The Bomber Jacket is Back- Alpha Industries Never Left.
Take flight in the Top Bomber Jacket around.
Everyone is getting their bomber jackets out of the closet, dusting off the ole’ jackets and hitting the scene. Whether it’s triggered by Top Gun Maverick fandom, or the resurgence of styles taking front and center, the bomber jacket is back. But for brands like Alpha Industries- they never left. Alpha Industries is an American clothing manufacturer founded in 1959 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Initially as a contractor to the United States military, the company grew into an international commercial seller of American military style and fashion apparel. Industries is awarded it’s first U.S. Department of Defense contracts to manufacture Air Force N-3B parkas and Navy shipboard shirts. This is the first real test for the fledgling apparel company. Fast forward to 2019, Alpha Industries hits 60 years young and the anniversary is commemorated with special limited-edition products and culminated in a gala event with all of Alpha’s international partners.
Alpha industries is no newbie to making the best Bomber, Field, and Utility jackets on the market. Today, Alpha Industries is not only a global enterprise, manufacturing and selling its products throughout the world, but also the premier supplier of jackets for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marine Corps. What does that mean for you and us? It means when you shop Alpha Industries and wear it, you are not toting some knock off, garbage- just genuine authentic, bad a$$ jackets and apparel the pros wear.
Our crew wanted to try on some of the Jackets featured by Alpha Industries, so we nabbed a few options and took them out on the town for the ultimate duuude review.
INITAL IMPRESSIONS
When we first connected with the crew over at Alpha Industries, we knew nothing about their bomber jacket, let alone military jackets, and felt sort of lost in regards to what was so appealing about it. When we learned that the history, the craftsmanship, the honor that goes into every stitch, every sew line, every patch, we were humbled at the amount of legitimacy Alpha Industries packs into each pocket.
Once we unboxed the two styles of jackets we tested, we instant felt like we were not just holding some “jacket” you can find on the rack at the mall, online reseller, or trendy shop. These jackets felt legit the moment we held them in our hands.
Our crew field tested two jackets from Alpha Industries:
M-65 Lightweight Field Coat + L-2B Skymaster Gen II Flight Jacket
L-2B SKYMASTER GEN II BOMBER JACKET
A lightweight nylon jacket with oxygen tab details.
This update to our best-selling Skymaster Flight Jacket features the classic zip sleeve utility pocket and oxygen tab detail on side. The water resistant shell and lightweight construction make it ideal for higher temps ahead. Updates from the original Skymaster include welt pockets and lightweight knit rib cuffs.
FEATURES:
Alpha logo on zipper extension
Ma-1 Utility pocket on sleeve
Alpha Industries Red Ribbon
Nylon oxygen webbing tab on chest
Oxygen tab details on side
Two exterior welt pockets
One interior welt pocket
Alpha paper label near bottom hem
M-65 MOD LIGHTWEIGHT FIELD JACKET
A lightweight M-65 jacket inspired by the M-65 field coat.
This contemporary, lightweight field coat features a contemporary fit and 100% cotton exterior. All the best M-65 design details remain, including a concealed snap down front closure and stand up collar. The innovative M-65 field coat was first issued to the US Army in 1965 and has changed little since then, a testament to the durability of its style and design.
FEATURES
Stand up collar
Snap down front
Four exterior body pockets
Soft side hook and loop detail with Alpha embossing above chest pocket
Alpha paper label near bottom hem
Cuff adjusters
Design inspired by M-65 Field Coat
Our initial duuude impression: These jackets scream authenticity before even putting them on.
TRYING THEM OUT
Now that we got the two jackets to try, we wanted to test these out on a real “walk-through.” While we wish we were actual pilots, we instead just channeled our inner child and repped it out on the town. Our crew tested and ranked these jackets on their overall Construction, Material Quality, and Feel/Wearability.
Construction
The construction of all apparel from Alpha Industries is top notch. The L-2B Skymaster jacket is constructed with a 100% Nylon Shell and comes with a 100% Nylon Lining. The zipper is solid and not flimsy and the sew lines are durably stitched so no fear of tearing, shedding, or losing its structure. the velcro patches and sew on materials are solidly applied and did not appear to be flimsy by any stretch. The M-65 MOD Lightweight jacket is 100% cotton lining and also features the same solid construction. The pockets on the chest are perfectly positioned and the button clasps are not flimsy.
Construction Rating: 10/10
Material Quality
Quality is key. When it comes to the material used in the jackets, the quality can be a difference maker. We’ve all had those jackets that look good on a hanger (or in one- pun intended) and never look that good when you put it on. Hate that. Not here- we wore the jacket out for the night, then washed it as per Alpha Industries recommendation. Even after a few times wearing, a few washes after, the material did not fade, tear, lose its shape-none of that here. Straight up held the original look and feel no matter how many times it was worn or washed.
Material Rating: 10/10
Feel/wearability
The feeling is everything. If it doesn’t feel right- then it ain’t right. When it comes to comfort, fit, and overall “look” when repping both of these jackets, we could not be more impressed. We do not want to just brag, but wearing these made us lood “good.” DAMN GOOD. We felt good wearing it too. Under the jacket was our favorite tee and paired with jeans and some clean kicks, this is the look for 2022. While we are not aviators, we do know a thing or two about how to pull off the look- and with either of these jackets- the look is right here.
With regards to sizing, you can check Alpha Industries website and use their “Fit Advisor” page to see what is the best size to go with. Our crew for the most part are in the 6 foot tall range and typically wear a medium to large size in general.
Feel/Wearability Rating: 10/10
Our crew dug the jackets and would say they’re one of the best looking jackets we have ever worn.
STANDOUT FEATURES
What stands out to most does not always stand out to all- for us, some of the standout features that we found with Alpha Industries was:
They are authentic AF. Give us another jacket brand that makes high performance outwear like they do since 1959. Go ahead, we will wait…
These jackets are not imposters. Worn by Military personnel, and now to the civilians like you and us, we know when you put on a jacket you will feel like military royalty.
Each jacket is made true to the origins of the brand and the company
Alpha Industries was commissioned by the U.S. Dept. of Defense to design, manufacture, and deliver high performance outwear
The styles, colors, and fit’s range for anyone and everyone- men and women alike.
We could go on about Alpha Industries…but we’d rather save that for you to go explore yourself on their website!
BONUS FEATURES
As an added bonus, Alpha Industries offers a wide variety colors, styles, and fits for any and all active lifestyles. When we looked over their inventory we found an endless array of color options, fits, and vibes giving you ultimate control of your perfect jacket, or other apparel the day ahead!
Alpha Industries Overall duuude Factor: Best Military Style Jackets We Have Ever Worn.
Price: Varies by Jacket
***Want a great deal? Alpha Industries offers discounts for Military, Students, and Medical Personnel
BRAND INFO
Initially as a contractor to the United States military, the company grew into an international commercial seller of American military style and fashion apparel. Industries is awarded it’s first U.S. Department of Defense contracts to manufacture Air Force N-3B parkas and Navy shipboard shirts. This is the first real test for the fledgling apparel company. Fast forward to 2019, Alpha Industries hits 60 years young and the anniversary is commemorated with special limited-edition products and culminated in a gala event with all of Alpha’s international partners.
To check out more of what Alpha Industries offers and to see some history and current apparel, head on over to their website and explore the best, most authentic military themed jackets out there.
More Apparel Finds: