5KM Year of the Horse Jeans Review: Fabric, Details and Fit
If the Year of the Horse means something to you, these 5KM Selvedge jeans could be a way to mark it. They bring together heavy 18 oz denim, a straight fit and red and gold details tucked inside.
I've made a full video review to show the fabric, explain the small construction details and help you decide whether the fit is right for you.
Watch the 5KM Year of the Horse jeans review
In just over nine minutes, I cover the denim, pockets, stitching and sizing. You can also see the jeans on me.
Heavy denim with a softer starting feel
The fabric is 100% cotton with no added stretch. At 18 oz, it has a clear weight in the hand. That number is the weight of one square yard of fabric, not the whole pair of jeans.
The surface has small, uneven bumps in the weave. This texture is called slub. It gives the denim more character than a very smooth, even fabric.
These jeans have been washed once. That takes away some of the stiff, board-like feel you might expect from heavy, unwashed denim. They still feel substantial. If you prefer thin, stretchy jeans, these are unlikely to be the right pair for you.
Selvedge is the finished edge made when denim is woven on a shuttle loom. On these jeans, you can see a small selvedge detail with gold thread on the coin pocket.
The Year of the Horse details
There is a horse on the back patch, but much of the decoration is inside. The waistband has red and gold embroidery, and the pockets use thick red cotton twill. Twill is a fabric with a diagonal weave.
Red stitching runs through the jeans too. I like that balance: dark denim on the outside, with more colour when you look inside.
You do not need a link to the Year of the Horse to enjoy them. But a birthday, anniversary or other important moment could give those details extra meaning.
Small construction details that matter
The lower ends of the belt loops are sewn into the waistband. This gives them another point of support when the loops are pulled.
Six metal rivets reinforce the front and coin-pocket corners. The back pockets have bar tacks, which are short rows of tight stitching. Small pieces of felt sit behind those stitches to help spread the pull across a wider area.
Inside, the seams are flat-felled. This means the cut edges are folded in and stitched down. It makes a neat join and helps protect the edges from fraying. A YKK zip closes the fly.
These details do not make the jeans indestructible. They reinforce places that take strain during normal wear.
Fit and sizing: compare your own jeans
The jeans have a straight leg and a mid-rise waist. In the video, I'm wearing size 32. I'm 173 cm tall, weigh about 73 kg and have an 82 cm waist. The waist fits me well.
Your best guide is a pair of jeans you already like wearing. Lay them flat and compare the waist, thigh, leg opening and inseam with the product size guide. The inseam is the length down the inside of the leg. Check it carefully if you are taller or want to turn up a deep cuff.
Choose a waist that fits properly from the start. Allow for a little further shrinkage after washing, especially in the length. Do not buy a pair that is too tight and rely on it stretching into the right size.
See the Year of the Horse jeans and size guide.
Who would I recommend them to?
These are worth a closer look if you like heavy cotton denim, a straight leg and details you can discover over time. The softer starting feel is part of their appeal, along with the thick pockets and colourful interior.
If you need light, stretchy denim or more leg length than the measurements allow, I would look at another pair.
This is a limited release. Once my stock is gone, I will not be able to restock it. Check your size and see the jeans here.
Other pieces featured in the video
- Maden Grey Cotton Flannel Shirt
- Maden 13 oz Canvas Chore Coat
- Maden 13.5 oz Natural Cotton Chore Coat
You can also watch my Maden Canvas Chore Coat review for a closer look at its fabric and fit.