This killer-faded pair of Freewheelers 14oz 'Vanishing West' 601XXC Denim (1937 Version) was worn by our longtime Sydney VIP friend, Lake, who shares:
"I picked up this pair of Freewheelers denim back in 2020. I was on the hunt for a high-end, vintage-inspired pair of Japanese jeans — and Lee pointed me to this ultimate version. At the time, I had just started a new job in artisan-style manufacturing work, so these became my everyday-work pair. I’ve worn them for over two years now, and the aging results have turned out even BETTER than I imagined!"
"I wore them 4 to 5 days a week for over two years. They weren’t just denim — the character of this pair is so unique, it actually inspires me to make better products at work. Lee once told me that each type of Freewheelers' indigo denim has its own subtle differences. For example, this 1937 version features custom buttons made from raw iron. Over time, I started to notice a reddish rust forming on the surface — it gives off this incredible 'war-mode' vibe that I really appreciate."
"Before this pair, I used to wash my denim every 3 to 4 months — usually only when they started to smell or get really dirty. But Lee explained that this particular denim is made using different thicknesses of cotton threads and dyed with various tones of indigo. Freewheelers calls it 'Twisted-Yarn Denim.' He suggested that if I wanted to bring out more of the indigo’s character, I should wash them more often.
The result? Totally unexpected — and seriously NICE. Not only did more shades of indigo emerge over time, but I also started to see these intense ‘Thunder-Fades’ develop after two years of wear and wash. It’s the kind of fade you’d usually only find on true vintage denim!"
"The 1937 version — of course, everyone talks about the cinch-back design. Personally, I love the raw iron buckle. It’s not just for looks — it actually helped me adjust the waist whenever I needed to. There were times I lost a bit of weight, and all I had to do was tighten the buckle. I really appreciate this kind of war-mode, artisan-level design!"
"The right back pocket got heavily worn out over time — mainly because I always kept my mini wallet there and sat on it daily. Eventually, I repaired the pocket myself. I actually love the worn-out look; it gives the jeans even more personality and adds to that 'War-Mode Type' character I’m really drawn to."
"After over two years of wear, the feel of the denim has become more and more comfortable to the touch. However, the rear pockets and crotch area started to wear out as well. So I reached out to CORLECTION for a crotch repair — and the result was fantastic!"
"Due to regular washing, the deerskin leather patch has basically turned into a piece of dried meat — lol. But if you're a fan of vintage Levi’s 501XX, you’ll know this is exactly how a true vintage piece should age. I still don’t understand how Freewheelers managed to predict this kind of aging so precisely… it’s like they knew exactly how it would evolve. That’s real magic!"
"Even now, this is still my favourite 'War-Mode' denim of all time — and I own over 20 pairs of Japanese denim. This pair holds so many memories. It’s more than just a piece of clothing; it’s a personal archive. I’ll definitely keep wearing them — on and off, some days, sometimes..."