Both are leather jacket staples, and both get called “leather jacket” interchangeably, but they are built differently and suit different things. Here is how to tell them apart and pick the right one.
The biker jacket
A biker jacket is defined by an asymmetric, off-centre front zip that runs diagonally across the chest, a snap-down lapel that can fold flat or button across the neck, and a short body that ends at or near the waist. It usually has zip cuffs, zip or snap pockets, and sometimes a waist belt or side straps. The cut is close through the body, built originally for wind protection on a motorcycle, and it holds that slightly structured look even off the bike.
The bomber jacket
A bomber jacket has a centered, straight front zip, a rib-knit collar, cuffs and hem, and a looser, boxier body that gathers in at the waist and wrists. It was originally built for pilots, designed to trap warmth rather than cut wind, and it reads as more casual and relaxed than a biker jacket. There is no snap lapel or belt; the rib-knit trim is the defining feature.
Side by side
- Zip line: biker is diagonal and off-centre, bomber is straight down the middle
- Collar: biker has a snap-down lapel, bomber has a rib-knit collar
- Fit: biker is close and structured, bomber is looser and gathers at the hem
- Origin: biker comes from motorcycle wear, bomber comes from flight jackets
- Look: biker reads as edgier, bomber reads as more casual
Which should you choose
Pick a biker jacket if you want the closer, sharper silhouette, or if you actually ride. Pick a bomber if you want something looser and easier to layer over a hoodie or a thick sweater, or if the rib-knit trims fit your style better than a snap lapel. Both come in the same range of leathers, so the choice comes down to cut and collar, not durability.
Browse men’s and women’s biker jackets, or the wider men’s and women’s jacket range for bomber and other styles.