Stio vs. Arc'teryx: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Stio offers versatile, high-quality outdoor apparel that balances technical performance with a stylish, mountain-lifestyle aesthetic for a premium but accessible price. In contrast, Arc'teryx operates at a luxury price point, focusing on minimalist design and best-in-class technical innovation for extreme weather conditions and demanding outdoor professionals.

Let's compare everything you need to know about these two brands to help you decide which one is right for your adventures.

Stio: The Mountain Lifestyle Apparel Brand

Stio is a direct-to-consumer outdoor brand based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that makes gear built for the mountain life. Their apparel transitions from high-alpine trails to downtown streets without skipping a beat, catering to active individuals who want functional, durable clothing that also looks great. The brand emphasizes comfort and thoughtful design, making it a favorite for hikers, skiers, and anyone who values a refined yet rugged outdoor style.

• Product mix: A focused collection including insulated jackets, waterproof shells, fleece layers, ski apparel, and everyday wear like pants and flannels.
• Price point: Premium, but more accessible than its technical competitors. Expect to pay $150-$400 for a jacket and around $100 for a fleece or mid-layer.
• Quality: Excellent craftsmanship using high-quality materials, with many products incorporating recycled and eco-friendly fabrics. Durability is a priority, but a balance of comfort and aesthetics is just as important.
• Sizing/Fit: Stio generally fits true to size with a comfortable, slightly relaxed cut ideal for layering. Sizing is consistent across their product lines, making online ordering reliable.
• Sustainability: The company focuses on responsible sourcing and uses recycled materials throughout its collections. They are a Climate Neutral Certified brand, showing a commitment to offsetting their carbon footprint.
• Return policy: Offers returns on unworn items with tags attached within 30 days of purchase.

Stio provides an excellent balance of technical capability, sophisticated style, and fair value, making it perfect for the outdoor enthusiast who needs one set of gear for a wide range of activities.

Shop Stio: stio.com

Arc'teryx: The Pinnacle of Technical Performance

Arc'teryx is a Canadian high-performance outerwear and equipment company known for its obsession with design, craftsmanship, and materials. Trusted by mountaineers, climbers, and backcountry skiers, the brand creates gear engineered to perform in the absolute harshest conditions. Their minimalist aesthetic, precise tailoring, and use of cutting-edge tech like GORE-TEX Pro make them an industry benchmark for quality and innovation.

• Product mix: Highly specialized technical outerwear, including shells, insulated jackets, climbing harnesses, and alpine equipment. Their offerings extend to hiking and trail running gear.
• Price point: Luxury. Waterproof shell jackets regularly range from $300 to over $700, and insulated pieces can approach $1,000. It is a significant investment in performance.
• Quality: Uncompromising. Arc'teryx is famous for its meticulous construction, watertight zippers, micro-seam allowances, and extreme durability. Their products are built to last for years of demanding use.
• Technology/Innovation: The brand is an industry leader, partnering closely with material developers like GORE-TEX to push the limits of what outdoor apparel can do. Their proprietary Coreloft insulation is another performance hallmark.
• Sizing/Fit: Arc'teryx features an athletic, trim fit designed for mobility and efficient layering. Sizing can run slim, and shoppers often consider sizing up depending on their layering system and body type.
• Return policy: Accepts returns of unused items with tags attached within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

Arc'teryx is for the user who demands the absolute best weather protection and durability and is willing to pay a premium for that peace of mind in challenging environments.

Shop Arc'teryx: arcteryx.com

Stio vs. Arc'teryx Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in price between the two brands. Arc'teryx occupies the top tier of the market. A hardshell jacket like their Beta AR can cost upwards of $600, reflecting its use of GORE-TEX Pro and complex construction. A comparable jacket from Stio, like the Environ, often sits in the $350-$450 range.

While neither brand is inexpensive, Stio consistently offers a stronger value proposition for the majority of users. You get a high-performance, well-made piece of equipment for significantly less money. The Arc'teryx price tag is justified for professionals and serious alpinists who need gear that performs flawlessly at the extremes, but it may be overkill for resort skiing or weekend hiking.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce high-quality gear, but their philosophy differs. Arc'teryx is solely focused on peak performance and durability. They use the most advanced materials available, such as GORE-TEX Pro, which offers maximum ruggedness and weatherproofing. Their construction techniques, like laminated zippers and tightly spaced stitching, are legendary and lead to gear that feels indestructible.

Stio uses high-quality fabrics, including competitive waterproof-breathable membranes, but balances raw performance with comfort and feel. Their fabrics often have a softer hand feel and a more comfortable drape, which is noticeable for all-day wear. For 95% of outdoor conditions, Stio's quality is more than sufficient. Arc'teryx stands apart in those final 5% - severe storms, wet ice climbing, and multi-day alpine expeditions.

Style & Aesthetic

Stio’s aesthetic is pure mountain contemporary. Their designs are clean and classic, with color palettes inspired by nature. This makes their apparel exceptionally versatile, a Stio down jacket looks just as natural on a chairlift as it does on a city street. The branding is subtle and refined.

Arc'teryx follows a minimalist and fiercely technical aesthetic. Form follows function perfectly, resulting in sleek, athletic silhouettes with clean lines and zero unnecessary features. The look is more aligned with purpose-built equipment than casual wear, though its precision and quality have given it massive crossover appeal in tech and streetwear circles.

Fit & Sizing

Sizing is a key point of difference. Stio follows a more traditional fit model. Their pieces are generally true to size with a comfortable, but not baggy, allowance for layers. This makes their fit accommodating for a broader range of body types.

Arc'teryx utilizes a highly articulated, athletic fit designed to move with your body during dynamic activities like climbing and skiing. Their sizing often runs trim and slim. While this is great for performance as it reduces bulk and improves thermal efficiency, it means many people need to size up from their usual size, especially if they plan to wear bulky mid-layers underneath.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both Stio and Arc'teryx make exceptional outdoor clothing, but they are designed for different customer priorities.

Choose Stio if:

• You want versatile gear for hiking, skiing, and everyday life.
• You value a blend of performance, style, and comfort.
• Your budget is in the premium range, but you want great value for your money.
• You prefer a more relaxed, true-to-size fit that's comfortable for casual wear.

Choose Arc'teryx if:

• You frequently face extreme weather conditions and need uncompromising performance.
• Durability and technical innovation are your highest priorities.
• You are willing to invest in best-in-class gear that could last a decade or more.
• You prefer a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with an athletic, trim fit built for mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stio or Arc'teryx cheaper?

Stio is significantly less expensive than Arc'teryx across all product categories. While Stio is a premium brand, its prices are more in line with competitors like Patagonia, whereas Arc'teryx is often in a luxury price category of its own.

Which brand is better for skiing?

Both are excellent for skiing. For resort skiers and those who venture into the sidecountry, Stio offers fantastic performance, great style, and better value. For aggressive backcountry skiers, ski mountaineers, or professionals who need the absolute best weather protection, Arc'teryx's durability and advanced shell materials offer a performance advantage.

How does the sizing compare?

Stio's sizing is generally relaxed and true to size, making it easy to order your normal size. Arc'teryx features an athletic, trim fit that runs slim to reduce bulk. It's common for buyers to size up in Arc'teryx shells, especially for layering, so read size charts carefully.

Are these brands sustainable?

Yes, both brands have strong environmental commitments. Stio is a Climate Neutral Certified company and utilizes recycled materials extensively. Arc'teryx invests heavily in durable product design to reduce consumption and uses Bluesign-certified materials and fair labor practices.

Which brand has a better return policy?

Both brands offer similar consumer-friendly return policies. Stio and Arc'teryx both accept returns of unworn items with original tags within 30 days of purchase.

Is Arc'teryx worth the money?

For a specific user, absolutely. If your safety or comfort in extreme alpine environments depends on your gear, the investment in Arc'teryx's tested performance is worth every penny. For many a casual outdoor user, its performance level might be more than what's needed, making a brand like Stio a more practical choice.

Does Stio use GORE-TEX?

No, Stio typically uses other high-quality waterproof/breathable membranes, such as Toray Dermizax and their proprietary PeakProof™ fabric, that provide excellent performance. This choice helps them deliver great weather protection at a more accessible price point compared to licensed GORE-TEX products.