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Equipment => Wicket Keeping => Topic started by: benny231 on October 16, 2014, 10:18:53 AM

Title: How to keep chamois inners soft?
Post by: benny231 on October 16, 2014, 10:18:53 AM

Hey guys, been using chamois inners for most of my keeping career since i was 13 or so, and I've always had the issue of the chamois drying out after a while and becoming hard and uncomfortable (typically going through 3 pairs a season excluding training pairs). After training tonight my inners got a bit wet (mainly from the wet outfield), and so they are currently drying infront of the fire before Saturday's game. The problem is that when they are dry, they'll become hard again..
I was wondering if any other keepers out there have any tips to help rejuvenate the chamois and get it soft again?

Cheers!

Title: Re: How to keep chamois inners soft?
Post by: Neon Cricket on October 16, 2014, 10:24:24 AM

This may help;

"To renew an old piece of chamois leather, soak it for 10 minutes in a bucket of warm water to which you've added 1 teaspoon olive oil. It is important to stir the water every few minutes."

Worth a shot!

Title: Re: How to keep chamois inners soft?
Post by: benny231 on October 16, 2014, 10:33:14 AM

Cheers neon! I saw that one too. I'm just a bit worried about the back of the glove and the wrist band which isn't chamois getting damaged by this..
Cheers for the response though :)

Title: Re: How to keep chamois inners soft?
Post by: Neon Cricket on October 16, 2014, 10:44:43 AM

Maybe if you make a bowl of the liquid and then just hang the gloves over the edge it might work (just so the actual chamois is suspended in the liquid) - I'll ask the old man, he's had the same chamois on his car for years so he must know a trick!

Title: Re: How to keep chamois inners soft?
Post by: benny231 on October 16, 2014, 10:47:19 AM

Yeah I was thinking of just putting them on and holding just the palm in the water. Cheers for the idea!

Title: Re: How to keep chamois inners soft?
Post by: blocka on October 16, 2014, 11:44:47 AM

I pour water on mine before putting my gloves on, this keeps the chamois pliable as well as my hands cool

Title: Re: How to keep chamois inners soft?
Post by: Pelican042 on October 16, 2014, 05:18:59 PM

I completely soak mine (full chamois) 1/2 an hour before a game as they grip better same as hockey grips if anyone plays hockey

Title: Re: How to keep chamois inners soft?
Post by: benny231 on October 16, 2014, 10:35:12 PM

UPDATE: Tried the oil and water trick which neon suggested, sort of floated the chamois half on the water with the cuff sticking out and then left to dry overnight. The gloves are now completely dry and the chamois is soft like new! Perfect!

@Pelican and Blocka, I used to wet mine before I keep too, but i find they get too slippery and I lose some control of my gloves. But thanks for the tips :)

Title: Re: How to keep chamois inners soft?
Post by: blocka on October 17, 2014, 06:30:14 AM

I guess cause my gloves are pretty tight with inners I haven't encountered that problem. Might have to try the oil trick though