Breaking in a leather jacket

[aaronharri]

Hi all! I have quite a few Aero Leather Jackets that I just don't find myself wearing because they are so stiff and really restrict my movement. Several of them are horsehide and i have a few steerhide ones as well. Has anyone developed a good way of breaking in a jacket other than just wearing it? I had a bootlegger 12-13 years ago that I put in the driver with some wet towels that helped loosen that one up some. That Jacket was a beast and I ended up selling it to AeroFan_07. Wish I had never sold it! (even though its the thickest leather jacket i've ever seen in person) What is everyone's experience with Goathide jackets? Never had one but on paper it looks great! I've just never been a huge fan of the dark brown color they usually come in.

 

[l0fielectronic]

I ended up selling the three Aero jackets I had because I just wasn't wearing them for the stiffness, also one of the Aero/LVC jackets that was one I'd always wanted to get hold of and finally did. I liked the look of them and the fit mostly but, eventually, I figured out heavy/stiff leathers aren't enjoyable for me for regular wear.

 

[bn1966]

If it’s very heavy then that’s not my thing .. moved on a fantastic custom build because it felt like armour on & I knew I wouldn’t get used to it. As for others on the ‘break in’ I’ve worn them out in light rain and let them dry on me … a few rounds of that & worn whilst driving and I’m usually good … like the way the creases etc are then based on my shape and movement.

 

[Boyo]

step 1- have only one leather jacket
step 2 -wear it when you're cold

just kidding, but not really

 

[barnabus]

I honestly think that the best way to break in a jacket is to wear it on the bike when it's raining until it stops raining and the sun comes out.

 

[amonr4]

step 1- have only one leather jacket
step 2 -wear it when you're cold

just kidding, but not really

that’s exactly true, now I have multiple jackets and from every price point , but it’s hard to have just one Leather Jacket , than when you have many, it’s hard to wear them all and break them in

 

[Yango]

I honestly think that the best way to break in a jacket is to wear it on the bike when it's raining until it stops raining and the sun comes out.

Agreed. It certainly fits the jacket to your body. All of my riding jackets have gone this route—it's definitely a good idea to wear it as it dries... all in a days ride.

 

[Yango]

step 1- have only one leather jacket
step 2 -wear it when you're cold

just kidding, but not really

Sage advice.

The more jackets you have, the less wear they tend to get. I'm definitely a less is more kinda guy.
...'Course, it doesn't mean that I don't WANT more jackets! Lol. I resist the urges. And it really helps that I really like the jackets that I have. So I don't mind wearing them every day.

 

[bobjones]

Hi all! I have quite a few Aero Leather Jackets that I just don't find myself wearing because they are so stiff and really restrict my movement. Several of them are horsehide and i have a few steerhide ones as well. Has anyone developed a good way of breaking in a jacket other than just wearing it? I had a bootlegger 12-13 years ago that I put in the driver with some wet towels that helped loosen that one up some. That Jacket was a beast and I ended up selling it to AeroFan_07. Wish I had never sold it! (even though its the thickest leather jacket i've ever seen in person) What is everyone's experience with Goathide jackets? Never had one but on paper it looks great! I've just never been a huge fan of the dark brown color they usually come in.

I had two 4.5oz+ FQHH jackets from Aero that were like concrete when I first got them. My method to soften them was to knead them like dough while sitting on the couch watching TV. I would also sometimes just wear them while at home, stretching and turning, just natural movements to accelerate their flexibility.

When I bought them I recall asking the same question here, and the suggestions ran from taking showers wearing them, sleeping in them, and giving them a beating. Not that I did any of that nor recommend you do so, but anyone buying a FQHH needs to accept the fact it will take years, if not decades, before they are broken in.

 

[bobjones]

Hi all! I have quite a few Aero Leather Jackets that I just don't find myself wearing because they are so stiff and really restrict my movement. Several of them are horsehide and i have a few steerhide ones as well. Has anyone developed a good way of breaking in a jacket other than just wearing it? I had a bootlegger 12-13 years ago that I put in the driver with some wet towels that helped loosen that one up some. That Jacket was a beast and I ended up selling it to AeroFan_07. Wish I had never sold it! (even though its the thickest leather jacket i've ever seen in person) What is everyone's experience with Goathide jackets? Never had one but on paper it looks great! I've just never been a huge fan of the dark brown color they usually come in.

Goathide is a great hide, but it still has some downsides. While softer and pliable right from the start compared to HH so there isn't much of a break-in period needed, it won't scuff or show a detailed patina the way cowhide, horsehide, etc. will. The surface is very tough so if you want that static look for a long time, then its the right hide for you, but if you want it to age like HH and show details, it won't.

 

[floater]

Sage advice.

The more jackets you have, the less wear they tend to get. I'm definitely a less is more kinda guy.
...'Course, it doesn't mean that I don't WANT more jackets! Lol. I resist the urges. And it really helps that I really like the jackets that I have. So I don't mind wearing them every day.

I always said I would limit myself to 10 jackets but now I realize even that is too much as I usually keep wearing my favorites and neglect the others.

Now I’m thinking 5 max, maybe 6 if we’re including leather coats.

1 for 100% use on the bike
1 for 50%/50% on/off the bike
1 for dressing up/down
1 lightweight
1 not black nor brown
1 coat

 

[jacketjunkie]

Do everything in them. Grocery shopping, bicycling, riding, driving your car, commuting. I firmly believe it only takes all these long months to break in heavy leather because the people in question only wear them for 15 minutes every other Sunday. The JL 4.5 Oz steerhide Barneveld Remix I got from Canuck Panda wielded within a few weeks of daily commuting with train and bicycling to work and back home, a total of maybe 1.5h wear/day plus a bit of grocery shopping etc. I just put it on every time I left the building and the weather allowed for it.

If you want to speed it up, put it in a tumbler with tennis balls or use water sprayer to spray it and then wear it til its dry.