Warm, cozy, and versatile, the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 delivers. Photo: Lindsay Gough/The Inertia
Finding the right winter jacket to work all season is not an easy task. Some people might only need a good winter jacket a handful of times, but will thank their mother (or whoever bought it for them) when it comes in handy. Others may practically live in theirs, to the point that their friends and family may not recognize them without it. But in our increasingly topsy-turvy climate, it’s hard to have just one winter jacket to work for all situations, all the time. And if it’s too heavy, it’ll be too much jacket to get you through the late fall and early spring as well, when a simple windbreaker won’t cut it.
Thankfully, many apparel companies have clued in to this fact, and offer up what is known as a 3-in-1 jacket. While finding the right one is a daunting task on its own, your friends at The Inertia have spent the past winter navigating the current market of outerwear offerings to report back our findings. And when it comes to 3-in-1 designs, Patagonia’s Tres 3-in-1 Parka is our top pick.
This jacket (or rather, jackets) is warm, keeps us dry, and has pretty good style as well. And of course, we’d be remiss to not point out that Patagonia is, and has been, a leader in ushering a new era of responsible outerwear manufacturing through responsibly sourced goods, fair trade practices, and a second-to-none repair policy to keep your gear lasting for many years to come. So if you’d like to know more about what we found out, keep on reading for a larger breakdown, below:
| Pros | Cons |
| Versatile for multiple seasons | Hood isn’t insulated |
| Recycled materials | Down liner doesn’t have a hood |
| Warm and waterproof | Outer pockets are awkward for hands |
Patagonia Tres 3-in 1 Parka: First Impressions
This jacket is a bit heavier than your standard winter jacket, which of course is thanks to the fact that it’s actually two jackets zipped together. The fact that you can remove the liner and have it be its own puffy down jacket is the main selling point of this, but it also means that the outer shell needs a liner of its own. Add in the extra zipper and buttons to keep the two jackets functioning as one and you undeniably have a bit of extra weight and bulk compared to other jackets where the liner can’t come undone. Is it worth it to you for the added versatility? Only you can answer that.
Once the jackets are separated, it’s a bit easier to make that decision. The inner jacket is made of 700-fill recycled down that provides excellent warmth for everyday missions in the cold, given it’s not raining out. It does have a DWR (free of PFC’s, those nasty “forever chemicals”) in case it’s a bit wet, but you don’t want it out in a downpour. If that’s the case you’ll want the outer shell made of recycled polyester, which is crafted using Patagonia’s rigorous H2No waterproofing standards. And yes, it all worked like a charm while testing through months of an up-and-down winter in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia.
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The interior lining can easily be zipped in and out of the jacket shell. Photo: Steve Andrews/The Inertia
Patagonia Tres 3-in 1 Parka: Notable Features
Length: Thigh
Weight: 31 oz
Insulation: 700-fill recycled down
Shell: Recycled polyester
The first, most obvious feature of the Tres 3-in-1 is the fact that it’s two jackets, an inner and outer, attached by a zipper. The zipper is solid and easy to maneuver, making for transitioning between insulation levels a simple undertaking. You also need to undo a button clasp at the end of the sleeves and the collar, but other than that, it’s simple to remove and re-attach the down liner in a matter of seconds.
The down liner looks and feels like a standard puffy jacket on its own, capable of being taken out on the town or on the trail without the need to add the outer layer. It sports some decent pockets, including a nice internal pocket for your phone, which also works when it’s merged with the outer shell.
Drawbacks
The other features are fairly standard, and what one would expect in a winter jacket. The hood on the shell is removable, which is a nice option but also our main gripe. Since there’s no hood on the liner, the hood has no insulation, meaning you’ll need extra warmth to cover your head and neck to match the insulation on your body.
While the outer pockets offer a soft lining on the side away from the body for extra comfort, they are in a strange place to rest. I’m more of a fan of pockets that you can enter from the side, rather than the top, when using them as hand warmers. As such it feels like an awkward hand placement. Thankfully, the pockets on the liner are more naturally placed at the side, but we were a bit curious as to why the outer pockets had this type of placement. A nice solution could have been an extra set of pockets on the side, while the current pockets could be dedicated for accessories.
Final Thoughts
Patagonia’s Tres 3-in-1 Parka offers a whole host of options for semi-active outdoor use in more than just winter. The shell used on its own can be a great jacket for late fall and early spring, as well. The down liner is comfortable and stylish on its own, and will keep you plenty warm in freezing conditions. While the jacket offers wearmth and weather protection, it is a bit heavier and bulkier than other jackets of similar rating, which is the tradeoff for the versatility of using it under so many applications. It’s not one for heavy active use, but a great option for people who want good protection from the elements in a variety of uses.
Check Price on PatagoniaEditor’s Note: To see how this jacket stacks up against the competition, check out our guide to The Best Winter Jackets. For women, see the Best Women’s Winter Jackets. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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