These Bomber Jackets Will Make You the Leading Man of Your Own Movie

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There's a cool factor that is instantly recognizable when wearing a great bomber jacket. It’s a closet staple, a tried-and-true article of clothing that never falters. Similarly to a leather jacket, there's a confidence that bombers give off that you just can't deny. You know that, we know that, it's a fact.

But what you might not know is that a lot has gone into getting bombers the suave status that they retain today. In the early 1950s, the U.S. Army Corps enlisted Dobbs Industries (the predecessor of Alpha Industries) to make nylon jackets that were lightweight, durable, and water-resistant, allowing pilots in bomber planes to move freely while protecting them from the elements.

The thus-dubbed bombers were functional, practical, and they quickly became a cultural icon in the years to follow. Naturally, Hollywood helped catapult it to fame: Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire, Steve McQueen in The Hunter, Ryan Gosling in Drive, and Daniel Craig in nearly all his Bond flicks are just a few notables of the style.

Alpha Industries began producing bombers for the masses. The style was adopted by blue-collar workers and British skinheads in the '60s, '70s, and '80s. A decade later, the fashion industry caught wind, and the jacket became a staple on runways all the way to the present day. Movie history and fashion history—really, all history—show that it’s here to stay, so you might as well invest in a little snippet of history.

Uniform Bomber Jacket

Everlane is so confident in its Uniform collection that the retailer backs any product from the line with a 365-day guarantee. If your bomber suddenly goes kaput, the company will replace it with a new one. Note: The style will be fully stocked come October, but its well worth the wait.

Tech Motion Bomber Jacket

If you're a man constantly on the go, take a gander at this sleek, water-resistant jacket that'll work with everything in your wardrobe.

MA-1 Bomber Jacket

The MA-1 is still setting the standard after all these years.

Water and Wind Resistant Rip Stop Bomber Jacket

Lightweight and water-resistant, consider your all-day fall fit found with this classic option from Calvin.

Manston Recycled Nylon Bomber

If there is one name to know in the realm of bombers, it's the Manston—a style from Rag & Bone that, in several years, will join perennials from other labels, including the Ludlow, Gommino, and Daytona.

The Boulevard Bomber

Bonobos is always there to provide a classic bomber when you're in need of one. Feel free to wear it out in a little drizzle, since it's also water-repellent.

Bomber Jacket

If you're a no-frills, cost-saving fella, this streamlined bomber from H&M—at a pretty nice bargain—is the just what you need when chilly temperatures start creeping in.

Double-Knit Bomber Jacket

PRL has a bomber jacket as classically stylish as the rest of their clothing. This one has plenty of pockets, a sleek silhouette, and, best of all, double-knit fabric for plenty of warmth.

Flight Bomber Jacket

Perfect for the every day, Levi's has a bomber that you can put atop anything and go. And if you have a pair of Levi's jeans to pair it with—well, even better.

Coated Diamond Quilted Jacket

If you prefer the quilted look but don't want to shell out the big bucks quite yet, this style from Dockers is a happy medium.

Like Father Like Son Embroidered Bomber Jacket

KidSuper is the up-and-up designer who has already secured favorite status with the likes of Travis Kelce, so you know you're in good hands. This unique, graphic embroidered piece is a masterclass in how to effortlessly combine playfulness and elegance.

City Bomber Jacket

Simple, sleek, and warm enough to cure your winter blues, this bomber makes layering easy. Pair with your favorite tee and dress pants or jeans, and you're set.

Satin Bomber Jacket

The classic bomber silhouette gets a contemporary look with this satin-shelled look from Todd Snyder and Champion. Ribbed cuffs ensure all-day warmth, and the smooth, plush material is like settling into your softest blanket.

Jacquard Bomber Jacket

For a cool streetwear look, Scotch & Soda's jacquard bomber jacket is the way to go. The wildflower-patterned fabric features snap buttons for easy wear.

Wood Grain-Print Bomber Jacket

A bit of flair and fun never hurt anyone—and everyone needs an iconic statement jacket, right? This purple and black, wood grain-printed style is tailored to perfection, with a full frontal zip and close-cut fit.

Switch Over Bomber Jacket

Lululemon makes apparel that's technically for athletics, but this casual bomber is such a good lifestyle look, we won't tell them if you decide to wear it every day.

Borden Bomber

Canada Goose is all about heavy-duty outerwear, and this bomber definitely lives up to the brand’s reputation.

Vegan Suede Bomber Jacket

Suede bombers effortlessly exude elegance and class. A vegan suede bomber, though? That’s elegance, class, and eco-consciousness.

Co-Op Bomber

Leave it to Alo Yoga, purveyor of some of the best activewear out there, to offer a bomber built for anything from jogging to a yoga sesh.

GG Printed Suede Bomber Jacket

Here's a logo-ladened bomber jacket with all the cachet that's well worth the coin.

LP IVY Suede Bomber Jacket

A Loro Piana suede bomber jacket might feel a little Kendall Roy, but honestly, it doesn't get much more "quiet luxury" than this.

Varsity Rib Knit Bomber

Lightweight yet warm, this bomber gives chic, cool, and just a liiiittle bit of the Gallagher brothers in the '90s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a bomber jacket?

Bomber jackets are pretty straightforward, so you aren't going to dig very deep to find one that has everything you're looking for. Silhouette and fit is something to factor in, as you can go the classic, oversized route, à la Alpha Industries, or keep things pretty slim, tailored, and modern, like 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Make sure to consider the warmth, too. If you're using your bomber as an in-between layer sandwiched between a heavier coat and a tee, you don't have to worry about packing in as much heat as, say, something like Canada Goose's option would provide. A super-warm option will be less versatile in spring and summer, but to each their own.

Lastly, if you have a preference when it comes to fastening, make sure you check how your bomber closes—zippers are most common, but some brands keep things old-school with a good ol' snap button.

How should I style a bomber jacket?

Luckily, bombers are pretty easy to style. They speak for themselves, as the silhouette of a bomber is inherently cool.

If you want to dress your bomber jacket up, you can opt for a turtleneck or button-down underneath. Pair with dress pants and loafers for a sleek, sharp look.

To keep things lowkey and easy, though, pretty much any tee is a bomber's BFF. Jeans are never a bad option, and a black loafer with white socks isn't too shabby, either. But if you want to wear sneakers instead, feel free—the bomber can accommodate it all.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to bomber jackets, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these bomber jackets are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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