Three-season performance and comfort—without sacrificing style.
The closer we get to sweater weather, the more excited we are to break out our collection of fall and winter jackets. There’s just something so special about bundling up in your favorite heritage piece—all the memories that come with days spent out hiking through the changing hues of the forests, long conversations at neighborhood cafes, and the movement into holidays spent with friends and family.
And while we have a sizable range of shirt jackets, bombers, and hoodies to choose from, we’re most excited to be debuting the Relwen Windzip Jacket as part of our cool weather wardrobe. Thanks to our friends at Huckberry, we were able to get our hands on a sample in exchange for a review of this stylish and surprisingly cozy jacket—and now we’d like to share our experiences with you, our dear reader who might be looking to add a jacket to their closet this fall.
Images / Brian Adee for GearMoose
The Inspiration for Windzip
The Windzip collection is currently part of a three-piece set from Relwen, including a jacket, vest, and popover. And though it is a sportier addition to the Relwen family of clothing, it still keeps with the company’s motto—“be lasting”—in both style and durability.
More than anything, the Windzip lineup is inspired by a humble camping staple: The sleeping bag. While this might sound funny—hard to imagine wearing a sleeping bag out on a date, after all—it actually makes perfect sense for creating a long-lasting piece of outerwear that’s comfortable as heck, then imbued with an athletic cut and fit for style points.
For more on the inspiration behind the Windzip line, check out this video:
Three-Season Wear
Because of its quilted construction, the Relwen Windzip Jacket seems like an ideal choice for three-season wear.
As we move into fall and the nights start getting colder, it’s a great pick for wearing out on the town.
In the middle of winter, it can make for a solid mid layer when paired with an overcoat, thanks to its reinforced standup collar and tailored fit.
And while the mornings are still cool in the beginning of spring, the Windzip Jacket will be a great companion for early hikes or watching the sunset with a cup of coffee.
That’s all thanks to the sleeping bag inspired quilted construction, filled with a dense 60 gram down alternative filling. It’s as comfortable as cozying up in your favorite sleeping bag—and it’s finished off with a water-resistant nylon exterior that makes it even more versatile across most any weather conditions.
Style Meets Durability
Relwen’s unique take on their garments and outerwear comes courtesy of their Midwest and Great Lakes heritage. The brand’s founders and designers grew up on the fields, farms, and lakes of Ohio and Michigan, where workwear was expected to last for decades, not years.
But it’s about more than just having clothes that will physically last—it’s also about creating styles that will stand the test of time, too. That’s where Relwen really excels.
The Windzip Jacket is a great example of the Relwen ethos. Its nylon and spandex exterior is built for durability and flexibility, with an attention to detail in the stitching and quilting that’s also built to last. But at the same time, the jacket’s athletic fit, contrasting colorways, and branded hardware make it stand out as a stylish piece of gear that you could wear just about anywhere.
In short, we’re big fans of the Windzip Jacket’s whole style. And while we’ve only owned it for a short time now, we’re looking forward to taking this jacket everywhere with us throughout the fall and winter.
Design Details
So far we’ve given you the big picture for the Windzip Jacket. Now, let’s cover some of the finer details of the design.
The nylon/spandex blend used for the jacket’s exterior serves a dual purpose: It’s weather resistant to keep you protected from wind and light rain, and it’s also significantly more durable than polyester or nylon alone.
On the inside, you’ll find a soft polyester and spandex lining as well as soft brushed tricot pockets. This gives the jacket a blanket-like feel that’s addictive enough to even want to wear while lounging around the house.
A tall standup double layer quilted collar gives both structure and added warmth to the jacket. Paired with the two-way zipper and dual closure snap and zipper front, it makes the Windzip Jacket a great option down to about 30 degrees.
Last but not least, military-inspired black oxidized hardware for the buttons and zippers gives a finishing touch to the look and feel of the jacket.
That’s a whole lot of detail put into one piece of outerwear, and it’s a big part of why the Windzip Jacket is quickly becoming our new favorite jacket for fall.
Parting Thoughts
Being in the menswear business, we see a lot of jackets and coats come through our offices. And honestly, it’s not very often that you find a piece that’s as unique—and high quality—as Relwen’s Windzip Jacket. If you’re looking for a new addition to your fall and winter wardrobe, it gets our highest recommendation.
Price: $268
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