Upstart mountain apparel brand, Stio has a wide array of gear built for everyday adventures. Founded by industry veterans, inspiration for the brand’s products originates from Jackson Hole, WY. The Stio First Light jacket is packed with a lot of features that give it a good crossover feel.
Stio First Light Jacket Features:
- Stio™ Meridian™ Stretch Mini-Ripstop, 100% Nylon, 20 denier, 46 g/m2 with 80/20 DWR
- Brushed mesh lining wicks away moisture
- Custom Stio™ YKK® reverse coil zippers
- Zippered chest pocket and hand pockets add functionality
- Reflective piping set into seam on front and back body for visibility
- Fully adjustable hem with low profile cordlocks seals out elements
- Contrast seam binding finishes interior
- High Density Stio™ and Pinecone logos
- Single layer nylon pits reduce weight
- Center back length 28 ½”, size M
- MSRP: $105
Grabbing first light
With an array of jackets at my disposal, the First Light Jacket fits right into a niche I didn’t realize existed. With its brushed mesh lining, this jacket offers both extended comfort in cold conditions and enabled me to wear a short-sleeve shirt without my arms getting cold or sticking to a plastic-feeling laminate. It’s not built with an overly athletic cut, but I wouldn’t call the anatomical fit roomy by any stretch of the words. My size Large fit me well — just enough length at the hem and long enough arms to maintain coverage during all possible movements. For reference, I’m 5’11” and 170 lbs.
The First Light Jacket is really a bit of a chameleon as it can feel at home around town or on the trail. Since it’s hoodless, it’s not really a proper rain jacket, but the DWR finish keeps the rain at bay for short periods of time. After about 15 min of running in hard rain, it began to penetrate — particularly in bunched-up areas of the sleeves. Cold, dry weather is perfect for the First Light. Even fluffy, dry snow should bead right up and drip away.
I’ve been using the First Light primarily for trail running during the spring months. I’ve exposed it to a variety of temperatures from the mid-30’s up to the mid-50’s with a couple of stout rainstorms mixed in. During use, the mesh lining can become saturated and feel a little more loose than I’d like. The upside of that is it maintains warmth when needed and continues to breathe well as exertion increases. There are no pit zips and there really is no need for them in this type of jacket as it breathes well.
I like that the pockets are lined with nylon instead of being mesh. While mesh pockets can provide extra breathability, small items can get caught in them and it can become difficult to slip things in/out. Using the single chest pocket to stash my iPhone worked out well for running, but became more awkward as I unzipped the jacket for venting. A dedicated media pocket on the back or hip would have been nice.
The Good:
- Versatile performance and style
- Efficient fit without being overly-athletic
- Mesh lining adds comfort and improves breathability
- Dual drawcord hem makes for easy adjustments
- Perfect height/diameter collar
- Excellent wind protection
The Bad:
- Retains body odor after a couple of runs
- Mesh lining can get loose/saggy when saturated
- DWR can only last so long in extended rain
The Bottom Line: Stio First Light
The First Light Jacket is a great option for anyone looking for a bit of versatility. Use it for running in the morning and around town in the afternoon and it won’t stand out in either activity. Muted style and excellent fit rounds out the package.
Buy Now: Visit Stio.com
