Updated Tres 3-in-1 Parka
Since our last testing period, Patagonia has updated the Tres Parka. Check out the side by side photos below, with the version we tested shown on the right.
Here is a summary of what seems to have changed on the parka since we tested it:
- Higher Fill Power Down — Patagonia is now employing 700 fill power down for this parka. The version we tested used 600 fill power.
- Pocket Updates — The large storm flaps from the old parka have been traded in for a sleeker set of handwarmer pockets, which can be noted in the comparison photos above.
- Price Increase — The cost of the jacket has risen $50, up from $549 to $599.
Hands-On Review of the Tres 3-in-1 Parka
The Patagonia Tres is three coats in one. Independently, each layer can handle an array of weather. The outer shell is lightweight and made of H2No two-layer waterproof fabric with DWR - perfect for wet, warm/mild weather. The inside down layer is insulated with 600-fill-traceable down and can keep you warm and looking stylish on a cold or dry day. When worn together, this award winner can handle wet, sloppy, cold weather without a problem. Weighing in at 2.9 lbs, it isn't super light, but it didn't feel bulky or heavy when we were wearing it.
When worn together, the Tres is mildly restricting in the shoulders, but it wasn't terribly noticeable. Our Top Pick for Wet Climates is perfect for a Pacific Northwest winter, but it's not the best options for frigidly cold winters. We still managed to have fun and stay warm while out exploring on a snowy day in Tahoe.
Warmth
The outer shell alone doesn't have any insulation and is not very warm unless worn with multiple layers underneath. It does a great job of blocking wind and acting as a waterproof layer. The inside layer is insulated with 600-fill-power traceable down and is cozy, warm, and form-fitting, despite being somewhat thin. It doesn't allow much room for heat to escape and cold air to enter. The outside layer does an exceptional job of protecting from wind, rain, and snow, while the inside layer offers warmth and comfort. Because there is no insulation in the outer shell, our hands were somewhat cold in the pockets; another cold spot was our lower arms. When the layers are worn together, there was a noticeable difference in temperature when using the pockets.
The Tres is not as warm as the thick down of the Marmot Montreaux, but warmer than the synthetic fill of the Arc'teryx Darrah or the Columbia Heavenly. The Tres performed best in moderately cold and wet weather. There is no hood on the inside layer, only on the exterior layer; the hood on the outer layer has no insulation, and we recommend wearing a hat on cold days for extra warmth.
Winter walks weren't an issue in this lightweight down layer. The mid-thigh length offered great mobility and kept us toasty.
If you live in an environment that is windy and cold, we also like the Canada Goose Shelburne. It's slightly warmer than the Tres Parka and is insulated with plush down. It also has a thick, durable outer shell that protects against wind. Resting mid-thigh, the Tres offers excellent mobility, but if you are looking for something that's longer, and going to keep your whole body warm, we like the Marmot Montreaux, Patagonia Down With It Parka, or The North Face Metropolis Parka II.
Weather Resistance
Hands down, this is the best waterproof jacket we tested. If you live in a wet climate, this Top Pick is for you. The sporty outer shell is made up of Patagonia's H2No two-layer waterproof fabric, and the polyester fabric is breathable, stretchy, and able to repel water for quite some time. Simply put, water easily beaded up and rolled off this layer. Besides its waterproofness, this jacket is windproof as well. A bonus is that there's enough room underneath the outer shell to wear sweater or fleece.
The down layer is treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating. Initially, water beaded up and rolled off the polyester fabric, but only for a short time. This is not a jacket you would want to get caught outside in a downpour in. The down layer can lose its loft if it's worn outside repeatedly in the rain. When each layer is worn together, we had no issue wearing it out for an extended period in wet weather.
You won't have to worry about getting wet in heavy rain with this jacket on. Out of all the jackets we tested, this one held up the best in wet conditions.
The Tres was the most waterproof when compared to all the contenders we tested. The outer shell did a slightly better job in wet weather than The North Face Arctic Parka II, and the down layer was comparable to the other DWR models we tested like the Patagonia Fiona Down Parka and The North Face Metropolis Parka II. It didn't hold up as well as the Marmot Montreaux, which is insulated with water-resistant Defender Down.
Style
This is not your standard waterproof jacket; it's better. The Tres is the perfect blend of function and fashion. We were turning heads left and right in this sporty, yet sophisticated jacket. Resting mid-thigh, the outer shell is made up of polyester twill and gives the jacket its smooth, clean appearance. Princess seams on the front and back add a subtle, but flattering touch. The outer layer fits a bit loose without the down shell attached, but it still maintains a flattering look.
The down layer is eye-catching and stylish. It rests mid-thigh as well, and the cut of the jacket is very form-fitting. Compared to other models that rest at the hips, the longer length offered extra coverage and warmth, while the satin matte finish looks great paired with the chevron baffling. It's a perfect layer to wear to yoga class, around town, or while taking your dog out for a walk.
When tested in snowy weather this jacket did a good job, but there is no down insulation in the hood. Thankfully, a beanie fits nicely underneath it. Without one our head was noticeably cold.
The smooth and sleek outer shell is comparable in style to the Arc'teryx Patera and the Legendary Whitetails Anchorage Parka. If you are on the fence between a "puffy" women's down jacket or a clean and straightforward style, this model may be perfect, because it offers both!
This "puffy" style down layer is sporty and form-fitting. The chevron baffling is very complementing against the DWR (durable water repellent) polyester fabric and added a feminine touch.
Comfort
The Tres is comfortable considering it's 3-in-1 jacket and weighs 2.9 pounds (one of our heaviest jackets we tested). The outer shell is smooth and soft, but it lacks insulation and wears a little loose, but it is still comfortable. The exterior pockets are lined with fleece; normally, this feature kept our hands warm. Unfortunately, with the Tres, there is no insulation in the outer shell, and our hands were noticeably cold in the pockets. The collar of the outer shell is lined with fleece, while the sleeves have zippers that allow you to adjust how tight you want them. Despite having a storm flap, the zipper let in cold air, and we could feel it on our lower arms. Don't let that discourage you though; our core was warm and toasty even on frigid days when we wore both layers together.
The outer layer is designed to be the waterproof layer. It's not the same comfort as the down layer, but Patagonia did an excellent job of making it breathable, lightweight, and highly functional. Just the fact that this jacket is exceptionally waterproof is a comforting feeling.
The outer shell pockets are lined with fleece on both sides, but our hands were noticeably chilly due to the lack of insulation.
The down layer was so comfortable that we forgot to take it off when we got home. The Tres is lightweight and cozy and wears like a glove. It's not stuffed with down, and there's no "marshmallow" or frumpy look here. Form-fitting and flattering, the down is distributed evenly, making it comfortable and stylish.
Subtle features like a fleece-lined chin guard kept us warm and kept our chin from getting chafed.
It's hard to wear a thick layer underneath when all the layers are together, as mobility starts to become jeopardized in the shoulders and arms. If you want to wear thick sweaters or multiple layers, you may want to consider ordering a size up. If you don't need three jackets in one and you want something with better mobility, we recommend the Columbia Heavenly.
Cozy and snug, the down layer fits like a glove. The pockets are lined with fleece on one side, and they kept us nice and toasty in cold weather.
Features
The main feature that this award winner has to offer is the three-in-one option. It's a waterproof raincoat, down layer, and a winter jacket - all in one.
The outer shell and down layer zip together, creating one jacket.
Each layer has something to offer for any weather condition. When worn together, the Tres can handle anything. Putting the layers together only takes a couple of minutes - *patience is a virtue*; but for real, it's straightforward. Since the down layer zips into the shell, there is no two-way zipper, though we didn't find this to be too much of an issue. The jacket stays secure by button snaps on the collar, by the tag and the sleeves of the shell.
A button snap at the sleeve secures the jacket in place. The down layer has a tendency to protrude out from the outer shell.
Patagonia's H2No two-layer waterproof fabric is the force behind this extremely waterproof outer shell, which is an awe-inspiring feature. There is a fleece lined collar, and two exterior pockets secured shut by snaps. It looks nice style wise - but as this is a waterproof jacket, zipper pockets may be a better idea. The outer shell also lacks an interior media pocket.
A button snaps at the collar and secures the jacket in place.
Each sleeve has a zipper that allows more mobility and movement - no other jacket we tested offered this. The down layer has two exterior fleece lined pockets with zippers, though the zippers are tiny. There's also an interior media pocket with a more prominent zipper. The outer shell has no insulation in the hood; compared to the Marmot Montreaux or the Canada Goose Kensington Parka, which both have ample insulation in the hood, the outer shell has none, and it was noticeably cold.
The 2-way zipper on the Tres offers better mobility and allows you to access both ends of the jacket. There is also a storm flap that covers the zipper, offering even more protection from wind, rain, and cold temperatures.
Durability
No branches are going to snag this outer shell. Durable and impenetrable, the two-layer exterior fabric is Patagonia's signature H2No. Waterproof, windproof and breathable, we had no issues when wearing this contender in heavy rain or windy weather. The down layer polyester fabric isn't as durable, but it did a good job. In the couple months we tested the jacket, we did notice the jacket did lose some down feathers, but not an alarming amount. The down layer did tend to get stuck in the lining of the outer shell, but this only really happened when we were in a rush. This jacket as a whole is very durable, and we didn't find the zipper issue to be a big problem when we took the time to slow down.
We found that the DWR (durable water repellent) coating on the soft polyester fabric of the Marmot Montreaux and the Patagonia Downtown Parka was not as durable as the two-layer waterproof fabric of the Tres. The outer shell was comparable to the waterproof The North Face Arctic Parka II, but it wasn't as durable as the Canada Goose Kensington Parka. Despite not being waterproof, the Kensington Parka's heavy-duty outer shell, military-grade buttons, and heavy duty zippers stole the show for durability.
Best Application
This contender is a great winter jacket for someone living in a wet climate like the Pacific Northwest. Keep in mind, there is no insulation in the hood, and this may cause some issues in cold climates. For someone living in a rainy city like Seattle, this jacket may be perfect for you. It could also be the perfect option for someone that can't decide between a women's rain jacket, women's hardshell, or a winter jacket.
A knock-out option for a wet climate like the Pacific Northwest. We remained warm and dry while wearing this jacket outside in wet weather.
Value
A great deal for what you are getting - three jackets in one! While it wasn't the most expensive one we tested, it still came in at $549. Considering how much each layer cost separately, this may be a great investment for someone in need of all three layers. This jacket is bound to last at least a couple winters.
Conclusion
Don't let the idea of a three-in-one coat deter you. The Patagonia Tres is a quality constructed, heavy duty winter jacket. Independently, we were impressed with each layer. The outer shell handled wind, rain, and snow with ease, while the down layer was warm, cozy, and stylish. When worn together, this jacket can tackle any weather condition. This is why the Tres Down Parka received our Top Pick for Wet Climates award.
