which is better, a 3 in 1 parka, or a regular hard nylon outer shell with a inner fleece lined parka?

Question

I am considering a columbia parka for the upcoming winter. I want to know if there is a difference in warmth, comfort, and mobility, as wel as other advantages that one may have over the other. Are they in fact the same? Is the only difference the fact that one can be separated? Thanks

For those of you who may not know. A 3 in 1 jacket consists of a windproof, waterproof outer shell and a a fleece jacket that zip together and combine to form one jacket (2 individual jackets, and 1 combined jacket).

Answer 1

A 3-in-1 is the better way to go. I personally don't have a 3-in-1 anymore, but I wear an unlined hard shell over a fleece, so it's essentially the same thing. The 3-in-1 could zip all together and make one jacket. I rarely zipped my 3-in-1s together when I had them, so I've just stopped buying them.

An insulated parka has advantages only if you are inclined to do a lot of sitting around in the cold. They are great for ice fishing, hunting, snowmobiling (although I use layers on a sled rather than a parka), going to football games, etc.

Likewise, a 3-in-1 is great if you don't live somewhere where you need the shell all of the time. I rarely used my shell even in Vermont. I kept it in the car in the event I needed it, but just wore a fleece most days going to work and even skiing.

When snowshoeing or skiing I almost always end up dumping the shell sometime during the day. If I am really warm, I dump the fleece and just wear the shell over my base layer. It's much better than an insulated parka. More options!

Answer 2

I agree with Willie D. A 3 in 1 looks like a great idea, but when you think about it, there is no difference to a shell and a separate fleece layer. All that I would add is that separates allow you to choose the level of fleece you wear.

Answer 3

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