The History of BECK Flying Togs
- jamesjordan
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
Quick answer: BECK Northeaster Flying Togs is an American horsehide jacket maker whose name and style trace back to the flight- and riding-jacket era, when horsehide was the toughest leather a pilot or rider could wear. That tradition continues today in current models like the BECK 732 and BECK 999, sold through Legendary USA.
Flying Togs is an old American term for flight clothing. BECK Northeaster Flying Togs carries that language and idea forward: jackets built from genuine horsehide in the spirit of the leather that clothed early aviators and the riders who followed them.
What Flying Togs actually means
Togs is simply an old word for clothes or gear, and flying togs referred to the heavy leather outerwear of early aviation. In the first decades of powered flight, leather was protective equipment: it cut the wind, shed weather, and survived the hard use of climbing in and out of aircraft. Horsehide was prized for its density and natural resistance to wind and water.
Why horsehide defined the era
The early-to-mid 20th century was the golden age of horsehide outerwear. Working horses were still common, so hides were available; and the leather itself was exceptional - a dense, tight fiber structure that makes horsehide tougher and more weather-resistant than most cowhide. When the postwar motorcycle scene adopted the leather jacket as its uniform, horsehide was the original choice.
The BECK Northeaster Flying Togs tradition
BECK builds horsehide jackets in that tradition rather than chasing trends. Genuine horsehide, classic riding- and flight-inspired patterns, and construction meant to last for decades. The result is a small, focused catalog of jackets, vests and a riding shirt. You can see the through-line clearly in the current BECK jacket collection at Legendary USA.
The current BECK catalog
BECK model
Type
Character
666
Jacket
Distressed horsehide cafe racer
732
Jacket
Northeaster Flying Togs horsehide jacket
777
Jacket
Black horsehide motorcycle jacket
999
Jacket
Genuine horsehide motorcycle jacket
501
Trucker
Horsehide trucker jacket
302
Shirt
Horsehide riding shirt
566/588/882
Vests
Horsehide motorcycle vests
The 732 is the flagship Northeaster Flying Togs jacket. The 999 is the clean, do-everything horsehide jacket.
Why the tradition still matters
The leather is the point. Horsehide remains one of the most abrasion- and weather-resistant leathers available.
Built to age, not expire. A horsehide jacket breaks in to its wearer and can last for decades.
Keeps a genuine craft in production. Few makers still source and work horsehide.
American-made heritage leather. BECK sits alongside Legendary USA deerskin gloves as part of a made-to-last catalog.
Wear the tradition
Explore genuine horsehide in the BECK Northeaster Flying Togs collection at Legendary USA.
Frequently asked questions
What does Flying Togs mean?
Togs is an old word for clothes or gear, and flying togs referred to the heavy leather outerwear worn by early aviators. The BECK Northeaster Flying Togs name evokes that flight- and riding-jacket heritage, when horsehide was the protective leather of choice.
Is BECK Northeaster Flying Togs an American brand?
Yes. BECK is an American horsehide jacket maker sold through Legendary USA.
What BECK jackets are available today?
The current BECK horsehide catalog includes the 666, 732, 777 and 999 jackets, the 501 trucker, the 302 riding shirt, and the 566/588/882 vests.
Why does BECK use horsehide?
Because horsehide is dense, tough and naturally weather-resistant - the same leather that defined early flight and motorcycle jackets. It ages exceptionally well and can last for decades.
Where can I buy a BECK Flying Togs jacket?
BECK Northeaster Flying Togs jackets are available through Legendary USA.
