Versatile jackets are the name of the game in my book. Having something that can go from skin-track to a night on the town without skipping a beat is always nice. Stio has a great handle on just that and the Fernos Insulated Hooded Jacket has much to offer in the backcountry or around town.
Stio Fernos Insulated Hooded Jacket Features:
- PeakFill™ Active Insulation
- Microfiber shell with a soft hand and mechanical stretch
- Water-repellent finish resists water and reduces dry time
- Fixed hood with peripheral adjustments
- Zippered chest pocket and handwarmer pockets (YKK zippers)
- Adjustable drawcord hem
- Regular Fit: A casually shaped design that’s not too tight and not too baggy
- Hang tag loop
- MSRP: $299
Versatility on display
Let’s talk about fit first. With a regular fit, the Fernos Insulated Jacket starts right off the bat with versatility. It’s not baggy or athletic, but a Goldilocks fit that strikes the perfect blend for whatever you want to throw at it. There’s enough underneath it to layer it up as needed and still feel unrestricted. Sleeve length is just right for proper coverage and the overall cut is superb. Honestly, it feels 100% custom-tailored for everyday use in the mountains and beyond. With that spot-on fit, Stio has delivered my latest “go-to” jacket. Of all the jackets in my garage, the Fernos is the one I reach for. Verifying this, a friend of mine, who works at Sundance Resort, has this same jacket and it’s also his go-to for daily use on the hill and around town (where I ran into him).
My primary testing has been cold-weather hiking and trail running on my local trail network. Temperatures have been in the mid-20’s to upper-30’s and the Fernos has been a more-than-willing partner. We’ve been waiting a long time for snow to finally arrive along the Wasatch Front, so I’ve been hiking/running on dry and cold trails, which are usually snow covered by now.
As noted by Stio, this jacket offers plenty of mechanical stretch that moves with me naturally. As I’m moving at a faster pace or on particularly-steep climbs, every movement is met with restriction-free motion. Some of that is due to the stretchy and airy micro fleece underarm panels. The added airflow they afford is also noteworthy. The main body fabric and insulation breathes pretty well, but the underarm panels take breathability to the next level without limiting the jacket’s weather-resistance. That same micro fleece extends to the buttery-soft cuffs that work well with or without gloves.
I always put hand pockets under a high level of scrutiny and these are no exception. Does the insulation sit in front of or behind the pockets? How big are they? Are they easily accessed? I’ll be happy to report that the pockets sit both behind and in front of the PeakFill Active Insulation for both warmth and comfort. Stio got it right! And, these pockets are also large enough to swallow a pair of climbing skins. And, the zippered access sits above a backpack waist belt. Great placement, excellent comfort and the perfect size — the trifecta of great hand pockets. In addition, the chest pocket is nice for carrying my iPhone, wallet or other similar items for easier access.
Dual hem toggles can easily cinch down the hem for proper weather protection. Wind protection is decent, but both the underarms and front zipper are notably penetrable. With stiff winds, expect a good amount of airflow to enter at the zipper. And, consider this jacket “water resistant” and only suitable for light rain or snow. Soggy, northwest-style snow will quickly overwhelm the light DWR treatment and so will a constant rain, as you can see. But, that’s not this jacket’s strong suit — it’s more of a dry and cold-weather jacket, so keep that in mind. However, it does dry out in a hurry once you get out of the rain.
When the weather goes south, the attached hood comes in handy. It’s a good size that can be easily deployed atop a beanie or running cap and also removed without pulling everything off in the process. It’s a good size that’s not so big to get blown around and not so snug to interfere with beanies, etc. And, the single rear drawcord quickly gets out of the way for proper peripheral vision. There is no brim, but those can often just get in the way. When zipped-up and the hood on, the collar sits just below my mouth — allowing me to tuck my chin inside for added warmth. However, when the hood is not up, the top of the zipper could use an improved chin guard as it rubs the underside of my chin. I would suggest a small zipper garage to improve that issue.
Breathability is important and the PeakFill Active Insulation does a great job of both warmth and breathability. With a short-sleeve shirt underneath, things can get a little chilly in the 30’s, but bearable. A long-sleeve of various weights will indeed deliver warmth and comfort when things get a little colder, but don’t expect this to hold up to Arctic cold weather — that’s not its strong suit. It’s made for moving fast in the mountains and not sitting on the lake ice fishing. And, as an added bonus, it remains stink-free for multiple uses before it needs washing.
Fit: I’m 5’11” and 175 lbs, wearing the size medium Fernos Insulated Hooded Jacket in the Terrain color.
Buy Now: Visit Stio.com
The Bottom Line
Stio-tacular
The Stio Fernos Insulated Hooded Jacket is a highly versatile, do-everything jacket that shines in dry, cold conditions where mobility and comfort matter most. With a perfectly balanced fit, stretchy fabrics and breathable PeakFill™ Active Insulation, it works equally well for fast hiking, light trail running and everyday mountain-town use. Thoughtful details like excellent hand pocket placement, soft cuffs and a right-sized hood make it easy to live in, while its light weather resistance and quick dry time keep expectations realistic in wet conditions. It’s not a storm shell or deep-winter parka — it’s a refined, go-to active jacket you’ll reach for again and again.
The Good:
- Offers the perfect overall fit
- Hand pockets offer the trifecta of warmth, size and placement
- Quality materials throughout
- A killer go-to jacket of choice
- Versatile and breathable
The Bad:
- DWR is pretty weak sauce
- Wind readily penetrates the front zipper
- Could use a zipper garage
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Weather Protection
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Fit
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Mobility
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Features
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Quality
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Breathability