Stio Pinion Hooded Review

The Stio Pinion Hooded is one of the most comfortable and versatile jackets I'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. This jacket is a favorite among every one of the testers I had try it. For this impressive performance, I would have guessed it would cost more, but it's relatively affordable.

Warmth

The Pinion is warm enough for cold conditions. While not the absolute warmest jacket I 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.

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.

I find 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. It's easy to adjust the toggle, even with gloves on.

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.

Comfort

The Pinion excels in comfort. It has some of the softest lining material I'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 my 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 blanket 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.

The sleeves allow for a good range of motion during active pursuits. The shoulders fit wider than other jackets I 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 my 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.

Portability

The Pinion is relatively lightweight and portable. It packs into its chest pocket easily and quickly. While it's not quite ultralight, at 13 ounces, this jacket is relatively light.

I find it very comfortable for all-day wear and rarely feel the need to take it off unless I get hot. But when you do need to stash it in your pack, it packs down to a small size.

Weather Resistance

The Pinion is one of the most weather-resistant jackets I 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.

During waterproof testing, the Pinion performed very well, with water beading up and rolling off the shell even after I attempted to rub it into the material. Again, when moisture eventually penetrates the shell's 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.

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 like this one aren't designed for high-output activities.

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

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.

Should You Buy the Stio Pinion Hooded?

I think 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, I recommend the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. If you're looking for the warmest jacket, check out the The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie. The REI Co-op Magma 850 Hoodie is also slightly warmer and more portable than the Pinion, so it's worth a look.