I wore a pair of Iron Heart 888 XHS 25oz for IIY5.
I managed to get 335 wear days on them.
I lost 24 days of wear when KLM Airlines lost my luggage with my jeans inside at Amsterdam Airport.
I had a European holiday, they had their own holiday at the Airport.
At least they were finally found and I got my luggage back.
Could’ve been 359 wears.
I cold soaked them before day 1 of wear and didn’t wash them until day 333 of wear (almost the full 12 months).
Aired out everyday, occasional fabric spray, low odour before wash.
Noticeable indigo loss after wash (but not a huge amount).
Crotch blow out concerns was the main inspiration for the wash, although no signs of crotch blow out yet.
Post wash fabric was back to its stiff, cardboard feeling from early days of breaking them in, that I’d started to forget, but they quickly softened.
In hindsight if I’d washed them a few more times, I’m sure the fades would more significant, but I have long term relationship plans for this pair, not just a 12 month fling…

I wore a pair of Iron Heart 888 XHS 25oz for IIY5.
I managed to get 335 wear days on them.
I lost 24 days of wear when KLM Airlines lost my luggage with my jeans inside at Amsterdam Airport.
I had a European holiday, they had their own holiday at the Airport.
At least they were finally found and I got my luggage back.
Could’ve been 359 wears.
I cold soaked them before day 1 of wear and didn’t wash them until day 333 of wear (almost the full 12 months).
Aired out everyday, occasional fabric spray, low odour before wash.
Noticeable indigo loss after wash (but not a huge amount).
Crotch blow out concerns was the main inspiration for the wash, although no signs of crotch blow out yet.
Post wash fabric was back to its stiff, cardboard feeling from early days of breaking them in, that I’d started to forget, but they quickly softened.
I noticed how this denim faded slower than other denim in the competition, they held onto the indigo.
In hindsight if I’d washed them a few more times, I’m sure the fades would more significant, but I have long term relationship plans for this pair, not just a 12 month fling…

I got the one for the big boys, XXXXL.
Glad I was here at launch time, my size now sold out!

I notice the A2 is no longer advertised on the IHUK website.
Has this model been retired?
I bought one from Rivet and Hide in London in January 2026.
I think it’s great, it’s only now starting to settle in.
I’m taking mine to Vancouver at Christmas and the wild west coast of Vancouver Island.
I know the N1 has always been the more popular model for a heavy jacket, and now it looks like the lightweight N1 will be a popular choice too, but I prefer this A2.
Maybe it now becomes more of a collector’s item…

I wore a pair of Iron Heart 888 XHS 25oz for IIY5.
I managed to get 335 wear days on them.
I lost 24 days of wear when KLM Airlines lost my luggage with my jeans inside at Amsterdam Airport.
I had a European holiday, they had their own holiday at the Airport.
At least they were finally found and I got my luggage back.
Could’ve been 359 wears.
I cold soaked them before day 1 of wear and didn’t wash them until day 333 of wear (almost the full 12 months).
Aired out everyday, occasional fabric spray, low odour before wash.
Noticeable indigo loss after wash (but not a huge amount).
Crotch blow out concerns was the main inspiration for the wash, although no signs of crotch blow out yet.
Post wash fabric was back to its stiff, cardboard feeling from early days of breaking them in, that I’d started to forget, but they quickly softened.
I noticed how this denim faded slower than other denim in the competition, they held onto the indigo.
In hindsight if I’d washed them a few more times, I’m sure the fades would more significant, but I have long term relationship plans for this pair, not just a 12 month fling…

I wore a pair of Iron Heart 888 XHS 25oz for IIY5.
I managed to get 335 wear days on them.
I lost 24 days of wear when KLM Airlines lost my luggage with my jeans inside at Amsterdam Airport.
I had a European holiday, they had their own holiday at the Airport.
At least they were finally found and I got my luggage back.
Could’ve been 359 wears.
I cold soaked them before day 1 of wear and didn’t wash them until day 333 of wear (almost the full 12 months).
Aired out everyday, occasional fabric spray, low odour before wash.
Noticeable indigo loss after wash (but not a huge amount).
Crotch blow out concerns was the main inspiration for the wash, although no signs of crotch blow out yet.
Post wash fabric was back to its stiff, cardboard feeling from early days of breaking them in, that I’d started to forget, but they quickly softened.
In hindsight if I’d washed them a few more times, I’m sure the fades would more significant, but I have long term relationship plans for this pair, not just a 12 month fling…

I got the one for the big boys, XXXXL.
Glad I was here at launch time, my size now sold out!