New leather jacket tight around armpits, will it loosen up?

[Grug]

Hey guys,

I just bought myself a Shift 'Primer' leather jacket. Tried a large one and it was a tad loose around the waist and chest, so the salesman suggested I go a size down to the medium. Tried the medium and although it's tight and the sleeves are a tad shorter than ideal with my arms extended, it's not excessively tight or small so I bought it.

Now the main spiel I've been given whilst looking for leather jackets is to get one that's a tight fit, because the leather will stretch and loosen out. Which sounds fair enough, and I'm sure that once the jacket I've bought has been worn in, it'll fit and feel very comfortable.

However since getting home and spending a bit more time wearing it, I've noticed that it does feel particularly tight just around the armpits. Everywhere else is comfortable enough but the seam around the armpit (where the sleeve meets the body of the jacket) does put some noticeable pressure into my armpit.

I've just tried on my mesh jacket for comparison and discovered it also fits reasonably tightly around the armpit, but it's made of much more pliable material than the new leather so it's not something I've ever  noticed before (though it does suggest that perhaps this is simply the way motorcycle jackets are cut).

So I'm wondering if anyone else has ever had a similar issue with their new leather jacket, and whether the issue has gone away after the leather has been worn in?

The seam isn't painful, but the pressure on my armpit is noticeable, and would probably get quite annoying if didn't soften up.

Sorry for the essay, but if anyone can shed some light on the issue I'd much appreciate it. I'd rather return the jacket and get a larger size, than end up with an expensive leather jacket I never ride because it's uncomfortable.

Cheers,

Mark

[stopintime]

Many leather jackets, for sport bikes anyway, have fabric instead of leather around the armpit. I'm guessing that's because this might be a common problem   Leather will stretch and soften, but I have no idea how much - maybe it's too much of it, on your jacket - is that why it's tight?

Maybe you should walk around in the store with a Large + sit on a bike for a while. If it was me I would want the longer arms and comfortable armpits over a snug torso fit. The tightness in the armpit could restrict bloodflow to the arms.

I don't have any FHE - jus thinking out loud

[Mash]

Leather will loosen up, but it will never become loose enough to give you extra room.  It'll form to your body, but may always be a little too snug to be comfortable.  Also, if you can't wear anything but underarmor under it, you limit the temp range you can use the jacket for.  If it was me, I'd swap the jacket for the large, and try that one for a while, then swap again if it's too big. Of course, your dealer may have other ideas.

[Grug]

Well I went back to the store and tried out the larger jacket again, and the medium is definitely the right size for me. The sales guy suggested a Dianese jacket would probably be a better fit for my body shape, and it was - but for a 40% premium, you'd expect that!

I took the jacket for a little ride this afternoon, and on the bike I didn't really notice the armpit issue much (though watching out for all the crazy cagers on the road might have something to do with that). As it stands I'm more confident now that the jacket is a decent fit, and once it softens up I'm sure it'll be okay. Thanks for the help guys.

[stopintime]

Please post an update in a few weeks

[Raux]

had the same concern. i had found a euro size 52 that i thought the jacket fit nice with a loose fit to wear a shirt or even a light sweater under and the dealer said it was too big. then i tried the pants... i was swimming. i ended up with a 50 and the underarms were tight and the pants a bit... but after a couple of months.. .no problems and riding it's comfortable. it's not something i can wear for not riding as the preshaped curves definitely fit better when on the bike.

[Grug]

Please post an update in a few weeks

Will do!

had the same concern. i had found a euro size 52 that i thought the jacket fit nice with a loose fit to wear a shirt or even a light sweater under and the dealer said it was too big. then i tried the pants... i was swimming. i ended up with a 50 and the underarms were tight and the pants a bit... but after a couple of months.. .no problems and riding it's comfortable. it's not something i can wear for not riding as the preshaped curves definitely fit better when on the bike.

Cheers Raux, that's comforting to hear. I'm a lot less worried about the jacket now - I think it just needs wearing in. Still, with the sort of money these jackets run at I think giving it a lot of thought is a perfectly sensible idea.

[DoubleEagle]

Don't take this the wrong way but when it come to leather riding Jackets and Pants ,the high end Dainese and Ducati Corse are the most comfortable .

They have stretch panels in the areas that your body bends and moves ....and they are made with D Stone leather which is a process of treating the leather with Silicone and Waxes which make it ever so soft.

Save up your money and get a Ducati Corse ( made by Dainese ) or a Dainese leather Jacket or Pants with D Stone leather and you will have friends for life ! ( You may want to sleep with them , they're that nice and soft ).     Dolph