Stio Environ Sustainability Report

Built with a substantial 150-denier polyester face fabric and Stio’s PeakProof 3-layer membrane, the Stio Environ jacket prioritizes durability for long-term resort skiing. Its thick construction and reinforced stitching provide additional longevity. It should reliably handle frequent use over several ski seasons.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The Environ is coated with a PFAS-free DWR. In 2023, 85% of Stio’s products were PFAS free and the company plans to transition away from PFAS completely by 2025.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The waterproof membrane in the Stio Environ jacket is PFAS-free. As of 2024, all newly developed Stio products are entirely PFAS free.

The membranes of certain waterproof products, including rain jackets, ski jackets, ski bibs, hardshells, and hiking footwear, commonly contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The Environ’s 3-layer fabric is made from 100% recycled polyester. In 2023, Stio used 54% recycled polyester and 36% recycled nylon. The company set a goal of 75% "preferred material” adoption by 2025, which Stio defines as recycled or responsibly sourced. However, the company has yet to share whether it met that goal.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

The Stio Environ does not feature any Bluesign-approved materials. Stio is not a Bluesign System Partner, but the brand states that it uses Bluesign-approved materials wherever possible.

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 30% Bluesign-approved accessories.

Stio does not share details about its manufacturing practices or standards. The brand has stated that increasing supply chain education and transparency is a goal for the future. However, that does not meet our responsible manufacturing criteria.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

Stio uses 100% recycled packaging materials for its products.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

While Stio does not have an in-house dedicated repair service that meets the Better Trail sustainability criteria, it will connect consumers to local repair providers near Stio stores. Additionally, Stio customer service will reimburse repairs with Stio store credit if they are approved under the warranty.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

Stio has a resale program called Second Turn, which gives a new life to gently used gear. In return, Stio customers get credit towards their next purchase. (It’s important to check what it accepts for trade-in. As of 2025, Stio does not accept swimwear, co-branded items, beanies, socks, bags, packs, T-shirts, any products under $50, and accessories such as gloves and mittens.) In 2024, Stio diverted about 8,600 pounds of material from landfills, saving over 28,000 gallons of water through its Second Turn program.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

Stio has been tracking its greenhouse gas emissions since 2020. Additionally, the brand is certified to the Change Climate Project’s Climate Label (formerly Climate Neutral); this program ensures that certified companies fund projects that reduce carbon emissions at a scale matching their carbon footprint while working towards ambitious emissions reduction targets. Stio set the target of reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030, but has yet to set a Scope 3 emissions reduction target (which account for over 95% of the brand’s total). Still, despite lacking a goal, the brand has made notable progress in reducing its emissions.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Stio publishes a clear and well-formated annual impact report, which includes sections on governance, environmental impact, social responsibility, and visions for the future. Overall, though, Stio’s annual impact report is shorter than some we see from other brands and lacks specifics on greenhouse gas tracking data, but is otherwise comprehensive.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.