The fabric called denim – Weight
Considering a new pair of jeans brings along many choices. There are so many different pairs of jeans, of different brands, in different cuts, and in different colors. And, to make it even more challenging, for many of us the weight of the fabric is another key factor when buying a new pair of jeans.
Raw denim is, as many of you already know, categorized by weight. This standard of classifying is helpful when you are considering a new pair of jeans. The indicated ounces come from the weight per square yard of the fabric. The weight of the fabric is determined by the density of the weave and the weight of the yarn. The weight will directly influence the durability, the comfortability of a pair of jeans, and of course the fades. The weight of the fabric can be roughly divided into three different categories, namely: lightweight, mid-weight, and heavyweight.
Lightweight (below 12 oz.)
Lightweight denim covers all fabric that is lighter than 12 oz. per square yard, and is the most comfortable category right from the start. A lightweight fabric is the easiest to wear, it is flexible, and hereby extremely suitable as a first pair of raw’s.
Especially in the hot summer months, a lightweight fabric saves a lot of sweat and tears. Generally, a pair of lightweight jeans breaks in easily and fades faster than heavier weighted denim fabrics. However, the eventual fades of a pair of lightweight jeans are less spectacular compared to a pair of mid-weights or heavyweights.
Mid-weight (12 oz. – 16 oz.)
Mid-weight is by far the most popular category. The stiff and sturdy fabric will develop great fades over time and the fabric is still gentle to the skin of the wearer. Mid-weight denim might feel tough on your legs for the first few weeks and takes a bit more time to break in compared to a lightweight fabric. But, after a few weeks of wearing, a mid-weight pair of jeans will adapt to the shape of your body and becomes very comfortable.
There are lots of differences within the range of mid-weight denim, where a 12 oz. fabric can feel instantly comfortable, a pair of 16 oz. Japanese fabric with lots of starch can feel quite tough. However, a pair of jeans made from mid-weight denim fabric can be worn throughout the whole year without risking being boiled in summer and freezing your balls off in winter.
Heavyweight (above 16 oz.)
Breaking in a heavyweight fabric takes a lot of effort and dedication. Especially at the beginning a pair of heavyweight’s can be a real (literally) pain in the ass. The fabric feels stiff, uncomfortable, and heavy on your legs. But, once you’ve survived the first few weeks or months, a pair of heavyweight’s will become comfortable. You will be rewarded for your dedication with unequalled and mouthwatering high contrasting fades. In most cases, a pair of heavyweight jeans are more durable compared to the other categories and will last for years.
Just like the mid-weight category, there are lots of differences within the heavyweight category. The fabrics range from a comfortable low tension 16 oz., that becomes very comfortable after a few days of wear, to completely unwearable 32 oz. denim that takes over a year to break in. Talking about 32 oz, it is the heaviest denim fabric in the world and is created by Naked & Famous. This monster fabric will stand on its own and takes months, if not years of sweat and tears to break in. But, eventually, even the heaviest fabric in the world will start to feel comfortable, and the fades…
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