It’s a Rain Boot. It’s a Snow Boot—and I Carry It All Winter Long

Welcome to Dinogo Approved: a detailed exploration of the travel gear we can’t get enough of, never leave behind, and enthusiastically recommend to our friends.

At first sight, the new Stio Colter Boot might remind you of a Moon Boot, a retro sneaker-boot from the Y2K era that made you feel like you were bouncing on the moon. Fortunately, styles have evolved, and in October 2022, outdoor lifestyle brand Stio introduced its debut footwear collection, which is far sleeker and more adaptable than those bulky predecessors.

I've been wearing the women’s Colter Boot (in mulberry, a deep navy hue) throughout the winter, and I’m continually impressed by its versatility in various settings. The slip-on design reaches just above the ankle and fits like a sneaker—think of a high-top perfect for après-ski. However, the rubber sole provides excellent grip, and the outer is crafted from sustainably sourced premium full-grain leather from Leather Working Group-rated tanneries, complemented by a suede toe. The lining is a poly-wool blend that keeps feet warm without overheating, and the support feels pleasantly springy. I feel like I could even run in these boots if I were ever inclined to do something so adventurous.

Stio describes these boots as “the everyday essential for mountain town gatherings and relaxing at après when you need some extra warmth and cold-weather protection.” That sounds wonderful! But I don’t live in a mountain town—I reside in Brooklyn. For me, the Colter is my daily go-to for dashing out the door to get the kids to school when it’s under 45 degrees. (And I truly mean dashing—thanks to the elastic gussets and ankle pull tab, I can slip them on with one hand in mere seconds.)

I’ve worn them in an unexpected downpour and my feet stayed completely dry. I’ve also used them while pulling my kids on a sled through two inches of snow; the boots held up in the cold longer than the kids did. Now, I always bring them on ski weekends upstate as one of my two shoe options (the other being Sorel boots for heavy snow) for town outings, and on trips where I anticipate bad weather. Even at home, I walk for miles in them—and months later, they’re just as comfortable as when I first slipped them on.

Pricing Overview

This was my first encounter with Stio gear, a sustainable outdoor lifestyle brand that began in 2012 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While the $169 price tag initially surprised me, the quality, functionality, and style justify the cost. I prefer subtlety—just like Stio. The focus is on creating beautiful, versatile mountain apparel for every season, whether you’re climbing, biking, or hiking in the summer or skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Additionally, all Stio gear is backed by the brand’s Mountain Origins Guarantee, protecting against manufacturing and workmanship defects for “the practical lifetime of the product.”

A truly sustainable brand

We’ve since purchased a Stio jacket for my husband, and I’m considering trying out some items from their Responsibly Sourced list, featuring gear made from recycled polyester and Responsible Down Standard certified down, ensuring that the feathers in their puffers come from farms that treat birds ethically.

In its annual stewardship report, Stio mentioned that “in 2021, we made significant progress in understanding, reducing, and fully offsetting our carbon footprint by collaborating with Climate Neutral and Bluesource.” As part of its waste reduction initiatives, Stio has increased its use of “preferred materials” (organic cotton, recycled polyester and nylon, along with the RDS-certified down) from 30 percent to 50 percent, aiming for 75 percent by 2025.

To foster a more circular shopping experience, Stio also introduced its Second Turn program, allowing customers to buy and trade in used Stio gear to keep it out of landfills.

As of 2022, the company has embarked on its path to becoming a B Corp Certified corporation. For Stio, giving back to the land is a commitment—one moon boot step at a time.