Stio Dawner Vest

Lightweight windbreaker vest.

I was looking for a way to add a bit of warmth to my fall activities without adding weight and bulk, and found that Stio’s Dawner Vest provides everything I need for cool and cold outdoor activities.

Warm, Breathable

The Stio Dawner Vest is available in women’s and men’s styles. I started wearing the Women’s Dawner Vest over a merino t-shirt a couple of months ago when I was feeling chilly on evening bike rides around Malmö, Sweden. The vest kept me warm and did an excellent job of wicking away moisture, so I also stayed dry.

In September The Dawner Vest became my favorite top layer over a merino hoodie after open water swimming sessions in Göteborg. Again, the vest provided much needed warmth, as well as wind protection on chilly rides home from open water swimming sessions. I get around by bike, so it’s nice to have a layer that allows me freedom of movement and helps me stay dry and comfortable. I need to stay warm but not overheat or get that clammy damp feeling on my torso during my long rides home from the lake, so I love that the Dawner Vest performed so well for me.

The Dawner Vest adds virtually no weight; I almost don’t even notice I’m wearing it. The material has plenty of give to it. Because it’s so light and thin it’s been ideal for my months-long travels in Sweden, and it packs small. I can stash it into my carry-on bag so it’s always available when I need it.

Perfect for Layering

I’ve had to cycle, hike, and walk in everything from a drizzle to a downpour, so I’ve had the opportunity to wear the body-hugging Dawner Vest as a mid-layer, too, under my rain jacket on cool fall days. It’s so much more comfortable under a shell than my puffy vest!

I can get very warm from even mild activity, so I appreciate this thin vest because it breathes and wicks to help me not overheat. I often go from cycling to walking or from cycling swimming, so it’s nice to have a single garment that performs well during a variety of activities.

Designed for Action

The Dawner Vest has a grid-patterned polyester lining, called Octa™, that is soft against my skin and highly breathable. It’s designed to wick moisture and to retain heat, and I think it performs both of these functions extremely well.

The stretchy nylon shell has a PSAS-Free DWR finish, and it also quite soft and silky to the touch. I’ve been caught in a few rain storms, so I am happy that the vest resists drizzle. In harsher weather, the vest has gotten wet, but it also dries quickly, so I can usually wear it again later in the day. 

When I’m outside I carry a lot of stuff, so I really appreciate the two large zippered side pockets, as well as the small, flat zippered pocket on the inside of the vest. In cold weather I find the collar provides decent protection from the elements when zipped all the way up. I can use the cord pulls on the inside of the vest to cinch the hem tighter, too.

Bottom Line

I found a perfect fit in my usual size using the Stio fit chart. I’m 6” tall and would love it if the vest was an inch longer, but I can’t really complain about anything with this vest. It’s become a key part of my fall uniform, and I know I’ll be wearing it under my puffy jacket this winter, too. 

Available in women’s size XS-XL in four colors: Boundless, Boundary Black, Inferno, and Quiet Grey. The Men’s Dawner Vest comes in sizes S-XXL in Boundless, Boundary Black, and Bonfire. 

Brand: Stio

$199 at Stio website

main image from Stio website