B3 Aviator Bomber Sheepskin Black Jacket
The B3 Aviator Bomber Sheepskin Black Jacket is the high-altitude flight jacket in black. The B3 was designed for bomber crews working in unheated aircraft where temperatures dropped far below freezing, and it remains the warmest jacket construction in ordinary use — the design has simply never needed replacing.
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Material: Genuine sheepskin shearling
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Fit: Regular fit, generous by design
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Closure: Front zip with collar straps
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Color: Black with natural wool
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Care: Brush the wool, wipe the hide, dry naturally away from heat
One material doing two jobs
Shearling is a single sheepskin tanned with the fleece still attached. The hide faces outward and stops wind completely; the wool faces inward and traps a deep layer of air against the body. There is no separate lining, and therefore no boundary between shell and insulation for cold to exploit.
That is the whole reason a B3 outperforms layered jackets of similar thickness. Wool also keeps insulating when slightly damp, where down collapses and stops working entirely.
The collar straps
The two leather straps across the collar are functional. At altitude, wind pressure forced a plain collar open at the throat, so the straps pull it closed and hold it there. Buckled, the jacket seals completely; unbuckled, the collar folds back and the silhouette changes entirely.
It is the one adjustment on the jacket and it genuinely changes how warm it is.
Fit, wear and honest notes
Take your normal size — the pattern already allows for the fleece thickness, and sizing up produces something unmanageable. The jacket is heavy on the shoulders and bulky through the body; both are the warmth, and neither can be engineered away.
Honest points. This is a reproduction-style fashion jacket, not military surplus, and it carries no genuine service insignia. Shearling is a cold-and-dry material — avoid heavy rain, never dry it on a radiator, and use a specialist sheepskin cleaner rather than a standard dry cleaner.
Made to order, XS to 5XL and custom
Made after you order in XS to 5XL, plus Custom — chest, shoulder, sleeve and back length. Accurate chest measurements matter more on a bulky jacket than a thin one. Free shipping, secure checkout, and honest pricing on genuine sheepskin.
Shop Related Styles at Leather Outlet
Related: B3 Leather Bomber Jackets for brown and hooded versions, Shearling Jackets for the wider range, Flight Jackets for lighter leather aviators, and Men Leather Jackets for everything else. Browse at Leather Outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the fur real?
It is real sheepskin with the wool attached — shearling — not a fur trim added to a leather shell.
What are the collar straps for?
They pull the wide collar closed against wind. Buckled the jacket seals at the throat; unbuckled the collar folds back.
Is this military surplus?
No. It is a reproduction-style fashion jacket with no service insignia or issue history.
Should I size up?
No. The pattern already allows for the thickness of the shearling.
How heavy is it?
Heavy. The weight is the insulation and cannot be reduced without losing warmth.
How should it be cleaned?
Brush the wool and wipe the hide. Use a specialist sheepskin cleaner — never a standard dry cleaner.
Do you offer custom sizing?
Yes — XS to 5XL plus Custom to your own measurements.
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