Carhartt’s Latest Release is Refined, Affordable and Winter-Ready

If you like the look of leather but not the associated cost, Carhartt WIP’s new take on a classic jacket has you covered.

Black leather jacket with a silver zipper and beige sherpa collar worn over a white shirt.

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By Hayley Helms

Published December 17, 2025

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Updated December 17, 2025

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Carhartt is to rugged, durable workwear as Carhartt WIP is to fashion-focused streetwear — but there is some overlap between the original American brand and its European counterpart, especially when it comes to their shared focus on quality and timeless design.

With that in mind, Carhartt WIP’s latest release isn’t outerwear built for the toughest jobs.

Black leather bomber jacket with beige shearling collar and front patch pocket worn by a person. — The new Shepton Jacket is a synthetic, highly wearable take on an enduring silhouette.

Instead, the vegan leather Shepton Jacket is designed to take on tough weather and look good doing it — at a price far lower than that of its genuine leather counterparts.

Rich texture, affordable price

There are distinct visual connections between the brand-new Shepton Jacket and classic WWII aviation bomber jackets, thanks to the shearling collar and lining and supple shell, but that’s where the similarities stop.

While 1930s- and 1940s-era bomber jackets were made with genuine sheepskin leather and shearling, Carhartt WIP’s lifestyle outerwear takes the synthetic route, which carries a few benefits of its own.

Man wearing a black leather jacket with a shearling collar, white shirt, dark pants, and black shoes against a blue background. — The Shepton makes use of hard-wearing, modern materials that can withstand wet weather.

Traditional leather does not do well in wet weather because it’s porous; that means it absorbs water and loses its natural oils when it gets wet, which can lead to stiffness, cracking and even mold growth. Yuck.

While it’s not genuine leather, the Shepton is genuinely soft and supple.

Carhartt WIP

While it’s admittedly not as long-lasting or durable as leather is, the Shepton Jacket’s polyurethane and viscose blend outer shell easily repels water, making it more suitable for winter’s harsh storms.

The two-way zipper adds extra utility to the jacket, enabling you to release heat from multiple directions.

Carhartt WIP

Synthetic materials are also much, much cheaper than genuine leather. To that end, the Shepton Jacket costs less than $450, which only sounds pricey until you compare it to Carhartt WIP’s OG Active Jacket 50th Anniversary Edition in leather, which costs a cool $1,690.

Black leather jacket with ribbed cuffs and hem, partially unzipped to reveal a brown hooded sweatshirt with printed text inside. — Both sides of the reversible leather/canvas version of the anniversary jacket can be seen here.

The Shepton Jacket also features thoughtful details including cozy kangaroo pockets, a two-way front zipper and ribbing at the cuffs and bottom hem.

Availability and pricing

The Shepton Jacket is available on Carhartt WIP’s official website for $438, but act fast: some sizes are already sold out.

Black faux leather jacket with beige shearling collar, front zipper, and ribbed cuffs and hem.

Carhartt WIP Shepton Jacket

$438 at Carhartt WIP

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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