New York's bomber-jacket authority — leather aviation wear with real Air Force pedigree.
Avirex's roots are in aviation apparel: in the 1980s it supplied the U.S. Air Force by re-issuing the A-2 jacket. Clyman sold the brand to entrepreneur Marc Ecko in 2006, and Centric Brands is now the current owner of Avirex in the United States.
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For buyers who want a heavyweight leather jacket with genuine aviation heritage, Avirex tends to earn its keep. The brand built its name on rugged leather bombers for the US market, and a well-kept jacket develops character with age rather than wearing out. If you mostly want a light layering piece, the weight and price may be more than you need.
Avirex was a leader in creating leather bomber jackets for the US market, and that reputation rests on substantial leather and military-inspired construction. As with any heritage label, quality is best judged on the specific piece in front of you, so check the leather, lining, and hardware closely. Buying from official channels helps ensure you get the real thing.
Both are American leather-jacket institutions, but they pull from slightly different traditions. Avirex leans hard into military flight-jacket heritage, having reissued the A-2 jacket when it supplied aviation apparel for the US Air Force in the 1980s, while Schott NYC is most associated with classic motorcycle and bomber styling. Choose Avirex if the aviation lineage is what draws you in.
The A-2 is a classic American military flight jacket, and it is central to Avirex's story. In the 1980s, Avirex supplied aviation apparel for the US Air Force by re-issuing the A-2 jacket, cementing its link to genuine military outerwear. That reissue is a big part of why the brand is associated with authentic flight-jacket heritage.
Partly. Avirex was not a US military supplier during World War II, a common misconception, but it did supply aviation apparel for the US Air Force in the 1980s by re-issuing the A-2 jacket. So its military connection is real, just rooted in the 1980s rather than the wartime era.
Avirex is an American clothing brand founded by Jeff Clyman in 1975 in New York City. From the start it focused on leather flight jackets, quickly becoming a leader in the US leather-bomber market. That New York origin and aviation focus still define the label's identity.
Ownership has moved on from its founder. In 2006, Jeff Clyman sold Avirex to entrepreneur Marc Ecko, and the current owner of the Avirex brand in the United States is Centric Brands. The brand has continued under that ownership while keeping its leather-jacket heritage at its core.
Because heritage leather brands attract counterfeits, examine the leather quality, stitching, zippers, and interior labelling against official references. A genuine Avirex jacket should feel substantial, with consistent finishing throughout. The most reliable safeguard is buying from the brand's official channels or trusted retailers rather than unverified resellers.
Treat it like the long-term piece it is meant to be. Keep it away from prolonged damp and direct heat, wipe off dirt promptly, and condition the leather periodically so it stays supple. Cared for this way, a heavyweight leather jacket like an Avirex ages into a patina that many owners prize more than a brand-new finish.
If you like Avirex's American military-leather lineage, a few names sit nearby. Alpha Industries, Schott NYC, and Pelle Pelle all trade in heritage outerwear with overlapping audiences. Comparing them comes down to whether you want Avirex's aviation focus or a different take on classic American jacket styling.
