Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka - Women's Review

The Patagonia Tres three-in-one is two coats that zip together to create one winter parka. Each layer can handle an array of weather. The lightweight outer shell is both a windbreaker and a rain jacket, constructed with Patagonia's H2No waterproof, breathable, and windproof recycled polyester shell. It has a PFC-free durable water water-repellant (DWR) finish.

The inner layer is stuffed with 700-fill recycled down wrapped in recycled polyester. When zipped together, this jacket is ready for winter. Weighing 2.9 lb, it isn't super lightweight, but never feels heavy.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

While the outer shell has two layers of polyester fabric and is substantial for a rain jacket, it's not insulated. It does do an exceptional job of protecting from wind, rain, and snow, though. That protective bubble keeps the weather out, so the inner 700-fill down jacket can capture your body heat. The high-quality down is effective while keeping the layer lightweight and easy to compress. The down coat alone keeps you warm around freezing temperatures on a dry day. The jackets are very toasty when zipped together, keeping us comfortable even below that.

Since the down layer is lighter than other options we tested, the Tres doesn't top the warmth ratings. The outer pockets and hood are also uninsulated, and our hands get chilly in the front pockets.

For freezing days, you'll need a toque and warm gloves to stay comfortable. The shell's hood is adjustable, with cinches on either side and at the back of your head to snug it around your face and head. It's also large enough to fit a beanie underneath. While the interior of this jacket holds a decent temperature, we'd love to see a hood and some of these other features included on the inner down jacket to improve overall warmth.

Many of the jackets we tested include wrist cuffs to keep drafts out. The Tres does not. The liner jacket blocks most chills when you're wearing both layers, though. The mid-thigh cut provides excellent mobility while protecting your legs to just above the knee. It's enough for most conditions, but consider a longer parka if your knees and lower legs are often freezing in the winter months. Despite these chinks in the Tres' cold-weather armor, it keeps us smiling in storms from cold and snowy to wet and sloppy.

Weather Resistance

The Tres is one of the most waterproof winter parkas we tested. The durable outer jacket is Patagonia's H2No two-layer recycled polyester shell with a DWR finish. It's wind and waterproof, slightly stretchy, and breathable. A storm flap snaps over the zipper to ensure that driving snow or rain doesn't work its way in.

We wore this jacket in the shower for two minutes, and only a few drops made it in to splash our face, giving us a deep appreciation for the in wet weather Tres. Water beads up and rolls off the jacket impressively, only wetting through in a few small patches. The hood is also large enough to protect your face when looking straight ahead.

While not waterproof, the inner down layer does have a DWR coating that works nearly as well as the outer layer in our two-minute shower test. The fabric stays dry and shakes the water right off. Even the zipper keeps water out. Too bad the liner doesn't have a hood. The fabric is also unlikely to keep you dry in an extended downpour, and down loses its loft and insulating properties when wet. When wearing both layers together, we have few qualms about hanging out in wet weather.

While both jackets block wind well, only the outer jacket seems fully windproof, and the hood isn't as protective as we'd like. It extends far enough to keep water off your face but doesn't do much to block the wind. It's lack of insulation or a fur ruff lets a cold breeze sneak right in. We recommend wearing an insulating hat with this jacket in frigid weather.

Comfort

The Tres is comfortable and breathes well, no small feat for a 3-in-1 jacket weighing 2.9 pounds. Its comfort exists on a spectrum, however. The roomy shell isn't as cozy as the liner, but it's lightweight and moves well. The generous cut works when the down jacket is zipped in as well, a cushioned fortress against sloppy winter days.

The outer jacket's fabric is smooth with a hint of stretch. We appreciate the subtle fleece lining on the collar by your chin and in the pockets. It's not enough to keep our hands warm, but it is enough to feel soft and inviting. The unlined hood is highly adjustable, making it easy to keep it snug in a storm and out of your line of sight. Though it requires some futzing to feel comfortable with a beanie underneath. All told, the shell is more of a workhorse than a cuddly puffy, but it never feels uncomfortable.

On the other hand, the down layer is cozy and featherlight but seems to run smaller than the jacket as a whole. When you zip it into the shell, the liner gains about an inch in circumference to accommodate the zipper of the shell. When you wear it alone and zip it up, it feels a half or full-size smaller than the parka as a whole. It's still comfortable, with nicely cut shoulders, but the engineering makes for a tricky fit.

It's also annoying to walk or sit down with much of anything in your front pockets. Objects can dig into your belly or thighs. We recommend carrying necessities in the internal chest pocket and leaving the outer two for your hands. Luckily, the inner pocket is large enough for most phones.

Versatility and Style

The sporty yet sophisticated Tres is the perfect blend of function and fashion, earning it an impressive score for its versatility and style. The outer shell's polyester has a subtle herringbone pattern and rests mid-thigh, giving the jacket a smooth, clean appearance. The streamlined profile of both layers keeps the combination from looking bulky. Graceful seams and a subtle waist are flattering details.

The form-fitting down layer has an eye-catching satin finish and slim cut despite the straight-across baffles. It's not overly stuffed with feathers, and what is there is distributed evenly. As long as you can figure out the fit, it's a perfect layer for quick errands around town. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a two-way zipper, giving you less room to stretch your legs. The jacket's cut and subtle stretch kept it from inhibiting our movements.

The outer layer is loose without the down shell attached, but it drapes nicely and never looks frumpy. If you are on the fence between a puffy down jacket or a clean and straightforward style, this model may be perfect since it offers both. We don't love the pockets on either layer when we sit down. They bunch a bit, but it's not a deal-breaker.

The main feature the Tres has to offer is its versatility. It's a waterproof raincoat, a down layer, and a winter jacket. Putting the layers together takes about a minute.

Construction Quality

Patagonia's H2No two-layer fabric is the force behind this extremely waterproof outer shell. It has a fleece-lined collar and two exterior pockets secured by zippers. No branches are going to snag this impenetrable two-layer shell. And we have no reason to doubt the longevity of Patagonia's signature waterproof, windproof, and breathable membrane. The down layer's polyester fabric isn't as bombproof, though we don't have any rips to report. It does shed some down, though never an alarming amount during our months of testing.

The outer shell lacks a secure interior media pocket but does include a loose, elastic, drop-in pocket that's great for bulky items like hats or gloves. The down layer has two exterior fleece-lined pockets with zippers. There's also an interior pocket that zips and is large enough for a smartphone. Though neither layer includes a draft-blocking cuff, the sleeves on the rain layer have zips that let you adjust your cuff size.

The zipper that connects the two jackets is sturdy and easy to use. We often skipped the step of snapping the cuffs and collars together, though. It's an annoying task because the loops on the down layer are so small. We could see them ripping out over time, though they aren't essential. The attachment points on the shell are more substantial.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka?

The Tres is a pretty great deal for what you are getting — three highly functional and flattering jackets. It is an investment, but considering how much these layers cost separately, this jacket is an excellent investment for someone in need of all three.

If you also value supporting people and the environment, this jacket is Fair Trade Certified and supports First Mile, an organization that encourages low-income communities to collect used plastic bottles for profit. The 100% recycled down keeps you warm, and 100% recycled polyester holds it all together.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

The Tres provides three excellent, high-performing jackets with quality construction. The outer shell blocks wind, rain, and snow, and the down layer keeps you warm. Zip them together, and you've got a winter jacket built for serious winter weather. It's not the warmest option available though.