I discovered the American brand, Stio, recently and managed to get hold of one of their new jackets – the men’s Hometown Down Jacket.
Based out of the mountain town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Stio seems to have hit the market with a really smart range of high-quality garments that would suit serious skiers and mountain enthusiasts who like something smart and functional to wear in a multitude of situations.
The Hometown Down Jacket is a perfect example of this.
So far, I’ve worn it with a pair of jeans whilst shopping in town, with smart trousers as I attended a meeting and as a mid-layer on the mountains during a recent trip to Val d’Isère in the French Alps. It seemed to suit all of those occasions with ease and kept me warm and dry at the same time.
What I like most about this jacket is that it looks great – people have commented on that….and sure, that’s not always the primary concern when you’re out in the mountains and you want to stay warm, but it gives you that too. In fact, it’s really warm and although not too bulky it would easily suffice on the very coldest days if you’re active, underneath a good outer shell.
The outer is made from Pertex Microlight material which has a solid reputation for durability and water resistant – you don’t want to be wearing this jacket as an outer in the pouring rain, but that’s not what it’s designed for. The Pertex looks good and feels good too and on the inside there’s a nice detail of dark maroon colour which really adds to the quality feel of the jacket.
There’s also a hooded version, which if you’re using it solely for mountain wear would be of benefit, but for me and the fact I’ve used the jacket in different situations, it’s better without the hood.
So far so good with the zips (always a challenge for me as I break them easily), but they do feel good enough to last and seem robust. I’ve already managed to lose one of the zipper pulls, but then that’s me putting it through its paces and treating it bad! Fortunately the mud seems to brush off easily without the need for a wash in the machine.
Pockets are good – there’s a decent sized inside pocket that’s very handy plus an outside chest pocket along with the standard zipped side pockets. Nothing too flashy, but well designed and very functional.
Um, it’s hard to fault this jacket and I think they have done a nice job of pitching something at perhaps a slightly more mature market (I’m talking late 20’s upwards)…that’s pretty much reflected in their ambassadors, successful people who love the outdoors but want something that feels good to wear and works.
I won’t give my age away but let’s just say I think I fit their demographic.
They are certainly not in the lower price bracket though and at $225.00 (£155) there’s cheaper down mid layer options out there, but I’m confident that the quality and styling justifies that tag.
So thumbs up from us at Snow.Guide for Stio and we hope to see them more in Europe in the future too.
Specifications
Pertex® Microlight Minirip Nylon, 100% Nylon, 52g/m2 with DWR
ALLIED Feather™ HyperDRY™ Water Repellent Down, 80/20 White Goose Down, 650 fill
Responsibly sourced down
Soft, supple hand feel with high loft down insulation to retain heat
Mid-sized baffles stabilize down and facilitate packability
Handwarmer pockets
Interior stash and security pockets store on mountain essentials
Adjustable hem with low-pro cord locks customizes performance
YKK® reverse coil zippers
Custom Stio® silicone zipper pulls
Stio® grosgrain finish at center front interior draft flap protects zipper teeth
Embroidered Stio® and Pinecone logos
Center back length 28 ¾ ”, size M
Weight: 18 oz.
Regular Fit – Our medium cut. Roomier than Trim but designed with athletic performance and comfort in mind.
Review Summary
Gender: Mens
Good for: Multi-purpose on the mountain and around town too
Price: £155
Rating: 9 out of 10
Orders can be placed on the Stio website www.stio.com