The Patagonia Tres Down Parka may look like a simple, sleek, and sophisticated jacket from the outside, but underneath it's a serious coat meant to handle heavy, wet weather. We are impressed with this jacket's inner and outer layers independently, but when worn together, this Top Pick winner is a force to be reckoned with. The durable outer shell is made of Patagonia's signature H2No Performance standard fabric. It can handle rain, snow, sleet, and wind without a problem. The inner layer is a classic Patagonia puffy jacket. We found it comfortable and cozy and often found ourselves wearing it in the house without realizing it. We switched back and forth between the two layers often and like both, but we are particularly impressed by how the jacket functions when they are worn together. This jacket is expensive, but, then again, it does the work of three jackets for the price of two.
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka - Women's Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Form-fitting, sleek waterproof and durable, three jackets, ethically sourced and cozy down
Cons: Sleeves are short, uninsulated hood, tight shoulders, no two-way zipper on down jacket, pockets lack zippers
Manufacturer: Patagonia
The Skinny
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Our Analysis and Test Results
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 a DWR finish. It's perfect for wet, warm to 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, and cold weather without a problem. Weighing in at 2.9 lbs, it isn't super light, but it doesn't feel bulky or heavy when we are wearing it.
Performance Comparison
Warmth
The outer shell alone doesn't have any insulation and is not very warm unless worn with multiple layers underneath. This shell does an exceptional job of protecting from wind, rain, and snow, while the inside layer offers warmth and comfort. The inside layer is insulated with 600 fill power traceable down and is cozy and form-fitting, and quite warm despite being somewhat thin. It doesn't allow much room for heat to escape and cold air to enter.
Because there is no insulation in the outer shell, our hands were often cold in the pockets, even when wearing the down inner jacket. Our lower arms were often cold as well, which we attribute to a draft that creeps into a zipper on the lower sleeve. It's there to let you adjust the arm opening. Despite its storm flap, it let cold air seep in. Only on the exterior layer has a hood, and it is uninsulated. We recommend wearing a hat on cold days for extra warmth.
The Tres is not as warm as the thick down of the Marmot Montreaux, but is warmer than the synthetic fill of the Arc'teryx Darrah or the Columbia Heavenly. The Tres performs best in moderately cold and wet weather.
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, is insulated with plush down, and 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 longer for more warmth, we like the Marmot Montreaux or the Patagonia Down With It Parka.
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 beads up and rolls off this outer shell. This jacket is windproof as well.
The down layer has a DWR (durable water repellent) coating as well. Water also beads up and rolls off the polyester fabric, but only for a short time. This is not a jacket you want in a downpour, and the down layer can lose its loft if it's worn outside repeatedly in the rain. When we wore both layers together, we had no issues hanging out for an extended period in wet weather.
The Tres is the most waterproof contender we tested. The outer shell does a slightly better job in wet weather than The North Face Arctic Parka II and the Fjallraven Nuuk Insulated Parka. The Tres blew the waterproof North Face Arrowood Triclimate Jacket out of the water.
The down layer is comparable to the other DWR models we tested like the Patagonia Fiona Down Parka, The North Face Metropolis Parka II and the North Face Gotham II Down Jacket. It didn't hold up as well as the Marmot Montreaux, which is insulated with water-resistant Defender Down.
Comfort
The Tres is comfortable considering it's 3-in-1 jacket and weighs 2.9 pounds (one of the heaviest jackets tested). The outer shell is smooth and soft, but it lacks insulation and wears a little loose. We still find it comfortable and the collar of the outer shell is lined with fleece, which we appreciate.
The exterior pockets are lined with fleece. Normally, this feature keeps our hands warm. Unfortunately, with the Tres, there is no insulation in the outer shell, and our hands are noticeably cold in the pockets. Our lower arms were often chilled as well. 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 more of a workhorse and is not as comfortable 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 down layer is so comfortable that we often 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.
It's hard to wear a thick layer underneath when all the layers are together, doing so jeopardizes mobility in the shoulders and arms. If you want to wear thick sweaters or multiple layers, you may want to consider ordering a size up.
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 lose 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 is very form-fitting. The longer length offers 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.
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!
Durability
No branches are going to snag this durable and impenetrable two-layer shell. It includes Patagonia's signature H2No waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane. 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 doesn't concern us. In the few months we tested the jacket, we did notice the jacket lost 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.
The Tres's outer shell is comparable to the waterproof The North Face Arctic Parka II, but isn'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.
Features
The main feature that this award winner has to offer is its three-in-one option. It's a waterproof raincoat, down layer, and a winter jacket — all in one.
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, it has no two-way zipper, though we didn't find this to be too much of an issue. The jacket stays secure with button snaps on the collar, by the tag and on the sleeves of the 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. These look nice style wise, but, since this is a waterproof jacket, zipper pockets may be a better idea. The outer shell also lacks an interior media pocket.
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 which made it noticeably colder than insulated options like the Marmot Montreaux or the Canada Goose Kensington Parka.
We tested another three-in-one jacket this winter — the North Face Arrowood Triclimate Jacket. Compared to the Tres, the Triclimate isn't as warm or waterproof. The inside layer is fleece, not down. It didn't keep us as warm in cold weather. The outer shell is waterproof, but we can stay outside in wet weather longer, in the Tres.
Best Application
This contender is a great winter jacket for a wide range of folks, from dry and moderately cold locales like Tahoe to wet climates 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 rain jacket, a down jacket or a winter jacket.
Value
A great deal for what you are getting — three jackets in one! While this isn't the most expensive jacket we tested, it still came in at $600. 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.
— Liz Williamson
