Leather Jacket Guides

Shop for flight jackets and you will see the same styles called aviator jackets in one place and bomber jackets in another. The names overlap because both come from military flying gear, but in everyday use they usually describe two quite different jackets. This aviator vs bomber jacket guide explains what each name normally means, how they differ in warmth, weight and fit, and how to choose.

Why the names get mixed up

Every jacket in this family started as clothing for military aircrew in the 1930s and 1940s, so strictly speaking they are all flight jackets. "Bomber" became the popular civilian name for these jackets after the war, while "aviator" came to mean the sheepskin versions with big wool collars. Neither word was an official military designation.

The B-3 shows the overlap best. It was a sheepskin jacket worn mainly by bomber crews, so it is sold as both a bomber and an aviator jacket, and our own range lists it both ways. Our A-2 vs B-3 comparison looks at those two wartime jackets in depth. When you shop, look past the name to the collar, the lining and the hem.

What is an aviator jacket?

An aviator jacket is built around sheepskin or a shearling lining. Its best-known ancestors are the US Army Air Corps B-3, standardized in 1934, and the sheepskin flying jackets worn by British RAF crews during the Second World War. Both were made for unheated aircraft at high altitude, where warmth mattered more than anything else.

Typical aviator features include:

• A wide wool or shearling-style collar that turns up around the face, often closed with a strap and buckle.
• Sheepskin worn wool side in, or a smooth leather shell with a thick, warm lining.
• A straight, roomy cut ending at the hip, sometimes with a belt or waist straps to cinch the hem.
• A heavy, substantial feel that makes it true outerwear for the coldest days.

Modern aviator jackets keep the collar and the warmth but are often cut slimmer and lighter, sometimes in lambskin with a shearling collar. Our guide to sheepskin leather explains how the material works.

What is a bomber jacket?

A bomber jacket is defined by its hem. It is waist length, with a ribbed knit waistband and cuffs that hold the jacket close and let the body blouse slightly above them. The front closes with a center zip, and the collar can be a knit rib, a leather shirt collar or a shearling-style collar.

The template is the A-2, adopted by the US Army Air Corps in 1931 with a leather shirt collar and knit trim. The US Navy's G-1 added a sheepskin collar, and the nylon MA-1 of the 1950s carried the shape into civilian wardrobes. Today "bomber" describes that short, gathered silhouette in any material, and leather bombers range from light lambskin to rugged distressed hides.

Aviator vs bomber jacket compared

Warmth: which one do you need?

Warmth is the most practical difference. A sheepskin aviator traps a thick layer of air in its wool, so it keeps many people comfortable around freezing and a little below, especially with the collar turned up. Once temperatures climb toward the 50s °F it can feel heavy and too warm for a walk across town.

A leather bomber is a wind-blocking layer rather than full winter insulation. With a sweater underneath it is comfortable on cool fall and spring days, and a quilted lining or zip-out liner stretches it into milder winters. Our guide on whether leather jackets are warm gives rough temperature ranges for different linings.

Fit, weight and sizing

• Aviators are meant to go over layers, so choose a size that zips comfortably over a sweater. Sizing down for a slimmer look usually leaves the collar and chest pulling. Expect a noticeably heavier jacket, especially in full sheepskin.
• Bombers should sit with the waistband at your hips and the cuffs at your wrist bone. Too big and the body balloons, too small and the waistband rides up when you lift your arms.

Measure a jacket you already like and compare it with our size guide. For a closer fit, choose "Customise Size (made to measure)" on the product page, then email info@whiteburaq.com with your order number and your chest, shoulders, sleeve length, waist, hips and jacket length. Made-to-measure jackets can't be returned, so take your time with the tape.

How to wear each style

An aviator is a statement piece, so keep the rest simple: dark straight jeans, a flannel shirt or plain crewneck, and sturdy boots. Wear the collar open indoors and turned up outside. Our guide on how to wear a shearling jacket has more combinations.

A bomber goes with almost anything casual. Try it with a T-shirt and jeans, over a hoodie, or with chinos and a knit for a smarter look. On women, a leather bomber pairs well with slim trousers, a midi skirt or a slip dress.

Which should you buy?

• Choose an aviator if your winters bring freezing mornings and wind, you walk or wait outdoors a lot, or you want one jacket to replace a heavy coat.
• Choose a bomber if your winters are mild, you want a jacket for most of the year, or you prefer something light enough to carry.
• Want a bit of both? A bomber with a shearling-style collar, or a flight jacket with a zip-out liner, gives some of the aviator's comfort in a lighter package.

For real cold, the Men's Distressed Brown Sheepskin B-3 Aviator Jacket is the classic choice. The Men's Distressed Brown Lambskin Bomber Jacket with Shearling Collar sits in the middle, with a bomber hem and a warm collar. For women, the Women's Black Lambskin Aviator Jacket with Belted Collar brings the aviator look to a women's cut.

Men's Distressed Brown Sheepskin B-3 Aviator Jacket Men's Distressed Brown Lambskin Bomber Jacket with Shearling Collar Women's Black Lambskin Aviator Jacket with Belted Collar

Caring for sheepskin and leather

A leather bomber needs the usual routine: wipe it down, let it dry naturally if it gets wet, and condition it once or twice a year. A sheepskin aviator also has wool to look after. Brush the collar and lining gently with a soft brush to keep them lofty, keep the jacket away from radiators and direct heat, and store it in a breathable garment bag rather than plastic.

FAQ

Is an aviator jacket the same as a bomber jacket?

Not quite. Both are flight jackets, but "aviator" usually means a sheepskin or shearling jacket with a wide collar, while "bomber" usually means a lighter leather jacket with a ribbed waistband and cuffs.

Is a B-3 an aviator or a bomber jacket?

Both names are used. The B-3 has the sheepskin body and wide strapped collar of an aviator, but it was worn mainly by bomber crews, so it is often sold as a bomber too.

Which is warmer, an aviator or a bomber jacket?

The aviator. Sheepskin or a thick shearling lining holds far more warmth than the light lining in most leather bombers.

Can you wear an aviator jacket every day?

In a cold climate, yes. In milder weather it can feel heavy and too warm, so a bomber is usually the better everyday jacket.

Browse our bomber and flight jackets for lighter everyday styles, or our shearling jackets for serious winter warmth. In the end, the aviator vs bomber jacket choice comes down to how cold your winters get.