One last thing I would like to mention is that most people think that water will dry out and ruin leather. I always laugh when I see this talked about. As a long time biker, I have always worn leather coats rain or shine. My current coat is over 10 years old, been worn through more rain, snow and hail storms than I care to remember and is SOFTER than the day I bought it! Being that I have been working with leather since I was 14, I learned early on how to keep leather in good shape. Proper conditioning is the key here folks along with use.
I’ll be honest, I treat my coat like crap. I toss it around, fold it up and stuff it in saddle bags or use bungee cords to tie it to the handle bars, work on cars wearing it sometimes lying on the ground/dirt etc. etc. . The reason it is so soft and supple is because I don’t baby it and keep it properly conditioned.
Back in my shoe shop days we always had folks come in asking for the best way to make a pair of work/cowboy boots fit their feet. My boss, a third generation cobbler from Italy, would tell them to wear them fishing, “When you get to the lake, walk out into the water and stand there until your feet are wet. Then wear them for the rest of the day until they are dry.” I have done this a few times and I can say first hand that it does indeed work. The leather will initially shrink some to fit the contours of your foot, but by wearing them until they are dry will allow the leather to form/stretch where it needs too. This can also be done using Mink oil, Neetsfoot oil or Lexol, just soak the leather good and wear the item.
Working the leather is the best way to make/keep it soft and supple. Is it any wonder why leather has stood the test of time?
