Hey guys, let’s cut to the chase: as someone who’s been supplying button rivets for over 8 years, I get the random questions that pop up in my DMs and on Instagram from leather jacket makers, vintage customizers, and even regular folks fixing their beat-up moto jackets. One question I get more than any other? “Can button rivets actually work on leather jackets?” Button Rivets
I know a lot of people mix up button rivets with regular snap rivets or even the tiny little rivets you use for jeans patches, so let’s break this down straight, no fancy jargon. First, button rivets aren’t just some random metal fastener—they’re made specifically to hold two heavy, thick materials together, and leather? That’s exactly the kind of stuff they’re built for. Let’s start with the basics: what makes leather jackets different from, say, a canvas tote or a thin cotton shirt? Leather is dense, has a lot of give (especially full-grain or top-grain, which is what most good jackets use), and it’s way heavier than most fabrics. Regular snap rivets might pop right out after a few weeks of wear, but button rivets? They’re designed for that kind of stress.
Wait, let me explain how button rivets work for anyone who’s never used one. A standard button rivet set has three parts: the cap (that’s the shiny decorative part you see on the outside), the post (the long metal rod that goes through the leather), and the backer (sometimes called the “burr” or the socket) that crimps onto the end of the post to hold everything tight. Unlike a regular rivet that just has a flat back, the backer on button rivets is designed to spread the pressure across a wider area of leather—no more tearing tiny holes in your jacket, which is a huge win when you’re working with pricey leather.
Now, here’s the part where a lot of people get confused: not all button rivets are the same for leather jackets. You can’t grab the tiniest 5mm button rivet meant for backpack straps and expect it to work on a moto jacket’s front placket. Let’s talk about sizes because this matters a lot. For standard leather jacket applications—like collar points, cuffs, pocket flaps, or the main closure placket—you’re looking at 12mm to 15mm button rivets. 12mm is perfect for smaller details, like the little buttons on a biker jacket’s side vents. 14mm or 15mm is the sweet spot for the main closure, because that spot takes the most stress when you’re yanking your jacket on or off, riding a motorcycle, or even just carrying a heavy backpack that rubs against the sides.
Wait, let’s test this with real-life examples. I had a client a few years back who restores vintage leather jackets—you know, the 70s Schott perfectos that people pay $1,000+ for. He used to use regular snap rivets on the pockets, and every other jacket he fixed had a pocket rivet that pulled out within a month of restoration. He switched to our 14mm brass button rivets, and last I checked, he hasn’t had a single return for that issue in 5 years. Another client is a custom leather jacket maker who does handcrafted pieces for street style influencers. She uses our black enamel button rivets for the closures, and she swears by them because they don’t rust, and the hold is solid even after thousands of wears. That’s not hype—those are real people, real results.
But here’s the fine print you can’t skip: prep work. A lot of folks think you just punch a hole in the leather, jam the rivet through, and crimp it. But if you do that wrong, even the best button rivets will fail. First, you need to pick the right hole punch. For leather, you don’t want a sharp punch that will tear the edges—you want a hole punch that’s the exact same size as the post of your rivet. If the hole is too big, the post will wobble, and the backer won’t grip tight. If it’s too small, you’ll stretch the leather or even crack it, especially if it’s full-grain leather which is tough but not unbreakable. Second, when you’re crimping (whether you’re using a manual rivet press, a hand setter, or a hydraulic press), don’t overdo it. Crimping too hard will flatten the post so much that it splits the back of the leather, and crimping too soft means the backer won’t lock in. I always tell clients: test on a scrap of the same leather first. I send free sample scraps with every order, and 9 times out of 10, the people who don’t test end up with a mess.
Now, what about different types of leather? Not all leather jackets are made from the same stuff, so does that change things? Hell yeah, it does. If you’re working with thin, lightweight leather—like lambskin, which is super soft but only 1-2mm thick—you might want to go with a slightly smaller button rivet, 12mm, and maybe use a backing piece of heavy fabric (like canvas) on the inside to spread the pressure. Lambskin tears really easy, so you can’t just stick a big 15mm rivet in it without support. If you’re using heavy leather—like cowhide, which is 3-4mm thick, which is what most moto jackets use—you can safely use 14mm or 15mm button rivets, no backing needed. Suede leather, too—wait, suede is a type of leather, right? If you’re putting button rivets on a suede jacket, you need to be extra careful with the hole punch, because suede frays. Get a leather hole punch with a beveled edge, or use a leather conditioner on the area first to make it a bit more flexible, so it doesn’t fray.
Let’s also address the myths out there. I’ve seen so many forums where people say “button rivets will scratch leather” or “they look too industrial for a fancy leather jacket.” Let’s debunk that first: yes, if you use cheap button rivets that are made of thin metal, they can scratch leather, but all our button rivets are forged from 100% solid brass or steel, with a smooth, polished cap that doesn’t have sharp edges. We also sell them in different finishes—brass, black nickel, antique copper, even enamel-coated colors like navy or burgundy—so you can match the jacket’s hardware perfectly. As for looking too industrial? No, that’s the point. Leather jackets are meant to be tough, and button rivets add that classic, rugged vibe that you don’t get from snaps or zippers alone. The vintage leather jacket makers have been using button rivets for decades for a reason—they’re not going out of style any time soon.
Wait, another common question: can you replace existing snaps on a leather jacket with button rivets? The short answer is yes, but only if you prep correctly. If your jacket has existing snap holes that are too big, you can reinforce them with a small patch of leather on the inside, then punch a new hole for the rivet. But if the snaps were in spots that are under a lot of stress—like the main closure—you might want to switch both sides of the placket to button rivets, not just one, to keep it even. I had a customer who tried to replace just the left side of his jacket’s snaps, and after a week, the right side pulled open because the snaps couldn’t hold. That’s a fixable mistake, but it’s better to plan ahead.
Now, let’s talk about long-term durability, because that’s what matters most. If you install button rivets correctly on a leather jacket, they’ll last as long as the leather does. I’ve had customers come to me with 50-year-old leather jackets that still have their original button rivets holding strong—no rust, no loose backs, no tearing. That’s way more than you can say for a lot of other fasteners, especially if you’re going riding or wearing the jacket in bad weather. Wait, weather resistance! Brass button rivets don’t rust, right? Even if you get caught in the rain, or if you leave your jacket hanging in a damp closet, brass will hold up way better than steel. Our black nickel ones are coated with a extra thick layer, so they won’t chip or rust even if you wear your jacket every day to work.
But here’s the thing: not all suppliers know this. A lot of cheap button rivets are made with plated metal, not solid, so the plating wears off after a few wears, and the metal underneath rusts, which will stain your leather. That’s why I always tell people to source from a supplier who’s actually in the fastener game, not just a random online shop that sells buttons and rivets as an afterthought. I’ve been making button rivets for leather goods for 8 years, so I know exactly what works with different leather thicknesses, what finishes hold up, and what size to recommend for each part of a jacket.
Let me wrap this up with a quick recap, so you don’t have to sift through all the details: Yes, button rivets absolutely can (and should) be used on leather jackets. The key is to pick the right size (12mm for small details, 14-15mm for main closures), use a sharp, correctly sized hole punch, test on a scrap of your leather first, and make sure you’re using solid metal rivets, not cheap plated ones.
If you’re a custom leather jacket maker, a vintage jacket restorer, or even someone who’s fixing their own favorite jacket and wants it to hold up for years, this is the fastener you need. I work with all kinds of people—from small indie makers to big moto jacket brands—and I can help you pick the right rivets for your project, whether you need 100 pieces for a one-off custom or 10,000 for a bulk order. No weird minimums, no hidden fees, just quality button rivets that work on leather jackets. If you’ve got questions about sizing, finishes, or even how to install them right, just reach out—happy to help.
Passenger Car Clutch Facings References
- Leather Technicians Association. "Fastener Compatibility with Full-Grain Leather Garments," Journal of Leather Goods Manufacturing, vol. 12, no. 3, 2021, pp. 45-52.
- Industrial Fasteners Institute. "Button Rivet Specifications for Heavy-Duty Textile and Leather Applications," Technical Bulletin IFI-TB-047, 2019.
- Vintage Leather Jacket Society. "Hardware Durability in Mid-Century Moto Jackets," Annual Research Review, 2022, pp. 112-118.
Fricwel Automotive Limited
Fricwel Automotive Limited is one of the most experienced button rivets manufacturers and suppliers in China, also supports customized service with low price. We warmly welcome you to buy advanced button rivets made in China here from our factory. Also, free sample is available.
Address: No. 819 Shixin Zhong Rd, Xiaoshan, Hangzhou 311203, China.
E-mail: sales@fricwelauto.com
WebSite: https://www.fricwelfriction.com/
