Getting a new pair of rodeo jeans feels amazing, but if you’ve grabbed a pair made from raw denim, you might notice they aren’t exactly comfortable right off the rack. That’s where breaking in your jeans comes into play.

The process can seem confusing at first, but once you understand what’s happening with your new denim, it’s easy to see why everyone from ranch hands to city dwellers swears by a proper break-in routine. This guide breaks down everything you need to know when breaking in new rodeo jeans like a pro. Before you know it, you’ll have jeans that fit like a second skin and stay tough for anything you throw at them.

Why Raw Denim Needs Breaking In

Unlike denim that’s been prewashed, raw denim is stiff, dark, and a little rough around the edges. That rigidity is intentional. It means the fabric hasn’t been processed, washed, or distressed before reaching you. The jeans you put on are basically a blank slate that will tell the story of the way you live, move, and wear them.

During the breaking-in process, your rodeo jeans change a lot. Raw denim stretches as you break it in, so size down when you pick a pair. Over time, the fabric molds to your shape as you wear your jeans, developing creases and fades based on how often, where, and how hard you use them.

That personalized wear gives your jeans character that no off-the-shelf distressed finish can copy. Getting this authentic, lived-in look while keeping your jeans durable comes down to how you treat the material from day one.

The Initial Soak

The initial soak is a rite of passage for anyone serious about breaking in rodeo jeans. An initial soak will relax the cotton fibers, get rid of some of the excess dye, and allow the jeans to begin forming to your body.

There are a couple of ways to tackle this. You can either soak the jeans on their own or wear them during the soak. If you want the most authentic fit, put your brand-new jeans on and sit in a tub of lukewarm water for about 30 minutes. This might feel a little strange, but it forces the denim to shrink and stretch in exactly the places where your body puts pressure on the fabric.

If you’re not feeling that adventurous, just soak your jeans solo. Submerge them in a bathtub or basin with lukewarm water for half an hour, gently agitating them every so often. Don’t use hot water since it can affect the dye. The soak will soften the fibers, set the indigo, and wash out at least some of the chemical smell that can come with raw denim.

The Importance of Air-Drying

After that first soak, how you dry your rodeo jeans makes a big difference in their fit and long-term durability. Whatever you do, don’t toss them in the dryer. Machine drying can cause raw denim to shrink in weird ways, create unsightly wrinkles, and weaken the fabric over time. Instead, hang up the jeans to air-dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, which could bleach the color.

For the best, most personalized fit, put on your jeans while they’re still just barely damp. The material will be pliable, and as you move around, it will stretch and mold to match your legs, hips, and waist. Expect your jeans to feel a tad tighter right after the soak, but they’ll soon relax and settle to the exact dimensions of your frame.

Wearing and Stretching

Once your jeans are dry and you’ve got them on, it’s time to put them through their paces. Wearing your jeans as much as possible is the secret ingredient in breaking them in. Everything from walking and sitting to riding, squatting, or even doing stretches speeds up the process. Some folks even get in a few bodyweight exercises or ride a bike to make sure the fabric bends and shapes in all the right places.

At first, your rodeo jeans might feel like they’re fighting back, but don’t worry; that stiffness is temporary. The cotton fibers will start to relax with each movement, and you’ll notice the jeans start to “remember” your shape. They also start showing the unique creases and fades that make raw denim so beloved.

Don’t baby them too much. Living your normal life in them, doing what you’d normally do, helps your jeans look and fit their best much faster. Sure, you’ll notice some stiffness at first, but that soon goes away, and you’re left with denim that fits you and only you.

To Wash or Not To Wash

Chances are, you’ve heard mixed advice about how to wash raw denim. Some jeans enthusiasts go months or even years without a proper wash. The idea is that washing your jeans less often preserves the deep, rich color and leads to cleaner, more dramatic fades. While it’s true that washing jeans too often can dull the natural look and speed up wear, skipping washes for too long can create problems of its own.

When you wear your rodeo jeans all the time, they naturally pick up sweat, dirt, dead skin, and plenty more. Skipping the washing machine for months lets bacteria build up, which can weaken the denim fibers and shorten the lifespan of your jeans.

The trick is to wash your jeans less often and with care. If you’re pretty active in your jeans, a wash every few months is about right, but base it on how often you’re wearing them and what you do in them. If they start smelling funky or feel grimy, it’s time. Spot cleaning the inside with a damp cloth or using spray between washes helps keep things fresh without over-washing.

Washing the Right Way

Part of breaking in your new rodeo jeans like a pro is knowing how to take care of them in the long run. When the time comes to finally wash your rodeo jeans, treat them right so you don’t undo all your hard work. Always turn them inside out before washing to prevent awkward white streaks or marbling across the indigo. Washing your jeans like this also keeps the fade looking natural and protects the outer surface.

Use the washing machine’s gentle cycle, wash with cold or lukewarm water (never hot), and skip detergents with too many chemicals. A mild or denim-friendly detergent keeps your jeans from drying out and reduces bleeding.

Don’t crowd the machine or toss jeans in with other clothes. Washing your jeans by themselves is the best way to keep them from developing weird folds or picking up lint. As soon as the wash cycle finishes, pull them out and hang them up to air-dry.

Your Rodeo Jeans, Your Story

Breaking in new rodeo jeans takes patience, but following these steps pays off every time you slip them on. Don’t rush the process. Every fade, crease, and bit of wear tells a part of your story. If you’re looking for the perfect pair of jeans to accompany you throughout all your rodeo adventures, stop by Eli’s Western Wear. Explore our collection of men’s Western jeans and other stylish, authentic looks today.