Glove Fit and Break-In
Leather Gloves Shrank After Getting Wet: Why and Can You Fix It
Leather gloves shrank or stiffened after getting wet? Why wet leather shrinks, what is safe to try, what to avoid, and when the pair is too small to ride in.
Leather can shrink and stiffen when it gets wet and dries, and heat makes it worse. Whether your gloves can be brought back depends on the leather. We found no source that promises a shrunken glove returns to its old size, so this page covers the fit side only: what changed, what is safe to try, and when to give up. For the wider topic, see our glove fit and break-in guide.
Why wet leather shrinks
Sources agree that water and heat are the problem, but they describe it differently.
So the leather type matters, and the sources disagree on whether drying alone shrinks leather or whether heat is the cause. We do not settle it. We do not know which leather your gloves are made of unless the maker says.
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Vegetable-tanned leather that soaks and then dries shrinks and becomes harder; in hot water it contracts sharply and turns rigid |
| Wikipedia | Chrome-tanned leather does not lose shape as drastically in water |
| A glove brand | Fast drying under heat makes gloves shrink and stiffen; slow room-temperature drying lets a glove keep its size (brand opinion, not a test) |
| A glove maker | Deerskin can be wet and dried repeatedly and dries soft |
Did the glove shrink, or only stiffen?
Stiffness can feel like shrinkage. One brand says goatskin and cowhide dry stiffer than deerskin. Check fit, not feel: your fingers should reach the glove tips without bunching, and with a handlebar in your hand you should feel no pressure points at the fingertips. If it passes, stiffness rather than size may be the issue. If not, read on.
While the gloves are still damp
- Dry them slowly at room temperature, away from radiators, hair dryers and direct sunlight. One maker says never use a dryer, because heat can damage the fibre.
- One brand says to stuff the fingers loosely and open the cuffs so the glove dries in a hand shape, and to flex it, for example by making a fist, while it is still slightly damp.
For general drying of wet leather, see Leather Collection's guide to what to do when leather gets wet. It is about leather clothing in general and does not mention gloves.
Can you stretch them back?
Only gently. One seller says to flex the fingers and open the palm with the gloves on to stretch the leather gradually, and to avoid aggressive pulling. Short periods of wear let body heat soften the leather. Do not re-soak them in hot water: a glove maker advises against it except for deerskin, and hot water makes vegetable-tanned leather contract sharply. Another seller says a brief lukewarm dip only if the maker approves; we do not recommend it.
For how much leather gloves stretch normally, see do leather gloves stretch?. Our planned guide on how to stretch leather gloves safely will cover methods.
When to retire the pair
Gloves that are too small restrict movement and circulation and cause hand fatigue. If a glove is hard to put on or limits finger movement, it is too small. Do not ride in it. If you stretch a pair too far, see motorcycle gloves too big. For choosing the next pair, see how motorcycle gloves should fit and how leather gloves should fit.
Frequently asked questions
Do leather gloves shrink after getting wet?
They can. Vegetable-tanned leather that soaks and dries shrinks and becomes harder, while chrome-tanned leather holds its shape better in water.
Do leather gloves get looser?
With wear, makers expect new leather gloves to stretch; one maker says about 5%, while the store says not to buy a size too small hoping it will stretch. We do not settle it; see do leather gloves stretch?.
How do I dry leather gloves without shrinking them?
Slowly, at room temperature and away from heaters.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Leather
- Leather Collection: rain and leather
- Olympia Gloves: crowdsourced tips and myths for breaking in new leather gloves
The Motorcycle Gloves Editorial Team
The Motorcycle Gloves articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.