Aviator Jacket Guide: B3, B6 and RAF Styles Explained

What is an aviator jacket?

An aviator jacket is a warm flying jacket made from sheepskin, with the wool left on the inside and the leather on the outside. The style comes from the jackets worn by pilots and aircrew in the 1930s and 1940s, and today the three names you will meet most often are the B3, the B6 and the RAF Irvin style.

They look alike at first glance, so buying one can feel confusing. This guide explains where each style came from, how to tell them apart, and how to choose the right one for your winters. If you already know what you want, you can browse our men’s shearling jackets or women’s shearling jackets.

Where aviator jackets come from

Aviator jackets were made to solve one problem: cold. In World War II, bombing raids flew at around 25,000 feet and the aircraft cabins were not insulated, so crews needed very warm clothing (Wikipedia). Sheepskin was the answer, because the wool traps heat and the leather blocks the wind. Shearling jackets were first lined with fur and later with wool, and they are described as the warmest of the flight jackets.

The B3. The B3 was developed in the early 1930s as a winter alternative to the goatskin A2 jacket. It was used by US Army Air Forces aircrews in World War II, especially in Europe, and it was designed for the cold at high altitude in unpressurized planes (Silodrome). The classic features are a sheepskin lining, a broad collar that turns up, knitted cuffs and waistband, two large front pockets and a zip front. After the war, surplus B3 jackets became popular with civilians. Our B3 bomber jacket guide goes deeper into this style.

The RAF Irvin jacket. Across the Atlantic, Leslie Irvin designed and made the classic sheepskin flying jacket. He set up a manufacturing company in the United Kingdom in 1926 and became the main supplier of flying jackets to the Royal Air Force for most of World War II (Wikipedia). Today many sheepskin aviator jackets are sold as Irvin or RAF style in reference to these jackets.

The B6. The B6 is the other name you will see most often. It is a sheepskin jacket in the same family as the B3, usually with a smaller collar and a lighter feel. Our B6 bomber jacket guide covers it in detail.

B3 vs B6: how to tell them apart

The B3 is the warmer, bulkier jacket and the B6 is the lighter, trimmer one. Here are the differences that matter when you shop:

RAF or Irvin style jackets are the British take on the same idea. Makers differ in how they cut the collar and how thick they make the lining, so always check those two details in the product description. If you are also wondering how aviator jackets differ from other bomber jackets, read our flying jacket vs bomber jacket guide.

How to choose the right aviator jacket

Start with how cold your winters are, then check four things before you order.

1. Warmth. If your winters are long and freezing, a B3 with its deeper lining is the safer pick. If you mostly need a jacket for cold city days, a B6 is lighter and easier to wear all day.
2. Material. Look for real sheepskin shearling, with the wool on the inside and the leather on the outside. Not sure how to check? Read our guide on how to tell real shearling.
3. Size. Check the chest and shoulder measurements in our shearling jacket size guide and leave room for a sweater underneath. If you order a custom size, remember that custom sizes cannot be returned.
4. Delivery and returns. Shipping is free worldwide. Standard sizes arrive 7 to 14 days after your order is confirmed, and standard sizes can be returned within 30 days. The buyer pays the return shipping, and refunds are made within 7 business days.

A few aviator jacket styles to start with: a grey B3 aviator with RAF styling, a brown aviator bomber, a brown B3 aviator and a B6 aviator in real sheepskin. For women, see our women’s sheepskin bomber jacket guide.

How to wear an aviator jacket

An aviator jacket is a bold piece on its own, so keep the rest of the outfit simple.

• Keep the layers plain. A crew neck sweater, a plain tee or a shirt works well, in neutral colors that do not fight with the sheepskin.
• Go dark below. Dark jeans or chinos with boots balance the bulk of the jacket.
• Match the colors. Brown goes with olive, navy and cream. Grey goes with black, white and denim.
• Think about the collar. A big B3 collar stands up and keeps the neck warm without help, while the smaller B6 collar sits neatly under a scarf.

For ideas from the screen and the red carpet, see our guides to celebrity shearling jackets and movie character jacket ideas.

Aviator jacket care and common questions

A good aviator jacket lasts for years if you look after it. If it gets wet, let it dry naturally and keep it away from direct heat. Our guides on how to care for a shearling jacket and how to store a shearling jacket cover the rest.

Is an aviator jacket the same as a bomber jacket?

The two names are often used for the same kind of jacket, but they are not always the same thing. Our flying jacket vs bomber jacket guide explains the difference.

What is the difference between a B3 and an RAF jacket?

The B3 is the US Army Air Forces style, while the Irvin jacket is the British sheepskin flying jacket made for the Royal Air Force. Today the two names get mixed up, and you will see RAF B3 and USAAF B3 used for jackets that look very similar.

Is a shearling aviator jacket waterproof?

Shearling is a natural material, so keep it away from heavy rain. We explain this in more detail in our guide on whether shearling jackets are waterproof.

Is a shearling jacket worth the money?

A real shearling jacket costs more than a basic coat, but it is built to be warm and to last. Read our answer in are shearling jackets worth it.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes, shipping is free worldwide on all our jackets. See our international shipping guide for details.

Want to see the jackets themselves? Browse our B3 bomber and aviator shearling jackets.