Nice work @ Jercules. Mine have about a year of wear and 1 wash

Here is mine, owned it since 2001

Here is my pair similar fades in the back pocket. Mine is the older v2 version but same fabric.

All feel different and have very different Characteristics. The 16oz slb is the most breathable. The 19 is a left hand twill and unsanforized. Its stiffer and more rigit with great fade pottential. The 14 oz is a nice all year weight. Then you have the 25oz heavy but softens up beautifully with wear and fades very nicely. You have the 18 with vintage fades, the 17oz with natural indigo. They all feel different, fade different so at the end of the day it is a matter of preference and variety.

My daily tool watch.

@CosmoSix5 the 19l is a gnarly denim. Starts cardboard and stays cardboard for a while. If comfortable is what you are after the 21oz hands down. Now the 19l will reward you with beautiful high-contrast fades but you will have to work very hard for it.

Some people have an elitist mentality. That true homage bs and cannot see 1 inch past their index fingure. Customers like that you can loose for a lot of trivial reasons. It's difficult to make everybody happy nor should you try. Stay true to your values and the right customer will always be there.

I am with you guys also. Don't like taper. I think the 634's in general have the most balanced top block in terms of front and back rise. Another unicorn is the 463 that has a front rise slightly lower than the 634 and a back rise that is higher, works out beautifully.

Air Canada has a flight. From Amsterdam or Copenhagen to Toronto and then Toronto to BWI. The beauty of that flight is that go through customs in Toronto and it's a piece of cake. Just an idea worth exploring.

The direct flights from Europe to BWI are very limited. So for most coming from Europe they will need to catch a connection flight to BWI. The hassle is that you will have to go through immigration at the 1st airport you land in the US even if you are catching a connection flight. Which means retrieving your luggage go through customs and then re check your luggage. Its a hassle. I rather drive an hour and avoid that nonsense.

@selbstzweck. I can answer part of your question. This last release was not the norm. Those were never suppose to make it to the west but the IH crew was able to secure a few pairs in limited sizes. When I bought mine they were offered on the IH website I was not obligated to buy without a return. Was bussiness as usual as any other pair. Now about them being a core cut i am not sure. I think it may has something to do with demand and if there is enough of it to warrant a run without having alot of unsold pairs. So it has to make financial sense. I think somebody from the IH crew can give some more insight.

@Tago-Mago . Dulles to Balrimore is about 65 miles. Philli International to Baltimore is about 90 miles. Traffic is unpredictable either with a slight edge to 95 south coming from Philly. If you are traveling within the US BWI Airport is 15 minutes from Baltimore and the best option.

@hjl360. I will say you are on the right track thinking about a smaller waist measurement. Just don't get carried away. Too tight of a 25oz is not fun.

There is alot to unpack there @hjl360. The 666 probably has even slimmer thigh than the 777 but a bit more room at the knee. As far as shrinkage in the rise? It will be permanent. In my experience anything you loose length wise it doesn't come back, width wise it usually comes back to pre soak/wash measurements.
The 888 is a very different cut than the 777. They seat at your natural waist and not the hips. And they have more room at the thigh and probably knee than the 777. Its a beautiful cut and for most people if you get the waist right the rest should fall into place

Bwi is the closest airport in Baltimore. Not sure about direct flights though. I am never able to get a direct flight to Athens Greece from BWI so I always fly out of Philly or Dulles airport in DC.

Absolutely. Looking forward to it. Exciting!!!

Lol this year. I just realized its 2026 the IH meeting so I will be good to go. I go to Greece every year. I am from Greece originally but have been living in the US since 1988

Thats a bummer I live 20 minutes up the road but I will be in Greece that week. That sucks. I wanted to meet you guys