Stellar System 2.0 Shell Jacket and Ultralight Down Hood

Paul Gallaher

Stellar Equipment is a brand I’ve been following for years. Recently, I received an opportunity to test components of their Stellar System 2.0. I’ve noticed an increase in alpine skiers wearing shells with an insulative layer under them recently and I’ve wondered how well that works compared to insulated ski jackets. Fortunately, I was equipped with Stellar’s Shell Jacket 2.0 and matching Ultralight Down Hood 2.0.

Details: First, the shell jacket is the Men’s Stellar Shell Jacket 2.0. It is a hard shell jacket consisting of three layers of 100% recycled nylon with a Dermizax NX waterproof membrane. It is completely waterproof and well ventilated with large pit zips and other ventilation features.

It comes with many features including adjustable helmet-compatible hood, an internal snow gaiter system that will connect to Steller System ski pants, a ski pass pocket on the left arm and four generous pockets on the front of the jacket. There is also an inner mesh pocket and a RECCO reflector sewn into the left arm of the jacket. The bottom hem comes with an elastic drawstring with cord locks at the hips to keep out the snow and cold air.

Secondly, the Men’s Ultralight Down Hood 2.0 is one of the possible insulating matches to the hard shell jacket.  Stellar does offer a heavyweight down parka in place of this layer should you need more warmth. The hoodie is billed as one of the lightest down hoodies in the world and is made of 100% recycled nylon ripstop fabric on the outside and filled with 850FP (fill power) premium European goose down. The integrated hood can fit over “most” helmets per the manufacturer, but I did not test this feature on the hoodie.

There is a chest pocket and two waist pockets to protect your phone and keep your hands warm. The arms have elastic cuffs integrated that have just the right amount of elasticity to be comfortable yet keep drafts out. The bottom hem, like the shell jacket has an integrated elastic cord lock to tailor-fit the waist and keep drafts out.

Wear testing: One thing I love right off the bat is the utility of the Stellar System 2.0. You can wear most all of the components of the system simultaneously (except for the different insulation layer options) or just one of the components based on the conditions or your activities. I’m very active outside where it is cold most months of the year here at 9,000’ where I live and work. That means that the Hood 2.0 has immediate utility for me from late September into early May with even some days outside that window of time.

This jacket is so light and comfortable, it quickly went on the coat rack near our door and I have worn it nearly every day since it arrived from Sweden. It really IS an amazing piece of textilenology (see what I did there?). It’s lightweight, comfortable and looks great. I’ve had comments on it several times while wearing it out and about. While I do have other similar “puffy” jackets that I very much like, this is my go-to everyday jacket here in the winter now.

As an insulating layer, I have been wearing it under the Shell 2.0 when alpine skiing on cold mornings and I can honestly say, my torso was nice and toasty wearing this under the shell. They fit together like, well, peas and carrots.

The Shell 2.0 is an amazing piece of technology on its own. It is wind and waterproof and everything a hard shell should be. The one concern I had when trying the shell and insulating layer combination was breathability on days with widely varying temperatures. The ventilation on this shell is top-notch! The pit zips are easy to access and you can choose whether to zip them up or down to open these vents as they have double zippers. While I don’t normally ski with a hood over my helmet, this one does fit over my helmet for those very cold, windy days.

The colors I tested were the BluBlack colorway, which I like very much. If you’re looking for amazing looking, functional winter-wear that you don’t see every day, the Stellar System 2.0 might just fit the bill!

The Stellar System 2.0 comes with a large variety of options from base layers, to mid layers, outer shells and matching accessories. There are six well-matched color options available in the Men’s System 2.0 and five available color options in the Women’s System 2.0.

The two jackets I tested from this system are available in sizes from Small to XXL.

Paul Gallaher

Paul grew up in Minnesota where he learned to love the outdoors, riding his bike, fishing and canoeing in the summers and skiing in the winters on Minnesota’s 300 foot-tall “mountains”.

After finishing college, he was commissioned as an officer in the USAF eventually becoming a special operations and reconnaissance instructor navigator flying and serving around the world for twenty-two years.

Living and traveling around the world has given Paul opportunities to explore outdoor passions. He is an advanced scuba diver, a pilot, a sailor and has skied in the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.