Gear Review | Gannett Peak Hooded Jacket | Stio
Retail: $159
Company: Stio
This is a fashion forward, modern outdoorsman company with a great mix between style and technology. These guys not only make some really advanced products but they also do it with great color concepts, cuts, and design. Hailing from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Stio is in the perfect location to design, test, and bring to market the exact apparel needed to live a mountainous lifestyle.
The Review
This review will discuss the Men's Gannett Peak Hooded Jacket which comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
Features
- Karuishi Fleece, 100% Polyester, 180 g/m2, wicking finish
- Draft flap at center front zipper seals out elements
- Fixed performance fit hood
- Elastic binding at hood opening
- YKK® zippered hand and chest pockets
- Custom Stio® silicone zipper pull at center front
- Cording zipper pulls at hand pockets for easy use
- Embroidered Stio® and Pinecone logos
- Center back length: 27.75”
- Weight: 12 oz.
- Regular Fit - Our medium cut. Roomier than Trim but designed with athletic performance and comfort in mind.
Let me speak for a moment about the cut and feel of the jacket first. I am 6'0" and 165 lbs. with a semi-athletic build :). I ordered down a size (normally wear a large but ordered a medium) because I really like a slim fitting garment. This proved to be a great choice because the jacket fit me perfectly. If you are larger, have broader shoulders, or a beer belly, I would recommend ordering as normal. The jacket does not flare in the front or back and has great features which I will highlight below. The hood is probably the best part. All-in-all, I couldn't be happier about the cut, color, and fit of the jacket.
I have worn this mid-layer on a few hiking trails including both a winter desert hike and a 9,000 ft. snow covered summit hike. I have also worn this around the house and even out on a dinner date with my wife Casi. In every situation the jacket performed as it should have.
The weather on my winter desert hike was a beautiful 48 degrees and rose to the low 60's. I was thouroughly impressed with the warmth the "jacket" provided on the hike. I wore a t-shirt underneath and felt like the mid-layer did it's job by wicking away moisture from my body.
The snow covered summit hike really pushed this hoodie to the max. It was a 5 mile round trip hike with 2,500 ft. in elevation gain and was a brisk 20 degrees and windy at the peak. I wore a base layer under my mid-layer with nothing else and I stayed warm until the wind came about 1/4 mile from the peak. The jacket did a nice job protecting but couldn't hold up against the wind and I did get a little uncomfortable (to be expected for a mid-layer).
What I liked
- The fit: The jacket fit slim and did not flare or stretch out of shape. The sleeves are nice and don't have elastic cuffs.
- The performance: The jacket really holds up well in a variety of tests I put it through. I really enjoy the fleece and how well it wicked moisture from my body keeping me dry and happy. The garment is thin yet very well made.
- The hood: The hood is awesome. It contours nicely to your head and the elastic around the hood makes it feel secure without having drawstrings which is so great. I'd feel comfortable in the wind or wearing a helmet.
- Attention to detail: I love the little things about this jacket. The pockets not only zip but have a nice, thin liner which doesn't make the front feel bulky. I also love the zip chest pocket, although, admittedly I never use them. I love that the jacket has no drawstrings and doesn't bunch up with a backpack.
What I didn't Like
- The wind: The jacket didn't hold up very well in the wind. It did a really nice job up until that point but when the wind (about 10-15 mph) started I could really feel it through the jacket.
- Affordability: At $159 it's not a steal by any means. On the other side of the coin it does serve many functions and if you need a good all-around mid-layer this is a great choice.
Conclusion
This is a solid mid-layer. I don't have many bad things to say about it. It performs well. It fits nice. It looks great. If you live in an area where fall hikes abound then you really should consider getting this jacket.