The 10 OZ. LOOPWHEEL 1/4 ZIP SWEATSHIRT is made from 10 oz. loopwheel knitted cotton, featuring a brushed loopback French terry, making it warmer and softer than its unbrushed counterpart. Unlike mass-produced sweatshirts, The Real McCoy’s use different yarns across the layers of the sweat to achieve optimal finish, density, and comfort. Inspired by sportswear of the 1960s, our 10 OZ. LOOPWHEEL 1/4 ZIP SWEATSHIRT is finished with a Talon zipper.

Loopwheel machines, which produce this tubular constructed fabric, are renowned for their slow knitting pace, creating only a single meter of fabric per hour. However, this low thread tension technique sets them apart from contemporary manufacturing methods, resulting in an exceptional and distinctive fabric. The material is reminiscent of hand-woven textiles and possesses a unique stretchy quality and washed look reminiscent of old American sweatshirts, which can only be achieved on a loopwheel knitting machine. This loopwheel fabric is knitted in Wakayama, Japan, using extremely rare machines known as Tsuriami-ki and requires specialized skill and technique, exclusively for The Real McCoy’s.

At the turn of the century, attitudes toward outdoor activities changed significantly, and the demand for specially designed outdoor clothing grew. Post-World War I, informal styles led to the evolution of sporting clothes into modern sportswear. This shift benefited zipper manufacturers, as zippers became more acceptable in activewear, such as riding, hunting, and cycling gear, than in everyday clothing. Between 1931 and 1934, the percentage of zippers used in clothing rose from 34% to over 59%. By 1934, 82% of zipper sales were for sports clothing.

Initially driven by British sportswear, the trend evolved in America into attractive, informal streetwear. This adaptation, influenced by the growing popularity of sports like golf in the 1920s, resulted in clothing that was both comfortable and stylish.