Leather Motorcycle jackets have the ability to stretch as they are basically made from animal skin that is stretchable. However, the extent of the stretch is based on how well the jacket fits you but not to the point where it becomes loose and badly fitting.
Choosing the right Leather motorcycle jacket is not always easy. It demands careful consideration, especially understanding whether the leather has the ability to stretch. This allows you to buy the right fit for a good biking experience. In this article, I shall look at everything you need to know about stretching leather jackets for the perfect fit.
| Leather Cleaner/Conditioner | Best Known For | Size | Check & Shop Now |
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| Lexol All-Leather Spray | Cleaning and conditioning | 8 fl. oz. | Amazon |
| Weiman 3 in 1 Deep Cream | Deep conditioning | 8 fl. oz. | Amazon |
| Nikwax Tech Wash | Technical fabric cleaning | 34 fl. oz. | Amazon |
| Weiman Leather Wipes | Convenient cleaning | 30 Count | Amazon |
| Leather Honey Conditioner | Nourishing and conditioning | 8 fl. oz. | Amazon |
| Chemical Guys | Heavy-duty cleaning | 3.9 Pounds | Amazon |
How Long Can Leather Motorcycle Jackets Stretch?
Depending on the quality of the leather, buying the right leatherjacket can be one of your most expensive items. This is what creates the need of buying the right item. The greatest thing that you should take into consideration is buying the right fit.
A motorcycle leather jacket that is too tight is not recommended as it tends to limit movement. One that is too loose is also a bad idea meaning that you have to consider your body requirements.
A good starting point is having the right and accurate measurements. It should not be too tight nor should it be too loose but the perfect body fit. Needless to say, motorcycle leather jackets have the ability to stretch up to a certain degree depending on the type of leather and their size.
Leather jackets made from animals with larger hides such as cowhide will stretch more compared to those made from hides of smaller animals such as sheep. In order to avoid damaging your motorcycle leather jacket, there are a number of things you need to address.
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Stretching Motorcycle Leather Jackets Naturally
One of the ways of stretching a motorcycle leather jacket is simply by wearing it. This can be done for between 2-3 hours around the house. By constantly wearing the leather jacket, you will be able to get the right fit after some time.
What happens is that after prolonged wearing of the jacket, the leather finally breaks as a result of stress and pressure.
That said; always ensure that you avoid things that can damage the motorcycle leather jacket in the house such as water and heat sources. The jacket can also stretch especially if you are an avid biker.
While riding your motorcycle, there is also some pressure that makes the leather jacket just the right fit especially if it was tight-fitting. Most people find it easier to let the jacket stretch naturally as opposed to using other methods so as not to damage the leather.
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Stretching Leather Motorcycle Jackets Using Water
Another common method of stretching leather motorcycle jackets is by using water. However, this is considered to be more complicated and if not done the right way, you might end up ruining the leather. It is recommended that you do not use water directly on your leather jacket but rather, use a damp cloth and use it on the areas that you want to stretch.
In order to achieve the desired results, wear the leather jacket while it is still damp. For people with advanced knowledge of stretching a leather motorcycle jacket using water, you also have the option of dipping the jacket into a container with warm water.
The use of warm water is to quicken the process and you are supposed to leave the jacket in the water for at least 10 minutes until there are no bubbles coming from the water.
The last method in relation to using water to stretch your leather motorcycle jacket is based on the knowledge that leather stretches when wet. This means that you can wear your jacket on a rainy day and engage in activities that will make the stretching quicker.
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Using a Conditioner to Stretch the Jacket
Using a conditioner is also another effective way of stretching your motorcycle leather jacket. Although not very popular compared to the rest of the stretching techniques, a conditioner works by softening the leather.
You need to have an idea of the amount of time you are supposed to apply the conditioner to your leather jacket. If left for a long period of time, your jacket may end up being a loose fit.
The recommended time for applying the conditioner to your jacket is 2 hours. This allows the jacket to stretch just enough to be the right fit. Once all the conditioner is absorbed by the jacket, it starts to feel stretched out.
To avoid applying too much conditioner on the jacket, a good rule of thumb is to use the amount recommended by the manufacturer.
Most conditioners have the correct amount to be applied mentioned on the box. Since there are some stretching techniques that are considered riskier and likely to damage your motorcycle leather jacket, always work with the method that you feel most comfortable with.
How to Stretch your Leather Motorcycle Jacket Using Heat?
The use of heat is a common leather stretching technique for your motorcycle jacket. This is because heat softens the leather motorcycle jackets which ultimately makes the leather stretch.
However, you should be very careful about the heat source of your choice. The amount of heat can easily lead to damaging your motorcycle jacket especially when it is excessive.
Direct exposure to sunlight is also not recommended as it leads to damage to the leather. Using an iron is the best source of heat to stretch your motorcycle jacket.
However, do not iron the jacket directly but rather, place a piece of cloth on top of the jacket before ironing. It is a wise move to maintain the temperature as low as possible-possibly below medium or very low.
A hairdryer too will do the trick in stretching your leather jacket. It is even more popular technique as it is considered less risky. The only challenge is that most people do not have hairdryers at home hence the use of alternative methods.
What Is the Cost of Leather Motorcycle Jackets?
The cost of a leather motorcycle jacket depends on a number of factors. Knowing these factors is what makes the difference in whether you make a smart purchase. When searching for the right biking leather jacket, there are visible differences between faux leather and genuine leather jackets for motorcycles.
However, it is not always easy to identify the difference especially if you have little experience with leather jackets. High-quality leather such as that from top-grain sheep or cowhide leather tends to be expensive compared to faux leather.
The difference in prices is based on the difficult process of sourcing animal hides that can produce top-grain leather. With most people in the motorcycle world preferring leather jackets during their rides, choosing a high-quality jacket is necessary.
Choose a leather jacket that is of high quality and one that can be able to withstand wear and tear. This of course will come at a cost. However, the cost should reflect the quality of the jacket.
However, there are instances where you often find overpriced motorcycle leather jackets that do not reflect the actual quality of the item.
Stretch Your Jacket the Right Way
For most people, it is one thing knowing the different techniques of stretching the motorcycle leather jacket and doing it the right way. As outlined earlier, having some knowledge of how different leather jackets stretch can save you a great deal since you won’t risk ruining the jacket.
Ideally, smaller leather jackets for motorcycles tend to feel restrictive even after being stretched because the size limits the leather from stretching.
This means that when on the road with your motorcycle, you will still experience some form of discomfort, especially on the sleeves. Bigger leather jackets for motorcyclists offer a different scenario altogether.
They can be stretched effectively since they have the ability to overstretch. However, you should know what size is the best fit for you for the sole reason that stretching is meant to make the jacket fit.
Stretching and oversized leather jacket may end up making the jacket appear unattractive. How long your motorcycle jacket will last depends on how well you take care of it.
Since there are certain jackets that are expensive and can set you back a substantial amount of money, it is a smart money move to go for quality leather jackets as opposed to compromising the quality of the jacket in favor of cheaper prices.
Michael’s Summary and Conclusion
In a nutshell, the methods highlighted in this article are an indication that Leather motorcycle jackets can stretch. The different stretching techniques allow the user to have the perfect fit, especially in cases where the jacket is smaller.
To avoid choosing a product that will be too much work to put on, know your size and stick to it when making your purchase.
It is also important that you at least have some knowledge on how to stretch the jacket before embarking on the exercise.
Failure to do so, you risk damaging your leather jacket and incurring additional costs for a replacement jacket. Wearing your jacket is the easiest way you can stretch the jacket naturally.
The chances of the jacket getting ruined are much lower compared to other forms such as using a heat source. If you are not sure about the process, it is always a good idea to seek expert help to stretch your motorcycle leather jacket.
The next time you are wondering whether a motorcycle leather jacket can stretch, the above article has outlined the different ways of stretching leather jackets.
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