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Stio Pinion Hooded Review

This affordable and versatile jacket is ready for anything you'll get into this winter
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Stio Pinion Hooded Review
Credit: Sam Schild
Price:  $285 List
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Manufacturer:   Stio
By Sam Schild ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 23, 2024
81
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 17
  • Warmth - 30% 8.0
  • Comfort - 30% 9.0
  • Portability - 15% 7.0
  • Weather Resistance - 15% 8.0
  • Breathability - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Stio Pinion Hooded down jacket balances performance and value, making it a great value for top-tier protection and comfort. This versatile model is comfortable, warm, and weather-resistant. Its 800-fill hydrophobic down insulation provides reliable warmth in cold conditions, while the recycled Pertex Quantum shell material offers protection from light precipitation without compromising breathability. Its relaxed fit through the torso lets you layer underneath, making it ideal for everything from backcountry tours to chairlift laps. It has all the pockets you'd need and easily packs into its chest pocket. Plus, it looks great and is surprisingly affordable for a jacket of this caliber. You'll want to keep wearing it even after you've changed out of your boots. This down jacket is ready for anything.
REASONS TO BUY
More affordable
Feels good
Fits over other layers
Water-resistant shell materials and insulation
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as slim fitting as some jackets

Compare to Similar Products

 
stio pinion hooded
This Product
Stio Pinion Hooded
Awards Best Buy Award
An Affordable Trail to Town Jacket
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Down Jacket
Best Buy Award
Best Buy Award
Best Value Down Jacket for Everyday Use
Best Buy Award
Good Value on a Very Limited Budget
Price $285 List$325.00 at Backcountry
Compare at 4 sellers
$280.00 at Backcountry
Compare at 4 sellers
$129 List
$129.00 at REI
$64 List
$63.98 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line This all-around performing model can handle whatever you throw at itThis jacket is one of the warmest in our test and offers great weather protection in cold weatherThis midweight down jacket features excellent weather resistance and solid warmth in an affordable packageThis lightweight hoodless option has a basic set of features, is comfortable, and looks greatYou'll probably do a double-take when you look at the price of this jacket
Rating Categories Stio Pinion Hooded Rab Electron Pro Rab Microlight Alpine REI Co-op 650 Down Wantdo Packable Dow...
Warmth (30%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
5.0
Comfort (30%)
9.0
9.5
9.0
8.0
5.0
Portability (15%)
7.0
4.0
5.0
8.5
8.0
Weather Resistance (15%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
5.0
Breathability (10%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
Specs Stio Pinion Hooded Rab Electron Pro Rab Microlight Alpine REI Co-op 650 Down Wantdo Packable Dow...
Down Fill 800-fill AlliedFeather down with HyperDry hydrophic finish 800-fill European goose down with Nikwax hydrophobic finish Recycled 700-fill Down with Nikwax hydrophobic finish 650-fill down 90% duck down
Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Certified Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Outer Fabric Recycled Pertex Quantum shadow 20D ripstop 20D nylon Pertex Quantum Pro Recycled 30D nylon Pertex Quantum Recycled ripstop nylon 20D 400T nylon
Weight (Size Small) 12.0 oz 16.1 oz 14.9 oz 10.1 oz 10.6 oz
Hem Type Drop hem (large) Drop hem (large) Drop hem (large) Drop hem (small) Straight
Fit Relaxed Standard Standard Standard Standard
Pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered internal chest, 1 internal slip in pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered internal chest 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered external chest 2 zippered hand. 2 internal slip in pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered external chest, 2 internal slip in pockets
Hood Yes Yes Yes No, hooded option Yes
Cuff Construction Elastic cuffs Two stretch-panel cuffs Elastic cuffs Elastic cuffs Elastic
Adjustment Points Hem shockcord, Hood shockcord Hem shockcord, hood shockcord, hood velcro Hem shockcord, hood shockcord Hem drawcord None
Stow Option Zips into pocket Stuff sack Stuff sack None Stuff sack
Features Recycled shell materials, available hooded, non-hooded, and as a pullover Harness compatible pockets, helmet compatible hood, stiffened bill, hydrophobic down Stiffened hood bill, recycled hydrophobic down N/A N/A

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Stio Pinion Hooded is one of the most comfortable and versatile jackets we've tested. It's also surprisingly affordable for such an all-around top-performing model. It's made of recycled Pertex Quantum Shadow 20D ripstop material and insulated with 800-fill HyderDry hydrophobic down. It is a favorite among all our testers. For this impressive performance, we all guessed it would cost more, but it's relatively affordable.

Performance Comparison


stio pinion hooded - the pinion works well for most activities, from casual bike rides on...
The Pinion works well for most activities, from casual bike rides on chilly days to full-on winter weather.
Credit: Sam Schild

Warmth


The Pinion is warm enough for cold conditions. While not the absolute warmest jacket we tested, its 800-fill down insulation offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and maintains good loft. It also fits looser than many jackets, making it better for wearing layers underneath.


The baffles provide adequate insulation throughout the jacket while preventing cold spots. The amount of down fill strikes a balance between warmth and breathability. It's not too hot for active winter use, but it'll keep you warm when you're standing around outside or sitting by the fire.

stio pinion hooded - the pinion features wider baffles for warmth and narrower baffles...
The Pinion features wider baffles for warmth and narrower baffles for breathability.
Credit: Sam Schild

It has a slightly longer torso, providing good coverage when moving. The drop hem adds extra protection for your backside when you lean forward, too. A pair of toggles on both sides of the waist hem cinch allows you to adjust the shock cord in two places to seal in warmth or allow airflow as needed.

stio pinion hooded - the waist hem has shock cords near both hips so can seal in heat or...
The waist hem has shock cords near both hips so can seal in heat or loosen to allow airflow.
Credit: Sam Schild

The hood adjusts easily with a stretch cinch cord that wraps around the front and back of your head. Tightening the toggle on the back of the hood secures it in place when the wind is whipping.

stio pinion hooded - the toggle on the back of the hood adjust how tightly it holds onto...
The toggle on the back of the hood adjust how tightly it holds onto your head.
Credit: Sam Schild

The Pinion has soft knit elasticized wrist cuffs that prevent heat loss from the end of the sleeves. These cuffs are tight enough to seal in heat but not too tight to be uncomfortable or prevent you from pulling up your sleeves to cool off.

stio pinion hooded - the pinion has stretch wrist cuffs that are comfortable against bare...
The Pinion has stretch wrist cuffs that are comfortable against bare skin but also fit over gloves.
Credit: Sam Schild

Comfort


The Pinion excels in comfort. It has some of the softest lining material we've worn. The slightly relaxed cut through the torso also adds to the overall comfort. This looser fit makes it easy to layer underneath while allowing freedom to move however you want. It's also not too baggy to inhibit movement.


The Pertex Quantum fabric feels soft against the skin, and the interior lining is comfortable while wearing only a t-shirt. Many outdoor fabrics have a slippery feel to them. The Pinion feels soft in a way that's more reminiscent of a cozy shirt than an ultralight jacket.

Overall, the Pinion feels casual but has all the technical elements you need in a high-performance down jacket. You'll be comfortable on ski days and while walking the dog around town in this. And you probably won't take it off when you're switching between activities because it's so comfortable.

stio pinion hooded - the sleeves and shoulders provide an adequate range of motion for...
The sleeves and shoulders provide an adequate range of motion for any activity.
Credit: Sam Schild

The sleeves allow for a good range of motion during active pursuits. The shoulders fit wider than other jackets we tested, which allows for a full range of motion. But even though the shoulders are wider, they don't feel too wide like an ill-fitting jacket, either. The elastic cuffs work well with gloves while remaining comfortable against bare wrists.

This jacket features a well-thought-out pocket layout. It has two zippered hand warmer pockets positioned at an ideal height, an internal chest pocket perfect for keeping electronics warm, and a convenient drop-in pocket for gloves and other layers you want to access quickly.

stio pinion hooded - the pinion has an internal chest zippered pocket, two handwarmer...
The Pinion has an internal chest zippered pocket, two handwarmer pockets, and an internal drop-in pocket for gloves.
Credit: Sam Schild

Portability


The Pinion is relatively lightweight and portable. It packs into its chest pocket easily and quickly. While it's not quite ultralight, at 12 ounces, this jacket is relatively light.


This jacket is very comfortable for all-day wear. But when you do need to stash it in your pack, it packs down to a small size.

stio pinion hooded - the pinion packs into its chest pocket to a small, packable size.
The Pinion packs into its chest pocket to a small, packable size.
Credit: Sam Schild

Weather Resistance


The Pinion is one of the most weather-resistant jackets we tested. Its shell material is water resistant, and the down insulation is treated with a HyperDry hydrophobic coating. This jacket keeps you warm and protected from the elements longer than most.


If water does penetrate the water-resistant Pertex shell, the down won't wet out as fast because the HyperDry hydrophobic coating also resists moisture. This jacket can't replace a hardshell rain jacket, but it will insulate better in wet conditions, whether that moisture is from sleet, snow, or your own sweat.

stio pinion hooded - the pinion's shell material resists water, even when we sprayed it...
The Pinion's shell material resists water, even when we sprayed it directly onto the fabric and vigorously rubbed the moisture with our hands.
Credit: Sam Schild

During our spray and rub testing, the Pinion performed very well, with water beading up and rolling off the shell even after we attempted to rub it into the material. Again, when moisture eventually penetrates the DWR coating, the hydrophobic down treatment helps maintain loft and insulating properties longer than untreated down.

The Pertex Quantum shell and efficient baffle design work together to block cold gusts of wind. The hood's adjustable design provides excellent weather protection, too. You can tighten the hood to seal it onto your head, though it doesn't have a toggle to tighten around your face.

stio pinion hooded - the pinion has a cinch cord that wraps around your head so you can...
The Pinion has a cinch cord that wraps around your head so you can tighten the hood in windy conditions.
Credit: Sam Schild

Breathability


The Pinion offers average breathability for a down jacket. It uses an alternating baffle width design to balance warmth and breathability, and the looser fit allows more airflow than a tight-fitting jacket. These features provide some breathability, though down jackets aren't designed for high-output activities.


The Pinion manages moisture better than many other down jackets we tested. The narrower baffles allow more hot air to escape when you start to work hard, while the wider baffles insulate longer.

stio pinion hooded - the narrower baffles allow for more breathability and the zipper is...
The narrower baffles allow for more breathability and the zipper is easy to use when you need to dump heat.
Credit: Sam Schild

The full-length front zipper provides mechanical ventilation. The zipper is large enough not to snag or catch, even when operating it while wearing gloves. The elastic cuffs stretch enough to push the sleeves up for additional cooling. Finally, the overall more relaxed fit helps with air circulation as well.

You probably won't want to wear this jacket for high-intensity activities unless it's bitterly cold. However, it breathes well enough for casual winter wear and stop-and-go scenarios like resort skiing.

stio pinion hooded - the pinion is more breathable than many other down jackets, and it's...
The Pinion is more breathable than many other down jackets, and it's great for staying warm during breaks.
Credit: Sam Schild

Should You Buy the Stio Pinion Hooded?


The Stio Pinion Hooded offers excellent value for a premium down jacket. It balances comfort, weather protection, and warmth while maintaining versatility for everything from mountain pursuits to casual use. This is a great choice for anyone seeking a high-quality down jacket to wear all year for most cold-weather activities.

What Other Down Jackets Should You Consider?


If you're seeking the most lightweight and packable jacket for high-output activities, consider the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. If you're looking for the warmest jacket, check out the The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie. The Rab Electron Pro is also warmer and even more weather-resistant than the Pinion.

stio pinion hooded - testing the pinion on a sunny winter day in colorado's high desert.
Testing the Pinion on a sunny winter day in Colorado's high desert.
Credit: Sam Schild

Sam Schild