Samurai Jeans - "Ai-Plus" 18oz Selvedge Denim Jeans [S500AX]

Product Description

The Samurai Jeans S500AX “Ai-Plus” is built around one of the brand’s most distinctive 18oz selvedge denims, combining natural indigo, conventional indigo dye and Samurai’s proprietary cotton blend to create an unusually deep blue with the rough texture Samurai is known for. It is a fabric designed to sit between traditional natural indigo denim and the harder-wearing rope-dyed denim associated with vintage jeans.

Natural indigo is traditionally difficult to use with rope dyeing and is more commonly applied through slower hand-dyeing methods. For the Ai-Plus denim, Samurai developed a specialized process that combines natural indigo with synthetic indigo, allowing the yarn to be rope dyed while retaining much of the rich colour associated with natural indigo. The result is a particularly deep, saturated blue that still has the potential to develop the high-contrast wear expected from a pair of raw denim jeans.

The 18oz fabric is woven using yarn blended with Samurai Cotton, giving the denim a pronounced roughness and irregular surface from the beginning. That texture becomes increasingly visible as the jeans soften, with raised areas, creases and points of abrasion gradually taking on lighter shades of blue. The weight is substantial without reaching the extreme end of Samurai’s heavyweight range, making the S500AX a strong everyday option for someone wanting a heavier jean with plenty of aging potential.

The S500AX uses a straight silhouette that is slightly narrower than Samurai’s fuller regular-straight models. There is comfortable room through the top block and thigh, followed by a subtle reduction through the leg that gives the jeans a cleaner profile without turning them into a true tapered fit. It is one of the more versatile cuts in Samurai’s lineup and works well with everything from boots to lower-profile footwear.

Samurai gives the Ai-Plus model its own set of details. The leather patch depicts a traditional indigo-dyeing craftsman and is finished with navy foil referencing the colour of the denim. Silver-painted iron taiko drum buttons, copper coin-style rivets and custom Ai-Plus printed pocket bags continue the theme throughout the jeans.

Even the stitching receives extra attention. Samurai uses both banana yellow and golden brown thread, varying stitch count, needle size and stitch width depending on the area of construction. It is the kind of detail that is easy to overlook at first, but reflects how much thought has gone into the S500AX beyond simply using an unusual denim.

Made in Japan.

Key Features

• 100% cotton

• 18oz Ai-Plus Japanese selvedge denim

• Natural indigo and synthetic indigo dye combination

• Rope-dyed indigo warp

• Samurai Cotton blended yarn

• Deep, saturated indigo colour

• Rough, highly textured denim surface

• Designed for pronounced fading and aging

• Straight fit

• Slightly narrower silhouette than Samurai’s fuller regular straight cuts

• Moderate taper through the leg

• Custom Ai-Plus printed pocket bags

• Silver-painted iron taiko drum buttons

• Copper coin-style rivets

• Exclusive leather patch depicting an indigo-dyeing craftsman

• Navy foil detailing on leather patch

• Exclusive Ai-Plus flasher

• Banana yellow and golden brown contrast stitching

• Variable stitch count, needle size and stitch width throughout construction
  

• Made in Japan

• Style S500AX

• Shop more styles from Samurai Jeans

Fabric & Care

100% cotton, 18oz Japanese selvedge denim.

Samurai combines natural and synthetic indigo using a specialized dyeing process that allows the yarn to be rope dyed. This gives the denim its unusually deep blue colour while allowing the surface to develop lighter shades, creasing and contrast through repeated wear and washing.

Wash cold with a denim-specific or mild detergent and hang dry. Wash separately or with other dark garments, particularly during the first several washes, as indigo transfer is expected.

For the most accurate sizing and shrinkage information, refer to the measurements listed for the specific wash version of the jeans.

Fit

Straight fit with a slightly narrower silhouette than Samurai’s traditional regular straight models.

The S500AX provides comfortable room through the upper block and thigh before narrowing moderately toward the hem. The result falls between a full straight and a tapered jean, giving it a clean silhouette without feeling restrictive.

Samurai sizing can differ from typical North American denim sizing, so we recommend comparing the garment measurements against a pair of jeans you already own and like the fit of rather than relying solely on the tagged size.

Samurai Jeans S500AX Ai-Plus 18oz selvedge jeans, made in Japan with natural indigo rope-dyed denim, Samurai Cotton and a versatile straight fit. 

Raw unsanforized denim. Expect roughly 8 to 10% shrinkage after the first wash

These figures are estimates. Fabric, fit, and care all affect how a garment settles, so treat them as a guide rather than a guarantee. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Garment measurements taken flat before wash. Compare against a piece you already own and love.

Canada: free Standard shipping over $300 CAD, otherwise $19.99 in BC and $24.99 to the rest of Canada. Express is $33 flat. Tracked courier, 1 to 4 business days.

United States: free Standard shipping over $350 USD, otherwise $25.99 USD. Express is $30 USD.

Returns: read our Return Policy for full details on returns and exchanges.

Wear for as long as you can before the first wash. Cold soak, hang dry in shade, never tumble dry. Full guide in our Journal.