@neph93:

@Johnny:

Well, I've decided to give them a 30 minute cold soak. As I said, they fit just about perfect right now, but we all know how that goes with the "stretch" of everyday life. And I'd rather suffer early then potentially change my fades later.

They're super long right now too, so an inch off the total length will be a good thing.

I think getting the shrinkage out now is a good call for the reasons you mention. I don't think 30mins cold is going to do much to them though and then you're not really any further on. When it comes time to wash them properly, exposing them to warmer water over longer time will just shrink them at a later date.

You might be right but I don't intend to ever let them touch hot water, so I don't think the shrinkage will ever be a factor.

Now then, we'll see if I'm whistling a different tune when I try to squeeze into the freshly dried 25oz Kevlar tubes in the morning.

Well, I've decided to give them a 30 minute cold soak. As I said, they fit just about perfect right now, but we all know how that goes with the "stretch" of everyday life. And I'd rather suffer early then potentially change my fades later.

They're super long right now too, so an inch off the total length will be a good thing.

Thanks to everyone for weighing in. Hoping my experience can help someone in the future!

Well, I'm just trying to do my due diligence by the fabric. I can wear them for a few weeks and hot soak if they're getting too loose, however, I'd like to keep as much indigo as possible. Do y'all feel like more comes out when you hot soak?

Yes, that would be a no duh moment on my part. Just curious what seems to be the going wisdom with XHS and hot vs cold soak…

@neph93:

Lightly sanforised so they will shrink a little. I didn’t bother washing/soaking my 666XHS until they had 3 months wear on them. When I did they lost about half an inch in the waist and nearly an inch in length. No biggie but the fades behind the knees didn’t quite match after the wash.

They are by no means ruined, and I still wear them, but if and when I buy another pair I’ll hot soak first.

Thanks. I was talking to Alex or Adam via email and I one of them seemed to not recommend hot soaking. Thoughts vs cold?

Just picked up a pair of these to become my dailies. Purposefully sized up to give me some "flexibility" in being a dad, weight gain/loss and actually having the ability to bend over etc.

What's the consensus on soaking with these? I can button the top button now but also don't want them to become saggy. Since they're sanforized, they may not need a soak? Also want to keep them as dark as possible…

Pleasantly surprised by the light weight and great construction on this little number! Should be very versatile.

Word of advice to anyone about to pick some of these up - if you CAN button the top button when you first get them, they're too big and you need to size down. I ended up getting my actual tag size and, 4 wears in after a cold-soak, I can button the top button!

Three days in after my cold soak and loving these! STILL can't quite get the top button done, but I have faith that I'll prevail…sometime...soon...hopefully.

The weight and density of them makes everything else seem...quiet.

Here's a hump-day shot of my hump. Love the "marquee" arcs!

Welp, I didn't want to purchase 1-hour Progressive Cold-Soak Denim insurance, but I'm trying to take less risks in my old age.

Don't you go a-shrinkin', little buddies.

(fingers crossed)