When researching some of the different styles in which leather jackets are made, you may come across MA-1. MA-1 is a style of bomber leather jackets. It’s one of the most popular styles of bomber leather jackets, in fact. For over a half-century, countless men and women have included an MA-1 bomber leather jacket in their respective outfits.
Even today, MA-1 bomber leather jackets are more popular than ever. If you’re thinking about investing in one, though, there are a few things you should about MA-1 bomber leather jackets.
What Is an MA-1 Bomber Leather Jacket?
Also known as an MA-1 flight jacket, an MA-1 bomber leather jacket is a traditional style of aviation jackets. It was developed by the United States Air Force in the mid-1950s. Prior to its inception, Air Force pilots typically wore jackets lined with a soft fleece material. In the 1950s, though, the Air Force began to transition away from propellar airplanes, opting for jet airplanes, instead.
Jet airplanes, of course, are capable of flying at much higher altitudes than their propeller counterparts. A higher altitude means pilots are exposed to colder air. Air is colder at high altitudes than low altitudes. As a result, fleece-lined jackets weren’t sufficient. Air Force pilots needed an alternative, warmer form of outerwear to protect them from the cold temperatures of high-altitude flights, which prompted the Air Force to develop the MA-1 bomber leather jacket.
How MA-1 Bomber Leather Jackets Have Evolved
Although they were invented in the 1950s, MA-1 bomber leather jackets have gone through countless changes since then. In the past, they were designed exclusively by the Air Force for pilots. While many Air Force pilots continue to wear them, MA-1 bomber leather jackets are worn by civilians as well.
MA-1 bomber leather jackets are also available in different styles. They aren’t limited to the same traditional style in which they were originally made. Rather, MA-1 bomber leather jackets are available in over a dozen styles, each of which is slightly different than the rest.
Features of an MA-1 Bomber Leather Jackets
Regardless of the style, most MA-1 bomber leather jackets share a few common characteristics. They usually have a zipper on the front, for instance. You won’t many, if any, MA-1 bomber leather jackets with buttons on the front. Other styles of leather jackets may feature either a zipper or buttons on the front. But MA-1 bomber leather jackets are almost always designed with a zipper on the front.
The presence of a zipper allows MA-1 bomber leather jackets to protect against extreme cold. If it’s cold outside, you can zip up the front. Jackets with a zipper are usually warmer than those with buttons. They’ll trap your body heat so that you don’t succumb to the effects of cold weather.
Of course, all MA-1 bomber leather jackets feature a leather construction. They are made of real leather to provide a high level of insulation. Insulation is essentially what keeps you warm. All materials offer at least some insulation. Real leather, though, is superior to nearly all other materials in this regard. This is why MA-1 bomber leather jackets are made of real leather.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common features of MA-1 bomber leather jackets:
- Zipper on the front
- Real leather construction
- Soft lining
- Extra pockets
- Semi-elastic neckline
Why You Should Choose an MA-1 Bomber Leather Jacket
You can’t go wrong with an MA-1 bomber leather jacket. They offer several benefits that make them an attractive choice. For starters, MA-1 bomber leather jackets are warm. After all, that’s why the Air Force developed them back in the 1950s. If it’s cold outside, wearing an MA-1 bomber leather jacket is a surefire way to stay warm.
Another benefit of MA-1 bomber leather jackets is aesthetics. They offer a naturally attractive appearance that’s synonymous with traditional aviation jackets. They aren’t particularly bold. Rather, MA-1 bomber leather jackets feature a traditional style that looks amazing no matter how you wear them.
You don’t have to worry about your MA-1 bomber leather jacket being too big or too small. When shopping for an MA-1 bomber leather jacket, you can opt for custom sizing. Custom sizing means that the jacket will be designed specifically for you. You can order a custom-sized MA-1 bomber leather jacket from LeatherCult.
Many MA-1 bomber leather jackets are designed with additional pockets. You’ll typically find pockets on the bottom front, as well as one or more pockets in the breast area. With so many pockets, MA-1 bomber leather jackets are a versatile choice of outerwear. You can store everything from your car keys and cash to your smartphone and other items inside of the pockets.
Tips on Caring for an MA-1 Bomber Leather Jacket
All leather jackets require maintenance — and MA-1 bomber leather jackets are no exception. Over time, your MA-1 bomber leather jacket is bound to get dirty. Fortunately, you can clean them using warm water and dish soap. You don’t need to use any special detergent or cleaning solution. All it takes to clean an MA-1 bomber leather jacket is warm water and dish soap.
Along with cleaning it, you should consider your MA-1 bomber leather jacket on a regular basis. Conditioning isn’t the same as cleaning. Conditioning is a process that’s designed to hydrate and moisturize leather. You can apply a conditioning cream or oil to your MA-1 bomber leather jacket. As the cream or oil soaks into the leather, your jacket will become softer and suppler.
When you aren’t wearing it, hang your MA-1 bomber leather jacket on a heavy-duty clothes hanger. Hanging will preserve the shape of your MA-1 bomber leather jacket. If you don’t hang it, it may stretch or develop wrinkles. You can avoid these problems by hanging up your MA-1 bomber leather jacket when you aren’t wearing it; just remember to use a heavy-duty clothes hanger rather than a cheap clothes hanger.