A biker jacket can be more than just a fashion classic, it can also become a well loved wardrobe favourite that will see you through long cold winters, rough and tumble nights out and solitary motorcycle rides. To make sure your new biker jacket is ready and primed to offer you the perfect blend of comfort and reliability, you need to have a think about how you're planning to break it in.

The amount of work your jacket will need really depends on the kind of leather it is. Some biker jackets are made of softer variants, such as lambskin, which looks great and needs little in the way of breaking in, but doesn’t last as long as some other kinds. On the other hand, jackets made of cowhide or goatskin is much tougher and will last you for a long time. It just takes a little more effort initially, when you need to break it in and make it conform to your body.

The first thing you need to remember when you're priming your leather jacket is to swallow your impatience. Your leather jacket will break in naturally over time and while you want to be comfortable in it right away, remember that some areas – such as the pockets and underarms – will become worn and faded naturally.

Get your jacket off to a great start by using a leather conditioner, paying particular attention to the areas that will be most affected by friction. There are many different types of conditions and oils to choose from so you may want to ask advice about which is best suited to the kind of leather your jacket is made from. Treat your jacket twice a wee for the first few months and you'll soon begin to notice a difference.

To encourage your jacket to mould to your own, unique shape, try wearing it out on a slightly rainy day. The dampness with soften the leather and make it more pliable. If there's no rain on the horizon, you can use a spritzer to dampen your jacket. Then, you need to wear it until while it dries to get the best affect. Some people advise running your jacket through the washing machine but not only can this cause serious shrinkage, but not all machines will be able to cope well with the weight.

A great way to give your biker jacket an aged look without having to sit back and twiddling your thumbs is to take a ball of steel wool and lightly scrub the areas you want to soften. For the best result be gentle and always give your jacket a rub with saddle soap afterwards. This ensures that your jacket begins to pick up a little personality without destroying it in the process.

With a little bit of love and attention in the early days, you can get your mens leather biker jacket off to a brilliant start and ensure that it offers you all the protection you need over the years.