TCB 50's jacket + IH 666D:

Pockets on a type III without contract stitching is the perfect compromise! (for me at least :))

6', 170 lbs, longish torso, really long arms (~35.5")

@rohitsingh:

@dcg:

I'm actually wondering if I should have gone with XXL.

This looks perfect!!! Excellent post!!! Was this stiffer after hot soak? Thanks

Thanks!  A bit stiffer after the soak.  Overall, not as stiff (or difficult to button) as I was expecting based on the comments in this thread.  Although the second button from the bottom was a bit of a challenge, and in fairness, my g/f took one look at it and the first thing she said was "that jacket cannot be comfortable".

I do have the IHSH-08SBG, a pair of the SRAW, and some Samurai 24 oz 510s, so maybe I'm just getting used to the ultra heavy/stiff/hard to button stuff.

I know the pockets are a source of contention, but add me to the list of people who love them.  My favorite part is how they're stitched to also form an internal pocket - I don't think this fact gets enough love.  Non-contrast stitching has been suggested as an option to appease both sides, and I think that'd be a good idea for future releases.

Also, I hate that we're nearing summer and it's too warm to wear this jacket.  Summer is surely the worst of the seasons.

@Giles - any chance we'll see longer sleeve/body type IIIs in other fabrics?  Perhaps an OD/black or a duck?

Thanks for the comments, guys.  Regarding the temp and length of the soak, I've always tried to get all/most of the shrinkage out of the picture from the start.  If an item doesn't fit, I'd rather find out about it from the get go, rather than a few months/years down the line as it gradually shrinks down from cold soaks/washes.  The way I look at it is we're talking about denim, not a cashmere sweater.  I don't want to have to worry about getting caught in a rainstorm, or sweating, or getting dirt on it that needs to be cleaned off.

I agree that the fit looks much better post soak.  Arm length is always an issue for me, so others in the market for this jacket shouldn't be discouraged on that point.

gsg - not much indigo loss.  Hard to tell in this pic since it's a blue tub, but hopefully gives you an idea:

superfuzz, thanks for sharing your experience re: repeated washes!

Jordan23, thanks!  Those are Samurai S0110XJ.  Unbelievably soft at this point.

2 hour hot soak (max temp out of the tap), did not change the water, but filled a big tub, so it stayed pretty warm throughout.  Agitated at the end before removing.  Hung to dry.

Same clothes as yesterday for comparison:

Arms and length definitely shrunk more than would be ideal for me.  My main concern is whether it'd shrink further in the event I have to wash/soak in the future.

I know this is one wash, but my recommendation would be to treat it like you would raw/unsanforized denim.    I'm actually wondering if I should have gone with XXL.

Hang drying now.  Won't know for sure until dry, but initial measurements show pretty major shrink from a warm/hot soak - looking like 1" in the arms and a bit less elsewhere.

Thanks, all.  I've given the patch a pre-soak dose of Obenauf's and it's in the tub now.

Big props to Giles and the IH team on the measurements - shoulders, arms, length, chest, and opening measurements all within .25" of spec.

Pre-soak pics - LHT IH x LHT Samurai: