Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
Another year, another chance to pick up some sweet new selvedge. And what better a way to ring in the new year then a look at all the great heavyweight, black selvedge jeans that made their way to store shelves this past year. We’ve covered both black denim and heavyweight selvedge multiple times in our Five Plus One series, but the market finally has enough pairs for us to right an article that combines both these categories. Enjoy!
1) Iron Heart: 21Oz. Selvedge Denim Super Slim Cut Jeans – Superblack (Fades To Grey)
If you’re interested in heavyweight selvedge then the obvious choice is Iron Heart. They have a bunch of different heavyweight options, including multiple black pairs, but their Fade to Grey Superblacks are the true standout of the lineup. These 21Oz. monsters feature a special dye blend that is black but with the fadability of regular indigo, something that few brands can say. If you want a change of pace this style is an excellent choice.
Available for $385 from Iron Heart.
2) Freenote: Wilkes Western – 17Oz. Black Slub
Freenote’s Wilkes Western is another great choice, especially if you want something that’s heavy but not too heavy. At 17Oz. you’ll definitely notice the weight to these jeans, but it won’t feel like you’re wearing carpet. They feature a black warp and a black weft which makes them very monotone, but the slubby texture gives them a ton of character on closer inspection.
Available for $285 from Franklin & Poe.
3) Gustin: #252 Double Black 23
Gustin’s greatest asset is also its greatest flaw: crowdfunding. Sure, it minimizes costs but it makes it really hard to write about as most pairs are never truly “in-stock.” Be that as it may, enough interest might spark a restock and their #252 Double Blacks are definitely worth it. These 23Oz. jeans have a black/black colorway and not much irregularity, leading to an ultra smooth looking finish with a slight sheen.
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Available for $168 from Gustin.
4) Oni: 622ZR-BKBK 20oz Relax Tapered Secret Denim – Black x Black
Honestly, what can we say about Oni that we haven’t said a million times before? They’re a top notch brand that sources some of the very best fabrics we’ve ever seen, and their 622ZR-BKBK’s look like they’re continuing that trend. While personally I like a little bit more texture than these jeans offer, their custom black hardware really sets these apart from other black/black models out there.
Available for $315 from Blue in Green.
5) SoSo: 25OZ-UBS 002 Tapered
If you just want the heaviest black selvedge imaginable then there is no better pair than the 25OZ-UBS from SoSo. Due to their made-to-order model, you can get these jeans made for you in whatever sizes you need — and somehow the price remains affordable. While most of us wouldn’t be able to stomach wearing a 25Oz. pair of jeans, I’m so glad they’re available and hope to live vicariously through one of our readers sometime soon.
Available for $259 from SoSo.
Plus One – Samurai: S211BK “Koku Benkei” 17oz Black Selvedge Denim – Relaxed Tapered Fit
Last, but certainly not least, is Samurai and their S211BK. It’s not the heaviest weight and it doesn’t have the darkest black hues, but 17Oz. is the sweet-spot weight for many of us and their texture is out of this world. If you want a pair of black denim you can wear everyday I really can’t imagine a better pair.
Available for $350 from Franklin & Poe.
