You've invested in a beautiful leather saddlebag, high-end gloves, or a handcrafted seat. Now, you want to make that investment last. Leather is a living material: well cared for, it improves with age. Neglected, it dries out, cracks, and loses all its suppleness in just a few seasons. Here's the Holdfast workshop's complete guide to caring for your motorcycle leathers.
Understanding your leather
Not all leathers are created equal, and care varies depending on the type. Before you take out your cloth, identify what you have in your hands.
Full-grain leather is the top of the line—it's the outermost layer of the hide, the densest and most durable. It's the kind used for Ledrie saddlebags and the finest handcrafted saddles. It develops a beautiful patina over time. Goatskin , like that used on the 1971 Le Mans motorcycle gloves, is thinner and more supple—ideal for dexterity, but it requires more delicate care. Waxed leather , like that found on Pike Brothers Rodeo jackets, already has a surface treatment that makes it naturally water-repellent.
The enemies of your leather
Leather has four main enemies on the road: the sun (UV rays that dry it out and discolor it), water ( which deforms and stains if the leather dries poorly), perspiration (salt attacks the fibers, especially inside the gloves) and neglect (leather that spends the winter in the garage without care comes back as dry as cardboard in the spring).
Basic maintenance: the quarterly routine
Every 2 to 3 months during the driving season (and once before winter storage), here is the complete routine:
Step 1 — Clean. Use a damp (not soaking wet) cloth to remove dust, road salt, and dried insects. For stubborn stains, use a special leather soap or simply diluted Marseille soap (we're at the source here!). Never use detergent, alcohol, or household cleaners.
Step 2 — Drying. Allow the leather to dry at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Never use a hairdryer or radiator. Leather heated too quickly will shrink and harden irreversibly.
Step 3 — Nourish. This is the ongoing process. Apply a thin layer of Hold Fast Beeswax with a soft cloth using circular motions. The natural beeswax penetrates the fibers, softens them, and creates a hydrophobic barrier. Leave on for 10 minutes, then buff lightly.
Special cases
Goat leather gloves
Leather motorcycle gloves are the most exposed: internal perspiration, external rain, and constant friction. After each ride in the rain, stuff them with newspaper to absorb moisture and maintain their shape. Condition them once a month during the riding season.
Saddlebags
Leather saddlebags are exposed to tire spray, side rain, and UV rays. Condition them more frequently (every two months) and apply a more generous coat of wax to the most exposed areas. If your saddlebag gets soaked, leave it open to dry and stuff it with paper to prevent deformation.
Leather saddles
Handcrafted leather saddles are protected by your riding position, but perspiration is their enemy. A quick wipe with a damp cloth after every long ride, and conditioning every three months. If you ride in the rain, a leather waterproofing spray before the rainy season is a worthwhile investment.
Winterizing: protecting your leather during the winter
Before storing your motorcycle for the winter, give all your leather parts a thorough cleaning. Clean them, condition them generously, and store them in a dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight . Don't put them in a plastic bag (leather needs to breathe), and don't leave them directly on the concrete garage floor (moisture will rise). Ideally, wrap your leather parts in a cotton cloth.
The patina: your leather tells your story
Well-maintained leather doesn't age—it matures. Light scratches, variations in color, creases from the road: all of this forms the patina , that layer of history that makes each piece unique. At Holdfast, we believe the most beautiful leather is that which has traveled. Take care of it, and it will reward you for decades.
Find all our genuine leather products in the shop: leather saddlebags , motorcycle gloves , handcrafted seats . And for maintenance, Hold Fast Beeswax is your best ally.