Stio Objective Insulated Winter Mittens Review: Refined Style Meets Storm-Day Protection

I’m not sure a winter mitten has ever looked so polished while delivering such serious protection, but the Stio Objective Insulated Winter Mittens pull it off. I wore these mitts through multiple cold, stormy days at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and they became a go-to for deep turns, long chairlift rides, and biting wind. From sustainability to performance, Stio didn’t cut corners — and it shows.

In short: Posh yet technical, Stio Objective Insulated ($189) winter mittens are warm, lightweight, and have PFAS-free GORE-TEX waterproof liners. The gauntlet is streamlined, the body is roomy, and the closure system is simple. Sturdy wool dividers separate each finger, and the integrated liner is cozy. A soft suede nose and goggle wipe on the thumb is a key detail that makes a big difference. At a premium price, they’re ideal for inbounds resort days and occasional tours in temps ranging from freezing to 15 degrees.

Read the full lineup of our favorite mitts in The Best Winter Mittens buyer’s guide.

Shell & Construction: A Swanky Powerhouse

Mittens can feel cumbersome and not look as swanky as gloves — but not these. They manage to feel streamlined and light, and they look good.

The outer shell is made of full-grain cow leather, which feels soft and pliable right out of the box — none of that stiff break-in period I’ve experienced on other leather mitts. 

Abrasion-resistant nubuck suede overlays reinforce the underside of the mitt, on the palm and knuckles, without making the mitt feel bulky or rigid. Even those reinforcements feel and look elegant and targeted.

Overall, the craftsmanship feels elevated, and the matte leather look is as stylish as it is functional.

Waterproofing & Breathability: Progressive ePE GORE-TEX

This mitten is among the first to use GORE-TEX’s ePE (expanded polyethylene) membrane. It replaces GORE’s previously used expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). It’s part of GORE’s move toward PFAS-free technology, and it comes with a PFC-free DWR coating and cleaner production process.

I’ve only seen and tested one other mitten with the progressive technology — the Dakine Women’s Galaxy GORE-TEX Mitt, which is a toastier, tighter-fitting, and women’s-specific mitt for smaller hands.

Despite the lighter environmental footprint, I noticed no performance dip. These mittens stayed waterproof and breathable during wet and windy storm cycles.

Just note: care is different. To maintain the DWR, you’ll want to hand-wash using a tech wash and air-dry.

Insulation & Lining: Warm Without the Bulk

These snazzy Stio mittens are packed with 100g of PrimaLoft Gold Eco, which kept my hands warm even on windy chairlifts and snowy traverses. This insulation is designed specifically for gloves and is lightweight and less bulky.

That sleek leather is windproof, as is the shell material that makes up the gauntlet. Even when things got damp — because I sweat when I ride hard, especially through trees on a powder day — I never felt chilly air creep in.

The interior liner combines 50% merino wool and 50% polyester, which balances softness, odor control, and quick-drying performance. I don’t usually like finger dividers, but I appreciated these. There was still plenty of room between each separator for me to wiggle each finger. The dividers felt pretty soft, too, and offered structure inside the mitten.

Cuff Design & Fit: Streamlined Gauntlet

The gauntlet-style cuff is narrower than most, which makes it harder to pull over bulky jacket sleeves. On the flip side, the closure system nicely cinches down the gauntlet, so it can fit inside wider jacket sleeves.

Thanks to the three-layer waterproof-windproof polyester shell, it effectively seals out snow and wind. But if you’re looking for a longer and broader trim, this leaner fit might be a drawback.

The elastic wrist cinch is easy to adjust, and it’s attached to a small loop that helps keep the strap tidy. I also liked the removable leashes and pairing clips, which kept the mittens secure without being obnoxiously long or bulky.

Critiques: What Could Be Better

The biggest potential drawback that stands out about these mitts? While the elastic cinch around the wrist is streamlined and attractive, a mitten with a Velcro closure — like the Burton Women’s GORE-TEX Under Mittens — or pull-tab wrist strap cinches — like on the Gordini Women’s Polar Mitts — can help close off the airspace around the wrist.

Another potential drawback for some skiers is that while the gauntlet reaches about halfway up my forearm, it is relatively narrow, especially when layering over thicker jacket arms.

Lastly, not all mitt-wearers prefer finger separators. This design still feels roomy enough for my small hands, but dividers are a personal preference. Also, these are warm but not the toastiest mitts I’ve tested. Other mittens pack more insulation power, including the Dakine Women’s Galaxy GORE-TEX Mitt and The North Face Montana GORE-TEX Mitts. But those are minor gripes in an otherwise stellar design, as long as the high ticket is in your price range.

Conclusion: A Premium Mitt With Eco-Minded Tech

The Stio Objective Insulated Mitt is ideal for resort riders who prioritize warmth, waterproofing, windproofness, and sustainability without sacrificing aesthetics.

At just 8 ounces (227 g), the Objective feels impressively light for its warmth and coverage. The interior liner does a great job of balancing warmth, odor resistance, and moisture management. While there are dividers between the fingers, the silhouette is nicely tapered and broad enough for wiggle room.

It’s not the most technical or burly mitt for mountaineering or sub-zero tours, but it nails the sweet spot for cold powder days and storm riding, especially if there’s wind or the temps drop to around 15 degrees. Stylish, warm, and impressively lightweight, it’s a mitt I enjoy pulling on — and it looks good, too.