What is an N1 Deck Jacket?
Ever since the first model launched in 2011, the N1 deck jacket has been the flagship of Iron Heart’s fall/winter lineup — but what makes this legendary design so enduring?
The Origins of the Deck Jacket
Like many staples in the modern heritage wardrobe, the N1 deck jacket (followed later by the A2) was born from military necessity — developed by the U.S Navy in the 1940s to replace the woolen Peacoat that had long been standard issue.In the years leading up to the United States’ involvement in World War II, the country’s economy had spiralled due to the Great Depression of the 1930s. With millions of new servicemen needing to be outfitted, the naval peacoat — traditionally made from Melton wool — was deemed too expensive to produce in the numbers required, forcing the U.S. Navy to create a more cost-effective alternative. It had also become clear that — while the tightly knitted wool was warm and wind-resistant — the restrictive peacoat design that had served for nearly half a century was no longer practical for modern naval life. However, the development of what would become the deck jacket as we know it was not without trial and error.
The precursor to the N1 was, in fact, a wool-lined variation of the U.S. Army’s Winter Combat Jacket, better known as the Tanker Jacket. This first incarnation of the deck jacket was issued in the early 1940s, but it quickly became clear that what worked perfectly for land-based armoured vehicle crews wasn’t suited to deckhands on a battleship or aircraft carrier. The design’s knitted cuffs and hem would become sodden with saltwater, causing them to deteriorate, fray, and even tangle dangerously with onboard machinery, while the exposed zippers seized in the freezing Atlantic conditions. Most importantly, the lightweight cotton twill shell and basic wool lining failed to provide the warmth and protection demanded by the high seas.
The N1
So, it was back to the drawing board, and by late 1943 a new deck jacket was being issued to American naval personnel — the N1. Sailors were expected to serve all over the world, so the N1 was originally introduced as part of the U.S. Navy’s three-part “N” system. This trifecta of outerwear consisted of the cold-weather N1, the rain-ready N2, and the lightweight N3 for tropical climates.Of the three, it was the N1 that cemented its place in history — and with good reason. Gone were the cotton twill construction and simple wool lining of the earlier Tanker-inspired models, replaced with a tougher Bedford cloth and a thick Alpaca wool lining for superior insulation.
The N1 design itself was cut longer for better coverage, with a host of practical refinements to address the shortcomings of its predecessor.The knitted cuffs were recessed and hidden beneath the sleeves to shield them from spray and prevent snagging, while a drawstring hem ensured a tight seal. A buttoned placket protected the zipper and blocked wind, insulated slash pockets replaced simple patch pockets for more effective hand warming, and a two-way collar with a throat latch created a neck warmer when temperatures plummeted. All in all, the N1 was not only as warm and windproof as the trusty melton wool peacoat, but tougher — and purpose-built for naval life.In testament to its innovative design, while there were a few slight variations over the years, the N1 remained virtually unchanged from the end of WW2 and through the 1950s Korean War, until it was officially superseded by the A2 deck jacket in the early 1960s.
The A2
As military technology — and the nature of warfare itself — evolved, so did the deck jacket. Not to be confused with the U.S. Air Force flight jacket of the same name, the Navy’s A2 incorporated modern materials, including a newly developed nylon-pile lining, to create a lightweight deck jacket that was easier to mass-produce.While it retained proven features from the N1 — such as concealed storm cuffs and the zipper/placket combo — the A2 introduced practical updates like a large chest pocket, buckle cinches for fit adjustment, and a redesigned collar to reduce bulk. A more streamlined and utilitarian jacket, the A2 became a pillar of U.S. Navy apparel for the next two decades.
Our Iron Heart A2 (green) and Iron Heart N1 (khaki)
N1 Legacy
Even though both the N1 and A2 had been phased out of service by the end of the 1970s, their journey into mainstream consciousness had only just begun. In the post-war years, it wasn’t unusual to see ex-servicemen proudly wearing their N1 in the civilian world, often adorned with U.S.N. stencils of ship names and unique artwork created by sailors to pass the hours at sea. Owing to the sheer number produced, many of these jackets found their way into the hands of the public through military surplus and thrift stores, becoming particularly popular among American countercultural movements and biker gangs. Although not quite achieving the cult status of the MA-1 Bomber or M-65 Field Jacket, stars of the era — including Paul Newman and Steve McQueen — certainly helped boost the N1’s cool factor. Its influence on popular culture persists to this day, with Hollywood A-listers Ryan Gosling and Paul Bettany snapped in recent years wearing an N1 — not to mention an Iron Heart deck jacket prominently featured in Chris Hemsworth’s Extraction movie series.
Deck Jackets at Iron Heart
We’ve produced quite a few variations of both the N1 and A2 over the years, and while none of them should be considered strict reproduction models (because that is not what Iron Heart does), all honour the spirit of the originals. Of course, as you’d expect from Iron Heart, we couldn’t resist supercharging these iconic designs with a few over-engineered upgrades. For our N1 jackets, we use a 12oz Japanese whipcord (“jungle cloth”) fabric — very similar to the original U.S. Military Bedford cloth, but heavier and tougher — paired with an authentic alpaca wool-blend lining for maximum warmth and comfort. However, we don’t stop there.
Our N1 is also fitted with a chino interlining to block even more wind, a snap-fastening internal pocket, and an upgraded heavyweight two-way zipper — favoured by bikers for allowing the jacket to be partially opened from the bottom, providing greater mobility while riding. Finally, whereas an original N1 would typically be fully wool-lined, we replaced the sleeve linings with a smooth satin-quilt lining, making the jacket much easier to put on and take off.
The result is a serious winter jacket that provides cold-weather performance and improved functionality, while retaining the alluring charm of the vintage design — the pinnacle of the N1’s evolution.
You can explore our full range of N1 and A2 deck jackets using the links below, including the latest addition to the family — the lightweight N1. For this model, we’ve replaced the thick wool with a thinner Japanese corduroy. By removing the heavyweight lining, this creates a cooler, more breathable, and more agile N1 — why wait for winter when you can rock your favourite deck jacket year-round?!?
