Relwen has quietly built a cult following at Huckberry with its tailored, military-inspired blazers and field jackets — pieces that lean more smart-casual than summit-ready.
The new Pac-Away Shell marks a notable departure from that formula, pushing deeper into technical outerwear without abandoning the brand’s utilitarian DNA.
On paper, it hits a rare Goldilocks zone for seasoned travelers: more robust and weatherproof than the ultralight windbreakers you toss in a running vest, but far more packable and versatile than the heavy-duty rain shells that usually stay home unless the forecast looks punishing.
For anyone who wants one jacket that can live in a weekender bag, commute through spring showers, and still look at home over a button-down at dinner, this is very much that play.
Quite the balancing act
At its core, the Pac-Away Shell is an ultra-packable storm shell built from a lightweight 2.5-ply 100% nylon ripstop that’s highly wind, tear and water-resistant, with fully seam-sealed construction to boost protection when the weather really turns.
That puts it in a different class than popular wind shells like Patagonia’s Houdini and Arc’teryx’s Squamish, all of which rely on tightly woven fabric and DWR for light rain but skip full waterproofing and taped seams. Relwen’s approach is closer to a minimalist rain shell that just happens to pack down small, rather than a gossamer-thin “just in case” layer.
Relwen also leans into everyday usability in ways that performance brands sometimes overlook. The Pac-Away shell features a two-way molded center-front zipper, a concealed high-chest coil-zip “bag” pocket, side-seam coil-zip cargo pockets, and a left-hand reversible pocket that doubles as the self-packing pouch.
Compared to the single chest pocket on a Squamish or Houdini, those extra storage options and the two-way zip make a tangible difference when you’re traveling, commuting or spending all day in and out of the jacket. There’s also a mesh backside for breathability, which helps take the edge off that typical “membrane clamminess” you get when you bump up to a waterproof laminate instead of a pure wind shirt.
