New jacket issues

[jacketjunkie]

Dogs need walking regardless of the weather. That's where I made this experience. I don't know whether I would walk in the rain for the breaking in alone or resort to spray too, but it certainly works and I have no experience with using spray so I cannot comment on the efficency of that.

I still can't imagine or visualize all these people who advise 'walking in the rain' to get their FQHH jackets soaked...or even jumping in the shower wearing a new jacket ( better than getting soaked in the rain, I suppose ). I guess there are those who would resort to this, but not me, when I can easily purchase a cheap plastic spray mist bottle and wet the leather as much as I want and wear it until dry, with out putting myself through getting soaked myself to accomplish the same thing......

 

[HoosierDaddy]

The only dogs I've had were on the farm where they could do their business on their own. So I have no experience with that. However, if dog walks seemed required of me, I think I would resort to, at least, an umbrella. I've been rain soaked many times on my motorcycle but never on purpose or to break in a jacket. There are more un-miserable ways to accomplish that feat.

 

[Cocker]

Try Aero's Breaking-in tips!

 

[Monitor]

I wouldn't want to deliberately walk in the rain just to break the jacket in, either. Just actually wearing the jacket a few times does the trick. Though many people wear their jackets only for as long as the driving from one place to another takes.

 

[Guppy]

I disagree with the notion subtly espoused by some that, even though the OP finds the jacket entirely uncomfortable, he should nevertheless endure the uncomfortable jacket for as long as it takes to make it comfortable; and, anything less is somehow anemic. I have briefly worn a heavy, rigid FQHH jacket. It was onerous and taxing to wear a mere few minutes. There is no way I would endure the considerable effort and associated discomfort to break in the jacket. Why should I burden myself in this manner – possibly for years – when there are several stellar HH options available that are far more comfortable right out of the box?

To be clear, I am not criticizing anyone who pursues the foregoing course, and perhaps even enjoys the break-in process. Rather, my point is simply that, if someone is displeased with an uncomfortable leather, he need not endure the discomfort as a sign of his machismo.

It's not a matter of machismo, it's a matter of having faith in the break in process. And understanding that what he wants, he will have, in due course. The payoff will come.

 

[Guppy]

I disagree with the notion subtly espoused by some that, even though the OP finds the jacket entirely uncomfortable, he should nevertheless endure the uncomfortable jacket for as long as it takes to make it comfortable; and, anything less is somehow anemic. I have briefly worn a heavy, rigid FQHH jacket. It was onerous and taxing to wear a mere few minutes. There is no way I would endure the considerable effort and associated discomfort to break in the jacket. Why should I burden myself in this manner – possibly for years – when there are several stellar HH options available that are far more comfortable right out of the box?

To be clear, I am not criticizing anyone who pursues the foregoing course, and perhaps even enjoys the break-in process. Rather, my point is simply that, if someone is displeased with an uncomfortable leather, he need not endure the discomfort as a sign of his machismo.

It's not a matter of machismo, it's a matter of having faith in the break in process. And understanding that what he wants, he will have, in due course. The payoff will come.

 

[TREEMAN]

It's not a matter of machismo, it's a matter of having faith in the break in process. And understanding that what he wants, he will have, in due course. The payoff will come.

If a person is having a problem breaking in a jacket there obsession with leather is weak. A person with a strong and proper obsession will want to do this whole heartedly. No one should be able to stop him from doing it. With juices flowing he breaks his jacket in and loves it!! All or nothing!!!

 

[Monitor]

Stu would be so proud!

 

[zebedee]

It's Stu-baitin' time! (heh heh) Woo! Time for the the curry that's not only hot when it goes in!

 

[Superfluous]

Well, we agree on something.

Upon second thought, . . . .

 

[Capesofwrath]

I’m not one for putting lots of quotes under my handle. But I do like Maynard Keynes reply to someone who accused him of inconsistency.

“When the facts change I change my mind. What do you do?"

 

[Superfluous]

On the other hand, people usually overexaggerate about the break in process. They say it takes months and months, but that's not true if you actually wear it every day and for more than just a few minutes commuting to work. When I received my first Aero FQHH jacket, a Teamster in extra thick FQHH (it's closer to 4 oz, seriously), it would stand on its own and a family friend joked I looked like wearing a couch over my shoulders. But still, after only a few weeks of wearing it daily working in the garden and walking the dogs, it was all buttery soft.

So all I have to do is endure 30 FULL days of taxing discomfort and I *might* thereafter have a comfortable jacket? Where do I sign up?

Unfortunately, while some have had success breaking in their heavy FQHH jackets through this arduous process, others have endured their uncomfortable jackets for years of wear without meaningful change in the texture of the leather. TFL is rife with accounts of heavy FQHH jackets that remained rigid and uncomfortable after many years of extensive wear (the jackets may have softened some over time, but not enough to become comfortable).

It's not a matter of machismo, it's a matter of having faith in the break in process. And understanding that what he wants, he will have, in due course. The payoff will come.

But why endure the onerous break-in process, which can take years and often does not produce a truly comfortable jacket, when other equally good (if not better) leathers are available that are much more comfortable from day one?

Moreover, as mentioned above, there are many examples where people had "faith" in the process, but their faith was not rewarded as the jacket remained rigid and uncomfortable notwithstanding years of wear.

Again, if you enjoy the break-in process -- as opposed to other forms of manual labor -- have at it.

 

[nick123]

I always used to step outside in the rain and do arm stretches and the bending over and touching my shoes routine. Quite embarrassing, but it seemed to help the jackets break in. I also ran four blocks yelling for the mail truck to stop yesterday in anticipation of a jacket. Quite embarrassing also. A far cry from the poster years ago who chopped logs to break his Aero in! Sadly I'm not cut from that same cloth!

In this hobby, you will find yourself in situations where you'll feel like a dork here and there (or all the time). But the payoff is worth it!

 

[Superfluous]

 

[SpeedRcrX]

Moreover, as mentioned above, there are many examples where people had "faith" in the process, but their faith was not rewarded as the jacket remained rigid and uncomfortable notwithstanding years of wear.

It's exactly what happen with my 1930 HB I wore it non stop for 2 years. But the weight and stiffness of the jacket was too much for my neck pains.

I'm really satisfy with the Vicenza HH and the Shinki HH, they have substance and I can wear them all day without having to see an osteopath the next day to put my vertebra into place.

 

[cuchulain]

Here are some better pics showing fit, I tucked the shirt in so the belt line is visible, pardon the mini gut, it's winter, this will be gone by late spring if I can stay healthy enough to run consistently. We also just moved into this old victorian in August so other than paint I haven't gotten to our bedroom yet, that's why it's so spartan.

My only question on fit was the length of the jacket, I think for this style it's right on the money. I think I gotta stick it out!

 

[zebedee]

Perfect fit.

 

[RJR]

Perfect fit.

+1

 

[Capesofwrath]

Stick with it and wear it, and sit on it and knead it. It fits so well and the colour is so good you need it.

 

[Superfluous]

Darn good fit