Review: Stellar Equipment Free Shell 2.5 Jacket & Bibs

Sizing and Fit

Like we mentioned before, Stellar EQ basically built the "baggy freeride" look into the Free Shell 2.5’s sizing. I wore both the jacket and pants in a size medium, which, while definitely on the larger side for me at 5’5” and 120lbs, still had my preferred amount of roominess without feeling unusually oversized. Our 6'0" 195lb Gear Editor Max Ritter tested the kit in XL and found the kit fit similarly baggy, and loved it. The bibs have velcro adjustable shoulder straps, which also helps with the age old problem of backpack strap-buckle rub on bib suspenders. When worn by a friend who is 5’8”, the jacket was long enough to cover her bum due to the extended fabric in the back.

If you’re someone who prefers less fabric, you could stick true to size in this kit and still have a bit of steeze, or even size down if you’re hoping for something truly fitted. 

In the Field

I tested the Stellar Free 2.5 kit on a couple of stormier, windy days at Mt. Bachelor as well as on a couple short tours in mild weather. Based on the out-of-the-box (actually, the cool little mesh bag this kit comes in!) quality of the jacket and pants, I felt confident quickly that the PFAS-free membrane would be notably waterproof and durable. Not only was it both of these, but the fabric showed no signs of affect from snow or water at all. I’d have few qualms about skiing in the rain in this kit, except for the normal qualms of skiing in the rain. The bibs were also particularly durable, especially around the cuffs and the gaskets were plenty stretchy without feeling like they’d wear out or over stretch over multiple seasons. I wouldn’t recommend doing so, but I did put these on while already in my boots (in a particularly dire situation) and didn’t have much worry or difficulty doing so.

The Stellar Free 2.5 Jacket was packed with features alongside the great fabric that made it stand out as a high-quality, dependable shell jacket for any condition. It has two deep chest pockets as opposed to hip pockets, which I’ve loved in other jackets as well and always find myself happy to have. Large, two way pit zips are a bonus to this jacket's breathable fabric when it comes to warmer days or touring in it. Although this jacket has no issues for big backcountry days, it also has an RFID pass pocket on the sleeve for resort skiing. The main zipper is a two-way zipper, which proves handy, but can be a bit hard to zip up and occasionally comes undone from the bottom. The jacket’s hood also doesn’t quite fit over a helmet, even a small one, for full protection, but is certainly better than nothing on super stormy days. 

The Free 2.5 bibs stood out a bit more than the jacket as a truly fantastic piece of gear. Waterproof fabric covers as much as a pair of pants would and then extends into a meshy upper piece that stops mid-chest. There are belt loops if you prefer to wear a belt with your bibs, but the aforementioned velcro straps are also great. Both legs have roomy slant pockets as well as thigh pockets with a beacon hardpoint and little meshy inner pocket on the right leg. For walking uphill, the fabric was super breathable and even in a bit of an oversized fit, I never felt like I was inundated with extra material. Most importantly, the 2.5 bibs have a zippered bathroom flap–whoever designs bibs without that feature in 2026 should be imprisoned. I truly loved these bibs and they will undoubtedly remain a staple ski piece for me. 

Max skied with this kit during the rainiest early season he's ever experienced in nearly a decade of living in Jackson Hole, and was VERY impressed by both the waterproofing and breathability of the Dermizax fabric, saying "this really gives Gore-Tex Pro a run for its money."

What Type of Skier is the Free 2.5 Kit Best For?

The Stellar Free 2.5 Shell jacket and bibs are for hard charging freeriders who are looking for a kit to do it all for years to come. Both pieces come in at a fairly high price point (jacket $679 USD, bibs $579 USD) and in a few muted color options (black, olive, khaki). If you are going to drop the cash on this kit planning to really use it for years to come, know that this kit will hold up and the quality is well worth the price. This kit will take you as deep into the backcountry as you want and similarly keep you cozy and sheltered on resort storm days.