How to Break in a Leather Wallet – The Easiest Way

When you open a new leather wallet for the first time, you’re likely to notice that it’s difficult to insert your cards. Though you may be able to insert your cards into the wallet with some effort, taking them out may require even more effort.

A go-to solution would be to break in the leather wallet. Are you wondering how to break in a leather wallet? Well, to quickly soften your new leather wallet, you can apply a leather conditioner or insert more cards than usual and let it rest. Alternatively, the stiffness will naturally disappear over time if you regularly use the wallet.

If you are thinking about how quickly the methods are going to work or how I apply the leather conditioner, keep reading on. Because in this article, we are going to walk you through step-by-step procedures to break in a leather wallet.

‘Break in Wallet’ Meaning

Not all things come in a ready-made shape that suits your unique personality. Sometimes, you need to mold, more accurately ‘break in’ some things to make them fit your style! Your leather wallet is one of those things.

Normally, you would find a full-grain leather wallet to be stiff in the beginning, and it’s hard to put cards or cash inside or to take them out. People generally use some techniques to make it soft and usable. Some methods take a lot of time and some take comparatively less time.

So, in simple terms, we can say “breaking in” a wallet refers to the process of making a new, stiff leather wallet softer and more usable.

Why You Should Break in Your Leather Wallet?

Since new leather wallets are stiff in general, there are many reasons you might want to break in your new, stiff wallet. Among them are:

Usability: Generally, leather wallets are not quite in the shape to accept cards and cash in the beginning. Since the compartments for holding cards and cash in a new leather wallet is not quite expandable, you can’t fit many cards inside, and it’s difficult to access them. Breaking into a wallet will make it suitable for holding cards and cash.

Comfort: Nobody would like to carry a leather wallet that feels like a piece of plywood in the pocket. Once you break in your wallet, it becomes soft and more comfortable.

Aesthetics: Your wallet gets a softer and more lived-in look after you break in.

How to Break in a Leather Wallet?

Leather wallets have been popular for carrying items for a long time, dating back to ancient times. However, one issue with leather wallets is that they can be stiff and hard to use when new.

To fix this, people have tried various methods to “break in” their leather wallets. Here are some commonly used methods for doing so:

Method 1: Stuff Some More Cards Inside the Wallet

When you take a leather wallet in your hand for the first time, you may find the compartments for holding cards or cash are very compact and very stiff around the folds. You can expand the compartment for holding cards by keeping a few extra cards inside the card slots.

After inserting 2 or 3 extra cards in each compartment, you can place some weighted objects like a couple of books on your leather wallet so that it takes good shape.

Additionally, you can try bending, folding, and twisting the wallet while the cards are inside. You can also try inserting the cards and removing them a number of times, this loosens the compartments and makes it easier to accept cards and cash.

Method 2: The Rolling Method

Breaking in a leather wallet involves several steps to soften and shape the leather. Here is a general step-by-step guide for breaking in a leather wallet:

Step 1: Insert old cards

Insert some old cards and cash to give it shape. The more cards and cash you use, the more the wallet will stretch and mold to your needs.

Step 2: Seal the wallet

Seal the wallet in a plastic bag, removing as much air as possible.

Step 3: Use the rolling pin

Apply pressure to the wallet with a rolling pin or similar cylindrical object, starting at the center and working outward.

Step 4: Let it rest

In order to mold the leather to your cards and cash, leave the wallet in the plastic bag for at least 24 hours. Sometimes it may require more time.

Step 5: Remove the plastic bag

Remove the wallet from the plastic bag and massage any stiff areas with your fingers. Repeat steps 3 to 5 as required until the wallet feels comfortable and broken in. It’s important to note that leather is a natural material and it’s natural to have some variation in the way it ages, but it can take time, so be patient when breaking it in.

Method 3: Use Leather Conditioner

Using a good leather conditioner is a great way to soften leather wallets because leather conditioners are specially made to take care of leather products.

Using a leather conditioner is as simple as it sounds. You need to apply a leather conditioner on both sides of your wallet. You can do this in the following manner:

• Squeeze some leather conditioner onto a small area of a clean towel.
• After that, spread the conditioner evenly over your wallet’s surface. Try not to over-apply the product.
• Now insert some old credit cards into each compartment. You can stuff 3-4 credit cards; more or less depending on the capacity of the compartment.
• Finally, let it rest overnight and you will see a difference.

Method 4: Through Regular Use

Well, it’s not an instant process, but you can loosen and soften your wallet by using it regularly. If you find the above steps tedious, you can make your wallet soft by using it regularly. But this process will surely take time.

Why Is Your Leather Wallet Stiff?

There are a few reasons why your leather wallet may be stiff.

• A leather wallet is generally stiff when it is new. So, if your leather wallet is a new one, it’s normal to find it stiff.
• Your leather wallet can lack moisture. If you leave it in a dry place that is exposed to the sun, or in an air-conditioned room, for a long time without using it, you may find it dry and stiff.
• Your leather might be built with a leather that is stiffer in nature, bridle leather for example. It’s a stiff and thick leather by nature.
• Finally, your leather may contain low-quality leather that can result in stiffening your wallet.

How Do You Soften a Stiff Wallet?

Similar to breaking in a leather wallet, there are some methods that will help soften your stiff wallet.

Method 1: Through Regular Use

This is the easiest method to soften and stretch your leather wallet. Just use it regularly. It may irritate you a bit in the beginning, but you will find the wallet to be soft and stretched after some days of usage.

Method 2: Insert More Cards

It’s another effective way to make your wallet’s pockets and card slots stretch. Just insert 3 to 4 extra plastic cards inside your card slots and keep them for a few days. You will see that your wallet pockets and card slots become stretchy, and you can easily insert your cards and take them out.

Method 3: Condition Your Wallet to Make It Soft

To make your leather money bag smooth and soft, leather conditioner is an effective solution. You can easily soften your leather wallet by conditioning it using a good leather conditioner.

Use leather conditioner on both sides of your leather wallet. After applying this method for a few days, you will notice that your stiff leather wallet has become soft and more usable.

How Do You Break in Saddleback Leather Wallets?

Here are some steps to break in a Saddleback leather wallet.

• Put some old cards inside the wallet’s compartment and throw it in a bucket of water.
• In the water, you need to stretch and twist the wallet for a while. You can also take the cards in and out to make the compartments loosen.
• After you are done, leave the cards inside and hang the wallet on a rope or hanger, and let it dry. If the wallet is made of thick leather, it may take a couple of days to dry properly.
• To give it a final touch, you can apply mink oil to its outside surfaces and let it dry under the full sun.

How to Speed Up to Break in a New Leather Wallet?

To make your new leather wallet a soft and comfortable daily companion, you need patience. I mean a lot! However, you can follow these tips to speed up the process a bit.

• Using leather conditioner: You can apply a good quality leather conditioner to speed up the breaking process. The conditioner will help moisturize and soften the leather.
• Folding and twisting: Your new leather wallet is just like you; it requires a bit of exercise to get in shape! First, you can stuff some old cards inside the wallet. Then fold, twist, and bend the wallet to make it soft and mold it to fit your cards. However, be careful, don’t overstretch it.
• Stuffing newspaper: You can stuff some newspaper inside the wallet and let it rest for a couple of days.
• Regular usage: Lastly, enjoy your leather from the very first day, the more you use it, the faster it will soften.

Do Leather Wallets Expand?

Leather wallets can expand to some degree, depending on the type of leather and the way it’s constructed.

Full-grain leather and top-grain leather are thicker and more durable than split-grain leather, and they are less likely to stretch or expand. These types of leather are also known for their ability to mold to the shape of their contents over time. This is why many people consider these types of leather to be the best for wallets.

On the other hand, split-grain leather is thinner and more pliable, so it may be more prone to stretching and expanding over time. However, even with split-grain leather wallets, the expansion will depend on the frequency of use, how well they are taken care of, and the type of contents they are holding.

It’s also worth noting that the wallet’s construction will also play a role in its ability to expand. A wallet that has been constructed with reinforced seams and stitching will be less likely to stretch or expand than one that has been constructed with looser stitching. Overall, it’s possible for leather wallets to expand to some degree.

Tips to Follow to Break in a Leather Wallet

While breaking in your new leather wallet, you should keep in mind that you don’t want to damage the leather. That’s why you can keep these tips in mind.

• You should not rush to make the wallet usable on the very first day. Allow it to soften over time.
• Avoid using harsh chemical-based products.
• Use a small amount of leather conditioner. Don’t soak the wallet with conditioner.
• Do not overstretch your wallet, you may end up loosening the stitches.

How Long Does It Take to Break in a Leather Wallet?

If you want to break in a leather wallet naturally, it will take time. Though this is the easiest way, you need to be patient enough. Don’t be surprised if it takes weeks to become suitable for accepting your cards and cash.

However, you can speed up the process a bit. If you follow the methods that we have discussed above in the section about speeding up the breaking-in process, you can surely break in your wallet in comparatively less time.

How Long Should a Wallet Last?

This depends on a lot of factors. A wallet may last longer depending on how it has been used, cared for, built material, and so on. If the wallet is built with high-quality leather, it will last longer than low-quality wallets, for sure.

It will also depend on how frequently the wallet is used. If it is used every day, it’s more likely to wear out faster. And if it is not conditioned properly, it will likely have a shorter lifespan.

How to Keep a Leather Wallet from Cracking?

There are several steps you can take to prevent a leather wallet from cracking:

• Leather can dry out and crack over time if it is not properly moisturized. You can use a leather conditioner or similar products to keep your leather wallet soft and supple.
• Exposure to heat and UV rays can cause the leather to dry out and crack. So, don’t expose it to extreme temperatures.
• Handle your wallet gently and try to avoid placing heavy items on it.
• Avoid storing your wallet in humid places, such as the bathroom or car trunk, when you aren’t using it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

How to Protect a Leather Wallet?

There are several ways you can protect a leather wallet to extend its lifespan and keep it in good condition:

• Don’t overstuff your wallet because it can stretch and lose its original shape over time.
• Apply a good leather cream and conditioner on your leather wallet regularly.
• Store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing it in humid environments such as bathrooms or car trunks.
• Clean your leather wallet regularly to prevent mold and mildew formation.
• Handle your leather wallet carefully, and don’t put heavy objects on it frequently.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we have told you how to break in your leather wallet in some easy ways and showed you some methods to make your leather wallet soft and supple. Once you know the methods, you don’t have to worry about your stiff leather wallet anymore.