How to Break In a Leather Jacket (+ Three Ways to Avoid)

[@paulocanecarlthedamnjohnson]

Jus bought a jacket yesterday, slept in it last night and sprayed water this morning and kept wearing, feels perfect now.

[@DudsByDel]

Crushing it! How was your sleep?

[@1990-t1j]

@@DudsByDel I was thinking that.

[@CasuallyJapan]

Completely agree. Wear it in the rain, wear it till it dries naturally, and apply oil to it.

[@DudsByDel]

It’s a good way to do it. But what if you live somewhere that doesn’t get a lot of rain? This method is essentially the same but allows better control and more convenience

[@RoadToHeritage]

I’ve taken naps in my jackets to break them in.

[@DudsByDel]

Maybe in my 20s would have been easier 😅

[@Richard_Lush]

Me too but I’m old and nap🤫

[@DG-EditsYT]

That's excellent, sometimes I wear new walking boots in doors all evening and so they heat up and start to mold to the foot slightly and the sole start to loosen

[@RudeVega]

I’ve used this trick before on my first CXL aero, and Horsehide Schott it really speeds up the breaking time 👍

[@DudsByDel]

Nice! I’ve used it on several jackets that needed a little push

[@reconteam91]

Literally sitting at my PC with a towel on my chair and wearing a wet leather jacket while watching this video again to make I got all the steps right. Great tips!

[@DudsByDel]

@@reconteam91 hah excellent! Good luck with the break in!

[@StuntmanDanHemi]

Not wearing the jacket to bed, but wearing it while you take a nap sitting on the couch is totally doable and it will break in exactly the key points. Because what do most people do when taking a couch nap? they cross their arms, i know i do lol

[@DudsByDel]

Hah good point. Been a looong time since I was able to take a couch nap though. Maybe once the kids are older 😂

[@hermegonzalez1335]

You're doing Godswork here Del! I'm glad that you're sharing your knowledge across different platforms. :)

[@DudsByDel]

Hah thanks Herme! Doing my best

[@nathancreel8547]

My Thedi is a veg tanned leather that goes through a “relicing” process which breaks it in completely. It’s the thicker water Buffalo he uses. There was no break in for me, and it was made to measure so fits perfectly. My Schott steerhide CXL is completely opposite. I’ve had it for a while and it’s comfortable, but still may do this to break it in even more. The thick, heavy, waxy leather is just stubborn and folds in weird places sometimes depending on the grain. Great information and looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@DudsByDel]

Chromexcel is a good example of a leather that this process is good for!

[@Praisewarrior21]

I always just put a good conditioner on my leathers. Let it dry and soak it in. Then wear it for a bit. The conditioner softens the leather and helps restore the natural beauty to the leather. Your right just damp the leather because if doesn't dry right like you said it can ruin the leather. That is a nice jacket btw it shines incredible. 😊

[@DudsByDel]

Thanks man! Yeah conditioner will help. It’s actually Langlitz first recommendation is to condition their new jackets. But if you want to speed things along without over conditioning, getting it wet can be a good choice

[@AdamBrinson]

I think you're talking about what is called distilled water in the states. Gallon jug for about $1 and it's supposed to be a type of purified water that's made by boiling water into vapor and then condensing the steam back into a liquid. The process of distillation removes impurities from the water. Shouldn't leave any residue!

[@DudsByDel]

Yeah that’s the one! Thanks for the comment

[@bionicangel123]

Ive done it! Its not comfortable but it does help to form it more to the body

[@DudsByDel]

Hey man! I found it to be not so bad compared to some of the alternatives. Maybe if I was in my twenties, sleeping in the jacket wouldn’t be so bad 😂

[@robertgorham5422]

I’m glad I came across this video. This method works wonderfully! Thanks Del!!

[@DudsByDel]

Sure thing Robert. Glad it worked out for you!

[@rca4385]

I will try on my horween leather I've forever been trying, yours makes more sense. Thanks

[@DudsByDel]

Cool man let me know how it goes. Make sure it gets plenty of time outside the closet to dry

[@rca4385]

@@DudsByDel thanks, Del. Will keep watching you as you've the expertise so l can really enjoy mine too. It helps when you give all info where (sites, vintage stores, shows...etc), when to buy at what reasonable price...l want to least own 3-4 go tos wearable through the season out here in CA

[@donryan383]

with a new jacket, would you condition the jacket after this break-in procedure. What do you use for conditioning? I'm new to leather jackets... my first has not arrived ... due later next week Thanks for the video

[@DudsByDel]

Hey Don! You may want to. In no particular order, Leather Honey, Bick4, Pecards, Skidmore’s, Dr Jackson’s Leather Conditioner have all been used and recommended by folks I know

[@KimmyGibbler7]

I just thrifted a mint leather jacket. It fit perfectly… buuuut then I washed it because some dry cleaner on TikTok said it was ok, and I’ve done it before with good results. I’d say its about a 1/2 size too small now, especially in the arms when I try n lift them. At least I have peace of mind that it’s clean but I definitely need to give her a stretch.

[@DudsByDel]

@@KimmyGibbler7 I’d condition it really well and possibly have it damp when you’re stretching it or it may tear the leather

[@robertolopezarrieta6096]

Great video Del. Could you give me some advice on how remove sweat stains from the collar of a leather jacket?

[@DudsByDel]

@@robertolopezarrieta6096 hmm you may be able to wipe, saddle soap / leather cleaner, then condition. My best suggestion is to make a post with pics of the collar on FedoraLounge forum outerwear section or call a leather cleaner for advice!

[@1990-t1j]

I'd have just worn it on the bike and when out and about, plus inside the house. Having watched this, I'd wet it and wear it until it was dry. Great video. Great channel.

[@DudsByDel]

@@1990-t1j thanks Nick. If you’re on the bike you may get some showers along the way, but maybe not. This way you can have more control over it if you want

[@renze1559]

Do you spray the leather jacket with leather protectant after doing this?

[@DudsByDel]

Not this robust stuff. It depends on the leather but motorcycle jackets typically have a strong top coat and don’t need protectant or frequent conditioning

[@kevinericsongs]

the way i like to break in a new leather jacket is to sit with it in my lap and just knead and roll the leather for a couple of hours-while watching tv is good-you can feel the stiffness and ' 'knots' coming out as you go..usually takes a few sessions before it's nice and soft,but it works like a dream(it's quite enjoyable too!)

[@DudsByDel]

Yeah that is a good way. High effort for some but better than sleeping in it if you ask me 😂

[@renangaidheal1320]

We live on a farm, on cool, wet evenings I sleep on our porch in the jacket. The dampness, the change in temps, the dog who sleeps with me---voilá, broken in.

[@DudsByDel]

Nice, a wonderful image too

[@DavidZindell-x9u]

Earlier this year, I bought a Himel Cafe Racer in double black Shinki HH. It's gorgeous and a great fit, but so is a straitjacket. It's a lot stiffer than I thought it would be. I've hardly had a chance to wear it because Colorado had our hottest summer ever. Breaking it in, my any means, is going to be a bitch. I've read about various break-in methods over the years, and simply wearing it, of course, always comes out #1 (and often there is no #2 or #3). I'm intrigued by the idea of placing the jacket inside a garment bag and tumbling it in the dryer on no heat with a few tennis balls. That sounds a little risky, but simply kneading the jacket at the shoulders and other stress points, perhaps while watching a movie, seems less dangerous. Wetting it by wearing it in the rain is what many recommend. I read an opinion by a chemist that the slightly lower ph rainwater (slightly acid) works magic in a way that purified or distilled water does not.. Unfortunately, here in Colorado we've hardly had rain for months, and when it has rained, it's been more of the thunderstorm/deluge variety-so going out in such rain wouldn't be much different than going for a swim in my jacket. My most recent idea is to look online for some canned or bottled rainwater that I could put into a spray bottle to use to give my jacket a wetting but not a soaking. Either that, or I might be able to make some low ph rainwater the way that adding moss to a fish tank can lower the ph so that the fish can better thrive. Whatever I try, I'll make a full report her as to the outcome.

[@DudsByDel]

@@DavidZindell-x9u the purified water spray as shown in this video works quite well. A member on FedoraLounge uses it regularly to break in famously tough Lost Worlds jackets with no issues. Different water may help in some way but be careful of anything that will leave a residue or mineral spots behind

[@majorharbour3926]

Good job Del. Does this work for new leather tennis shoes? Any leather shoe videos? I appreciate your attention to detail...like making sure to inform drying the leather out completely before putting the leather jacket before putting it back into a dark gloomy closet...to prevent mold/mildew...very salient point!!!😎

[@DudsByDel]

@@majorharbour3926 thanks MH! I’ve accidentally had this method applied to my Wesco Boss leather engineer boots when I got caught in a downpour. So it can be extended to shoes. However I’d worry about soft/absorbent materials in a tennis shoe insole

[@javierdiazsantana]

Greetings sir. I have personally found with my generic chrome tanned jackets that a good conditioning, wearing the jacket in heat and wearing it while sleeping are rather useful, along wearing it to rain. Hope you are well

[@DudsByDel]

More people telling me they sleep in their jackets than I expected. The one time I did it was a short nap and I felt awful when i woke. Maybe I should give it another go?

[@javierdiazsantana]

@@DudsByDel That's the bad thing, the stiff sleeves damage your own tendons and joints

[@sushantmanandhar1387]

I bought a leather jacket (sheepskin perfecto) a few weeks ago and I have a question, should I wear a backpack with it? I usually carry stuff like my license, a book, some water and very rarely my laptop and a backpack is the easiest way to carry it on a motorcycle/while walking, so much so that going out without a backpack feels unnatural now The backpack I carry is a canvas one, will that create unnatural wear patterns (especially in the straps area) cause it's surface is quite rough?

[@DudsByDel]

The backpack will definitely “make its mark” over time on the jacket. Up to you to decide if that’s something you want or not. For some folks it’s a desirable sign of wear and legitimate use…

[@sushantmanandhar1387]

Yeah, wear in the shape of two huge vertical lines on my jacket isn't what I want, I'll just lay down the bag

[@dangerinvitesrescue]

Have you had success using this method with horse hide? I have a Y2 single rider with stiff horse hide. Considering trying this.

[@DudsByDel]

Yes for sure

[@robertproulx9338]

I have a Schott 618 (46) arms at elbows and biceps are tight from working out. Will this break-in method help the leather stretch or what do you think would work? Also, I have a Schott 618 (46) and a Schotte 626VN (XL). The 626VN is my favorite. try it and review it if you like Scott Perfecto's. I think it will become your favorite also. My chest is exactly 46" and 618 (46) fits fine but is a snug fit. 626 (XL) is a perfect fit. I bought the 626 for everyday use and the 618 for my motorcycle. I have same style in a Harley Davidson branded jacket that I bought used and a size Large fits good and I have extra room.

[@DudsByDel]

Hey Robert! Yes it should help the bicep to stretch. There are limits, but I would still take it slow. Would like to review a 626VN (and all the other models) at some point!

[@robertproulx9338]

@@DudsByDel I bought my 626VN at a Lucky Brand store in the mall in Providence. It was the only one in the store that was a return. I ended up paying $410.00 for it. My 618 I bought used on Ebay from Japan vendor and paid 500+.

[@Snorlax11574]

Do you think spraying down 10 or less tomes is too much? And will this shrink the leather?

[@DudsByDel]

Only use this method jackets that are stubborn / difficult to break in. Tougher leathers can take it with no problems. I didn’t count the sprays, just completely covered the jacket

[@CharlesNeuer]

I wonder if you use leather dressing on a jacket before using the water spray?

[@DudsByDel]

With this Langlitz jacket I gave it the leather dressing when I got it. Getting it wet will also accelerate your timeline to conditioning it, since the water will pull out oils etc from the leather

[@waynekoren828]

Don't just wear the jacket, move around in it. Frequently, Zipp up all the zippers, make fists, bend your arms as much as you can, take a deep breath and flex hard. I like my leather jackets tight so I can mold them to my body, this really helps, especially with a Schott Perfecto steerhide.

[@DudsByDel]

Yes but I would say exaggerated movements and flexing, especially when it’s wet, can over do the stretching if you’re not careful

[@rg3412]

Very useful information, thank you

[@DudsByDel]

Sure thing RG!

[@sophiabustos6310]

I just got a leather jacket and it is as stiff as cardboard, also sounds like it. It's supposed to be 100% buffalo leather. Do you think it will soften with wear?

[@DudsByDel]

Yes it should. Buffalo can be heavy but will flex with wear. Where is the jacket from?

[@sophiabustos6310]

@@DudsByDel thank you! It's from a store called Mango :)

[@B501R]

Hey I know Mango! I just bought leather jacket from Mango as well! Great collection! ​@@sophiabustos6310

[@BlakesPipes]

i love the pool noodle on the hanger!

[@DudsByDel]

One of the best little tricks

[@youngflyfella]

Will this work with a Dainese perforated jacket?

[@DudsByDel]

no personal experience but seems like perforated jackets wouldn’t require much break in? If it does, getting it wet will help. Maybe use a damp towel instead of the spray bottle so it doesn’t soak through the interior considering the perforation?

[@libertard6101]

What about conditioner or leather wax after the water spray has dried to your dimensions? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@DudsByDel]

Yes you can condition after…make sure to let it dry naturally without tension or additional sources of heat. This method is only for new robust leathers that require breaking in.

[@libertard6101]

Thank you….can I purchase a good leather conditioner on Amazon ??? Ps my girl is a lil pissed…. I followed your sleeping advise !! lol. Definitely took a sleeping pill …. It works …. Lol. But once again …. Any names of conditionor you recommend?? 🙏🏼

[@DudsByDel]

@@libertard6101 pecards is highly recommended: amzn.to/3OipRC6

[@slihrih1340]

I did the sleep in the jacket technique and had a very bad hot sleep, and the jacket looked no different! 🤨

[@DudsByDel]

Another tally for the “don’t do that one” column!

[@slihrih1340]

😂 yes!

[@BiteMyLowerLip]

Got my first real leather jacket this week. Setting the a/c down lowwww and going to try and sleep in it tonight. Will report back if I survive it. 😂 Great vid!

[@DudsByDel]

@@BiteMyLowerLip haha good luck! I look forward to the report!

[@rh-negative5078]

How did it go?

[@kazyskanderis2675]

How to shrink jacket?

[@anthonydaniels5567]

Did you find out how to?

[@SlavaT]

tell me how to break my socks, please, I really need it... I’ve been wearing them for half a year now, but they are only getting harder...

[@DudsByDel]

Cannot tell if there’s a language barrier or if you’re joking 🙃

[@SlavaT]

@@DudsByDel joke

[@javierdiazsantana]

SIR, by the way! I would like to say that another way i have heard you can break in a jacket is shower with it (No soap) just with hot water and the leather will mold to the shape of the body... I heard this is a particularly good way to break in horsehide

[@DudsByDel]

A somewhat more intense version of this method. I think the main disadvantage of shower is that you may soak the lining too much…if desperate could be what you decide to do but I’d be hesitant to do it personally

[@Joshoman011]

Random thought…. What if I hang it inside of my shower so it can catch some of the hot steam from the shower? Not under the shower head

[@DudsByDel]

May be sorta effective?

[@DIEGOAPAS]

Ótimo video. Parabéns! Eu fiz a técnica de dormir com a jaqueta. Além de não funcionar, acordei com os braços terrivelmente dormentes. Foi uma catástrofe!

[@DudsByDel]

Thanks Diego. Sorry to hear about your arms!

[@Richard_Lush]

Never ever would I put my jacket into a washer/dryer. I just wear the crap out of it and minimal conditioning. I do sleep in mine especially if it’s totally new. Your sweat etc will actually mould it to your body but really it’s just about wearing it to me. If you’re not wearing it maybe it doesn’t fit right. Then just sell it, it’ll just sit in your closet otherwise and that money could go towards another jacket 😂 Another great video Del. Thanks for the content👍 I ride so a lot of my jackets get wet anyway.

[@DudsByDel]

Yeah man riding and wearing is great and probably the best way to naturally break it in. Since I don’t ride I use this method just to get some water exposure in the mix. And totally agree about selling jackets that just hang in the closet!

[@Peyton.Hagarty]

What if is suade

[@DudsByDel]

@@Peyton.Hagarty generally suede jackets don’t require breaking in

[@parthadas4026]

wearing leather jacket while sleeping & going for a walk with a backpack on & riding your bike in a dusty area is the best way to breakin in a week.

[@DudsByDel]

Sounds like break in overdrive man!

[@slaythrax]

I think your wristwatch is a Doxa Sharkhunter... am I right? By the way - very interesting channel. Congratulations!

[@DudsByDel]

Thanks man! Yep it’s the Doxa Sharkhunter sub 200

[@slaythrax]

@@DudsByDel Thanks for the answer... I knew it😎 I love watches and leather jackets. I have 519 at the moment, but 626vn is "on the radar". Greetings from Poland!

[@DudsByDel]

@@slaythrax of course and hello from southern USA! If the length works for you 519 and 626 are great

[@JTJohnson-g3p]

Love your channel! MORE CONTENT!

[@DudsByDel]

Hah thanks JT. Got more in the pipeline!

[@Joshoman011]

I think that maybe just punching the Jacket while wearing boxing gloves might be a good idea

[@DudsByDel]

@@Joshoman011 yeah, I think you’re right. Unless you bust the seams?

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Only bought one new jacket in 50+ years, always bought vintage/ second hand never had that problem. By the way I have an epic motorcycle, military collection, just saying.

[@DudsByDel]

Hey Kevin thanks for the comment. I’ve only bought new a couple of times, namely custom pieces from Johnson Leathers and Langlitz. Even so, I’ve found plenty of used jackets that still need breaking in!

[@oncuozgenc848]

thank you

[@DudsByDel]

Sure thing man!

[@orlandow1723]

I do push ups in mine...

[@DudsByDel]

If it works it works

[@francisc1854]

I’ve spent plenty of nights crashing at peoples pads rocking my leather haha

[@DudsByDel]

Haha go for it man 😂 I’m too old for it

[@francisc1854]

@@DudsByDel I tried and it wasn’t pleasant 😂😂😂

[@stefanocappella9612]

I just wear mine everywhere and let it naturally break in. 🇨🇦

[@DudsByDel]

Yeah nothing wrong with that man!

[@daltonsteiner3278]

DO NOT put your leather jacket in any kind of “machine” washing or otherwise. especially if you can’t see into said machine. and REALLY REALLY don’t put ANYTHING into the machine (fabric softener,soap,conditioner). if you put a $1000 leather jacket in the washing machine or dryer you deserve the damage it will do. DO NOT put ANYTHING on it that isn’t specifically made for leather . this guy said “patina”.. that’s not patina that’s chemicals eating your jacket and destroying it.probably shouldnt even put leather care on it that’s not specifically made for leather *jackets*. dont put anything you bought at auto zone on it. if you get it wet, avoid spraying it. you want to get it evenly soaked to avoid water spots. NEVER WRING IT. EVER. DO NOT WRING IT OUT. the best way to stretch out a leather jacket is to wear it or stretch it on a form like a mannequin. wearing it wet can cause it to crease or wrinkle or parts will dry at a different speed causing water marks. just wipe it down with a warm wet rag and pull it over a mold or even stuff the arms with tshirts and put pillows in the body. stretch the sleeves by hanging it with weight on the cuffs but make sure the rest no wrinkles. if the body is too short….buy a different jacket. trying to stretch it will cause the zipper to “bacon” and it will ruin your jacket.

[@AAchurch]

8:20 min in he says how.

[@DudsByDel]

Thanks man

[@SwarthySyrupBoi_2000]

Workout in your new jacket

[@DudsByDel]

I have seen that but would personally worry about hurting myself with the limited range of motion + heavy weights or busting a seam

[@Playtime-e1p]

I’m taking a 70,000 kilometre ride to break in mine

[@DudsByDel]

Heck yeah!

[@shellshock2209]

Sleeping in a leather jacket is normal for punks. At least it was when I was young

[@DudsByDel]

Sure. But I’m 40…it’s not so easy to do that kind of thing these days

[@shellshock2209]

@@DudsByDel just become homeless and it will be super easy! Haha

[@liljuanito123]

Only way I do it is to just wear it.

[@DudsByDel]

Yeah man. The number 1 way to go. This just helps a speed it up a little

[@DP-bx5ob]

Agreed. I have four Aeros and a Thedi and now that several years have gone by, they look awesome. I'd be leary of anything that would dry out the leather, including water.

[@timjones3423]

Like the cannabis background.

[@DudsByDel]

Hah thanks Tim. My bamboo stand. I will miss it

[@davidhilliard4777]

Wear it in the shower. Works every time.

[@DudsByDel]

Yeah man I have heard that’ll do it!

[@davidhilliard4777]

Have you seen the new Schott 557. Looks fantastic

[@DudsByDel]

@@davidhilliard4777 saw the pics on Butterscotch lb Instagram. It does look great. Worry that it’d be to long for me, but a lot of folks like the longer models

[@Praisewarrior21]

You don't want to wear it in the Shower or immerse it fully in water. You can strip down the oil in the leather and cause the leather to dry out. You have to remember that the back part of the leather is suede.

[@chris101gray3]

Never use chemicals on a leather jacket...especially acetone. This will dry out the leather and even cause it to rot. Rotted leather literally turns to dust. Leather needs to be conditioned and cared for. Why rush wear and a patina? The whole point of them is to tell your story. Why lie about it?

[@oscarsalas4194]

Get to the point! Jesus, bla bla bla....

[@DudsByDel]

Thanks for stopping by

[@martintorres7480]

Very long, very drawn out unnecessarily information.You should change the title of the video instead of 3 things.How to how about twenty minutes of things you shouldn't do and then five minutes of what you should do fell asleep three times.

[@DudsByDel]

Let me know if you try the method. Perhaps a spray of water to the face to wake you up after the boring video!

[@ever-sd9iz]

what are you doing 🥺

[@DudsByDel]

It’s a tough leather it can take it!