What Is a Bomber Jacket and Why Is It Called That?

A bomber jacket is a waist-length, zippered flight jacket with ribbed cuffs and waistband, named for the bomber pilots who wore it.

The bomber jacket started as functional military gear, not a fashion statement. In 1917, the U.S. Army developed flight jackets for pilots flying in open cockpits during World War I, where freezing temperatures at altitude were a constant threat. The design that emerged was short, close-fitting, and built to trap warmth—and because bomber crews were the ones wearing it, the name stuck.

The Military Origin of the Bomber Jacket

The story begins with the U.S. Army Aviation Clothing Board in 1917, which commissioned flight gear for pilots exposed to the elements in open-air cockpits. Early jackets were heavy leather, designed to block wind and hold in body heat during long missions at high altitude.

Originally called “flight jackets,” they served a purely functional purpose. The short, waist-length cut wasn’t a style choice—it was practical. A long coat would bunch up when a pilot sat down, interfere with parachute straps, and restrict movement in the cockpit. The bomber jacket’s signature silhouette—front zipper, knit cuffs, and snug waistband—kept cold air out while letting pilots move freely.

Why Is It Called a “Bomber” Jacket?

The name traces to the crews who made the jacket famous. As aviation evolved through World War II, bomber pilots and their crews adopted these flight jackets as standard gear. The association was so strong that “bomber jacket” became the common name, even though the original military term was simply “flight jacket.”

Several distinct models came out of this era, each tied to a specific period:

• A-1 (1920s)—the earliest standardized flight jacket, featuring a button front and knit cuffs.
• A-2 (1931)—the most iconic leather flight jacket, with a zippered front and snap-down collar.
• B-3—a heavier sheepskin design for the extreme cold of high-altitude bombing runs.
• B-15 (1944)—introduced nylon and a fur-lined collar for better insulation in jet cockpits.
• MA-1 (1950s)—the sleek nylon bomber most people picture today, with a reversible orange lining designed for visibility if a pilot went down.

Sources differ on which model deserves the “first true bomber” title, but the lineage is clear: each design built on the last, and all of them served the same mission—keeping bomber crews alive and functional at altitude.

From Cockpit to Street Style

The bomber jacket crossed into civilian wardrobes after World War II, when surplus military gear flooded the market. Veterans kept wearing theirs, and the public adopted the look. By the 1950s and 1960s, the MA-1 had become a staple of youth culture, later embraced by hip-hop, punk, and streetwear scenes—a run that continues today.

The modern bomber jacket keeps the same DNA—front zip, ribbed cuffs, snug waist—but the materials have expanded far beyond military leather. Today you’ll find bombers in nylon, cotton, suede, and polyester, with or without collars, in everything from sleek black to bold colorways. Reviewed’s history of the bomber jacket traces this transition from flight gear to civilian staple.

If you’re ready to add one to your rotation, our roundup of the best aviator bomber jackets breaks down the top picks for every style and budget.

FAQs

Is a bomber jacket the same as a flight jacket?

Technically, yes. “Flight jacket” was the original military term, and “bomber jacket” became the popular name because bomber crews wore them. The two terms are used interchangeably today, though “bomber” usually refers to the civilian versions and “flight jacket” to the military ones.

What materials are bomber jackets made from?

The classic bomber jackets were leather, but modern versions come in nylon, cotton, suede, and polyester. The choice affects both look and function—leather offers durability and wind resistance, while nylon is lighter and more packable. Ribbed or elastic cuffs and waistbands are standard across all materials.

Are bomber jackets still in style?

Yes. The bomber jacket has remained a staple since it entered civilian fashion after World War II. Its clean, short silhouette works with casual and smart-casual outfits alike, and designers keep releasing new versions each season—proof that the original 1917 design still holds up.