Need to soften up a leather jacket? Leather jackets are really stiff when new or can become stiff after being stored. There are a lot of different ways to soften up leather and everyone has their own technique. The most popular suggestions seem to be:
Read the full discussion below to find out what forum members are doing.
Wear it, wear it, wear it and when you're done wearing it, wear it some more. It shouldn't be stiff to start with. All my boots in the Corps broke in a week or two, my leather flight jacket was pliable enough that it wasn't stiff, neither was my original riding jacket.
But you should throw in some tennis shoes to help beat the leather to softness. The more the better I would guess. Just by itself in the dryer won't do much.
Got a nice leather jacket and the fit is great, but it's so stiff, when I sit on the bike, it damn near strangles me. I have to keep pulling it down and trying to tuck it. Anyway to soften these things up? (like drag it behind the bike for a hundred miles)
I've been looking for just such a jacket. What brand is it? My first hd jacket I bought in 78 was as stiff as all get out, but tuff as nails. I don't care for this softened, prestressed leather. Still have my first jacket, but it don't fit around my waist anymore.