Shut your eyes and film a denim jacket. The piece of outerwear you’ve shaped a picture of in your thoughts’s eye is probably a trucker jacket. We’d put cash on it. This cropped type is outlined by its twin chest flap pockets, adjustable waist, traditional collar, riveted building and slim match. It’s typically lined with borg that spills out onto the collar, but it surely’s normally unlined.
The trucker was first launched by Levi’s in 1967, albeit by a barely much less catchy identify: The Sort III. It was a revised model of the San Francisco model’s unique denim ‘shirt’ jacket, the 506XX, which was first bought within the early 1900s. Lower brief and boxy with a single chest pocket, the 506XX performed on the success of Levi’s riveted denim denims. It was primarily a pair of denims to your higher physique, and it was an enormous hit with the identical guide employees that championed the label’s tough-as-nails legwear.
The Sort III was a revised model of the unique and set the template for what we now are likely to confer with as a traditional denim jacket. It bore all of the design quirks we affiliate with this type at the moment, together with the attribute ‘V’-shaped stitching to the entrance. It was technically the start of the trucker jacket, however the identify didn’t come till later.
When American menswear collectors from Japan grew to become fixated with the type, they seen that the uncooked denim Sort Three jackets coming by means of their doorways with the most effective fades had all belonged to truckers. These guys had been placing their jackets by means of the wringer out on the street, getting them creased up good and correct of their cabs and actually making them their very own. The identify caught, and this identical primary design, whether or not made by Levi’s or another model, is known as the ‘trucker jacket’ to today.
Trucker Jackets vs. Denim Jackets

Wrangler
The phrases ‘trucker jacket’ and ‘denim jacket’ are sometimes used interchangeably. It straightforward to see why, because the trucker is essentially the most recognisable and well-known sort of denim jacket. However not all trucker jackets are denim jackets, and never all denim jackets are truckers.
There are millions of completely different types of denim jacket, as a result of a denim jacket is solely any jacket constructed from denim. The time period ‘trucker’ refers particularly to a single type of outerwear, which can or might not be comprised of denim. Sure, the very first trucker jackets have been comprised of denim, however they will also be manufactured from something from suede to corduroy, wool and the whole lot in between.
Trucker Jacket Shopping for Concerns
Match

Lee
The distinctive match of a trucker jacket is a part of what defines it. It’s a cropped type that sits above the belt line and is lower near the physique. Some folks select to put on them outsized, however with a traditional trucker match it needs to be good and straightforward to suit one other layer excessive.
Cloth

A.P.C.
Once more, trucker jackets have been traditionally comprised of denim, however they are often made of virtually something. So long as it options the trademark cropped lower, twin button pockets to the chest and stitched detailing, it may be known as a trucker.
Suppose uncooked indigo denim if you’d like one thing traditional, or luxurious brown suede for one thing a bit extra plush.
Value

Wrangler
The determine you may anticipate to stump up for a trucker jacket varies wildly relying on who made it and what from. An inexpensive denim trucker from a high-street model may value you lower than £50, whereas a high-end model comprised of leather-based or suede by a designer label may fetch properly into the hundreds.
As for the unique Levi’s Trucker, they begin from round £100, so we’d say that’s a superb baseline when it comes to worth.
The Finest Manufacturers For Trucker Jackets
Percival
- Percival Western Jacket
- Percival Pleated Denton Jacket
The Individuals might need invented the trucker jacket, however we make some respectable variations on this facet of the pond too. Living proof: Percival. This London-based model specialises in menswear’s up to date classics, providing its personal delicate spin on among the most iconic designs.
The label’s Denton jacket is a fairly priced pleated trucker with the additional benefit of slanted pockets to the entrance. Or there’s the Western jacket, which is extra of a traditional trucker accessible in numerous materials, together with corduroy.
Store now at Percival
Levi’s
- Levi’s Trucker Jacket
- Levi’s Made & Crafted Sort III Trucker Jacket
Levi’s created the primary trucker jackets and layer the template from the type at the moment. It shouldn’t come as a lot of a shock that they make among the greatest round. Subsequent to the unique 501 jean, the Levi’s Trucker might be the American model’s most well-known product, and it’s nonetheless being made to today.
For a barely extra upscale model than the jackets within the mainline assortment, have a look a Levi’s Classic Clothes. This sub model makes correct recreations of heritage designs from the model’s archives, utilizing conventional strategies and high-end supplies.
Store now at Levi’s
Lee
- Lee Sherpa Jacket in Tumbleweed
- Lee Sherpa Jacket in Gravel Stone
You’ll battle to discover a traditional American denim model that doesn’t make its personal model of the trucker jacket, and Lee isn’t any exception. Look forward to finding conventional truckers with all the important thing attribute particulars, and infrequently at decrease costs than the likes of Levi’s.
Store now at Zalando
Wrangler
- Wrangler Antifit Sherpa in Black Clay Washed
- Wrangler Antifit Sherpa in Moon Shine
Wrangler is one other traditional US denim label, which is now owned by the identical guardian firm as Lee. Once more, costs are usually decrease than rivals, which makes it a superb choice for anybody who likes the thought of a trucker with an iconic American model’s identify on the label for a wallet-friendly worth.
Store now at Wrangler
Edwin
- EDWIN Spur Jacket
- EDWIN S-Trucker Jacket
There’s just one nation that may rival the USA with its denim output, and that’s Japan. The nation purchased up a number of manufacturing equipment from the States after the Second World Battle, and Japanese denims today are considered the high-water mark for denim.
Edwin is basically the Japanese Levi’s. It’s a long-running and extremely revered pioneer of Japanese denim. It’s a gateway to the area of interest impartial manufacturers that denimheads drool over, and it makes some unbelievable truckers.
Store now at Finish.
A.P.C.
- A.P.C. Veste Jean Work
- A.P.C. Denim Jacket
French label A.P.C. Is thought for making among the greatest worth for cash uncooked denim denims in the marketplace. That is one thing that extends to the model’s outerwear too. The Parisian label presents various jackets lower from uncooked Japanese selvedge denim, together with truckers.
Kinds differ from season to season, however there’s normally one thing that matches the outline, to the extent that the denim trucker has turn into one thing of an A.P.C. signature.
Store now at END.
Patagonia
- Patagonia Pile-Lined Trucker Jacket
- Patagonia Pile-Lined Trucker Jacket Mojave Khaki
Californian climbing model Patagonia has lengthy rigged on traditional items of American menswear to affect its casualwear designs. The label’s pile-lined trucker is a recurring staple that’s accessible in both corduroy or denim, with traditional styling and Truthful Commerce building.
Store now at Patagonia