Military style has a way of finding itself in the mainstream, and the bomber jacket is no exception.
What started as a WWII-era coat for pilots has turned into a fashion staple.
We put together a list of our five favorite bomber jackets for men, including both modern, clean styles, and more rugged military-inspired silhouettes.
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The 5 Best Bomber Jackets for Men in 2021
Best Clean, Simple Design: Paige Hayward Bomber
Paige is an L.A. based premium basics brand. While the brand made a name for itself in the early 2000s with denim, they’ve expanded to create a full line of simple, well-built clothes.
We tried a few of their items (including this Hayward Bomber) and we were impressed.
Paige has stripped back much of the military heritage in this design and instead you’ll find a crisp, clean cut. No extraneous zippers or buttons on the pockets—just clean lines and a little contrast along the cuff and collar.
What We Like
Polyester blend shell feels almost like wool or something more organic.
The clean lines make this an elevated bomber-style that pairs well in business casual, smart-casual, or just casual-casual outfits.
Free shipping and easy returns.
What We Don’t Like
There’s no internal breast pocket, which can be a nice security feature.
What Other Reviewers Say
Most reviews online speak to the quality of Paige’s jeans. But the brand is known for their fits—in jeans and beyond.
That’s what we found in our Paige review, too.
Comfort comes up time and time again, and we have to agree with the masses on that front.
The Verdict
For a simple, no-frills bomber jacket, check out the Paige Hayward Bomber.
We love military-inspired style, but it has a certain casualness that doesn’t work in a professional setting or for a date night.
The Hayward Bomber strips some of that rugged history back, cleans up the style, and presents a crisp silhouette that’s perfect in any smart-casual wardrobe.
PAIGE takes a minimalist approach to the bomber jacket style with their Hayward Bomber. You won't see much of the original military inspiration but you can bet on sharp clean lines and a modern silhouette.
Best for Technical Fabric: Public Rec Crosstown Bomber
Public Rec reigns supreme in the casual, technical-fabric realm. Their Crosstown Bomber takes the classic jacket style and gives it a modern 21st century tech-twist.
For commuters and city-dwellers, this piece is easy to throw on and makes for an excellent casual statement piece.
What We Like
Public Rec’s technical fabrics are stretchy, comfortable, and stylish.
The cut is slim through the torso and arms, which keeps the look modern.
This bomber is water and stain-resistant.
What We Don’t Like
The Crosstown has a lot of horizontal pockets (one on the chest and two at the waist), which clutters the look.
What Other Reviewers Say
Over 100 reviewers have given the Crosstown Bomber a near-perfect 4.9 average out of 5.
The four-star reviews mostly spoke to a single issue: the fit. The Crosstown Bomber is a slim-fitting jacket. Huskier gents mentioned that a fuller version might be nice, but they still spoke to the quality (they rated it four out of five, after all).
If you’re a larger guy, look at the Alpha Industries selection on our list as it has more room in the chest and torso.
The Verdict
We’ve had plenty of good experiences with Public Rec in the past—we’re fans of their unique fabrics and customer service.
Guys with a little extra around the stomach might find the fit a little snug, though that didn’t stop huskier reviewers from heaping on praise anyway.
For those looking for a slim, technical approach to the bomber jacket style, the Public Rec Crosstown Bomber is your go-to.
A tech-focused version of a classic jacket. Public Rec keeps the design simple, the lines clean, and the look fresh with their Crosstown Bomber.
Best Old School Jacket: Everlane Uniform Bomber
At their core, bomber jackets aren’t minimalist. But Everlane has simplified the style while keeping all the classic elements.
As part of their Uniform line, the brand guarantees this Bomber to last 365 days. If it loses color, shrinks, pills, gets a hole—any problem in the first year and Everlane will replace it.
What We Like
Classic bomber style with flap-pockets and arm zipper, but more trim and refined.
The vintage feel is excellent paired with faded jeans—a great casual piece.
The Uniform 365-day guarantee is hard to beat.
What We Don’t Like
This is a great casual piece but doesn’t “dress up” to smart-casual and so it’s not as versatile as other picks on this list.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers on Everlane give the Uniform Bomber a 4.86 out of 5.
People seemed to enjoy the magnetic buttons on the waist pockets, and the quality of color came up in nearly every review.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a vintage-style bomber jacket without spending $100, the Everlane Uniform Bomber is your best bet.
It has a modern cut, but keeps some of that old-school vibe that makes bomber jackets fun.
Do take note of the arm zipper, as this detail can polarize—some love it and some hate it.
For us, that’s part of what makes the style unique.
Everlane's Uniform collection is guaranteed to last 365 days. Their bomber jacket offers classic style that's durable, sustainable, and fairly priced.
Best Military Style: Alpha Industries MA1 Bomber
This is the original. The classic.
Alpha Industries actually made bomber jackets for the US Military back in WWII.
Obviously, WWII didn’t last forever, so the brand had to pivot to something a little more peaceful. Luckily for us, they kept making their beloved bomber jackets, though now they’re more for style than dangerous flight patterns.
What We Like
Alpha Industries has a wide range of bomber jackets—even some cool styles with NASA patches and other “aviator” type insignias.
This is the warmest jacket on the list. If you’re looking for something that can withstand more cold than a brisk fall day, the MA1 Bomber is a good bet.
It’s a baggy fit more like what you’d find on an actual WWII era bomber jacket—great for street style.
What We Don’t Like
The street style bagginess and flair can be seen just as much as a pro as a con. Either you love it or it’s a deal-breaker.
What Other Reviewers Say
Over 1000 reviewers on Amazon scored Alpha Industries at a 4.6 out of 5.
There are some MA1 Bomber enthusiasts out there who’ve bought the same model multiple times over the course of 35 years.
Pro tip: wear a longer shirt underneath because the waist rises significantly when you sit down. This can expose your back more than you might like.
But that’s part of the charm of the short elastic waist style that made the Alpha Industries MA1 Bomber so popular.
The Verdict
If you want the bomber jacket, Alpha Industries MA1 Bomber is your choice.
The style is similar to what was worn by WWII pilots. That can be good or bad depending on what you’re looking for.
If you want a slimmer profile, you may not be so hot on Alpha Industries. The sleeves and torso have more bulk, which is exactly what other folks are looking for.
The Alpha Industries MA1 Bomber jacket is the original. The brand actually made these jackets for WWII pilots, and now they've made a smooth transition to streetwear for civilians to enjoy, too.
Best Leather Bomber: AllSaints Kino Leather Bomber
The trendy British menswear brand AllSaints has become synonymous with outstanding leather jackets. Their Kino Leather Bomber is no exception.
A matte slate treatment gives this jacket a laid back carefree vibe, and details like the exposed zipper on the chest are distinctive.
What We Like
It’s made with sheep leather for an extra soft feel because of an extra tight grain.
The contrast from the bright silver zippers adds a level of intrigue to the jacket.
Tailored fit is very slim through the arms and torso.
What We Don’t Like
Can be pricey if not on sale.
What Other Reviewers Say
There are only a handful of reviews on this bomber throughout the web. As with other AllSaints products, the leather quality is the major highlight. Some people like the AllSaints signature slim fit, and some people find it too tight.
The Verdict
AllSaints has been making quality stylish leather jackets for years. A big issue we’ve had with leather jackets is the fit.
The Kino Leather Bomber is nice and slim throughout so you’re not adding any extra visual heft. And the sheepskin leather exterior has a tight grain which gives the jacket a rich, velvety texture.
If you’re in the market for a leather bomber, this piece will make for a beautiful wardrobe staple.
AllSaints is known for the quality of their leather jackets. For a slimmed down modern bomber, the Kino is an excellent choice.
What is a Bomber Jacket?
Bomber jackets are also known as flight jackets, so consider the two terms interchangeable.
They got their name from the pilots who used them in WWII. It wasn’t always warm and cozy in the cockpit, and flyers needed something to keep from getting the chills.
The jacket used by the military was simply built—a few buttoned waist pockets, a minimal collar for maximum head-mobility, and cuffs around the waist and wrists.
Most bomber jackets were made with nylon or wool as those materials block the most amount of wind and rain.
Now this style of jacket is mainly used to look great. Bomber jackets are versatile, depending on the type you get. The Paige Hayward Bomber is minimal and the charcoal coloring gives you the ability to wear it in a variety of smart-casual outfits.
On the other end, versions like the Alpha Industries MA1 stick close to their military roots, which lends itself better to casual street style.
Bombs Away
Bomber jackets are key players. Throw it on as a light coat for fall and early spring. Wear it with jeans and a t-shirt for a casual look or with a button down to keep things smart and sharp.
With such a versatile item, it’s hard to go wrong, but we recommend choosing a neutral color like charcoal or navy. Olive green is a solid choice if you’d like to keep a little of that military-chic inspiration.
Investing in a quality jacket will pay off for years as this one piece will find its way into many outfits.
So which bomber jacket is right for you?
FAQs
Are bomber jackets still in style in 2021?
Yes, bomber jackets are timeless. We recommend choosing a simple bomber jacket as the style will hold up in 2020, 2030, and so on.
How do I choose a bomber jacket?
What is your style? If you want something versatile that can be dressed up or down, we like the Paige Hayward Bomber. If you’re only wearing the jacket in a casual setting, check out the Alpha Industries MA1.
Are bomber jackets warm?
Bomber jackets are usually warm enough for fall and early spring. If you live in a colder climate like New York, most bomber jackets won’t keep you warm enough in winter. But in warmer climates like California or the US south, a bomber will keep you warm enough through most days of the year.
