Have you slept in new leather jackets to break in?

[NamoAmituofo]

I caught a cold and didn’t want to pass onto others in the house - so last night I decided to sleep in the living room on a mattress.

I thought what an excellent opportunity to sleep in my new jacket to help break in!!

So after a hot bath I slipped into my cold, stiff and heavy armory aero KoTR, zipped up and belt on - wow it smells so nice under the duvet!

I laid on my back feeling very comfortable as the pillow cushions off the stiff collar. I did fasten all 4 studs on the collar as I didn’t want to accidentally fold the collar on wrong location when sleeping.

BUT, when I turned to the side, immediately I felt the collar choking on my neck artery - it’s not a killer choke but it did press the artery quite firmly and I worried I may get killed softly had I fallen sleep in this position - could easily get brain damage due to lack of oxygen…

So reluctantly I took the jacket off and dosed off to oblivion.

Have any of you slept in a new stiff CXL jacket with collar? Did you feel the same way?

 

[jchance]

I’ve tried sleeping in leather jacket before. If you tend to move around a bit during sleep like I do, the jacket would feel really restrictive and limit movements a lot. After I wake up, I felt my tendons (at the shoulder joint) really sore. It’s not recipe for a good night of sleep.

 

[vilkin]

I'd rather not - being comfortable during sleep is one of life's greatest pleasures. If I really want a faster break-in on a jacket, I'll go outside in the rain wearing it, and wear it until it's dry.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

I'd rather not - being comfortable during sleep is one of life's greatest pleasures. If I really want a faster break-in on a jacket, I'll go outside in the rain wearing it, and wear it until it's dry.

I actually have a more aggressive method - soak the whole jacket in cold bath, drain dry, then dab with a bathtowel to get rid of excess water. When still wet/damp, apply a old recipe saddle leather conditioner (lard, tallow and beeswax based) that is hard at room temp and only melts on hand - rub little amounts over whole jacket, then start wearing the jacket zipped up. This is more tolerable on a warmer sunny day, and likewise on a cold winter day indoor when heating is on max. Change top/shirt as it gets soaked wet. Within a few hours the jacket would mold to the body nicely, and it can be left to dry flat overnight. Then repeat the whole process next day. Takes 2 days in dry ambient air to dry the jacket.

Having said all that - I feel this is a bit like cheating! I’d want to enjoy the perhaps much longer journey of breaking in a new jacket a little at a time.

Perhaps sleeping in it it’s the best idea either!

 

[steve u]

Shoveling a driveway of heavy snow will break in a jacket.

 

[Guppy]

Turn the collar up, and it should remove the pressure on your neck.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Turn the collar up, and it should remove the pressure on your neck.

You’re probably right. I do dread folding the collar at the wrong place though - getting an ugly fold line that’s going to stay on until the whole collar is broken in in X years (I think collars and pockets break in much later than body and sleeves?)

 

[Bfd70]

I’m married

 

[navetsea]

several time, I also wear jacket from dripping wet to dry same with jeans... I live alone

 

[floater]

I’d rather just tie up the jacket overnight.

 

[Nykwil]

I’d rather just tie up the jacket overnight.

View attachment 658552

Which shibari knot is that?

 

[El Marro]

I'd rather not - being comfortable during sleep is one of life's greatest pleasures. If I really want a faster break-in on a jacket, I'll go outside in the rain wearing it, and wear it until it's dry.

This is exactly right, and instead of being uncomfortable, it makes you really appreciate your leather jacket as it shields you from the rain and cold.
I haven’t heard of sleeping in a jacket to break it in for a long time now but I must admit that I did try this myself when I was new to the lounge. I think I lasted about 10 minutes until I gave up and took the jacket off.

 

[vilkin]

I’d rather just tie up the jacket overnight.

View attachment 658552

The jacket looks petrified!

 

[vilkin]

This is exactly right, and instead of being uncomfortable, it makes you really appreciate your leather jacket as it shields you from the rain and cold.
I haven’t heard of sleeping in a jacket to break it in for a long time now but I must admit that I did try this myself when I was new to the lounge. I think I lasted about 10 minutes until I gave up and took the jacket off.

Exactly my thoughts. It rains a lot here, and people have asked why I don't wear a rain jacket (I do if it's the monthly PNW downpour). My response is that the leather jacket shields me from the rain, and is durable enough to do so without seeing accelerated degradation.

I just make sure to let it air dry fully before hanging it up in the closet.

I've been asked why I was ruining my "suede" jacket - I've worn my roughout steerhide jacket in the rain at least 50 times now!