Sports garments

Abstract

Provided herein is an article of clothing configured to be worn around a user's crotch and thighs. In one embodiment, the article of clothing comprises a garment and a pad. In certain embodiments, the garment comprises an opening in an area between the thighs of the user when the article of clothing is worn by the user, and the opening comprises a perimeter. In one aspect, the pad is connected to the garment along at least a portion of the perimeter. Also provided herein is a method of manufacturing an article of clothing.

1 . An article of clothing configured to be worn around a user's crotch and thighs comprising:
 a garment comprising an opening in an area between the thighs of the user when the article of clothing is worn by the user, wherein the opening comprises a perimeter; and   a pad connected to the garment along at least a portion of the perimeter.   
     
     
         2 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the pad comprises an inner surface configured to contact the crotch of the user, and an outer surface configured to directly contact a saddle or seat supporting the user with no fabric between the outer surface and the saddle or seat. 
     
     
         3 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the article of clothing is a pair of bicycle pants or shorts, triathlon pants or shorts, bridal pants or shorts, rowing pants or shorts, or motorcycle pants or shorts. 
     
     
         4 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the pad is configured to completely cover the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the pad is configured to conform to a contour of the crotch of the user when the user is positioned in a riding position on a saddle, bike seat, bridal saddle, motorcycle seat, or rowing seat. 
     
     
         6 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the pad covers a perineal region of the user, and extends upwards to a lower front pelvic region of the user when the user is in a riding position on a bicycle. 
     
     
         7 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the pad and the perimeter of the opening in the garment are connected by stitching, sewing, bonded seam, or heat tape. 
     
     
         8 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the pad is made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural fabric, synthetic fabric, knitted fabric, woven fabric, blown rubber, microfiber, mesh, and foam. 
     
     
         9 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the pad is made from a material having a characteristic selected from the group consisting of being soft, impact-absorbing, hygienic, absorbent, floatable, buoyant, anallergic, breathable, resistant to skin pH, anti-bacterial, and heat-regulating. 
     
     
         10 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural fabric, synthetic fabric, knitted fabric, woven fabric, blown rubber, microfiber, mesh, and leather. 
     
     
         11 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the pad has a thickness greater than that of the garment. 
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing an article of clothing configured to be worn around a user's crotch and thighs, comprising:
 providing a garment comprising an opening in an area between the thighs of the user when the article of clothing is worn by the user, wherein the opening comprises a perimeter; and   sewing a pad to the garment, whereby the pad is connected to the garment along at least a portion of the perimeter.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pad comprises an inner surface configured to contact the crotch of the user, and an outer surface configured to directly contact a saddle or seat supporting the user with no fabric between the outer surface and the saddle or seat. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the article of clothing is a pair of bicycle pants or shorts, triathlon pants or shorts, bridal pants or shorts, rowing pants or shorts, or motorcycle pants or shorts. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pad completely covers the opening. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pad is configured to conform to a contour of the crotch of the user when the user is positioned in a riding position on a saddle, bike seat, bridal saddle, motorcycle seat, or rowing seat. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pad covers a perineal region of the user, and extends upwards to a lower front pelvic region of the user when the user is in a riding position on a bicycle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pad is made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural fabric, synthetic fabric, knitted fabric, microfiber, mesh, and foam. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pad is made from a material having a characteristic selected from the group consisting of being soft, impact-absorbing, hygienic, absorbent, floatable, buoyant, anallergic, breathable, resistant to skin pH, anti-bacterial, and heat-regulating. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the garment is made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural fabric, synthetic fabric, knitted fabric, microfiber, mesh, and leather. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pad has a thickness greater than that of the garment.