The Bottom Line
The Stio Second Light Windshell (men’s/women’s) is designed for active days when you need reliable protection with minimal bulk. It’s made from a lightweight, breathable fabric that blocks wind while allowing excess heat to escape, making it a solid choice for hiking, trail running, or backpacking.
The Second Light quickly became one of our top picks for windbreakers due to its excellent breathability, light weight, and easy packability. Weighing in at 3.9 ounces on our scale, the Second Light provided the best wind protection by weight of any jacket we tested. Wearing it for trail runs, backcountry skis, and spring hikes in changeable weather, we quickly came to rely on the Second Light for protection in a variety of conditions.
The Second Light packs down into your chest pocket, so it’s easy to stash in a backpack or pants pocket when you need to remove a layer. Thoughtful details like a tailored fit, adjustable hood, and elastic cuffs help keep things comfortable and protected in changing weather. Although not exposed to heavy rain, it dries quickly when wet. Overall, the Second Light is a versatile layer that balances light weight with reliable performance.
How We Tested
The Stio Second Light was tested over two months in late winter and early spring in Alaska. We wore this jacket during a variety of activities and changing weather conditions, from cross-country skiing to spring hiking, to test all aspects of its performance.
Quick Details
Stio Second Light Windshell
A comfortable Next-to-Skin Windbreaker
rating:
4.5/5.0
Amount:
$129
Weight:
4.4 oz.
Materials:
100% nylon, stretch PU coating, DWR finish
Packages:
1 zipped chest
Benefits
- Lightweight
- It’s breathing
- You are comfortable in the skin
- Thumb loops
- Pack it in its chest pocket
Evil
- It runs very fast
- The hood doesn’t want it
- Not very weather resistant
Wind and Weather Resistance
The Stio Second Light packs impressive wind resistance into a lightweight package. On a blustery spring day with winds up to 30 miles per hour, we were pleasantly surprised that the jacket blocked all the wind. Thumb loops help close the cuffs, and an adjustable hem keeps the jacket tight at the waist. Although the hood has some stretch to help keep it in place, we did notice some ventilation to help ease the cinch.
While it offers plenty of protection on windy days, the Second Light suffers when it starts to rain. The jacket was quick to get wet in anything but misty rain. Windbreakers aren’t usually meant to replace a fully waterproof rain jacket or hard shell, but the Second Light falls short compared to some of its direct competitors.
Breathing
While testing the Second Light on up-tempo activities like hilly trail running and riding with weighted packs, we quickly fell in love with this jacket for its excellent breathability. The materials are among the thinnest in our lineup, allowing for good ventilation and sweat release. We didn’t suffer from the baggy feel found in other jackets, making it a favorite for trail runs and brisk hikes. If breathing is your priority, Second Light is a solid option.
Weight & Packaging
With a claimed weight of 4.4 ounces and a rated weight of 3.9 ounces, the Second Light is one of the lightest jackets on our list. While there are lighter jackets out there, the Second Light strikes an excellent balance between weight and weather protection.
We easily hid it in a running vest or belt, and even carried it in the pockets of our hiking pants. Easily packed into a zippered chest pocket, the Second Light travels quickly and with minimal effort. From trail running to fast and light hiking, Second Light is a great choice.
Comfort & Fit
Like the other Stio products we’ve tested, the Second Light jacket is large. We had to go down our regular size for a better fit. Designed with a “Normal” Stio fit, the Second Light has a slot-shaped design that errs on the open side, even if it’s a smaller size. This allows for easy layering underneath in cooler weather but may be a bit baggy for those looking for a more sporty cut. The 20-denier ripstop nylon material is slightly stretchy, allowing for a natural feel with no restriction of movement.
Should You Buy Stio Second Light?
The Stio Second Light is an excellent jacket for anyone looking for a quality player at a reasonable price. We wore it in both winter and spring conditions and found it to be very adaptable to the seasons and weather conditions. It’s breathable, comfortable, and has great mobility for a variety of activities. Reasonably light and easily packed into its reversible chest pocket, this is a great layer to throw in your pocket and quickly use when needed.
The jacket runs large enough that it’s still a bit snug even when sized down. In other words, it is probably not the best thing for those who choose a sports cut. It’s not good at protecting against moisture, either, although it’s effective at what it’s designed to do: reliably seal the air.
What Other Air Conditioners Should You Consider?
Check out our gear guide to the best windbreakers for a full list of favorites. The three options below are the strongest options for Stio Second Light.
Montbell Tachyon Review: For an even lighter option, the Tachyon is hard to beat at just 2.5 ounces. It sacrifices some rigidity as a result, and the trim cut makes it difficult to layer underneath, but it’s a surprisingly complete option for the weight.
Critical Review of Rab: One of our top picks for those on a budget, the Vital packs great performance at a price that won’t break the bank. It offers better protection from light rain than the Second Light, and we like the snap pocket on the chest for ventilation. Breathing is a big compromise.
Mountain Hardwear Kor AirShell Review: At about the same weight, the Kor AirShell pulls in zippered hand pockets for improved safety and convenience. It’s more expensive than the Stio, but the deft balance between breathability and protection is hard to beat.
