and a processor configured to control one or more lights 199 (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc.). Versions of the lights 199 can have on and off configurations. In some examples, when the equipment 201 detects a threshold audible level (e.g., 80 dB, 85 dB or more), the processor can activate the lights 199 to signal (i.e., a “hearing protection mode”) to the user of the garment 131 that the earplugs 197 should be installed in the ears of the user. In other embodiments, the user can select the threshold audible level, such as at least about 90 dB, at least about 95 dB, etc.
FIGS. 19 and 20 depict an analogous embodiment wherein the lights 199 and equipment 201 are mounted to a backpack 200. The backpack 200 can be transparent and permit the lights 199 to be visible therethrough when activated as described herein.
Other versions can include one or more of the following embodiments.
1. A garment, comprising:

- a body having a front, a back, a head opening, a hood extending from the head opening and arm openings;
- sleeves configured to be removably mounted adjacent the arm openings, and each sleeve has a shoulder end and a wrist end; wherein the garment comprises:
- a jacket configuration wherein the sleeves are configured to be removably mounted to the body at the arm openings, such that the body and sleeves are configured to be worn as a jacket on a torso and arms of a user, respectively, wherein the shoulder ends of the sleeves are removably fastened to fasteners on the body located adjacent the arm openings, and the wrist ends of the sleeves extend away from the arm openings; and
- a vest/leggings configuration wherein the sleeves are configured to be unfastened and removed from the body, wherein the body is configured to be worn as a vest on the torso of the user such that the garment does not cover the arms of the user, and each sleeve is configured to be worn as a legging on a respective leg of the user, wherein the shoulder ends of the sleeves are located adjacent feet of the user, and the wrist ends of the sleeves are located adjacent knees of the user.

2. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein the sleeves and the leggings are the same respective items, whether worn in the jacket configuration or in the vest/leggings configuration.
3. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein each sleeve tapers down in size from the shoulder end toward the wrist end, a minimum dimension of each sleeve is defined adjacent to but spaced apart from the wrist end, and each sleeve tapers up in size from the minimum dimension to the wrist end to define a flare at each wrist end.
4. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein, in the vest/leggings configuration, the minimum dimensions of the sleeves are configured to be located below the knees of the user, and the flares extend upward from the minimum dimensions to surround at least portions of the knees of the user.
5. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein the sleeves comprise permanently fastened, closed tubes that are not configured/intended to be unfastened to become open tubes during use.
6. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein, in the jacket configuration, each sleeve is configured to completely surround and envelop an arm of the user.
7. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein, in the vest/leggings configuration, each sleeve is configured to completely surround and envelop a lower portion of a leg of the user, from a foot of the user to about a knee of the user, such that the leggings are not configured to extend to thighs of the user.
8. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein, in the vest/leggings configuration, the sleeves are configured to extend past ankles of the user and cover at least portions of the feet of the user.
9. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein, in the vest/leggings configuration, the sleeves are configured to substantially completely cover the feet of the user.
10. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein a fabric pattern for each sleeve is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the fabric pattern.
11. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein each shoulder end is generally diamond-shaped and each wrist end is substantially conical.
12. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein, in the jacket configuration, the sleeves are configured to be secured to the body with zippers comprising respective mating zipper portions and, in the vest/leggings configuration, the sleeves are configured to be secured to legs of the user with drawstrings.
13. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein the garment is configured to be reversibly worn by the user with different first and second materials exposed to an exterior of the garment when worn in each reversible orientation, and the zippers are visible from the exterior of the garment when worn in each reversible orientation.
14. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein the zipper portions on the sleeves are configured to act as fabric protectors adjacent the feet of the user when worn as leggings by the user.
15. The garment of any of these embodiments, wherein, in the jacket configuration, the shoulder end of each sleeve comprises a top configured to be located adjacent a top of a shoulder of the user, and a bottom configured to be located adjacent an underarm of the user; and

- in the vest/leggings configuration, the tops of the sleeves are configured to be located adjacent toes of the user, and the bottoms of the sleeves are configured to be located heels of the user.

16. The garment of claim 1, wherein the hood further comprises an inner drawstring channel, and a drawstring located at least partially in the inner drawstring channel, the drawstring comprises ends that extend to an exterior of the hood outside of the inner drawstring channel, and the ends of the drawstring comprise earplugs coupled thereto; and wherein the garment comprises:

- a retracted configuration wherein the drawstring is configured to be primarily located within the inner drawstring channel of the hood; and
- a cinched configuration wherein the hood is configured to be at least partially cinched such that lengths of the drawstring to the earplugs are extended, and the earplugs are configured to be mounted in ears of the user.

17. The garment of claim 1, further comprising equipment configured to detect ambient audible levels.
18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the equipment comprises sound detection and a processor configured to control one or more lights.
19. The garment of claim 17, wherein the equipment is configured to detect a threshold audible level of at least about 85 dB, the processor is configured to activate the one or more lights to signal the user of the garment with a hearing protection mode.
20. The garment of claim 19, wherein the equipment is coupled to backpack.
This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Note that not all of the activities described above in the general description or the examples are required, that a portion of a specific activity may not be required, and that one or more further activities can be performed in addition to those described. Still further, the order in which activities are listed are not necessarily the order in which they are performed.
In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of invention.
It can be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term “communicate,” as well as derivatives thereof, encompasses both direct and indirect communication. The term “discreet,” as well as derivatives thereof, references to the amount of skin exposed by a user of the garment, rather than the type of style of the garment. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, can mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items can be used, and only one item in the list can be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.
Also, the use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
The description in the present application should not be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential or critical element that must be included in the claim scope. The scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of the claims invokes 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect to any of the appended claims or claim elements unless the exact words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim, followed by a participle phrase identifying a function.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that can cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.
After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that certain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, can also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, can also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Further, references to values stated in ranges include each and every value within that range.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A garment, comprising:

a body having a front, a back, a head opening, a hood extending from the head opening and arm openings;

sleeves configured to be removably mounted adjacent the arm openings, and each sleeve has a shoulder end and a wrist end; wherein the garment comprises:

a jacket configuration wherein the sleeves are configured to be removably mounted to the body at the arm openings, such that the body and sleeves are configured to be worn as a jacket on a torso and arms of a user, respectively, wherein the shoulder ends of the sleeves are removably fastened to fasteners on the body located adjacent the arm openings, and the wrist ends of the sleeves extend away from the arm openings; and

a vest/leggings configuration wherein the sleeves are configured to be unfastened and removed from the body, wherein the body is configured to be worn as a vest on the torso of the user such that the garment does not cover the arms of the user, and each sleeve is configured to be worn as a legging on a respective leg of the user, wherein the shoulder ends of the sleeves are located adjacent feet of the user, and the wrist ends of the sleeves are located adjacent knees of the user.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the sleeves and the leggings are the same respective items, whether worn in the jacket configuration or in the vest/leggings configuration.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein each sleeve tapers down in size from the shoulder end toward the wrist end, a minimum dimension of each sleeve is defined adjacent to but spaced apart from the wrist end, and each sleeve tapers up in size from the minimum dimension to the wrist end to define a flare at each wrist end.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein, in the vest/leggings configuration, the minimum dimensions of the sleeves are configured to be located below the knees of the user, and the flares extend upward from the minimum dimensions to surround at least portions of the knees of the user.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the sleeves comprise permanently fastened, closed tubes that are not configured/intended to be unfastened to become open tubes during use.

6. The garment of claim 5, wherein, in the jacket configuration, each sleeve is configured to completely surround and envelop an arm of the user.

7. The garment of claim 5, wherein, in the vest/leggings configuration, each sleeve is configured to completely surround and envelop a lower portion of a leg of the user, from a foot of the user to about a knee of the user, such that the leggings are not configured to extend to thighs of the user.

8. The garment of claim 7, wherein, in the vest/leggings configuration, the sleeves are configured to extend past ankles of the user and cover at least portions of the feet of the user.

9. The garment of claim 7, wherein, in the vest/leggings configuration, the sleeves are configured to substantially completely cover the feet of the user.

10. The garment of claim 5, wherein a fabric pattern for each sleeve is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the fabric pattern.

11. The garment of claim 5, wherein each shoulder end is generally diamond-shaped and each wrist end is substantially conical.

12. The garment of claim 1, wherein, in the jacket configuration, the sleeves are configured to be secured to the body with zippers comprising respective mating zipper portions and, in the vest/leggings configuration, the sleeves are configured to be secured to legs of the user with drawstrings.

13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the garment is configured to be reversibly worn by the user with different first and second materials exposed to an exterior of the garment when worn in each reversible orientation, and the zippers are visible from the exterior of the garment when worn in each reversible orientation.

14. The garment of claim 12, wherein the zipper portions on the sleeves are configured to act as fabric protectors adjacent the feet of the user when worn as leggings by the user.

15. The garment of claim 1, wherein, in the jacket configuration, the shoulder end of each sleeve comprises a top configured to be located adjacent a top of a shoulder of the user, and a bottom configured to be located adjacent an underarm of the user; and

in the vest/leggings configuration, the tops of the sleeves are configured to be located adjacent toes of the user, and the bottoms of the sleeves are configured to be located heels of the user.

a retracted configuration wherein the drawstring is configured to be primarily located within the inner drawstring channel of the hood; and

a cinched configuration wherein the hood is configured to be at least partially cinched such that lengths of the drawstring to the earplugs are extended, and the earplugs are configured to be mounted in ears of the user.

17. The garment of claim 1, further comprising equipment configured to detect ambient audible levels.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the equipment comprises sound detection and a processor configured to control one or more lights.

19. The garment of claim 17, wherein the equipment is configured to detect a threshold audible level of at least about 85 dB, the processor is configured to activate the one or more lights to signal the user of the garment with a hearing protection mode.

20. The garment of claim 19, wherein the equipment is coupled to backpack.