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Looking for an N1 Deck Jacket? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About It—and Where to Buy One
Some garments are born perfect. They sail through time, unchanging and unflinching, arriving in the present feeling as fresh and relevant as they were on their maiden voyage.
The N1 Deck Jacket is one of these. Call it classic or timeless—call it what you will—it is (and has long been) an anchor piece in rugged wardrobes.
Durable, hard-nosed, and utterly unsinkable, it’s been battle-tested on the decks of American warships in the frigid North Atlantic. It’ll take whatever you can throw at it and come back for more.
Below, we’ll take a quick look at the history of the N1 Deck Jacket, and we’ll introduce you to what we feel are the best modern versions of the N1 on the market. If you’re looking to add one of these naval icons to your fleet, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s set sail!
TL;DR – The Best N1 Deck Jackets You Can Buy
If you want all the style without any of the longwinded history, let’s cut to the chase. Here are the three best versions of the N1 Deck Jacket on the market:
Meeting the Moment: The N1 Makes its Debut
At the beginning of World War II, the United States Navy was not the well-equipped fighting force it would become by the end of the war. When American soldiers joined the fray, the outerwear that had served well in WWI was repurposed.
That age-old friend to the sailor, the peacoat, was their first line of defence against the cold and wet. As good as the peacoat was (and still is), it was no match for the biting sub-arctic winds sailors encountered in the North Atlantic.
Navy outfitters’ first attempt to address this deficit was a dark blue wool-lined tanker jacket with knit cuffs, collar, and waistband. A similar design had worked well for soldiers in unheated armoured vehicles, but sailors found it wanting. It didn’t keep them warm or dry, and the patch pockets and knit cuffs, and waistband frequently snagged in the rigging.
The outfitters returned to the drawing board and, by the end of 1943, had developed something far superior. When the N1 arrived on deck, the sailors saluted it immediately and enthusiastically. Popular and practical, the N1 would continue to serve until it was gradually phased out by the A2 (not the leather jacket) in the ’60s.
The N1 Walks the Plank
The N1 saw use in all theatres of the war, including the European, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. Navy engineer brigades, landing parties, and shore patrols all wore the jacket. It proved amphibious—equally at home on deck and on land.
When the war ended, veterans returned to civilian life with their N1s tucked under their arms. For some, the N1 was a good all-purpose cold weather jacket. For others, it found a new home on the open road.
Motorcycle clubs spread like wildfire around the United States after the war, and the N1 was an excellent alternative to leather for the bikers—many of them returning servicemen.
And it wasn’t just the motorcycle clubs. The N1 appeared at some of the early hot rod races at El Mirage and Bonneville, and it was adopted by Hollywood stars Paul Newman and James Dean, who, in candid moments, helped showcase the N1’s stylish potential.
The jacket didn’t have the star power of Schott’s Perfecto or Levi’s Type III in the rebel style movements of the ’50s and ’60s, but it did become a cult classic among those in the know.
Today, heritage brands produce stitch-perfect versions of the jacket that are a loving tribute to the original N1 and the rough and tumble men who made it an icon. But before we look at our favourites, we need to talk about what the details make up the N1.
Key Features of the N1 Deck Jacket
Rather than trying to adapt or improve the tanker jacket, Navy outfitters started from scratch, assembling a windproof workhorse that utilised the best-possible materials and clever construction. Every feature was clearly designed with the needs and comfort of sailors in mind.
The Shell: Bedford Cord
Military outfitter had earlier helped develop a rigid, windproof, and water-resistant version of Bedford cord that they called jungle cloth. Stiff and extremely durable, it does not fold or drape so much as it rolls.
The khaki version is the most iconic and popular, but it was also issued in light olive drab and blue versions (the latter are prized by collectors).
The Lining: Alpaca (Usually Mixed)
Unlike wool, Alpaca fibres have a partially hollow core that helps trap air (polar bears have similarly hollow fur). Robust and lightweight, Alpaca is a near perfect insulator.
On the N1’s first iteration, the lining did its job so well that sailors were overheating. Subsequent versions included underarm eyelets to let some of the steam escape.
The Fasteners: Talon Zipper and Button-Down Wind Flap
When wind proofing, the zipper is always a weak point. Wind can slip through the teeth of the zipper, so the N1 includes a button-down storm flap that entirely covers the zipper. Fastened, this lends the jacket it’s slightly asymmetrical look.
Cuffs: Knit and Recessed
The designers liked the knit cuffs, but the sailors needed them to be out of the way. Their solution was to pull the cuffs back up into the sleeve. This contributes a great deal to the N1’s iconic hard-as-nails silhouette, with the large sleeve openings concealing the soft, knit cuffs.
Cinchers: Draw String and Throat Latch
On especially cold days, the N1 can be fastened tightly around the throat and the hips. On the underside of the collar, there’s a button-down throat latch that can wrap your neck in alpaca fur. At the waist, there’s a draw string that can tighten the coat around your hips (essential if you’re doing work bent over).
The Best N1 Deck Jackets You Can Buy
When looking at modern versions of the N1, you should expect to find most of the original features faithfully reproduced. When you find ALL of them, you’re looking at the genuine article. There are plenty of great versions of the jacket that fiddle with the recipe, but our favourites don’t mess with perfection.
Buzz Rickson’s Khaki N1
If, when you think of khaki, you think of uninteresting shades of beige that blend in with the environment, think again. Buzz Rickson’s vivid khaki leaps out at you and grabs you by the lapels. If you’ve got racks bursting with blue pieces, this one will be a breath of fresh air.
For my money, this is the world’s best reproduction of the classic N1 Deck Jacket. I tried every version of the jacket I could find, and this one came out on top. On chilly days, I wear it over a tee shirt; on cold ones, over a sweatshirt. It’s never let me down.
Bryan
Buzz Rickson’s is sold at Blue in Green, Hinoya and Franklin & Poe.
Iron Heart Whipcord N1
Iron Heart’s version of the N1 has become one of the scene’s most popular pieces of outerwear, and for very good reason. Designed for motorcycle riders, it pairs perfectly with heavy denim and leather boots.
The latest version (in a stunning 14 oz. oiled whipcord) has replaced the patch pockets with slash pockets (a huge improvement if you ask me). Streamlined and tough as nails, it’s Iron Heart’s not just Iron Heart’s best version of the N1. It’s the best jacket they make.
Iron Heart offers a number of different versions of the N1 each year. Pick the one that most excites you and sign up for updates on when it’ll be restocked. It’ll be worth the wait.
I’ve got two Iron Heart N1s. A green one from 2019 in a medium, which fits a little snugly, and a black from 2024 (not the Burg & Schild collab) in large, which fits roomier, more as intended. The green one’s broken in beautifully; the black’s still stiff. These jackets take a season to come alive—but once they do, they’re unbeatable.
Thomas
Iron Heart is available at: Division Road (US), Franklin & Poe (US), Brooklyn Clothing (CA), Iron Provisions (US), and of course at Iron Heart International.
Real McCoy’s N1 Deck Jacket
Regarded by many as the gold standard for military reproductions, The Real McCoy’s go to the ends of the earth and back again in the search of authenticity. From the thread to the hardware, everything here is about as close to the real thing as you can get.
When I was making my choice, it was neck and neck with Buzz Rickson’s and Real McCoy’s until the end. Make your choice (as I did) based on fit. If they both fit, flip a coin. Real McCoy’s version is a fitting and stitch-perfect tribute to a war-winning icon that’ll only get better with age.
Bryan
Real McCoy’s is available at Lost & Found (CA) and Clutch Café (UK)
Dehen Waxed Sailcloth N1
Adding a touch of luxury to the rugged deck jacket, Dehen’s version of the N1 comes complete with a mouton lining and collar. We’re big fans of the original alpaca and wool pile, but there’s no arguing that the mouton is a luxurious upgrade.
Made from sheepskin that has been cut and dyed to resemble beaver fur, it lends the jacket a soft and luxurious touch that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.
The price point reflects Dehen’s beautiful touches and its untouchable build quality. Be warned: if you try one of these on, you’ll be more likely to max the plastic than to put it back on the rack.
Dehen is sold at Brooklyn Clothing Co. (CA) and Division Road (US)
Freewheelers N1 Deck Jacket
Freewheelers pulled out all the stops with their version of the N1 Deck Jacket, and the price point reflects this. The largest difference is in the lining, which is 100% alpaca fur. When zipped up and buttoned, this jacket can outperform most parkas.
The price places this out of reach for most collectors, but, if you want the best reproduction on the market (and are wiling to pay for the privilege), this is the jacket for you.
Freewheelers do a few versions of the N1, all of them excellent. Take a close look at each of them before making your choice.
You can find a good range of Freewheelers N1 Deck Jackets here.
Tellason Blubaugh N1 Deck Jacket
If the versions we’ve listed above are a little out of your price range, Tellason produce our favourite budget version of the deck jacket. Produced in collaboration with their friend Todd Blubaugh, this version of the N1 has something the others don’t: a selvedge denim shell.
Featuring a sherpa lining warm enough for temperate climates and an impossibly deep interior pocket (big enough for a bottle of wine), you’re getting a hell of a lot of jacket here for not a lot of dough.
Also available in Olive, but you won’t get fades on that one.
Cockpit USA N1
We’re closing our list with another relatively inexpensive version of the N1 that might be more than enough to satisfy. Cockpit USA (formerly Avirex) produces some very good reproductions of military jackets, and their take on the deck jacket features big bang for buck.
The Bedford cord shell is spot on the money. The lining is where you’re saving the money. Though it looks like alpaca, it’s polyester. They say that this makes the jacket more comfortable to wear. If you’re comfortable with the compromise, the jacket definitely looks the part.
The jacket is available in both navy and olive. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better version of the jacket at this price point.
Want to Know (Even) More About the N1?
Check out our book, The Rebel’s Wardrobe, to learn even more about the N1 Deck Jacket and its origins (and about dozens of other pieces in the modern rebel’s wardrobe).
It’s a crash course in the history of rugged menswear, making it essential reading for those who want to be informed about the clothes they wear.
Keep Track of What I’m Working On
I’m Thomas, founder of Denimhunters. Once a week, I send an email with what I’m working on and writing—new guides, deals, and things worth paying attention to.
Pike Brothers N1 Deck Jaket:
torso too short, sleeves too bulky and too long, not enough around neck, otherwise top quality jacket.