Is there a way to safely soften vintage stiff leather jackets?

[Raul]

I was wondering if there is a way to soften a vintage leather jacket (horsehide or steerhide) that is both effective and safe for the hide.
Sometimes vintage jackets are stiff and being able to soften them a bit would make the wearing much more comfortable.
Any experience or idea? Thanks

 

[AeroFan_07]

Yes:
https://www.urad.com/products/softener

I would suggest the Urad normal + Tenderly, and you may want a couple of them, as this product soaks in rapidly.
Expect to apply 2-3 coats of Tenderly first.

Don't use the Urad normal until you have it well softened up.

Ideally - place the jacket in a sunny area (not too hot) for ~ 10 minutes prior to applying the first coat of Tenderly. Work it in gently. Do NOT try and unnaturally heat the jacket other than sunlight, or be wearing the jacket (that's maybe even more effective).

 

[zebedee]

Wearing them in rainfall will do it. Putting them in a pillow case and cold wash with water only will soften leather up, but it's not really necessary.

I solved the problem completely by buying goatskin jackets.

 

[Monitor]

This! Without fail. Softens leather up to 30% in my approximate estimate, sometimes more.

 

[Arnold]

How do these products affect extreme squeakiness? Do they reduce it?

 

[AeroFan_07]

Urad Tenderly has helped.
So has the more recenlty found "Horseman's One Step"

 

[Peacoat]

How do these products affect extreme squeakiness? Do they reduce it?

Your jacket is probably squeaking at the seams where the thread is rubbing against the leather. Some recommend talcum powder. I have had good results with applying Pecard to the seams. Has always stopped the squeaking for me.

 

[Arnold]

Your jacket is probably squeaking at the seams where the thread is rubbing against the leather. Some recommend talcum powder. I have had good results with applying Pecard to the seams. Has always stopped the squeaking for me.

Interesting theory, I'll try to verify this. In two of my MC jackets, the squeaking is strongest when I walk with the arms relaxed and it's much quieter if I give the armpits a bit of space, so I assumed the sound was coming mostly from the creases around the shoulders, especially where the front delts and the pecs cross. Would be less of an issue if I followed the trend of tight fitting shoulders, but I like to have a bit of room for movement, and apparently creases and squeaking are the price for that.

 

[ykurtz]

How do these products affect extreme squeakiness? Do they reduce it?

But you want the jacket to be squeaky...squeaky clean.