18oz Open Weave.
The Heavyweight That Breathes.
You expect the heaviest denim to fight you.
To stand stiff. To trap heat.
But this one doesn’t.
The Paradox
The rule has always been simple: the heavier the denim, the harder it is to wear.
You endure weeks of discomfort before it bends. You sweat through summer because the fabric will not let air pass.
This denim disproves the rule.
At 18oz, it is our heaviest yet. But it is an open weave, woven at low tension. The yarns sit further apart, leaving space for air to flow. Heat escapes. Moisture dries faster.
It is heavy, but breathable. It feels lighter on the body than the number on the scale.
The Craft
The secret lies in the yarn. Not more yarns crammed together, but thicker yarns spaced further apart.
That is how you achieve weight without density.
It is woven on vintage shuttle looms. These old machines run slowly, leaving the fabric loose and textured. Hold it to the light and you can see tiny gaps in the weave — something you will never see in conventional heavyweight cloth.
The yarns are rope-dyed in indigo, dipped repeatedly until the surface is dark but the core remains white. This makes the fades sharper, faster, more dramatic. Before leaving the mill, the denim is given a one-wash finish. Shrinkage removed. Starch removed. Ready to wear.
The Experience
A normal 18oz jean feels like a test of will. Hard to move. Slow to soften. Too hot in summer, only tolerable in cold months.
This one is different. It bends with you from the first wear. Softer on the skin. Air passes through, so you can wear it even on warm days.
The fades arrive quickly. Indigo chips away from the thick yarns, exposing the white beneath. The contrasts are bold, the creases sharp. The story of wear shows sooner, not years later.
The Mill
Kuroki Mills is one of Japan’s most respected selvedge makers.
Founded in 1950, weaving denim since 1960, they remain one of the few mills that controls every stage of production: rope-dyeing, weaving, finishing.
They use Okayama’s soft river water, which gives their indigo its distinctive hue. Every yard is inspected by hand under light. Their reputation is built on consistency, detail, and care.
They also think about the future. They recycle water, treat dye waste, and invest in cleaner processes.
Tradition and sustainability together.
