Freewheelers, Bootleggers Reunion, Bubo, etc.

[shredwin_206]

[CSL]

That thing should go in the FW hall of fame!

[vlad_III]

Asked at desolation row about the new ww2 fabric. The new fabric is very similar but more slubby. Next ww2 release will be the new fabric. Not the last one. 

[shredwin_206]

So when is the new new WWII denim release?? 
 

@CSL worn every single day for probably 9 months straight. Worn for work, to the gym in the cold morning, even have fallen asleep in it sometimes haha 

[ATWM]

1 minute ago, shredwin_206 said:

So when is the new new WWII denim release?? 
 

@CSL worn every single day for probably 9 months straight. Worn for work, to the gym in the cold morning, even have fallen asleep in it sometimes haha 

Just getting granular here - worn to the gym or worn at the gym? If you're lifting in that...that's extra special. 

Edited January 25 by ATWM

[shredwin_206]

@ATWM yes. Worn at the gym while lifting and running. Worn for work doing construction as well. 

[mstax]

@vlad_III @shredwin_206 I’m getting a little confused about the WWII denim. All I heard is that the denim is renewed and that it was first featured in the latest 1944-1945 506xx jacket release at the end of 2025. Is there going to be another new-new fabric for 1944-1945 releases or are we talking a ‘different year fabric’ like the 1937-1941 release? 

[julian-wolf]

@Broark How does the sizing of the thermal-lined hoodie correspond to standard hoodie sizing? Is 44 around an XXL would you say, or does the lining take up some extra space and make it feel smaller?

[yochrisahn]

On 1/25/2026 at 1:26 PM, mstax said:

@vlad_III @shredwin_206 I’m getting a little confused about the WWII denim. All I heard is that the denim is renewed and that it was first featured in the latest 1944-1945 506xx jacket release at the end of 2025. Is there going to be another new-new fabric for 1944-1945 releases or are we talking a ‘different year fabric’ like the 1937-1941 release? 

From what I've understood, the new WWII denim has already been released with the restock of the 44-45 jacket late 2025. Going forward, they will use the new WWII on the restocks of the 44-45 models (standard collection) and it will also be featured on the new 1941 denim setup (seasonal collection). This means the "old" WWII denim will be discontinued as the new one is simply an update/renew.

 

Personally, I haven't seen the new WWII but it shouldn't be too much different from the old WWII denim, just more pronounced in terms of slub and verticality. FW's WWII is one of my favorite denim fabrics of all time.

[LazyS]

@julian-wolf I’m normally a 42 and Seiichiro said get 44 if I wanted to wear it over a flannel

[Broark]

I'd agree with @LazyS's feedback from Seiichiro, size up if you're wanting to wear it over something more bulky.
The thermal lining doesn't take up a ton of space (it's not as coarse as the standalone FW thermal fabric), but the hoodie does shrink a good amount in the wash.
I got a size 44 and I can wear it over tees / longsleeve tees, but it might be a little snug over something like a flannel.

[julian-wolf]

Good tips, thanks

I can’t imagine wanting to wear a hoodie over a flannel (or anything more bulky than a tee shirt, really), so maybe my “normal” size would be the right approach. I just checked and my current PowerWear hoodies are size 42 (would’ve guessed 44—go figure). Would that be an XL?

[Broark]

That was my approach as well, I'll only ever be wearing mine over a tee / long sleeve tee.
Yes, 42 would equate to XL and 44 being XXL.

[shredwin_206]

anyone have any scraps/hems from their FW denim laying around I could buy? Need to patch these holes on the WWII jacket. 
Thanks 

Edwin 

[Broark]

Couple of fall/winter stragglers, think I'm done with the cooler weather stuff.
Yellowstone trousers in "painted" corduroy. I had the sewn on buttons replaced with matching metal buttons.
This corduroy material seems a bit lighter than the other pants I have which is welcomed.



And the black pullover hoodie with contrast liner inside the hood (apologies for the poor lighting).

[Hopethisoneisnttaken]

On 2/6/2026 at 1:26 PM, Broark said:

I had the sewn on buttons replaced with matching metal buttons.

I only ever did the opposite. Will you be wearing these with suspenders?

Edited February 10 by Hopethisoneisnttaken

[Broark]

15 minutes ago, Hopethisoneisnttaken said:

Will you be wearing these with suspenders?

Probably not, I actually don't own any suspenders. 
And not sure if this was clear or not (looking at the wording of my original post I don't feel like it was), but the sewn on buttons were on the fly.

[Hopethisoneisnttaken]

@Broark yup! I thought you were referring to the suspender buttons. Now it makes much more sense. 

[Broark]

This has been happening lately with my '42 jeans, I'm able to snap the prongs back into the buckle but it keeps falling off (probably because I'm trying to cinch them tighter).
Any ideas / suggestions for keeping the prongs locked into the buckle?

[Double 0 Soul]

Put the prongs back in.. then either squeeze the buckle together with groove joint type pliers or put the buckle in a vice with something underneath to support the impact.. then hit the buckle behind the pin with a nail punch.. hit it hard enough that the pin will barely swivel.. if that makes sense.

if it keeps happening.. the holes which hold the pin are probably not deep enough.. in which case, I’d replace it.

Can you tie off or double wrap the cinch strap.. so the pressure is on the strap and buckle rather than the cinch pins?

Edited February 23 by Double 0 Soul

[Broark]

16 minutes ago, Double 0 Soul said:

Can you tie off or double wrap the cinch strap.. so the pressure is on the strap and buckle rather than the cinch pins?

I should be able to do this (cinching all the way as tight as possible, so there's fabric available.
I'll give that a go before trying to squeeze the buckle itself into the pins with some pliers.

[Double 0 Soul]

Have a look at some images of cinch backs.. some ways of threading the denim through are neater than others, you don’t want an uncomfortable knot in your back when you’re sat down.

[CSL]

Or you could sew the two ends together, the buckle remaining just for show.

[OutSider]

Are the Power Wear sweaters worth the high price? Am buying blind so can’t tell just from pictures. Looking for something nice and heavyweight.

[vlad_III]

Just now, OutSider said:

Are the Power Wear sweaters worth the high price? Am buying blind so can’t tell just from pictures. Looking for something nice and heavyweight.

You’ll be very happy

[Broark]

19 minutes ago, OutSider said:

Are the Power Wear sweaters worth the high price? Am buying blind so can’t tell just from pictures. Looking for something nice and heavyweight.

The heavyweight fabric is nicely brushed on the inside and over time the outside gets a bit more rough / textured which I find cool.
They also hold up very well with time, I think the first release of the heavyweight material was 4/5 years ago now? Mine from then are still going strong. 
I know I'm biased since FW is my favorite brand, but they're my favorite sweats. And I've tried most of the other brands out there that are known for their sweatshirts.

[ATWM]

I only have one, and it’s a mid weight one. I have a few crew sweats from other brands - 2 moons, cushman, jackman. Of them all, I like the powerwear and the jackman best, for different reasons. I would trade 2 cushmans or 2 moons for one powerwear if I could. All of them are good and I rotate them all, but for me it’s the shape of the powerwear that I prefer the most, as opposed to the fabric. 

If you’re not fixed on Japanese brands the Swedish skate brand Polar makes a full cotton heavyweight sweat that is marginally less expensive and really nice, but it’s cut larger/boxier. I like those just as much as the above - and it’s the heaviest that I have. 

[Broark]

Shout out to 00, his method worked. I wrapped the buckle in a towel, grabbed a pair of channel lock pliers and was able to lock in the prongs.
Gave them a wash to see if the cinch would stay intact and it did!
Stashing these away for a bit as I'm a little burnt out on cinch back jeans at the moment.

[OutSider]

5 hours ago, vlad_III said:

You’ll be very happy

Good. I’m really liking the heavier weight shirts/sweaters though I did break my closet rack from them being too heavy 😂

[Double 0 Soul]

Glad it worked B.. it's not the type of metal which springs back to shape.. once it's opened up and the pin has fallen out.. it will continue to fall out until you force it back into shape.