Wearing a Sheepskin B-3 Bomber Jacket is an experience. You can feel the substantial plushness of the dense shearling pelts the moment you slip it on. A common remark customers make is that they feel like “the Michelin Man.” A few minutes in one of these jackets and it becomes obvious why WWII Army Air Force bomber crews relied on them at sub-zero altitudes — they’re staggeringly warm.
We carry several different American-made sheepskin bomber jackets, and the question we hear most often when shoppers are sizing up the best B-3 for them is: “What’s the actual difference in quality?” The most common head-to-head comparison is between the Cockpit USA Z2102M Classic B-3 Sheepskin Bomber Jacket and the Schott NYC 257S B-3. The honest answer? Not much.
Both are top-tier garments you’d be proud to own and wear. Both reinforce the sheepskin pelt “windowpanes” with goatskin leather strips (called taping). Both feature twin goatskin throat-latch collar straps for cinching down in frigid wind. And both use an adjustable sleeve design that lets you roll the cuffs up cleanly if the length runs long — without spoiling the silhouette.
Cockpit USA B-3 (Model Z2102M)
The Cockpit B-3, model Z2102M, has been our best-selling sheepskin bomber jacket for several years running. Cockpit USA was the first company to re-issue the B-3 in 1977 for civilian wear, and the rest of the heritage-leather industry followed their lead. Founder Jeff Clyman redesigned the front pocket configuration to include two handwarmer pockets in place of the original WWII-style single map pocket, and worked closely with American tanneries in Texas to develop the leatherized shell finish on the shearling pelts.
Key features of the Cockpit B-3:
- Heavy canvas hand warmer pockets with integrated zippered stash pockets
- Leather hanger loop sewn at the neck for proper closet storage
- Forward-facing waist adjustment belts, true to WWII originals
- Square waist buckles stamped with the Cockpit logo
- The only B-3 manufacturer offering long lengths for tall customers
- Available in multiple variations: a hooded version, an all-black version, women’s sizing, and historical reproductions
Schott NYC 257S B-3
The Schott 257S is another excellent American-made choice and a genuinely well-built B-3. It carries a few distinctive details that set it apart from the Cockpit version:
- The leatherized shell has a slightly shinier surface treatment
- Hand warmer pockets are leather lined
- Waist adjustment belts face rearward instead of forward
- Waist buckles are D-shaped and stamped with the Schott logo
Note: Availability of the Schott 257S can fluctuate. If it isn’t in stock, the Cockpit USA models above are excellent alternatives built to the same heritage standards.
Which B-3 Sheepskin Jacket Should You Choose?
For most riders and collectors, the choice comes down to small details — whether you prefer the matte vs. slightly polished shell, leather-lined vs. canvas hand warmer pockets, or simply the look of square Cockpit hardware vs. D-shaped Schott hardware. From a warmth and quality standpoint, both are made the same way they were eighty years ago: full-pelt American shearling, goatskin trim, hand-finished construction.
If you want broader options — hooded, blackened, longer body length, or women’s cuts — the Cockpit family offers more variations. If you’re after the Schott pedigree and shinier leather, the 257S is the move when you can find it.
How Should a Sheepskin B-3 Fit?
Order a sheepskin B-3 in your actual chest size. These jackets are built around dense shearling, so they’re already cut with extra room to allow normal layering — a flannel or a sweater — without binding. There’s no need to upsize. Sheepskin bombers are also genuinely warm enough that bulky layering underneath becomes counterproductive; you’ll overheat. If you’re between sizes and like a trimmer silhouette, drop down. If you wear sport coats or heavier knits, stay true to size.
Are B-3 Bomber Jackets Practical for Motorcycle Riding?
The B-3 is a winter-grade flight jacket, not a dedicated motorcycle jacket. The shearling adds bulk that can restrict shoulder mobility on the bike, and the design wasn’t built around impact protection. Some riders pull them out for sub-freezing cruiser touring, but most of the riders we work with reserve their B-3 for off-the-bike winter wear and choose a horsehide or cowhide cut for the saddle. If you’re researching the right hide for riding, our guide to authentic American-made flight jackets for riders walks through the trade-offs in detail.
Caring for a Sheepskin B-3
A genuine shearling B-3 is a long-haul investment — properly cared for, these jackets routinely last decades. Keep yours away from prolonged direct heat (radiators, car heaters), let it dry naturally if it gets wet, and store it on a wide wooden hanger so the shoulders hold their shape. The leatherized shell can be wiped down with a soft, slightly damp cloth — never saturated. For deeper conditioning routines and treatment products, see our leather jacket maintenance and repair guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a B-3 sheepskin bomber jacket?
The B-3 is an American military flight jacket originally issued to U.S. Army Air Force bomber crews in WWII. It’s built from full sheepskin pelts with the wool turned inward for insulation and a leatherized shell facing out, designed to keep aircrews warm in unheated, unpressurized bomber cabins at high altitude. Modern reproductions like the Cockpit USA Z2102M are still constructed the same way.
Is the Cockpit B-3 made in the USA?
Yes. Cockpit USA assembles the Z2102M B-3 in the United States using American sheepskin and goatskin trim, with shell finishes developed by Texas tanneries. American manufacturing has been Cockpit’s standard since they reintroduced the jacket in 1977.
How warm is a B-3 sheepskin jacket?
Extremely warm — often overkill for everyday winter wear. The B-3 was designed for sub-zero altitudes inside a B-17 or B-24, so it handles anything North American winters throw at it. For mild winters or active wear, a lighter A-2 or G-1 is usually a better fit. Browse our A-2 leather flight jackets by Cockpit USA if you want a less insulated option.
What size B-3 should I order?
Order your true chest size. Sheepskin bombers are cut with the shearling bulk in mind, so there’s already room for a heavy shirt or sweater. Sizing up tends to make the shoulders sit too wide. If you’re between sizes and prefer a trim look, take the smaller size.
Are there women’s B-3 sheepskin jackets?
Yes. Cockpit USA produces a women’s B-3 sheepskin bomber jacket patterned to honor the WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), with a fit cut specifically for women rather than just downsized from the men’s pattern.
How do you clean a sheepskin bomber jacket?
Spot clean only. Use a soft, slightly damp cloth on the leatherized shell and let it air dry away from direct heat. Never machine wash a B-3 and never soak the shearling — it’s specialty care, and a reputable leather garment specialist is the right call for any deeper cleaning or restoration work.
Article originally published February 2021. Updated May 2026 with current product availability, fit guidance, and FAQ.