I wouldn’t want to live in a world without leather, and I know a lot of guys feel the same way. That said, if you want your badass jacket to stay badass, then you need to take good care of it. The first step is to get the best leather jacket conditioners.
No matter how durable your leather jacket is, it’s going to start to crack and peel eventually. Constant sun exposure doesn’t do it any favors, either. Thankfully, you can get around that with a few minutes of conditioning every few weeks.
With leather, any kind of moisture is better than no moisture, but why not invest in the best? To ensure the longest possible lifespan for your kick-butt leather jacket, look no further than our top seven picks.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the best leather jacket conditioners out there.
Key Takeaways
Alrighty folks, I’ve done the hard work for you. After hours and hours of internet research, the list is in. Obenauf Leather Oil is the best conditioner for leather jackets by far.
It restores sheen to old jackets, helps soften and break in new ones, and offers a good degree of water protection. Can’t complain about having a whopping 16 ounces of the stuff, either.
If you’re into non-black leather jackets, then Bick 4 Leather Conditioner is one of the safest leather jacket conditioners out there. Despite its low price, it’s amazing at color preservation, and it also functions as a reliable cleaner.
Obenauf Leather Oil at Amazon
Bick 4 Leather Conditioner at Amazon
Trinova Leather Cleaner & Conditioner at Amazon
Leather Honey Conditioner at Amazon
Weiman Leather Conditioning Cream at Amazon
Weystom Mink Oil Conditioner & Cleaner at Amazon
Best Overall: Obenauf Leather Oil
Why it’s great: One look at that gorgeous black bottle, and you know that this is the overall best conditioner for leather jackets out there. Combining natural oils and beeswax into the ultimate formula, Obenauf is the ultimate preserver of all things leather.
You can even use it to waterproof or just loosen up new leather clothes, from jackets to shoes.
Who is this for? If you go for the 16-ounce package, you can condition every leather surface in your house with this stuff for a long time. It even comes with a handy applicator, so no need to scour the house for rags.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: No flaws whatsoever. This one is tops among the best leather jacket conditioners. Obenauf has had a pristine reputation for ages, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Type: Liquid | Size: 8 oz, 16 oz | Cleaner/Conditioner: Conditioner
Best Budget: Bick 4 Leather Conditioner
Why it’s great: Bick 4 is more than just a conditioner – this wonder spray can restore the original shimmer of your leather jacket in a matter of weeks. It also works as a cleaner, which is pretty astounding when you consider the price.
Who is this for? When people think of leather jackets, their minds often default to black. There’s loads of great colors for leather, though, and they tend to get discolored after a while. This is one of the safest conditioners for those brown or red jackets where you want the color intact at all costs.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although this stuff can make your leather shine, it can only keep it glowing for so long. If it’s glow you’re after, then you need to reapply it semi-regularly. But hey, for the price, you won’t hear me complaining.
Type: Spray | Size: 2 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz | Cleaner/Conditioner: Both
Best Luxury: Trinova Leather Cleaner & Conditioner
Why it’s great: Where to even begin with this one? For one thing, 18 ounces is absolutely massive for a conditioner, especially if you don’t need it for anything other than jackets. It’s also a fantastic cleaner, so don’t be afraid to give those older jackets an extra spray. Great color restoration, too, if you can believe it.
Who is this for? This is simply one of the best leather jacket conditioners. The UV protection is arguably its biggest selling point, so you can get a lot of use out of it in the summer. Much like Obenauf, you have a lot of spray to work with, so definitely go for Trinova if you need something for your furniture, too.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s borderline unfair to even mention this, but the cleaning pad isn’t the best. Just find an old washcloth to replace it and you’re golden.
Type: Spray | Size: 18oz | Cleaner/Conditioner: Both
Best on Amazon: Leather Honey Conditioner
Why it’s great: This is one of one of the best leather jacket conditioners you can get. In fact, it might be the most popular leather jacket conditioner there is, and for good reason too.
After a single application, expect to say goodbye to any stiffness in your leather. It’s made of non-toxic materials, too, so it’s safe to use around the house, even if you have pets or allergies.
Who is this for? Since the formula is water-repellant, this is one of your best options during the rainy season. On top of that, you can use this stuff on white leather without worrying about damage or discoloration.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The only downside is that this conditioner is a bit oilier than some of its competitors. In practice, all this means is a couple of extra hours of drying after application, so no biggie.
Type: Liquid | Size: 8 oz, 16 oz, 32 oz | Cleaner/Conditioner: Conditioner
Best Everyday: Weiman Leather Conditioning Cream
Why it’s great: Worried that your “leather” jacket might be faux? Wondering how conditioners could affect whatever material you’re dealing with? Weiman takes care of that with one of the most universally safe formulas on the market. It’s a relatively small business, but I don’t expect it to stay that way for long.
Who is this for? Since it’s both a conditioner and a cleaner, Weiman is a great pick for all-around maintenance of colored leather. It also has a light, citrus scent, so if you want your jacket to smell fresh after conditioning, then this is the stuff.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is one of one of the best leather jacket conditioners. However, buyers have mentioned that this is more of a maintenance product, not a “breathe new life into a 50-year-old-jacket” product. At the same time, is it really fair to expect that when you consider what else it offers?
Type: Spray | Size: 8 oz | Cleaner/Conditioner: Both
Best Kit: Lexol Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Kit
Why it’s great: Don’t feel like wasting conditioner when all you need is cleaning, or vice versa? Lexol has you covered with a gigantic bottle of each, on top of two applicators to seal the deal. Just apply some cleaner, let it settle, then move on to the conditioner. You’ll have the shiniest, non-crackiest jacket in town!
Who is this for? You have a lot of liquid to work with, so get this kit if you need a thorough cleaning. You should have plenty left over for all the leather in your home, so go to town with this stuff.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some people don’t like the smell of Lexol, and I can see where they’re coming from. It goes away quickly, though, so don’t let that hold you back from buying a quality kit.
Type: Liquid | Size: 16.9 oz (per bottle) | Cleaner/Conditioner: Both
Best Cream: Weystom Mink Oil Conditioner & Cleaner
Why it’s great: Mink oil makes for a great moisturizer and conditioner, especially for jackets and boots. Weystom can soften your jacket like few other products can, and it does it at a very reasonable price.
Plus, since it’s creamy, it can get into the seams to cover every inch of your jacket. Now that’s one of one of the best leather jacket conditioners.
Who is this for? Cream products are great if you don’t want to condition your jacket multiple times a season. It’s easy to forget to condition, but the moisturizing effects of Weystom can hold you over for a couple extra months.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: When applying cream, it’s easy to get carried away and use a little too much. Those 3.4 ounces won’t get you through a full wardrobe of leather, but anything they touch will look and feel brand new.
Type: Cream | Size: 3.4 oz | Cleaner/Conditioner: Both
Buying Considerations for the Best Leather Jacket Conditioners
Type
The kind of conditioner you use partly depends on the thickness of the jacket and the type of leather. For bulkier jackets, it’s usually a good idea to go for cream conditioners for extra moisture. For thinner, “sunny day” jackets that may need more frequent maintenance, you may want to go for spray.
Size
Even if you don’t use conditioner on your jacket very often, you can use it on leather shoes, or leather boots or even furniture. A good rule of thumb is the more leather you have around the house, the bigger the package you should get.
Cleaner/conditioner
It’s easy to get the two mixed up, but it boils down to this: leather cleaners help get rid of dirt and manage discoloration, whereas conditioners help moisturize your jacket to keep the leather healthy and durable.
Some of the best leather jacket conditioners also double as cleaners, so keep an eye on the bottle before making a purchase.
How We Chose
Everyone’s an innovator nowadays, or so they claim. In an effort to outdo the competition, companies will often promise unmatched performance and pricing for their products.
Unfortunately, brands will often distort the truth a little to get ahead, all at the customers’ expense. That’s why we consider the company’s status and the reviews of their buyers when making our lists, among other factors.
Company reputation: Is the company known for making a long line of good products? If so, it’s usually a huge factor in my decision to include them.
Customer satisfaction: Do people tend to be content with their purchases? If customers say the product holds up to the marketing claims, then it makes it onto the list.
Price: Does it make sense to pay what the company is charging? We don’t want our readers to pay any more than they have to, and we try to find them the very best deals.
Transparency: Is the company straight-up about how they run their business? From transparency about materials/ingredients to disclosing the manufacturing process, it’s all a plus in my book.
Why Trust Us?
Andrej Paskalov, a trusted FashionBeans writer, got the leather bug at an early age, and things haven’t changed much since. Once he got a little older, he became fanatical about cleaning and conditioning his clothes.
He’s got piles of shoe cleaners and footwear maintenance kits lying around, and he treats his leather jackets with the same kind of respect.
Andrej’s not one of those writers who takes these lists lightly. To find you the seven best leather jacket conditioners, he consulted videos, forums, user reviews, and company websites. It’s a lot of work, but ultimately, he proudly stands by his recommendations, and we do, too.
Final Verdict
And those were our picks of the best leather jacket conditioners on the market. Obenauf Leather Oil is our favorite pick since it does everything from waterproofing to softening and moisturization. It does that through a rich oil formula, and a single bottle will last you ages.
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- How often should you moisturize leather jacket?
In general, you’ll want to moisturize your leather jacket every three months or so, and you should definitely aim for at least 2 wipedowns a year. In the summer, you may want to do it once every four weeks or so due to all the sun exposure.
- How do you condition a stiff leather jacket?
The process is pretty straightforward: grab your conditioner of choice, spray or spread it across your jacket, then rub with a dry cloth in a circular motion. Once you’re done, leave your jacket overnight so it can absorb the conditioner before wearing it the next day.
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