Flying Jacket vs Bomber Jacket: What Is the Difference?

Ask ten people about the flying jacket vs bomber jacket question and you will get ten different answers. Some say they are the same thing. Others say one is leather and the other is nylon. The truth sits somewhere in the middle, and a little history makes it much easier to buy the right one. This guide explains the names, the main styles and which one suits the way you dress.

Flying Jacket vs Bomber Jacket: The Short Answer

For most people they mean the same thing. Flight jacket, or flying jacket, is the wide term for any jacket with roots in aviation. Bomber is the nickname that stuck after World War Two. So every bomber is a flying jacket, but not every flying jacket looks like what people now call a bomber. The real differences are the material, the collar and how warm it is, and they are easier to see when you look at the named styles one by one. For more background on the family, there is a good overview of the flight jacket if you like reading about it.

The Main Flight Jacket Styles

Irvin: where sheepskin started

Early cockpits were cold. At high altitude the air could drop to about minus 50 degrees Celsius. Leslie Irvin, an American aviator and businessman, made a sheepskin flying jacket for exactly that problem. The wool stayed on the inside for warmth, and later sheepskin jackets copied the idea for decades.

A2: the leather one

The A2 was worn by the US Army Air Forces. It is made of leather, cut slim through the body and lined with silk instead of wool. The collar closes right up to the neck. Because it has no thick wool inside, it is lighter and better for mild weather. If you like that trim shape, take a look at our A2 WWII pilot jacket in real sheepskin.

B3: the heavy shearling bomber

The B3 came in the early 1930s and follows the Irvin idea. It is sheepskin with a wide collar that fastens with two leather straps, and it has a heavy, boxy feel. It is the warmest of the group. If you want the classic look and the warmth in one jacket, start with the B3 real shearling sheepskin flight jacket. Our B3 bomber jacket guide goes deeper into the details.

B6: the slimmer shearling

The B6 followed the B3. It is also sheepskin, but the cut is slimmer, the collar closes with a single leather latch and the pockets sit at an angle. It hugs the body a little more, which many people find easier for everyday wear. Have a look at the B6 RAF aviator shearling in brown and read our B6 bomber jacket guide.

G1: the navy jacket

The G1 was made for naval aviators. It is a leather jacket, often with a fur style collar. People mix it up with the A2 all the time, but it is a separate design.

B10 and MA1: the fabric bombers

Later jackets changed the material. The B10, from 1943, had a fabric shell with an alpaca lining and was much lighter than sheepskin. The MA1 came around 1950 with a light fabric shell, knitted cuffs and waistband, usually in dark blue or sage green with an orange lining. When someone today says bomber jacket and means a zip up nylon jacket with ribbed cuffs, they are usually talking about the MA1 shape.

Which One Should You Choose?

In the flying jacket vs bomber jacket choice, pick by weather first. For deep cold and wind, go for a B3 or B6 in shearling. For cool, dry days, a leather A2 or G1 style is enough. For spring and autumn, a fabric bomber is the easy choice. Then pick by shape. The B3 is boxy and heavy, while the B6 and A2 sit closer to the body.

• Warmest: B3, then B6.
• Slimmest: A2.
• Lightest: B10 and MA1 fabric styles.
• Best for everyday city wear: a slimmer B6 or A2.

Getting the Size Right

Shearling adds bulk, so the size matters more than people expect. Measure a jacket you already like and compare it with our shearling jacket size guide. We make sizes from XS to 3XL, and you can send your measurements for a custom size before you order. If you plan to wear a thick sweater under it, go up one size. Women can read our women’s sheepskin bomber jacket guide for fit advice.

Check That It Is Real Shearling

A fur collar and a wool lining do not always mean real sheepskin. Our guide on how to tell real shearling shows what to look at before you pay. When you are ready to compare styles, browse the shearling jackets for men or the full shop.

To sum up flying jacket vs bomber jacket in one line, a flying jacket is usually the warmer choice, while a bomber jacket is usually the lighter and more casual one. When you weigh flying jacket vs bomber jacket for your own wardrobe, think about your climate and how you want the jacket to feel. Flying jacket vs bomber jacket is not a question with one right answer, so choose the one you will reach for most often.

Quick Questions

Is a bomber jacket the same as a flying jacket?

Mostly yes. Bomber is the popular nickname, and flying jacket is the wider name for anything with aviation roots.

Which flying jacket is the warmest?

The sheepskin ones, and the B3 is the heaviest and warmest of them.

Can I wear a shearling flying jacket in the rain?

Light drizzle is fine, but it is not a rain coat. Our guide on whether shearling jackets are waterproof explains what to do in rain and snow.

If you have decided on a flying jacket, see our B3 bomber and aviator shearling jackets.