Trew Gear Stella Primo Jacket Review: Built to Last
The Trew Gear Stella Primo ($599) is a super-durable, impressively waterproof shell built to protect you when conditions are at their worst. Its bomber build comes at the expense of breathability, though, so expect to feel stuffy on warm days or if you’re exerting yourself. Still, its roomy cut offers plenty of space to layer up, and it comes with pockets galore to hold everything you need for a full day out.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Best for
Resort
Waterproofing
3-layer PNW Primo
Insulation
Uninsulated
Fabric
160D x 81D Nylon
Pockets
8
Pros
Cons
Trew Gear Stella Primo
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Snowboard Jackets.
As you might expect from a shell designed in the Pacific Northwest, the Trew Gear Stella Primo has a rugged design that's right at home in gnarly weather. Its 3-layer PNW Primo membrane, durable water-repellent finish (DWR), extra-thick face fabric, fully taped seams, and water-resistant zippers all work together to keep you warm and dry in horrendous conditions. I really pushed this jacket during a Christmas-week six-foot storm cycle at Mammoth Mountain in California, and after five hours of riding lifts in wet, windy conditions, it never wetted out. My friends' jackets weren't looking so hot by comparison.
During that same storm cycle, I left the groomers behind for an all-day backcountry tour, covering 6,000 vertical feet of skinning and riding with winds gusting to 40 mph and snow falling at two inches per hour—in other words, some truly abysmal conditions. Through all of it, I was shocked that the Trew Gear Stella Primo never felt damp, even after I dropped a few cliffs (with varying degrees of success). While the burly face fabric limits breathability somewhat and adds weight compared to lighter (but less reliable) touring shells, this will remain my go-to choice for shorter tours in truly nasty weather, thanks to how well it seals out the elements.
The Stella runs long, coming down partway over my backside. I didn't mind, though, as it adds a welcome bit of extra protection on chairlift rides. The hood is also oversized, and I had to cinch it down super tight to keep it secure over my helmet, or else snow and wind would sneak in. The removable powder skirt fit a touch loose on me as well, though the adjustable hook-and-loop wrist cuffs worked great. Overall, weather protection felt similar to the Burton Kimmy 3L, but the Stella's roomier cut, longer hem, and thicker fabric left me feeling just a bit more sealed off from the elements.
The Stella is an uninsulated shell, so all of its warmth comes from its thick material and membrane. The canvas-like face fabric is quite heavy, so it’s toastier than lighter, touring-specific shells. As such, it’s much better suited to resort riding than backcountry use. During my testing at Mammoth, it never felt too cold and, paired with a midlayer, helped conserve my body heat. With the right layering, it worked well even as temps approached 40 degrees—I only needed a breathable Patagonia R1 Air Fleece underneath.
While wearing the jacket while skinning uphill on about a dozen storm days, with temperatures in the low 20s, I found it reasonably comfortable, and noticed that it runs hotter than the comparatively lightweight Gore-Tex shells I've used in the past. With that in mind, I think the Stella is a solid choice for anyone building a crossover kit who does most of their touring in the depths of winter (and perhaps runs cold on top of that).
The Stella's face fabric may not be the comfiest around, but it still delivers solid mobility while you’re riding. Its recycled nylon material feels almost like a canvas tote bag and is noticeably thick; paired with a baggy cut, that makes it a pretty bulky jacket, and one that’s too heavy for serious touring. That roominess pays off in one clear way, though—layering is easy. I could fit multiple insulating pieces underneath with plenty of room to spare, even in an extra-small. Compared to the Kimmy, stacking layers under the Stella felt much easier.
Inside, the lining feels more slippery than the Kimmy's soft, fuzzy backer. The Stella’s collar, meanwhile, has a velvety lining that feels fine against the face when fully zipped. At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a decently comfy shell built to handle all kinds of conditions, but also don’t need a luxe-feeling resort snowboarding jacket, the Stella delivers.
As a resort-focused jacket with a thick build, the Stella doesn't match true backcountry shells when it comes to breathability. I stopped reaching for it once conditions transitioned to spring-like temperatures—its fabric just felt too heavy and insulating for warm days on the hill. For mid-winter use in the resort, though, it breathes plenty well, and I never felt too stuffy hiking uphill for cold-weather pow laps or riding chopped-up moguls in-bounds.
When things do heat up, the Stella’s 12-inch-long pit zips are lifesavers, letting in a refreshing amount of air. They're also easy to operate and dial in thanks to two-way zippers, and there's no mesh lining, which maximizes airflow. As for its placement among the rest of my jacket quiver, the Stella's breathability lands a bit behind the lighter Kimmy, but it breathes better than the Oyuki Nimi NetPlus 3L.
There's no denying that the Trew Gear Stella Primo is a true workhorse. Its face fabric is 160-denier by 81-denier nylon, and its vibe leans more towards a burly workwear jacket than a sleek splitboarding shell. It's much thicker than most shells I've used, and its entire construction, including stitching, seams, and zippers, feels solid. I put around 30 days on this jacket over the season, roughly half of them at the resort. There are no holes or tears in the material so far, and it held up well even after I shoved it against crampons and other sharp gear in my touring pack.
It did get a bit dirty sitting on lifts, but that seems to be an issue with every PFAS-free DWR jacket I've tested. Unfortunately, I ran into some sticky zipper issues while touring—the zipper occasionally stopped tracking smoothly, something that never happened with the Kimmy's noticeably nicer components. The Stella’s $599 price tag is a steep ask, which makes the zipper issue sting that much more, but in general, you're investing in a jacket that should hold up well for plenty of riding.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
The membranes used in waterproof products such as rain jackets, ski jackets, and shoes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are valued for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product’s waterproof membrane is PFAS-free, while a red X means it contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one of the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Pockets
The Stella is loaded with pockets. You get a sleeve pass pocket on the left forearm, two handwarmer pockets, two chest pockets, two internal mesh dump pockets, and a zippered, laminated internal pocket. The handwarmer, chest, and dump pockets are all generously sized, though none can fit skins, despite the dump pockets being labeled that way.
Regardless, if you want to stash an absurd number of things on your person while riding, this is the jacket for you—a burrito, a can of beer, extra lenses, sunscreen, your pass, and other small items will all fit without issue. Just know that with this many pockets, I found myself losing track of where things were, constantly patting myself down to figure out which pocket held what, so keep that in mind before loading it up.
Hood
The Stella's hood is easily large enough to fit over a helmet and offers three points of adjustment: an elastic cinch at the back of the head and two more near the cheekbones. Because the hood runs on the larger side, I had some trouble keeping it secured over my helmet in raging winds. But when I was able to cinch everything down tight, it stayed put securely.
With the hood up, you can still hear reasonably well through it, and it didn't feel like it was crushing my skull when cinched down, unlike some tighter-fitting hoods I've used. Side-to-side motion is a bit limited because of the stiff fabric, and the back cinch is also tricky to operate in truly cold conditions. With numb hands, I had a hard time grabbing it to tighten things down further. Overall, though, the Trew Gear Stella Primo is relatively comfortable and pleasant to wear–just make sure you dial in the fit.
Powder Skirt
The Stella comes with a removable powder skirt that offers two adjustment sizes via metal snaps. Since I usually wear bibs, I only used the skirt occasionally, and the jacket's cinchable hem makes it feel especially superfluous. Still, being able to remove it altogether is a nice touch, giving you some flexibility depending on the conditions and your personal preference.
Size tested: Women’s XS
I typically wear extra-small shells, and I feel like I made the right call getting the Stella Primo in that size. If anything, I would have preferred it to run a touch smaller, as it has a super baggy, spacious fit. (It's worth noting that the Stella comes in a wide range of sizes, from XS to 4XL.) I know that a roomy cut is typical for snowboarding jackets, but it still had me worried at first. I’m five feet tall, and I figured it would swallow me whole and look a little silly, but people on the slopes thought it looked steezy, and eventually, so did I.
With its generous build, the Stella’s hem runs long, falling past my backside (similar in length to the Oyuki Nimi), and it offers nice extra coverage as a result. The shoulders run a bit wide, too, but in a way that felt good and roomy rather than distracting. That also meant I had no problem wearing multiple layers underneath, even with its stiffer fabric. The Kimmy has a more streamlined silhouette if that's more your style, but all in all, I'm happy with the Stella's fit.
Burton Kimmy Gore-Tex 3L Stretch ($650): For Backcountry Purists
The Kimmy Gore-Tex 3L Stretch is a full-on touring shell. Instead of the Stella’s burly, baggy build, it opts for a thinner, sleeker construction optimized for breathability, packability, and weight savings—which means it’s better suited to long, ambitious backcountry missions. The Kimmy's more streamlined silhouette means it provides slightly less coverage when a storm rolls in, but otherwise it offers similarly impressive weather protection thanks to its 3-layer material. There's also still enough room to wear a lightweight puffy underneath, but you may feel a bit squeezed with a bulkier midlayer. (Because skinning uphill involves plenty of heat buildup, though, this doesn’t feel like a huge miss.) Ultimately, if you've got serious backcountry ambitions, spending up on the Kimmy will be worth it. To learn more, check out our Burton Kimmy Gore-Tex 3L Stretch review.
Oyuki Nimi NetPlus 3L ($550): Cheaper, but More Caveats
The Nimi NetPlus 3L will save you $49, but you'll have to be willing to make several concessions. Some, like its slightly inferior weather protection and thinner build, are fairly minor, especially if you stick to nicer weather and friendly terrain. Others are more consequential. For instance, its cut is too baggy—much more so than the Stella’s—and adds excess weight, which, combined with its inflexible fabric, impacts mobility. The Nimi also lags behind the Stella in breathability and isn't good for backcountry use outside of deep winter conditions. Otherwise, both suffer from sticky zippers and lack pockets that can accommodate skins, which further limits splitboarding prospects. If you want a resort-first shell that can pivot for the occasional splitboarding trip, we think the Stella is worth the extra money. For more, read our Oyuki Nimi NetPlus 3L review.
The Stella Primo is for riders who ask a lot of their shell. Its thick, heavy build can brush aside hectic weather and rough treatment alike, although the design disqualifies it from real-deal touring and most warm-weather outings. Its oversized silhouette makes layering a cinch, though, and will earn you some fashion cred on the mountain.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
The Kimmy keeps things light, airy, and oh so free in the pursuit of backcountry perfection. This is a shell designed for long, intense tours and the inclement winter weather you might encounter on them. It's not very thick or warm, but you can trust it to keep you safe and dry when the conditions turn.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
With its thick fabric, baggy cut, and middling breathability, the Nimi is a resort shell through and through—but a steezy one at that. Cold-weather lift laps are its bread and butter(ing), and though it doesn’t have the softest feel, its durable build is hard to rip or puncture. The oversized fit may not be for everyone, though, and you might have to size down.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Stella Primo for You?
Any rider who wants a jacket that can shrug off foul winter weather and rough treatment in equal measure should consider the Trew Gear Stella Primo. It’s a tank of a shell, with a durable build, a roomy cut, and pockets that are excellent for resort riding. Dedicated backcountry riders will probably find it too heavy and warm for frequent use, but it’s fine for the occasional mid-winter tour, and overall a solid pick for snowboarders who want reliable protection that will last many winters.
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