IHSW-10 - Ultra Heavy Plain Loopwheeled Sweat
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I bought this sweatshirt a while ago but never got around to writing a review. I'm currently at my parent's place for the holidays and have some extra time on my hands. So here we go.
Material
The material is think and dense and the quality is immediately apparent. The inside of the sweatshirt is fuzzy like a flannel. There are no loops of thread like on some other sweatshirts (The West is Dead and Wings and Horns Terry for example). Although the material is loopwheeled, the shirt does have side seams. Unlike Wings and Horns, there are no triangles present where the chest meets the arms (I'm not saying this is good or bad, just different). The ribbing in the cuffs has not stretched out at all.Fit
I'm 180cm (5'11'') and 70kg (155 lbs) and wear a size M. The chest fits me perfectly but I wouldn't complain if it were a little bit narrower. I would prefer the shoulders to be a half an inch narrower. The sleeves end exactly where my hand starts. They would be perfect for a button down shirt but they could be slightly longer since this is a sweatshirt. The shirt could definitely be an inch (maybe two) longer. I know some others have complained about the short length and I don't understand why the IHSW-16 was made an inch shorter and the IHSW-11 two inches shorter than this shirt. What I've described above are minor details but my major complaint with the fit is the small hood. As seen in the picture on the right side, when the hood is worn, the entire shirt is lifted a few inches. This look, in combination with some discomfort, makes wearing the hood impossible.Details
The shirt has a YKK zipper. I would have preferred a high-end zipper such as riri. Similar to most generic zippers, the bottom of this zipper contains a thin piece of plastic glued to the fabric. I've always considered this a weak point of such zippers and would prefer to have a thicker piece of plastic as seen on some riris. The zipper is much smoother than most metal zippers but not nearly as smooth as the silky smooth teardrop riri on my Wings and Horns Terry. There is a white Iron Heart tag on the lower left side of the shirt. It doesn't really bother me but I would rather have it on the inside of the shirt. The draw string from the hood hangs down about 6 inches on each side. I find this much better than the longer strings on my West is Dead sweatshirt that have a habit of falling in my food.Summary
This is a heavy, high quality sweatshirt that is one major (the hood) and a few minor improvements away from being perfect.
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Its Xmas morning and now I may open my sweatshirt!
It’s very soft (even by IH standards), fits great, is well constructed and looks wonderful!
Very nice. I absolutely love this sweatshirt.
Thanks for all the help, it’s perfectOne small question though… why is the zipper on the wrong side? Is it a Japanese thing?
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Most of the world is right handed, and it's easier to operate a shifter with one's right hand IMO, which is why that layout makes sense to me.
I have zippers on either side among different garments from Japan. I do prefer it on the right though.
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Agreed: The "wrong" side would be whichever is illegal to drive a given direction in a given locale.
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Quite right
Perhaps wrong is the wrong word, but left zipper means woman’s garment in the US… could be a little difficult to explain..“Are you wearing a girl’s sweatshirt?”
“No Mam, it’s from a company from Japan that makes heavyweight men’s motorcycling gear and work wear… I’m not cross-dressing… honest…”
Ah well, it’s a seriously nice sweat, it’s worth it…I suppose what I’ll have to say is “this sweatshirt comes from where men are manly enough not to care which side there zippers are on and furthermore pay no attention to such petty social taboos…”
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RE:Zippers, if someone is looking at your zipper that closely and says something, they're either likely friends/family and know you well enough, or it's none of their business that your zipper doesn't conform to their stereo type.
My zippers are about 60/40, clothing from AU, US, JP, China for the most part (in no order). In 2014 zippers don't have a right or wrong side, it's just stereotypical :). Live and let live.
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Two solutions to the zipper problem: (1) turn the shirt inside-out (2) have someone else zipper the shirt for you - the zipper will be on the right side for them.
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Most of the world (I seriously kid you not, check it out) drive on the left hand side of the road, Americans typically refer to that norm, as wrong…..
Off topic, but couldn't resist looking it up.
From wikipedia, "Today, about 65% of the world's population live in countries with right-hand traffic and 35% in countries with left-hand traffic. About 90% of the world's total road distance carries traffic on the right and 10% on the left."
Most of the 35% that still drive on the left are or were once British colonies.
Right- 163 countries and territories
Left- 76 countries, territories, and dependencies
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SUCK IT G
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Damn, I though China drove on the left…..
This is an interesting read....
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Regarding the zippers: I wrote a rant some months ago about some douche that bought a hoodie from me on ebay and claimed it to be a women's piece of clothing due to the placement of the zipper. It even ended by me taking it back. I never thought about stuff like that before.
@ Dr.Pat: Love your reviews, thanks. I happen to have the exact problem (too small hood) on my McCoys Hoodie. Don't know wether it's a japanese or vintage/repro thing or we just have too large necks and heads.
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No prob re zipper on left or right for me;) left side comes from the time when women where dressed like dr Pat hinted above
From a very early historical background i read somewhere that back in the stone age men fighted with their right hand and wore their fur clothing over the left shoulder. Women wore it over the right shoulder to hold their children on the left side closer to their hearts.
Happy zippering
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Zipper not really an issue… I have only used 3 times because I love the sweat so much I zip up first thing in the morning and refuse to take it off until I have to go to bed.
About the hood: I got a looser fitting sweat and the hood fits perfect. Basically from what I can tell small body=small hood and relaxed body=perfect hood. The hood is also warmer than most hats too because it is double layers of ultra heavy loop wheeled fabric. love that hood.
On the motorbike: took out the old motorbike and wore this sweat and it’s impressive how well it breaks the wind and cold. Of course some cold sneaks in threw the zipper, but surprisingly not much. Fitted arms are great, no flapping in wind + they hold in the warmth beautifully. It was a cold day, but stayed quite warm with this sweat. Overall great sweat for bikes…
