If you are looking for a men’s bomber jacket, it could be that you are finding every kind of material passed ed off as bomber jacket material, from cotton to plastic. Rest assured that there is only one acceptable material that a men’s bomber jacket worthy of the name should be made of, and that is genuine top- quality leather.
The beauty of leather is that there has been leather as long as human beings have managed to tan the leather. While tanning techniques improve, at the end of the day there are just so many animal hides that are worthy of being transformed into jackets.
Each type of leather has its own unique characteristics. It is well-known that some of tough and durable, while others are supple and soft. The leather that you or the manufacturer chooses for a jacket depends on the purpose.
If the wearer is going to be hiking through the woods, fly high in an open cockpit or riding horseback across the country, then obviously strong leather is necessary. Goatskin or horsehide would do the trick. If you are working in a jacket then something strong but a little more refined, such as cowhide, is required. If you are going to spend a few days at a luxury country club, then surely you will want something comfortable and luxurious, such as goatskin or lambskin.
Vintage flight jackets — the real thing from World War 1 and World War 2 — were made of horsehide or goatskin. The Army Air Corps used horsehide for the famous WW2 A-2 bomber jacket. There are still craftsmen in America and the UK who make replicas of these jackets from this type of leather.
Both the Navy and Air Force use goatskin for their G-1 and A-2 flying jackets. Goatskin is arguably the perfect jacket leather because it is durable as well as supple, soft to the touch, and very comfortable to wear.
Goatskin jackets last so long they are passed down from generation to generation and actually improve with age. There are authentic goatskin flight jackets in existence that look better after 50 years of wear than they did when new.
These days, men’s bombers are usually made of cowhide, with or without fleece. This type of hiding is adequate because these jackets are not used for heavy work or harsh conditions. It is a fashionable accessory today, rather than an item of clothing for work.
Cowhide is freely available and therefore relatively affordable, compared to horsehide for instance, and is durable, easy to care for and resistant to dirt and water. Motorcyclists and police officers will vouch for the strength and durability of cowhide.
Not all cowhide jackets are the same either. The finest men’s bomber jackets are made from top grade leather and are cut from fewer pieces of hiding. This makes them more expensive than just any old leather jacket.
A good-looking bomber jacket has a one-piece back. The sleeves are cut from just two pieces. And scraps from the cutting of the jacket are discarded. They are certainly not used under a collar or under a pocket flap.
This kind of detail is what makes a good bomber jacket. The bottom line is that any jacket made with genuine leather to these standards looks better and lasts longer. It is worth spending the extra money on a jacket that will last for life and improve with time.