Part of: Bag care and repair

Breaking in a new leather bag

By the Madrasah Bag team · Updated 2026-09-24

Why new leather is stiff

Good full-grain leather has dense fibres and is often firm by design, so it holds its shape and protects what's inside. It relaxes with handling.

What helps

1. Use it: daily carrying is the best softener
2. Work the straps: bend buckle straps back and forth by hand for a minute or two
3. Condition lightly: one thin coat, buffed off after 20 minutes (see care guide)
4. Open and close buckles several times before handing it to a child

What not to do

• Soak it in water
• Use a hairdryer or radiator
• Pour on cooking oil or heavy oils, which darken and weaken leather

For young children

If a flap or buckle is too stiff for small fingers at first, work it open and closed a few times before the first class. See bags by age.

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