What does a fully broken in CXL jacket feel like?

[NamoAmituofo]

So I wore my aero CXL King of The Road jacket for 5 straight days while on holiday - sweaty Eurostar waiting area, sunny Paris daytime, chilly Paris night, etc, plus carrying a huge backpack and constantly picking up children. Each night I wiped it with a wet towel and let it stand to air dry.

Prior to this I’d worn this jacket for at least 20 times since I got it new last autumn. Each time driving in the car etc. A good few times in rain as well.

I’d thought the sleeves would be fairly well broken in - till I tried to eat a steak wearing it sitting outside a restaurant - I gave up after cutting 5 slices of the steak as could feel the sleeves pinching my inner elbow.

For those of you die hard CXL guys who have fully conquered and broken in a jacket - what does it feel like wearing it??

 

[avique]

I can't remember how long it took to break in, but after 15 years my CXL Hudson is buttery soft and easy to wear. I'm having a much harder time breaking in my Vanson competition weight leather jacket.

 

[Kaiden]

Cxl breaks in super nicely I’ve only ever had it on boots, and it took a few months of daily wear. So I assuming a jacket would twice that.

 

[Quest]

I have a Aero CXL Steerhide secondhand - it's tough to break in, even as a second wearer adding new places for it to flex. My other heavy jacket is 3.5oz Steerhide Taylor & Stitch / Golden Bear, but as Naked lether it didn't take long. Depending on your thickness, it can take some time.

It will get there but hey, these ultra thick hides were meant to be your protection on a bike. It will break in, just wear it as much as you can and avoid doing things you wouldn't normally do in a jacket like eating dinner, that's just annoying!

 

[Guppy]

I have a lot of CXL jackets, and most of them have a long way to go to be fully broken in. I've had a few used CXL jackets that were well on their way to being fully broken, and it's amazing how the leather gets after the initial stiffness goes away. I like the leather new, love it when it's old. It does take time. That's why it's one of the most sought after leathers.

 

[jchance]

OP didn’t ask how long, he asked how does it feel like—both in the title and the posting…

 

[ChewingWax]

Do they ever stop stiffening up when it gets cold or is that just an inherent quality of the shoe leather?

 

[TartuWolf]

Beautiful jacket pictured!
The reason it stiffens up in the cold is the amount of waxes stuffed into it. Other heavily waxed leathers do the same, not only CXL.
Today I've worn my Aero Hooch Hauler in CXL FQHH all day and could not stop thinking how happy I am with the model and leather choice. I've worn it extensively since 2023 august.
In terms of HOW it feels I would describe it as a heavy wet blanket. You take it off and throw it on the sofa - it slops down like a heavy wet blanket would. But I guess you could describe most leather jackets (that aren't overly stiff) in the same way.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

I can think of a way of softening CXL that’s just starting to break in like mine - soaking it in soapy water (which is good for getting the grim out after wearing extensively), and ‘sit dry’ in a bathtub. When no longer dripping, hand rub in some tallow based grease, and wear it while still wet /greasy - preferably in the sun to dry completely. This should significantly fasten the breaking in process without causing excessive wear to the top coat (as you’d otherwise have to do to break in naturally).

I got this method from an old timer in UK called Oz who works on saddles for his whole life. Initially I did this to my bridle leather belts and they turned out great. So I used this process on an old Vanson Enfield in thick HH but barely broken in - thought a bit dry give its age - and the jacket turned out much softer / moulds to body much better.

I’m going to wait till end of season before doing this to this aero jacket - the CXL needs to lose some stuffed grease for this to work.

 

[Robson]

I also have a Hooch Hauler in natural CXL my batch of leather was an extra thick batch. And not easy to break in ( cxl never is unless thunbled).
Just wear it when you can, don't do strange things with it, but just wear it often and in any weather.
It will take time, but when broken in, you will have the best jacket ever.

 

[Dbrn]

I've had my CXL FQHH Aero Hooch Hauler for about 5 years and I still don't know the answer to that question. And that's after multiple shower/cool dryer sessions, on top of semi-regular wear.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

I also have a Hooch Hauler in natural CXL my batch of leather was an extra thick batch. And not easy to break in ( cxl never is unless thunbled).
Just wear it when you can, don't do strange things with it, but just wear it often and in any weather.
It will take time, but when broken in, you will have the best jacket ever.

Would love to see a fit pic of that jacket!!

 

[MrProper]

This is all the reason why I now prefer CXSH to CXFQHH. Even when I thought my CXFQHH was pretty cool, I couldn't really tell the difference between it and CXSH, except that CXSH is a bit softer.

 

[Robson]

Would love to see a fit pic of that jacket!!

11 years old Highwayman. and a 10 years old Hercules

 

[Robson]

Would love to see a fit pic of that jacket!!

The Hooch Hauler

 

[NamoAmituofo]

That Hooch Hauler looks amazing!

 

[NamoAmituofo]

I also realised carrying a backpack helps breaking in the back:

 

[Robson]

I also realised carrying a backpack helps breaking in the back:

View attachment 697752 View attachment 697753

It just takes time to break it in, year after year it gets better.