Logo
    Show
    Hide
    Login
    Close

    SITE LOGIN

    • Forgot your password?

    Register

    New Ski Touring Maps and Guides
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Best New Summer Gear
        • Best New Summer Gear 2023
        • Best New Summer Gear 2022
        • Best New Summer Gear 2021
        • Best New Summer Gear 2020
      • Holiday Gift Guide
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2022
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2023
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2021
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2019
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2018
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2017
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2016
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Best New Summer Gear
      • Holiday Gift Guide
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us

    HOTTEST REVIEWS


    RMU North Shore 114 Skis MADE Custom Apparel G3 R3 Recyclable Skis Garmin inReach Messenger Peak 104SC Skis Burton Hometown Hero Splitboard MEC Couloir Jacket/Pants

    VIDEOS YOU'LL LIKE


    Helly Hansen Lifa Infinity Dalbello Quantum Boots Line Vision 118 Skis The North Face Futurelight Black Crows Corvus Skis Plum OAZO Bindings Tecnica Zero G Tour Boots

    NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

    Unsubscribe
    Elan
    Zoleo
    • Home
    • »
    • REVIEWS
    • »
    • Clothing
    • »
    • Soft Shells
    • »
    • Stio Skillet Pant

    Stio Skillet Pant

    As an avid backcountry skier, I’ve always sworn by hardshell attire. No matter what the conditions, you know a well-made hardshell is going to keep out all the elements. So when I was asked to review a pair of the Stio Skillet soft-shell pants, I was a bit hesitant. Sure, I’ll wear a soft-shell jacket while touring up and stash it or keep it on under my outer layer when going down but to have just one pair of soft-shell pants in the backcountry left me with questions. What if it gets really cold? What if the snow’s really wet or I spend the day tomahawking in the powder or sitting on my arse? How is a pair of soft-shell pants going to hold up under those conditions?

    Stio Skillet Pant

    It’s only fitting that my new foray into the world of soft-shell pants should be via Stio, a relatively new company in the outdoor soft goods market. Founded in 2011 by long-time industry veteran and soft-shell pioneer Stephen Sullivan, the Jackson’s Hole-based company makes backcountry specific gear as well as a few urban hipster shirts and sweaters. I had the opportunity to review its Stio Environ hardshell jacket recently, which I really liked, but it was going to take something special to win me over to the Stio Skillet Pant.

    Two metal snaps on the center front closure plus elastic binding finish on the interior waistband.

    Stio Skillet Pant
    SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEO

    Features:

    - Schoeller® stretch woven fabric: 91% Polyester, 9% Elastane, 259 g/m2 with eco-repel®
    - 2 metal snaps at center front closure
    - Zippered front fly
    - Elastic binding finish at interior waistband
    - Zippered hand, back and thigh pockets (6 total)
    - Articulated knee darts
    - Zippered cuff with adjustable snap closure

    Zippered cuff with adjustable snap closure for pulling over ski boots and plenty of zippered pockets—hand, back and thigh (6 total).

    Stio Skillet Pant
    Stio Skillet Pant

    Verdict:

    Gone are the days of stumbling around at 5am trying to find my long underwear in the dark. Instead, I grab some boxers, slide into a pair of Stio Skillet Pants and head out into the freeze for a dawn patrol. Or an all-day backcountry mission. Or a slackcountry tour. I’ve been using these soft-shell pants for the past few months now and loving them. The first thing I have to say about the Skillet Pant is they’re incredibly comfortable. The Schoeller fabric is plush on the inside and waterproof (at least so far) on the outside and the four-way stretch of the fabric is amazingly liberating. It’s also very resistant to abrasion as I can attest to from a particularly spirited tree run that saw more than a few encounters with low-lying branches. Even during my slackcountry missions when I’d ride the chairlift up to avoid an hour of slog, I found the pants warm enough to sit on the chair with just boxers on underneath. (Although I wouldn’t do a full day in them at the resort.)

    Most of my touring days were in mild temperatures that hovered around -5 and I found the fabric breathed really well. There were a few moments I longed for side vents but the feeling is probably a throwback to my experience with heavier hardshell bibs. At no point did I feel like I was sweating inside them. I can’t really attest to the warmth of the pants in really cold temps, however I can say that on one of our tours we got caught out on a ridge in 60km/hr winds that hammered us with buckshot snow and I was plenty warm. 

    The last thing I’ll say about the Schoeller® fabric of the Skillets is when we were setting up the photoshoot two months after I started using them, I noticed a small amount of pilling happening on the outer surface, especially in the waist area where my jacket tends to rub against it. I’ll be keeping a closer eye on this as the months pass and will report back about any further degradation.

    Other favourite features of the Stio Skillet pants include the six zippered pockets, the articulated knees, the front zipper (way more convenient than my bibs when nature calls) and the zippered cuffs with snaps. Regarding the cuffs, it will again be interesting to see how the fabric holds up after a few more months of use. All my other pants have had reinforced patches to accommodate for boot rub but these do not so the durability of the Schoeller fabric is definitely going to be tested.

    The last thing I’ll say about these pants is they have a tight fit and even if I wanted to wear long underwear underneath them, I probably couldn’t. This is something to consider if you have tree trunk thighs or a big bootie. Definitely try them on before you buy.

    Overall, the Stio Skillet pants have won me over to the world of soft shell and I expect to enjoy many more seasons of back and slackcountry in them.

    Also, read our review of the Stio Environ Jacket which is a great complimentary piece to the Skillet Pants.

    Excellent range of motion with the Schoeller stretch woven fabric and articulated knee darts allowing for flexibility.

    Stio Skillet Pant
    Stio Skillet Pant

    PROS:

    • Super comfortable, four-way stretch fabric that’s warm and comfortable. The stretchability of the fabric along with the articulated knees make these pants some of the most flexible out there. Plus the 6 zippered pockets are great.  

    CONS:

    • Long-term durability may be an issue with these pants. Some pilling was noticed in the waist area after a few months of use and, because the cuffs aren’t reinforced, it will be interesting to see how the hold up against boot rub. Also, there is no transceiver clip in the thigh pocket to allow for wearing your transceiver in that fashion.

    SPECS:

    Price: $195US
    Size: 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 38
    Colour: Eiffel Tower
    Weight: 623g / 22oz
    ​

    RATING: 8/10

    Fit/Mobility                   2/2
    Packability:                   1/2
    Waterproof/Breathable 1.5/2
    Features:                      2/2
    Quality/Price:               1.5/2

    buy backcountry skiing gear


    Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in below and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation.

    Leave a Comment:

    Back to the rest of the reviews.


    We built this backcountry skiing community for you, the passionate skier, and hope you enjoy the hard work we put into all the reviews, routes, videos, and posts we create. It’s been free from day one but that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable resource. If you enjoy this website and value the content we create for you, then please support Backcountry Skiing Canada by donating today or by clicking on those sponsor ads and 'Buy Now' links at the bottom of the reviews. Thank you!

    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022-23 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved.