A2 vs G-1 - Whats the more comfortable/practical jacket?

[Chandler]

Aside from the collar are they similar in terms of warmth or lack of?

In my experience they're both insulated about the same.

Many years ago I had a roadster and I'd wear my G-1 on cool mornings for the collar, but it really didn't make a huge difference.

 

[Ed Rooney]

No question the G-1 is more comfortable, although the 1999+ USAF-issue A-2 can give it a run for its money.

I wore an Avirex G-1 as my main winter jacket for many years in my early 20's, often with a fleece or a wool sweater underneath. I just didn't have money to spend on coats, so I wore either the G-1, or my Army issue CWU-45.

 

[B-Man2]

Interesting conversation with some differing opinions . Earlier in the thread I mentioned that I thought the G-1 was the more comfortable of the two jackets, here’s why I still think that’s true, at least for me anyway . I base my opinion on how the two jackets feel to me when I’m sitting or driving in my vehicle. The A2 jackets I own, which are predominantly sizes 46 or 48 have a tendency to blouse out on me in the stomach and chest area if I have them zipped up while I’m driving. The G-1 because it doesn’t normally blouse out and is trimmer in those areas doesn’t do that . Secondly the A2 jacket sleeves always ride up when driving. This is a trait of the jacket that’s been mentioned here on several occasions. Because of the expanding vented back of the G-1 jacket it allows for great freedom of movement and the sleeves don’t ride up . Once again it’s just a personal choice but that’s why I choose the G-1 as being a bit more comfortable between the two .
Cheers

 

[ausreenactor]

[*]Button pockets are a royal pain and make that part of the jacket less functional (admittedly, that has little to do with comfort).

Amen Brother!

 

[3NMa]

Interesting that anyone hasn't mentioned the handwarmer pockets yet.

 

[Chandler]

Interesting that anyone hasn't mentioned the handwarmer pockets yet.

Hmm? Neither original versions, or military contracts, of the G-1 or A-2 have handwarmers.

Maybe the modern, Gen-X inspired models, and mall jacket models (and Schott) have them, but nothing from the 30s thru the 50s issued to service members.

 

[mulceber]

Hmm? Neither original versions, or military contracts, of the G-1 or A-2 have handwarmers.

Building on that, I recall hearing that the brass didn’t think soldiers standing around with their hands in their pockets looked disciplined enough, so that’s why very few flight jackets prior to the B-15 had hand-warmer pockets. I never heard it confirmed though, so who knows.

 

[Chandler]

Building on that, I recall hearing that the brass didn’t think soldiers standing around with their hands in their pockets looked disciplined enough, so that’s why very few flight jackets prior to the B-15 had hand-warmer pockets. I never heard it confirmed though, so who knows.

And then there's the Winter Combat Jacket. Maybe it was okay in the winter season?

You also see a lot of pics of A-2 wearers with their hands in trouser pockets. Probably draftees.

 

[London Cabbie]

Amen Brother!

Disagree.

 

[London Cabbie]

Interesting conversation with some differing opinions . Earlier in the thread I mentioned that I thought the G-1 was the more comfortable of the two jackets, here’s why I still think that’s true, at least for me anyway . I base my opinion on how the two jackets feel to me when I’m sitting or driving in my vehicle. The A2 jackets I own, which are predominantly sizes 46 or 48 have a tendency to blouse out on me in the stomach and chest area if I have them zipped up while I’m driving. The G-1 because it doesn’t normally blouse out and is trimmer in those areas doesn’t do that . Secondly the A2 jacket sleeves always ride up when driving. This is a trait of the jacket that’s been mentioned here on several occasions. Because of the expanding vented back of the G-1 jacket it allows for great freedom of movement and the sleeves don’t ride up . Once again it’s just a personal choice but that’s why I choose the G-1 as being a bit more comfortable between the two .
Cheers

Agree.

 

[London Cabbie]

Could we throw the Ma-1 into the mix or are we keeping strictly leather..?

 

[London Cabbie]

A-2 for me. The rayon liner in the Navy jackets just isn't the same. But I'm sure my opinion will go back and forth one day to the next.

Rayon doesn’t snag.

 

[mulceber]

Rayon doesn’t snag.

It does, however, stick to your bare arms if you sweat. I’m pretty much always wearing a t-shirt under my jacket, so that’s a concern for me.

 

[Chandler]

Could we throw the Ma-1 into the mix or are we keeping strictly leather..?

I think leather is the point -- closer to apples vs. apples.

 

[London Cabbie]

It does, however, stick to your bare arms if you sweat. I’m pretty much always wearing a t-shirt under my jacket, so that’s a concern for me.

Ok. I’ve not experienced that, wear t shirts too..

 

[FreddyF9]

Building on that, I recall hearing that the brass didn’t think soldiers standing around with their hands in their pockets looked disciplined enough, so that’s why very few flight jackets prior to the B-15 had hand-warmer pockets. I never heard it confirmed though, so who knows.

You’re right. Back then, keeping your hands in your pockets was considered a lazy behavior and also a bit rude.
I remember that also my grandpa used to scold me whenever I putted my hands in my pockets, he kept saying that: “It makes you look like a slacker”.

 

[Micawber]

You’re right. Back then, keeping your hands in your pockets was considered a lazy behavior and also a bit rude.
I remember that also my grandpa used to scold me whenever I putted my hands in my pockets, he kept saying that: “It makes you look like a slacker”.

Oh yes, my parents were the same and always stressed the importance of polished shoes and clean fingernails.