One of the World’s Most Iconic Military Jackets Gets Its Stealthiest Reissue Yet

The bomber jacket, especially the MA-1, is undeniably one of the most iconic military coats ever made (right up there with the M-65 field jacket.)

That means the MA-1 makes the perfect starting point for the first-ever collaboration between a giant of the Japanese outdoor world and a legendary military apparel brand.

Unsurprisingly, the Alpha Industries x White Mountaineering Flight Jacket is an exceptional garment with an unrivaled pedigree.

White Mountaineering

Top gun

The term “bomber jacket” actually applies to a style, not a specific model. The most iconic of that category is the MA-1, but it’s far from the only significant model. Another is the CWU 45/P. Interestingly enough, this jacket combines them both.

The base jacket is the CWU 45/P. However, the smaller details are pulled right from the MA-1. For instance, the diagonal pockets are a core part of the former, but the collar style is ripped right off the latter.

White Mountaineering

Similarly, the left chest patch deletion (or rather substitution) is more in line with the MA-1 than the CWU 45/P. Even the placement of the left sleeve pocket — where the iconic “Pull Before Flight” tab sits — is a bit higher and more outside, as found on the MA-1.

Of course, at their core, those jackets are still pretty similar, and this might be a little inside baseball for those of us who like to dive a little too deep. Still, the brands have clearly paid very close attention to crafting what ultimately amounts to a love letter to bomber jackets.

All of that said, this jacket isn’t without its own unique quirks…

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Always bet on black

One of the most striking things about this bomber jacket reinterpretation is its stealthy colorway. While that might seem simple and straightforward, there is some significance to it.

For instance, the jacket is completely blacked out. That means no part of it has even an ounce of color, except for black. Even the logos, liner and the iconic “Pull Before Flight” tab are all black on black. Even the text on the tab itself is black.

White Mountaineering

That’s pretty atypical of Alpha Industries’s offerings, which traditionally always have at least a colorful liner and that red pull tab, regardless of the rest of the jacket’s colorway.

That’s not the only unique detail, either. The vertical zippers placed on the front of the jacket and the vertical leather patch on the label are borrowed directly from White Mountaineering’s design language.

Lastly, the jacket’s padding has been removed, which saves on weight and makes it more suitable for three-season use and layering.

White Mountaineering

Pricing and availability

The Alpha Industries x White Mountaineering Flight Jacket will launch on October 18 at White Mountaineering flagship stores, the brand’s online shop and other select retailers. It’s priced at ¥88,000 (about $585).

White Mountaineering

Alpha Industries x White Mountaineering Flight Jacket

• $585 at White Mountaineering

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