Abstract: A hip belt (100) is disclosed having split left (130) and right (150) portions. The upper legs (131, 151) and lower legs (132,152) of the split portions are attached to adjustable straps (180, 184) such that the belt tension is distributed to both the upper and lower portions to facilitate a snug fit to the user. Transverse members (200) interconnect the respective upper and lower legs, maintaining the desired leg spacing. The transverse members are semi-rigid, flexible members, allowing the split belt to readily conform to the user's profile. Fastening the transverse members along the outer edges of the belt permits the legs to rotate to better conform to the user. In an embodiment of the hip belt (300) a plurality of transverse members are distributed along the length of the split portion of the belt.

Abstract: A hip belt (100) is disclosed having split left (130) and right (150) portions. The upper legs (131, 151) and lower legs (132,152) of the split portions are attached to adjustable straps (180, 184) such that the belt tension is distributed to both the upper and lower portions to facilitate a snug fit to the user. Transverse members (200) interconnect the respective upper and lower legs, maintaining the desired leg spacing. The transverse members are semi-rigid, flexible members, allowing the split belt to readily conform to the user's profile. Fastening the transverse members along the outer edges of the belt permits the legs to rotate to better conform to the user. In an embodiment of the hip belt (300) a plurality of transverse members are distributed along the length of the split portion of the belt.

Abstract: A personal shelter, such as a bivouac sack (10), tent or sleeping bag, for extracting internal moisture and venting. The personal shelter includes a top (14), bottom (12) and end (16) piece, and defines a foot end (17) and head end (18) at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis. The personal shelter also includes a first opening (40) at the foot end, a second opening (20) near the head end, and a semi-rigid duct (30) with an inlet end that is approximately colocated with the first opening and an outlet end that is approximately colocated with the second opening. The semi-rigid duct receives outside air through the first end, mixes the received outside air with moist air within the personal shelter, and exhausts the mixed air through the second end.