bomber

A bomber is a short, heavily insulated jacket with elastic or knit ribbing at the wrists, hem, and collar. The name comes from its adoption by aircraft crews in the 1930s, but in manufacturing and trade work it has become standard cold-weather gear on the shop floor and job site. The construction uses layers of nylon or canvas outer shell with synthetic or down insulation inside, designed to shed oil, coolant, and light impact without tearing.

What makes a bomber practical for industrial work is its cut: the torso sits close enough not to snag on machinery or scaffolding, while the ribbed cuffs seal against gloves and keep sleeves from riding up. Most carry multiple patch or slash pockets placed high enough to access while wearing a safety harness. Zippers are typically two-way and coated to resist corrosion from sweat and metal dust.

Bombers come in insulation weights from 100g synthetic fill for mild conditions down to fleece-lined for layering in freezing work, and in stiff canvas or softer nylon depending on abrasion risk. High-visibility versions use reflective tape or panels sewn into the shoulders and sides for outdoor sites or low-light environments. The weight penalty is real, a fully lined bomber runs 2 to 3 pounds, but the mobility gain over a traditional parka makes it the default choice in trades where movement matters more than maximum warmth.

Wear points appear first at the elbows and along the bottom seam where rubbing against work surfaces accumulates. The ribbing loses elasticity after repeated laundering with heavy soils, and the zippers seize if not kept clear of dust. Industrial bombers typically cost between 80 and 200 dollars depending on insulation and material; cheaper versions fail at the shoulder seams under repeated reaching and lifting.