MA-1 Bomber Jacket
Designed as a year-round flight jacket in the 1950's, the MA-1 works great as an all-around durable, inexpensive jacket for autumn, spring, and winter. It is wind-proof, water-proof, well-insulated, and the slick nylon lining allows for freedom of movement inside. The jacket is reversible and the lining is typically high-visibility orange (to help locate downed pilots). Just flip it inside out, and you have a warm, high-vis jacket that's perfect for bike riding in the dark. I have had mine for three years and use it mainly for commuting during cold weather.
This iconic jacket, of course, received some notoriety from its role in William Gibson's Pattern Recognition. Gibson clothed the main character in a Buzz Rickson black MA-1. Funny thing is the jacket was originally issued only in green or blue, so Buzz Rickson, a meticulous creator of replicas, never offered an MA-1 in black. But eventually, they started making a special edition "Pattern Recognition" black MA-1.
You do not have to spend close to $500 for a Buzz Rickson, though. In order to get a genuine MA-1, you can buy military surplus or get a new one made by Alpha, the original supplier to the government. New Alphas run about $90. I got my perfectly-serviceable, cheap knock-off for $30.
-- John Sullivan
MA-1 Bomber Jacket
$30
Available from Sportsman's Guide
Favorite (15)
Karsten
Sportsmansguide.com offers a dizzying array of military surplus and wannabe militaria at prices below other online and catalog retailers I have seen. They also have a sizable mishmash of stuff no one would ever want or use, but at least online, you don't have to dig through it all to find the good stuff
As a Northern Michigander who transplanted to Southern Michigan, I find it remarkable that so many people in their day to day activities fail to dress for the weather. In the winter down here, men and women walk around in terrible weather with wimpy jackets and shoes unfit to survive a light rain, let alone 6 inches of the white stuff. This jacket is an example of something everyone should keep in their closet, and their car. A cool tool? I think so.
chuck
while i grew up wearing one of these and still appreciate it's simplicity, that jacket is definitely NOT waterproof. when it really matters, there is an enormous difference between waterproof and water-repellent.
personally, i avoid nylon because it snags and tears easily in the woods, is prone to melting around fire, and is relatively quick to soak. while costing more, waxed or oiled canvas or gore-tex shells with insulating layers are superior for pretty much any activity, sport or otherwise.
Luc
Especially iconic in Western Europe, where it is much beloved by skinheads for some reason. I wouldn't want to be seen in it for that reason alone.
Zac
I grew up wearing these as they were cool in the counter culture communities. Punks, Mods, Rockers, Skin Heads, Goth-Industrial etc. I've probably owned at least four and still have a few. I don;t really wear them much anymore, but they will always have a place in my heart. William Gibson's fascination with it in Pattern Recognition seemed a little odd. When I moved to San Francisco, I noticed there is a rather large contingent of aging gays who wear these. Kind of an aged skin head look.
I have now moved from the MA-1 to the NB-2. Very similar with the addition of a fur lined hood. Its neat that the standard military spec for these styles has been retained in the commercial fashion world.
Steve Fox
I have a black one that I use for its intended purpose - flying. It's warm, not bulky, and the material offers very little friction when moving your arms in a cramped cockpit.
A cool tool when used as a tool.
Charlie
A leather bomber is much better in the woods, providing light armor against the sort of flying debris one encounters when felling trees. When properly cared for, leather is 100% waterproof, windproof, and warm.
In the city, you can wear your leather coat and people will think it's a fashion statement, especially if it has a few dings and scrapes from the woods.
The big downside is weight. A good leather jacket is very heavy, and the taller you are the heavier it is. A good 3 season choice (for reasonably strong people) nonetheless!
Frans Hens
The picture shown is not of MA-1 jackets but of poor L-2B copies. The MA-1 wasn't made in blue either. I own a Buzz MA-1 1957 edition and it is 'tha bomb' :-)
Frans Hens, The Netherlands.