Fashion Meets Function for Bigger Bodies: TREW Gear Stella PRIMO Plus-Size Women’s Ski Jacket Review

I’ve been snowboarding for 23 years, and I usually want more than a simple snow jacket for my adventures. You can generally find me galavanting in the backcountry. Otherwise, I enjoy hiking the steeps and taking drops at the resort’s sidecountry.

However, finding a technical plus-size ski jacket has been difficult, given that I inhabit a larger body than the industry standard. Now, with the Women’s Stella Jacket Primo-Plus, TREW Gear has earned a frontrunner spot in the plus-size market.

TREW Gear’s standard-sized Stella Jacket in the original run (XS-XXL) has been a top-seller for years with its excellent design and features. When the plus-size option came on the market, I was initially slightly skeptical. Some brands skimp on quality or features with plus-size outerwear. After testing this jacket, though, I can confidently say: It’s as exquisite as its straight-size counterpart.

In short: The TREW Gear Stella Jacket PRIMO-Plus ($599) women’s ski jacket is a durable, technical, and eco-friendly shell built for a plus-size person who rides at the ski resort and out of bounds. With its 20K/20K waterproof-breathable construction, mechanical stretch, and pockets aplenty, this jacket is sure to function and move well in any elements. If you want to be fully kitted out in style, check out the TREW Gear Women’s Chariot Bib PRIMO-Plus, which I also tested and reviewed here.

To see how this plus-size women’s ski jacket hangs next to our other meticulous picks, check out the Best Plus-Size Ski and Snow Gear for Women or the Best Women’s Ski Jackets.

TREW Gear Stella Women’s Ski Jacket PRIMO-Plus Review

After searching for a technical plus-size ski jacket for what felt like eons, wearing the TREW Gear Stella felt like a breath of fresh air. Not only does this jacket feel extra tough, but it also has a lot of give for liberal movement. Compared to the brand’s XXL (from the standard size run) that I had tried on at stores in the past, this jacket certainly feels like it has more room in the hips. The fit supports movement without riding up.

I tested this jacket during the middle of the winter season in Salt Lake City. Of the four full days that I tested it, three were in the backcountry. The fourth was at the resort. Utah winters are known to be arid and frigid, with snow that is aptly coined “champagne powder” for its light texture.

Most of my field test days were on par with the usual weather in this area, accompanied by some portions of heavy snowfall and wind. I also tested this women’s ski jacket during a backcountry refresher course, which included plenty of standing around in the cold and digging in the snow for beacon practice.

Material: Unmatched Option for Plus-Size Outerwear

I’ve recreated in the outdoors and worked in the outdoor industry for decades. In my opinion, TREW Gear’s proprietary PRIMO fabric is nothing less than extraordinary.

It incorporates a three-layer technology that sandwiches three materials together, creating an ultra-durable fabric that is windproof and has 20K of waterproofness. Finding this level of fabric in plus-size options is relatively uncommon in the industry.

The PRIMO material also incorporates a woven mechanical stretch that increases flexibility while avoiding the use of any spandex-like fabrics. Not only that, but the material is also Bluesign-certified and made with 100% recycled nylon. High-performance and kind to the earth — what more could I want?

Fit: Excellent for Plus-Size Bodies

During my testing, I found that the Stella offered plenty of room in the midsection. I didn’t feel any tightness around the hem. And the jacket didn’t ride up at all. Additionally, the arm length was perfect for what I needed. This was a huge win.

As an hourglass figure with a short torso and long arms, finding ski outerwear has always been a challenge, regardless of my weight fluctuations. Jacket hems often sit too low on me and are too tight around my hips. Usually, there’s too much space near the waist and not enough length for my arms. Generally, this type of cookie-cutter fit causes a jacket to ride up and bunch around my waist while I collect snow near my wrists.

Not here. Ultimately, this jacket’s relaxed fit and mechanical stretch had me comfortably riding in style. With a size run that extends to 4X, I’m of the opinion that the Stella PRIMO-Plus would work for many types of bodies.

Pockets & Zips

Through my ski tours and resort laps, I was very impressed with the sheer amount of pockets that the Stella jacket has. And many of the pockets are quite roomy.

There are five exterior zippered pockets: two large ones at the chest, two more large ones near the waist, and one smaller pass pocket on the left arm. On the interior side, there are two open mesh drop pockets that stored my skins or ski gloves with ease. Additionally, there is a smaller zippered and laminated internal pocket at the left chest to protect a phone from the elements. Needless to say, you will have no problem finding places to stash your goods, with a total of eight pockets.

The thoughtfully designed zippers are a nice touch. The underarm zips are bidirectional, which made it much easier to open and close the vents with my tight shoulder muscles. That could be beneficial for others who have limited shoulder mobility. Additionally, the powder skirt is removable via another zipper, adding even more adjustability to the Stella.

Critiques

The Stella Plus women’s plus-size ski jacket clearly has many positives to note. However, there are a few critiques to mention. Although a great feature to have, I found that the helmet hood adjustment was not super-intuitive to loosen back up. It took a few tries for me to get it back to its original shape.

The jacket itself feels on the heavier side (33.9 ounces) and definitely is not very packable. So, that’s an issue for longer backcountry excursions, when you might want to drop a layer.

In terms of cost, the Stella is certainly in the higher tier of price, which may be prohibitive to some people.

Lastly, there are fewer than half the number of color options for the plus-size offerings compared to the straight-size lineup. In past seasons, these colors were still pretty fun, but the round-up currently includes bright pink, light tan, and black. Although it’s evident that TREW Gear is dedicated to providing quality outerwear for plus-size adventurers, adding another color or two definitely couldn’t hurt.

Conclusion: Excellent Fabric and Fit for a Plus-Size Women’s Ski Jacket

It’s no secret that finding plus-size outerwear is an exhausting task, let alone finding something that is technical, stylish, and fits well. TREW Gear has managed to hit the mark with the Women’s Stella Jacket PRIMO-Plus plus-size women’s ski jacket.

The brand has shown major dedication in providing access to quality gear for all bodies, not only by providing an extensive size run up to 4X, but also by continuing to update those plus-size designs to ensure they are serving their customer base.

After field testing the Stella-Plus jacket, I can confidently say it’s going to be a backcountry staple of mine. And while I personally prefer using insulated gear at the ski resort, this would absolutely be a great resort shell — just make sure to bring midlayers if it’s extra chilly.

The relaxed fit and fabric’s mechanical stretch allow this ski jacket to sit where it needs to while remaining stylish and is likely to complement many body types. The jacket boasts eight pockets total, many of which have plenty of room for storage.

Along with this, the PRIMO fabric is ultra-durable, windproof, 20K waterproof, and environmentally friendly, meaning you get to take plenty of turns while knowing you’re doing your part to protect the earth. Although it’s not the cheapest option, I think you are definitely getting what you pay for with this jacket.

TREW Gear is making huge waves in the plus-size community with the extended sizes and plus-sizes offered in its winter outerwear. The Women’s Stella Jacket PRIMO-Plus is a technical piece for bigger-bodied riders who want a stylish, comfy way to enjoy the resort, backcountry, or any other snow adventure.