Whipcord Type N-3B Jacket - Black

The original Type N-3B jacket was first issued to US Air Force crews in the late 1950s, developed to offer warmth and protection in the coldest and most extreme conditions. Drawing inspiration from traditional Inuit skin coats, the design featured fuller body coverage than a standard bomber jacket, with a thick wool lining that extended through the hood. This earned the N-3B the nickname “Snorkel Parka”, as when the jacket was fully zipped it left only a small opening in the hood for the wearer’s face.

Like all of our military jackets, the Iron Heart interpretation of the N-3B is not a strict reproduction model, but rather a heavyweight reimagining. Whereas the original military jackets would have been made with a nylon shell, we’ve used a hardwearing 12oz Japanese whipcord — the same fabric found on our N-1 deck jackets. Like our N-1, this model is also fitted with an alpaca/wool body and hood lining for superior warmth, along with quilted sleeve linings for ease of wear.

The silhouette itself has also been refined and slimmed down for a more fitted appearance, and we’ve chosen to remove the distinctive but rather cumbersome fur trim found on the original hoods to reduce bulk and create a more discreet profile for practical everyday wear.

One other key update we’ve made is to the slit openings on the body of the jacket. On the original jackets, these weren’t pockets, but instead provided a simple way for the wearer to reach inside the jacket without unzipping the main opening. To offer more versatility, deep pocket bags have been added to these openings, allowing them to act as both hand warmers, as originally designed, and functional pockets with generous storage. Complete with an overspec’d two-way zipper, a buttoned storm placket, and hidden knitted storm cuffs, the result is one of our warmest and most functional winter jackets, honouring the utilitarian spirit of its military roots.