Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka Review

Patagonia makes several of our all-time favorite winter jackets, with the Tres slotting in as their premium 3-in-1 design. We recently put the women’s version to the test in the Pacific Northwest, where the 2-layer waterproof shell did an excellent job fending off heavy rain and snow. And when conditions shift, it’s easy to tailor warmth by adding or subtracting the down midlayer, which can also be worn on its own. It’s not the cheapest or warmest option available, but we love the combination of trustworthy protection and adaptable warmth—not to mention Patagonia’s typical good looks and attention to detail. Below we break down our experiences with the Tres 3-in-1 Parka. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our articles on the best winter jackets and best women’s winter jackets.
 

Table of Contents

• Warmth
• Weather Protection
• Construction and Durability
• Weight and Packability
• Key Features
• Fit and Sizing
• Sustainability
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Warmth

As its name suggests, the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka features a waterproof shell plus a zip-out midlayer that can be worn together or separately depending on conditions. The shell on its own doesn’t provide much in the way of warmth—I only wear it separately on mild days when rain is in the forecast—although the ability to fend off bitter gusts certainly helps with temperature regulation. Most of the warmth comes from the midlayer, which is insulated with 5.6 ounces of 700-fill down. The 35.3-inch center back length is another contributor, leaving only my lower legs exposed to the elements (the hem falls just above my knee). With both pieces connected, the parka has kept me comfortable into the single digits Fahrenheit with minimal layering underneath. It’s far from the warmest option available—Patagonia’s own Down With It Parka uses 8.5 ounces of 600-fill down, while Rab’s Deep Cover Parka has a whopping 12 ounces of 700-fill down—but I haven’t had any issues throughout a typical winter in the PNW.

Weather Protection

Not everyone needs a waterproof winter jacket, but the Patagonia Tres’ 2-layer H2No shell was a boon during wet commutes. Traveling from my home on Vancouver Island to work at the University of British Columbia, I often experienced the full gamut of conditions, from clear blue skies to pouring rain and pelting snow. During one unexpected and particularly cold snowstorm, we had to disembark from our bus due to treacherous roads, and I was happy to have the Tres to keep me dry and cozy. It's important to note that the midlayer on its own doesn’t provide much in the way of protection—the durable water repellent (DWR) coating can handle light moisture, but precipitation will eventually make its way to the down fill, causing it to lose its insulating abilities. But the outer shell is very trustworthy and hasn’t shown any vulnerabilities during testing.

The Tres 3-in-1 Parka also includes several handy features for sealing out weather. Starting with the outer shell, you get an adjustable (and removable) hood that’s nicely sized and stays securely in place, along with a generous storm flap covering the main zipper that secures with snaps. The shell itself is also noticeably thick and very adept at shrugging off strong gusts. Moving onto the down midlayer, the jacket features elasticized cuffs for sealing out wind (note: The outer shell’s cuffs are wide and draft-prone without the midlayer zipped in). All told, neither piece is fully impervious on its own, but the combination does an excellent job combatting moisture and wind.

Construction and Durability

Patagonia gear rarely disappoints from a quality perspective, and the Tres 3-in-1 Parka carries the torch. First and foremost, the outer shell is noticeably thick at 150 denier (D) and provides a confidence-inspiring barrier against snags and abrasion. The zippers, drawcords, and snaps all have a similarly robust feel and are holding up well, and the stitching and seams are clean and free of loose threads. The zip-out down jacket has shed a few feathers, and I have some concerns about the zipper breaking under pressure—the outer shell’s two-way zipper allows it to release when high-stepping or sitting down, while the midlayer’s zipper stays in place and has an obvious stopping point. The fabric loops on the inner jacket’s cuffs used to secure the sleeves are also thin and strike me as susceptible to tearing over time, but I haven’t had any issues thus far. All in all, the Tres should have a healthy lifespan provided you exercise reasonable care, and Patagonia has a reputable and very affordable repair service if you encounter any problems.

Weight and Packability

Weight is not a strong suit of 3-in-1 designs, and the Patagonia Tres is no exception at a hefty 3 pounds 3 ounces for the women’s version (my size small checked in at 3 lb. 0.7 oz. on my scale). In short, it’s not a jacket that’s meant to be carried around in a duffel or backpack, and all of the zippers and snaps add a noticeable amount of bulk—the whole package is about the size of a basketball when rolled into its hood. The down midlayer on its own is light (1 lb. 2.1 oz.) and compressible enough to throw in my suitcase or work bag on occasion, although the lack of hood results in a bit of an unruly bundle. Overall, the Tres isn’t far off from direct competitors like the Fjallraven Visby 3 in 1 Jacket (2 lb. 13 oz.) or Patagonia’s own Pine Bank 3-in-1 Parka (2 lb. 10.9 oz.), but you can certainly go lighter without sacrificing protection. If you don’t mind forgoing the 3-in-1 versatility, other quality waterproof parkas to consider are Arc’teryx’s Patera Parka (1 lb. 14.6 oz.) and Fjallraven’s Kiruna Padded Parka (1 lb. 15 oz.).

Key Features

Zip-Out Midlayer

The Tres’ 3-in-1 functionality is arguably its biggest attribute, and the system makes it quick and easy to tailor warmth depending on conditions. How it works: The down midlayer’s main zipper connects it to the outer shell, and there are three snap-equipped fabric loops (one in each cuff and one at the back of the collar) to secure the perimeter. In practice, it takes me around 30 seconds to remove the midlayer and just slightly longer to reattach it. I’ve found that it’s easiest to re-connect the down layer while wearing it, although I often have to remove the jacket to snap the cuffs together. All in all, it’s a well-executed system that’s simple and relatively smooth to operate, which isn’t always the case with 3-in-1 jackets (especially those at the cheaper end of the spectrum). And the pieces look great both on their own and together, which makes it a little easier to justify the steep cost.

Hood

The Tres’ outer shell features an adjustable hood that’s relatively low-profile and removable in favorable conditions. The system is easy to operate via two snaps and a zipper, although I don’t detach it very often since it’s relatively streamlined and doesn’t detract from the jacket’s clean aesthetic. I do wish the hood had a slightly bigger brim to deflect moisture, but it does an adequate job and stays securely in place even in high winds. It’s worth noting that the down midlayer is non-hooded, but packing a beanie or insulated headband will accomplish the same goal. The only part of the design I don’t like is the collar on the outer shell, which is tall and noticeably stiff. This caused uncomfortable poking and rubbing along my chin, forcing me to leave the jacket slightly unzipped at the top (not ideal in bitter cold). 

Storage: Pockets

The Tres 3-in-1 Parka comes adequately equipped for stashing daily essentials, with six total pockets divided evenly between the outer shell and down midlayer. Starting with the former, the shell boasts two generously sized hand pockets and one large interior dump pocket that’s great for quickly stashing a beanie or winter gloves. The midlayer features a similar layout but swaps the dump pocket for an interior zippered pocket that easily swallows a large iPhone. Finally, it’s worth noting that all of the hand pockets—both on the shell and zip-out down jacket—are lined with brushed tricot for comfort, although only the midlayer’s are insulated.

Fit and Sizing

The Tres 3-in-1 Parka boasts Patagonia’s “regular” fit, which is designed to accommodate layering underneath. Since I’m usually between a women’s extra small and small, I opted for the larger size to be able to comfortably wear bulky sweaters underneath. While the shell on its own fits a bit loosely without the down layer zipped in, it doesn’t look or feel overly baggy. The midlayer, on the other hand, is quite fitted even on my narrow frame but not restrictive by any means. I also found the sleeve and hem lengths to be spot-on, providing just enough coverage without any excess bulk. My only complaint is that the down jacket lacks a two-way main zipper, impeding my ability to high step into our van (which puts a lot of stress on the zipper). Without the shell, it also tends to bunch up whenever I sit down. But overall, the Tres has a very flattering fit that doesn’t sacrifice too much mobility.

Sustainability

Patagonia is at the forefront of the sustainability push within the outdoor industry, and the Tres 3-in-1 Parka is a shining example. For starters, the outer shell and lining are made of 100% recycled polyester that supports First Mile—an organization that pays collectors in Haiti, Honduras, and Taiwan to recycle plastic in order to reduce waste and provide low-income communities with a revenue source. The zip-out midlayer also uses 100% recycled polyester for the shell and lining, the insulation is sourced from reclaimed down products, and all DWR coatings are PFC-free, meaning they forgo the use of nonbiodegradable chemicals (called perfluorocarbons) that are known to be harmful to the environment. Finally, the jacket contains bluesign-approved materials and is certified to the Fair Trade standard. Added up, it’s a comprehensive effort from the brand and a clear reflection of their environment-first ethos.

Men’s Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka

I put the women’s Tres 3-in-1 Parka to the test for this review, and the men’s version offers similar versatility for the same price. Differences between the two styles are minimal, although the men’s is slightly lighter (2 lb. 15.3 oz.) and considerably shorter (27.5 in. in a size medium). It also uses a little less down (4.2 oz) in the zip-out midlayer, but all other features remain the same. Like the women’s parka, the men’s model boasts a 2-layer waterproof construction, regular fit, and removable hood with a tall collar.

What We Like

• It's easy to tailor warmth based on conditions—simply zip out or zip in the down midlayer depending on how much warmth and/or protection you need.
• Reliably water- and windproof thanks to Patagonia’s proven 2-layer H2No shell and well-sorted feature set.
• Flattering fit and feel whether you have the shell and midlayer connected or opt to wear the pieces separately.
• Shell is noticeably thick and tear-resistant, and all of the smaller components have a robust and trustworthy feel.
• Very strong focus on sustainability, including the use of recycled and bluesign-approved materials, PFC-free DWR coatings, and certification to the Fair Trade standard.

What We Don’t

• Very expensive at $699—you can go much warmer for less in the winter jacket market.
• Noticeably hefty and bulky at over 3 pounds, although weight is in line with many other 3-in-1 designs.
• Shell collar is rigid and causes discomfort around my chin, forcing me to leave the jacket slightly unzipped at all times.
• Lack of two-way zipper on the down midlayer makes it difficult to high step and sit down without restriction/bunching up.
• I wish the outer shell’s hand pockets were insulated for warming cold hands.

Comparison Table

The Competition

Patagonia’s Tres 3-in-1 Parka is a versatile winter jacket for those who want the ability to add or subtract warmth depending on conditions, but it’s very expensive and overkill for dry climates. If you don’t need full waterproofing, Patagonia’s own Down With It Parka will save you a substantial $350 without sacrificing much in the way of quality. In addition to costing less, the Down With It is warmer with 8.5 ounces of 600-fill down, much lighter at 2 pounds 5 ounces, and longer with a 39.3-inch center back length. It also wins out in comfort, with a smooth and barely-there feel that’s notably less bulky than the thick Tres. Those who live in particularly wet regions like the PNW might find the Tres worth the added investment, but the Down With It checks all the other boxes we look for in a quality winter parka (for more, see our in-depth review).

For those who need reliable weather protection but aren’t ready to spend upwards of $700, The North Face’s Arctic Parka will get the job done for around half the cost of the Tres. Highlights include a 2-layer DryVent shell that’s fully water- and windproof, an adjustable hood with detachable faux-fur trim, elasticized cuffs with thumbholes for easily layering underneath, and an extensive colorway selection (nine for women at the time of publishing). The fit is slightly boxy from the waist down, and those with broad shoulders may want to size up, but the Arctic is very affordably priced for a down-insulated, waterproof parka. The Tres is undeniably more premium and versatile, but the TNF is perfectly serviceable for those who don’t anticipate using the 3-in-1 functionality.

We’d be remiss not to include Fjallraven’s Nuuk Parka here, which is another attractive and high-end design with solid warmth and weather protection. For around $200 less than the Tres, the Nuuk uses synthetic rather than down insulation, which isn’t as lofty or compressible but will continue to insulate when wet (down fill tends to clump up and lose its insulating abilities when confronted with moisture). All of the other details are nicely executed, including the thick waterproof shell, the fur-brimmed hood (which is also detachable), eight pockets to stash the essentials, and silky-smooth interior. It's on the expensive end for a synthetic design and even heavier and bulkier than the Tres, but the clean styling and attention to detail are second to none. If you prefer down fill, Fjallraven’s Singi Down Jacket costs $100 more but isn’t fully waterproof like the Nuuk or Tres. 

Last but not least is Arc’teryx’s Patera Parka, which costs even more than the Tres at $800 but is one of the most premium winter jackets on the market. For the price, you get premium 750-fill goose down with synthetic Coreloft insulation in areas most prone to getting wet, a proven 2-layer Gore-Tex shell for waterproofing, and a classy design that can be worn pretty much anywhere. The Tres gets the edge in value with more down and the ability to tailor warmth depending on conditions, but the Patera is significantly lighter (1 lb. 14.6 oz.), sleeker, and longer with a 38.8-inch center back length. If the steep price and lack of 3-in-1 functionality aren’t dealbreakers, the Patera is a fantastic and great-looking winter parka that will stand the test of time. For a step down in price, we also like their Coreloft-insulated Coelle Parka, which costs around $100 less than the Tres.