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Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka Review

A unique product in a crowded field, the Tres stands out for great construction and modular versatility.
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka
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Price:  $599 List | $384.96 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros:  Three jackets in one.
Cons:  Relatively confining fit in combined mode for the amount of warmth it provides.
Manufacturer:   Patagonia
By Jediah Porter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Aug 19, 2019
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75
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#3 of 14
  • Warmth - 25% 6
  • Weather Resistance - 20% 9
  • Comfort - 20% 7
  • Style - 20% 8
  • Features - 10% 8
  • Durability - 5% 7

Our Verdict

The Tres 3-in-1 Parka is an all-purpose winter jacket that can be disassembled to provide a down sweater and separate shell jacket. Or it is a comfortable, cozy down sweater and a well-made rain jacket that can be combined for cold and nasty weather. Wear just the inner on crisp fall and spring days. Wear just the shell when it's raining but not yet freezing. No matter how you look at it, the Tres is unique and useful. Other jackets are warmer and other jackets are more comfortable, but the Tres fills a niche for many users.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award   Best Buy Award 
Price $384.96 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers		$649.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$699.00 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$516.75 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers		$329.80 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
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Star Rating
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Pros Three jackets in one.Durable, clean looking, warm, weather resistantFashionable, warm, weatherproofWet-weather ready with the best handwarmer pockets in the reviewWarm, long hem
Cons Relatively confining fit in combined mode for the amount of warmth it provides.“Crinkly” shell fabricExpensive, controversial hoodSynthetic insulation will break down with timeBulky, small hood
Bottom Line A unique product in a crowded field, the Tres stands out for great construction and modular versatility.Near perfection in a winter coat, at a premium price.The best choice for a fashion-forward and high-performance winter jacket, with a high price tag.A moderately insulated, wet weather thorough-bred, the Fission SV is purpose built for wet and cold climates.A budget-conscious jacket for those in the coldest regions.
Rating Categories Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka Arc'teryx Camosun Parka Patagonia Frozen Range Arc'teryx Fission SV McMurdo Parka III
Warmth (25%)
10
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6
10
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7
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
9
Weather Resistance (20%)
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
10
10
0
6
Comfort (20%)
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
7
Style (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
10
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
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6
Features (10%)
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
7
10
0
6
10
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8
Durability (5%)
10
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7
10
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10
10
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9
10
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7
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9
Specs Patagonia Tres... Arc'teryx Camosun... Patagonia Frozen... Arc'teryx Fission SV McMurdo Parka III
Down Fill Power 700 750 700 Synthetic Coreloft 550
Total Weight (pounds) 2.94 lb 2.14 lb 2.76 lb 1.99 lbs 3.55 lb
Pockets 5 (Outer Shell: 2 zippered hand-warmer, one external chest. Inner: 2 hand w/zip, 1 interior w/zip) 2 zippered hand & 1 internal security 2 zippered handwarmer, 1 external zippered chest, 1 interior drop-in 2 zippered hand, 2 zippered chest, 2 internal mesh 2 chest height, zippered handwarmers, 2 exterior top-entry Velcro flap pockets, 1 sleeve, 1 interior media pocket, and 2 side-entry waist handwarmers
Hood Yes (removable, uninsulated) Yes (removable) Yes Yes Yes (removable)
Hood Adjustments 3 adjustable drawcords 3 adjustable drawcords One rear drawcord 3 adjustable drawcords Rear drawcord
Baffle Type Sewn-through innner layer Sewn-through under an outer shell fabric Interior baffles Synthetic batting Sewn-through under an outer shell fabric
Main Fabric H2No Performance: 2-layer, 6.7-oz 100% polyester stretch twill N150p-x Gore-Tex 2L Shell: 4 oz 75-denier 100% recycled polyester Gore-Tex 2L, Lining: 100% recycled polyester ripstop with DWR finish N40r GORE-TEX 2L
N70p GORE-TEX 3L		 DryVent 2L 100% nylon

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Tres is the only 3-in-1 down parka we tested in this review. We like it. The utility is nice, but it comes with some inherent tradeoffs. Read on as we compare the Tres to the rest of this strong field. It compares in overall construction (that 3-in-1 design) to The North Face Arrowood Triclimate. But, it is more nicely made, better protects in wet weather, and includes down insulation while these other two insulate with fleece. Overall, the Patagonia is nicer than the other three in one style jackets.

Performance Comparison


The Tres in action at Grand Targhee Wyoming.
The Tres in action at Grand Targhee, Wyoming.

Warmth


With down insulation and more-than-average layers of fabric, the Tres delivers a warm score in a svelte-looking package. The insulation is entirely concentrated in the inner, hoodless "down sweater." However, additional warmth is provided by the air space between sweater and shell, as well as the multiple layers of fabric in the shell piece. The sum is roughly similar to the warmth of Top Pick Arc'teryx Fission SV. The top of the heap Editors' Choice Arc'teryx Camosun and Best Buy Marmot Fordham are both a little warmer. The main drawback in terms of warmth of the "three-in-one" design is that the hood ends up uninsulated. On the Tres, this is noticeable. The hood protects against wind and rain but lets the warmth slowly seep out.

Weather Resistance


The shell of the Tres is made of Patagonia's proprietary, waterproof/breathable laminated fabric they call H2No. The seams are all sealed and the zippers are waterproof. Only the Arc'teryx jackets and the Haglofs Torsang offer similar protection. For shelter from the gnarliest wind and precipitation, the Tres is immaculately equipped. The hood design complements the fabric with protective and sealing function.

The two parts of the Tres can be worn separately. Here the shell is worn on its own. Notice the free-hanging drape of the loose shell.
The two parts of the Tres can be worn separately. Here, the shell is worn on its own. Notice the free-hanging drape of the loose shell.

Comfort


The inner part on its own is as comfortable as any jacket reviewed. It is essentially a down sweater hanging lightly and warmly on your frame. The shell of the Tres on its own is similarly loose and free, but made of stiffer materials. The catch, comfort-wise, when choosing a three-in-one style jacket, is that all the extra layers of fabric and zippers make for a more confining construction. For the warmth and protection provided by the Tres, other jackets are far more comfortable.

The North Face McMurdo is way warmer and feels similarly confining to the doubled-up Tres. For this level of warmth and protection, the Arc'teryx Fission SV is far more comfortable than the combined version of the Tres. Separate the layers, however, and you return to a comfy jacket providing freedom of motion.

The down sweater "liner" of the Tres worn on its own is light airy and warm.
The down sweater "liner" of the Tres worn on its own is light, airy, and warm.

Features


The three-in-one status of the Patagonia Tres is its most notable feature. The option to use just the shell, just the inner layer, or both together is a huge benefit. Beyond that, the hood is effective, the pocket set is useful, and the various hem and cuff seals are solid. The other highly weather protecting jackets in our review, like the Arc'Teryx Fission SV, do not offer as many features as the Tres.
Like the best long coats in our review the Tres unzips from the bottom up for range of motion.
Like the best long coats in our review, the Tres unzips from the bottom up for range of motion.

Style


This is decidedly an urban coat. The lines are clean, and the hardware is metal. The cut is long and generous, sometimes confining motion but always looking great. We mentioned that there are drawbacks to the three-in-one style jacket, and style is one of them. When you separate the layers and wear just the outside, the shell hangs loosely and looks too big. In order to size the coat for comfortable "unified" wear, this baggy shell fit is inevitable.

The smooth style is most similar to that in the Editors' Choice Camosun. In some ways, the smooth style of these two will also appeal to those that dig the old school look of the Fjallraven Greenland or the Patagonia Isthmus.

Durability


In assessing durability, we look for tight seams, heavy fabrics, and long-lasting insulation. The down used in the Tres' inner jacket will last a long time if properly cared for. The shell is constructed of beefy fabrics and sewn together with careful Patagonia craftsmanship. We have no reservations about the durability of the Tres 3-in-1 Parka. We anticipate the Tres to be similar in durability to the Camosun or Marmot Fordham.

For cabin life a warm jacket system is clutch. The Patagonia Tres can provide that system all in one.
For cabin life, a warm jacket system is clutch. The Patagonia Tres can provide that system, all in one.

Value


Just like the name says, with three jackets in one the value quotient of the Tres is worth noting. Those that live in areas with four true seasons will find a use for all three versions of the Tres. For them, this is worth the relatively high cost of admission.

Conclusion


As a truly unique piece in this high-end field, it is easy for the Tres to stand out. Beyond the unique design, we laud the Tres its for excellent construction.
The Patagonia Tres is a casual coat with technical features. Notably borrowing from their ski and alpine climbing jackets the fully protective articulating hood is very much appreciated.
The Patagonia Tres is a casual coat, with technical features. Notably, borrowing from their ski and alpine climbing jackets, the fully protective, articulating hood is very much appreciated.


— Jediah Porter