A Backcountry‑Meets‑Resort Kit with One Clear Mission
Stio built the Objective Pro jacket and Tracksetter ski pants as a quiver-of-one kit for skiers who split time between skin tracks and chairlifts. On stormy ridgelines above Vail Pass, the Objective Pro hardshell came out of the pack just as the wind shifted, rain morphed into thick snow, and visibility vanished. With the hood up and layers dialed, the system stayed impenetrable while lap after lap of powder stacked up. The next day, the same jacket pivoted to resort duty with a simple midlayer adjustment, proving its versatility as an uninsulated outer shell. Paired with the Tracksetter pants—softshell bottoms tuned for uphill breathability—the combo feels intentionally designed as a complete backcountry ski outfit rather than two random pieces. Together they aim to solve the classic compromise: enough protection for real storms, without sacrificing comfort and freedom of movement when you’re earning your turns.
Objective Pro Jacket: GORE‑TEX Pro Protection with Practical Pockets
As a centerpiece of any Gore Tex Pro ski system, the Stio Objective Pro jacket leans on a 70D, three-layer GORE-TEX Pro ePE construction with a waterproof rating around 28,000mm and a breathability rating below RET 6. In practice, that meant staying dry through weird rain–snow mixes and full-on storm laps, with enough airflow that short backcountry climbs didn’t turn the interior into a sauna. The fit is described as comfortable and accommodating—room for base and midlayers without feeling boxy—and the fabric denier feels burly enough for seasons of abuse. Pocketing is streamlined but ski-focused: two handwarmer pockets plus two Napoleon chest pockets, including a clever pass-through chest pocket that works well for beacons, phones, or snacks. The only real downsides are weight on the heavier side and chest pockets that share internal volume, but the overall feature set is remarkably resort-and-tour friendly.
Tracksetter Ski Pants: Softshell Comfort for Serious Skin Tracks
If the Objective Pro is the weather shield, the Tracksetter ski pants are the engine-room comfort layer. Built from PeakVert Stretch Doubleweave softshell (94% recycled nylon, 6% spandex), they trade full waterproofing for standout breathability and stretch. On dawn patrols that start in the dark and ramp into sunrise sprints, these pants let you open up your stride without feeling clammy or restricted. The cut is a highlight: a relaxed but relatively slim profile from waist to cuff that leaves space for base layers while still looking clean. Thanks to the fabric’s inherent stretch, Stio didn’t need to add extra bagginess to preserve mobility; long strides and deep compressions feel natural. Features and cuffs are deliberately minimal yet dialed for touring. The main compromises are predictable for a softshell: they’re not the most protective in full-on storms and front belt loops can bottom out, but for most tours they shine.
How the System Performs from Storm Days to Spring Corn
Worn together, the Objective Pro jacket and Tracksetter pants function as a balanced system that adapts to shifting conditions more gracefully than a typical insulated resort kit. On storm days, the GORE-TEX Pro ePE shell takes the brunt of wind, sleet, and snow, creating a secure upper-body fortress while the softshell pants handle high-output uphill work without overheating. For warm spring tours, you can lean on the Tracksetters’ excellent breathability and keep the Objective Pro stashed until summit winds pick up or clouds build—then pull it on as a true emergency layer. At the resort, the jacket’s generous, well-placed pockets make it easy to carry passes, snacks, and essentials, and the fit accommodates an extra midlayer when temperatures drop. Meanwhile, the pants still feel at home on lift days, especially for skiers who value range of motion over padded insulation on the legs.
Who This Kit Is For—and How It Compares to Typical Resort Setups
This Stio combo is best for skiers who divide their winter between lift-served laps and human-powered missions, and who prioritize comfort on the uphill without giving up serious weather protection. Compared to a conventional hardshell plus insulated pants resort setup, the Objective Pro and Tracksetter pairing is lighter, less bulky, and far superior in freedom of movement. Instead of relying on built-in insulation, you manage warmth with base and midlayers under a robust shell, allowing finer control across temperature swings. On the legs, the Tracksetters’ softshell construction keeps you drier from the inside out on the skin track, where traditional insulated resort pants tend to feel swampy and restrictive. You do sacrifice some all-day storm armor on your lower body, but if most of your backcountry days are dry, cold, and aerobic, this backcountry ski outfit hits the sweet spot between protection, breathability, and all-around versatility.