By Jeff Valliere
Introduction: While at a recent launch event for the Stio Ridgecap Low hiking shoes in Boulder, Stio was gracious enough to provide those of us in attendance with several amazing articles of clothing to review.
Based in Jackson Hole Wyoming, at the base of the Grand Tetons, Stio makes the highest quality outdoor clothing, shoes and accessories for a wide range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, running, lifestyle, biking, fishing, paddling, skiing and snowboarding. The clothing reviewed below covers a wide range of uses from biking, hiking to daily wear, featuring high tech materials that keep up with your activities while looking stylish. Stio the ultimate brand for function AND fashion.
$129/$179
The Men’s OPR shorts/pants (OPR stands for “Old Pass Road” in Teton County known for great mountain biking) are designed for mountain biking, as well as other mountain pursuits like hiking or just all around daily wear.
Shorts Features:
- Made for mountain biking with active versatility
- Durable, 4-way stretch fabric with DWR finish
- Ergonomic fit with an adjustable waistband for comfort on bike
- Regular Fit: A casually shaped design that’s not too tight and not too baggy
Pants Features:
- Made for mountain biking with active versatility
- Durable, 4-way stretch fabric with DWR finish
- Articulated double layered knee panels accommodate light knee pads
- Regular Fit: A casually shaped design that’s not too tight and not too baggy
Constructed from Schoeller stretch fabric with a sleek, streamlined fit and gusseted construction, the OPR shorts/pants offer an unrestricted range of motion. They feature strategic perforated panels that encourage ventilation on warm days. The zippered security pockets are great for securing essential items that you bring along and the OPR has two inseam choices, 9” and 11.5”.
I opted for the 11.5” version, as I have long legs and prefer the added coverage to protect from the sun. the 11.5” is a great length for me, coming all the way down to my knees. I am typically a size medium in shorts, so I went with a 33” waist in the OPR, but they were a little snug, so I needed to trade out for a 34”. This was a bit of a surprise, as the other pants and shorts listed below, including the OPR Pant are all 33” and fit me perfectly, so for some reason the OPR short sizing is slightly different.
As I mentioned, I went with 33” for the Pant. It comes with a standard “regular” inseam, which, despite my long legs, are adequate length, especially when on the bike, I definitely do not want extra length when riding, so the length is perfect.
The OPR shorts/pants strike a perfect balance of being loose enough to not feel constricting, yet with a streamlined enough cut to not feel overly flappy while mountain biking. There is no liner, but they both slide on easily and work well over a bib short.
The OPR Shorts have deep front pockets, as well as two zippered pockets, one on the lower left thigh and one high on the right hip, either of which can accommodate a wallet or smartphone without feeling bouncy, as the pockets are sewn in and structured enough to keep items in place. The Pants feature essentially the same pockets, but with an additional zippered pocket on the right thigh. There is also an adjustment loop on either side of the hip for micro waist adjustments (and there are also traditional belt loops if you need them).
The materials are moderately thin, semi stretchy, breathable and flexible, offering a great range of motion and flexibility, while providing good structure, with a very high quality feel.
I find both the pants and shorts to be great for more casual rides, for when I am out with the family, commuting or running errands around town, as when I am a bit more committed to a ride, I will wear more dedicated bib shorts or tights depending on temperature (I guess this will just depend on your preference though).
Sizes 30” - 40” waist
$89/$109
Intro/Details:
The Coburn Pant/Short are made from a lightweight, stretch woven twill that balances performance with casual style. Featuring Stio’s stretchy reTetonic Twill™ fabric, a comfortable fit and wide range of inseam choices, the Coburn is ideal for warm days when transitioning between active/casual uses. Reinforced stitching ensures they can hold up to whatever is on tap for the day ahead. I find the Coburn Pant/Short to be ideal for daily wear, going out to dinner, wearing to the office or for travel.
Shorts Features:
- Durable, abrasion-resistant fabric has light stretch and weather resistance
- Custom Stio T-Lock snap at waistband closure with zippered fly
- Regular Fit: A casually shaped design that’s not too tight and not too baggy
Pants Features:
- Durable, abrasion-resistant fabric has light stretch and weather resistance
- Mid-rise, roomy fit through legs
- Regular Fit: A casually shaped design that’s not too tight and not too baggy
Fit/Performance:
I chose the longer 10” length in the shorts ( with 8” also an option) as I prefer a little extra coverage, as I also opted for the OPR shorts.
The Coburn pants come in 3 different length options, short, regular and long. As my inseam is just shy of 35”, I opted for the longest length. I find the length to be good, though perhaps even a touch long despite my inseam and probably would have been fine with regular length, but the long length goes unnoticed when wearing shoes.
The materials are lightweight and feel very cool on the skin, with a welcome amount of stretch for flexibility and active pursuits. On hot days (I have tested in temps as high as 90), they feel very breathable and cool. While I reserve the Coburn for daily wear and not really for outdoor active pursuits, I have done enough hiking in them to know that they easily can perform double duty.
Men’s Trax Power Grid Half Zip Hoodie
Sizes S-XXL
$129
Intro/Details:
The Trax Power Grid Half Zip Hoodie is lightweight, low-profile and comfortable through a wide range of conditions, it features Polartec® Power Grid™ fleece that gives the hoodie a high level of warmth and minimal bulk. The interior has a raised grid design to increase breathability and reduce volume by holding in heat when it's needed and letting it out when it's not, quickly wicking moisture from skin, keeping you dry and comfortable.
The streamlined hood adds a nice bit of extra warmth, with an elastic rim that prevents it from slipping while on the move.
The Trax also features flatlock seams to ensure smooth layering with thumbholes to keep sleeves in place if needed. A concealed zipper pocket on the lower hem stashes small essentials.
Features:
- Polartec® Power Grid™ offers ultra-lightweight warmth and breathability
- Flatlock seams maximize comfort and ease of layering
- Regular Fit: A casually shaped design that’s not too tight and not too baggy
Fit/Performance:
I find the Trax Power Grid Half Zip Hoodie to be best as a midlayer during the shoulder seasons when it is not too cold out, for running, hiking, etc…., but like most Stio products, is also quite versatile and easily can pull double duty as a “dress hoodie”, pairing well with the Coburn pants or shorts for an evening out, or day to day wear.
The Hoodie fits true to size in my normal size medium, with a relaxed, but not baggy fit. It is quick drying and breathable and the hood is comfortable and stays in place well without limiting head movement. I really appreciate the lightweight and feel of the Trax hoodie, as well as its versatility and packable size, which makes it easy to bring along on any adventure or for travel.
Sizes XS-XXXL
$89
Intro/Details:
Designed for shielding from the hot sun on adventurous days outside, the Hylas is a versatile, highly protective sun hoodie that is ideal for those wide open hikes in the mountains, or time spent at the beach, lake for river/fishing/water activities.
The Hylas is made from quick-drying and breathable reHelion™ fabric and offers exceptional stretch and UPF 50+ protection. HeiQ Fresh and HeiQ Smart Temp finishes minimize odor and facilitate cooling in warm temperatures.
- Recycled, stretch, performance fabric, with odor control and temperature regulating technology
- 50+ UPF rating for excellent sun protection
- Flatlock seams for comfort and easy layering
- Regular Fit: A casually shaped design that’s not too tight and not too baggy
Fit/Performance:
Fit for me is true to size in my usual medium, with a good balance of being a casual fit, without being too loose or baggy, nor too sporty.
Living in Colorado, where I often spend time recreating outdoors year round, I have become a huge fan of wearing long sleeve, light colored hooded sun shirts. As I age, I become increasingly careful and conscientious about the amount of sun exposure I get and aside from avoiding the sun altogether (which I do well during the week getting out very early in the morning), I find it best to stay covered up.
It seems counterintuitive on hot summer days to put on a long sleeve hoodie, but I have found that if you choose a lighter color (I always insist on white, or light grey at the darkest), I find that in many circumstances, it is cooler to keep the sun off of you. I also wear full brimmed sun hats to keep the sun off, which is great for casual times, but when hiking or running, especially in technical terrain and with any intensity, the brim interferes with my peripheral awareness.
With a sun hoodie, I can pull up the hood over my standard ball cap (or, when windy, snug the cap over the hood), where this does an effective job of keeping the sun off of my neck and ears, while still allowing for maneuverability and field of vision.
The Hylas is not the thinnest of the sun shirts that I have used, but the materials are premium, relatively thin with a tight weave that I feel gives superior sun protection and is a shirt that I truly believe is SPF 50.
Especially in the white color, it keeps me very cool even on hot days, breathes well and dries quickly.
Size S-XXL
$139/$115
Intro/Details:
The Eddy Drift Shirts are again all about versatility, featuring wind and water resistance, UPF 50+ sun protection, handy chest pockets (one with a zipper on the long sleeve version), TPU buttons and easy rolling button tab sleeves on the long sleeve version to keep the sleeves from unrolling. Again, going with the Stio theme, the Eddy Drift shirts are both functional and stylish, coupling well with the Coburn shorts/pants for a day outside adventuring, followed by a night on the town or for travel.
Features:
Long Sleeve:
- Performance fabric sheds weather, dries quickly with mechanical stretch for range of motion
- UPF 50+ provides sun protection
- Relaxed Fit: An easy-going design that fits loosely
Short Sleeve:
- Performance fabric sheds weather, dries quickly with mechanical stretch for range of motion
- UPF 50+ provides sun protection
- Regular Fit: A casually shaped design that’s not too tight and not too baggy
Fit/Performance:
As described, the fit of both the long sleeve and short sleeve versions are loose fitting and somewhat baggy, so definitely not form fitting. This is good for comfort and ease of movement, appropriate I think for the intended purpose of fishing and general casual outdoor use crossing over to evening dress up or travel. I personally prefer a bit more of a tapered fit, but I also prefer a bit extra room than being overly snug.
I have done some light hiking in both shirts and they do a great job protecting from the sun and are light, breathable, quick drying and allow freedom of movement.
The majority of my use of the Eddy shirts for me has been going out to eat, school functions (daughter’s choir concerts) and to the office. I will also be bringing them along for international travel this summer.
On the long sleeve version, the left chest pocket has an outer snap pocket, as well as an inner chest pocket.
Conclusions:
Stio is at the top of the list for high quality, versatile outdoor clothing that are ideal for being active outdoors, from hiking, running, lifestyle, biking, fishing, paddling, skiing and snowboarding. All of their pieces are quite stylish and versatile, where many, like most of the items reviewed here are great for crossing over to casual use, a night on the town or do it all travel clothing. If you are looking for the best combination of quality, versatility and style, Stio is your brand.
Shop for Stio
STIO
REI
Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state, many 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and beyond, plus, he has summited his local Green Mountain over 2,100 times in the past 20 years. He can be found on mountain trai
ls daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not. On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.
No comments:
Post a Comment