The key to an effective layering system is adaptability. You want to be able to adjust what you are wearing to fit the current situation.

This keeps your body temperature at an even, comfortable level throughout the day. Typically, this means buying many different products—including base layers, fleece layers, insulated jackets, and non-insulated shell layers designed to protect against wind and rain.

Sometimes, products from different manufacturers might work well on their own, but they don’t always fit together quite right into a functional, well-fitting system.

3-in-1 jackets offer a solution to this problem: with a single purchase, you get an adaptable piece of equipment allows the insulated and shell layers to be seamlessly integrated together, or broken down and used separately.

You can wear either the insulated layer, the shell layer, or both, for 3 possible configurations. 3-in-1 jackets solve the hassle of needing to pair these two layers yourself, and they let you get full outdoor protection in a single purchase.

Here are the five best 3-in-1 jackets on the market right now:

North Face ThermoBall Snow Triclimate 3-in-1

The North Face’s ThermoBall jacket is a popular puffy-style insulating jacket, and the ThermoBall Snow Triclimate integrates it into a versatile layering package. The ThermoBall has synthetic insulation that can keep its insulating ability even when wet, unlike normal down insulation.

The insulation is sewn into small pockets that help keep it evenly distributed throughout the jacket, preventing clumping and cold spots. This warm inner layer pairs to a wind- and rain-resistant shell layer to help complete the package.

The ThermoBall Snow Triclimate comes with a large hood that can fit over helmets, and has an extra-long parka-length reach, offering protection well below the hips. This makes it especially useful for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.

Pros

  • On the lighter end, at 3 lbs 0.3 oz for men’s, 2 lbs 13.8 oz for women’s
  • Warm, well-designed insulating layer
  • Winter sport features
  • Overall, a great-looking jacket

Cons

  • A little expensive, with an MSRP of $349
  • Not everyone will like the extra length

Patagonia Snowbelle 3-in-1

The Patagonia Snowbelle offers a fully insulated package that doesn’t weigh as much as some of the other leading 3-in-1 jackets. Like the ThermoBall Snow Triclimate, the Snowbelle is best for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, as it comes with a (removable) snow skirt around the hip, and the hood is designed to fit over a helmet.

Another nice feature is that the inner layer is reversible—with both quilted and smooth layers—so it can be worn in multiple orientations. It also comes with pit zips, allowing for heat venting as needed.

As with many other Patagonia products, the Snowbelle is constructed from mostly recycled materials, making this a sustainable clothing choice.

Pros

  • Relatively lightweight: 2 lbs 15 oz for the men’s version, 2 lbs 8.7 oz for the women’s
  • Extra features tailored to winter sports
  • Shell layer is 70% recycled materials; Insulated layer is 90% recycled materials
  • Both layers are water-repellent
  • Synthetic materials will retain insulating power when wet

Cons

  • On the more expensive side. MSRP: $399
  • Not as well-suited for use outside of winter sports
  • Not the most stylish option

Columbia Bugaboo Interchange 3-in-1

The Columbia Bugaboo Interchange 3-in-1 offers a well-thought-out combination of an inner fleece layer that attaches directly to its outer waterproof shell.

The Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective technology used in the fleece construction offers a little more warmth and insulating power than a typical fleece, but offers the benefits of increased breathability that can be a little harder to come by with 3-in-1 jackets that don’t use a puffy layer as insulation.

The trick is its usage of little sliver dots that help to keep in the heat that your body has already generated, giving a little more protection than just the fleece material. That said, the Bugaboo still may not be able to compete with the thicker puffy insulated layers offered by the North Face ThermoBall, for example.

If you’re a warm-bodied person, or plan to use this system outside of intense mountain storms, but, it should hold up well. Note that some users report issues with the fitting of the sleeves, and match between the lengths of the insulating and shell layers.

If you can, try it out before you buy to see how it fits on you.

Pros

  • Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective fleece
  • Easy to integrate insulating and shell layers
  • Affordable pricing, with an MSRP of $180

Cons

  • Less protection against extreme cold
  • May not fit everyone well

Marmot Sugar Loaf Component 3-in-1

The Marmot Sugar Loaf has many features that set it apart from the earlier jackets. It is a very lightweight garment, weighing just 1 lb 12 oz for the men’s version and 1 lb 9 oz for the women’s.

This makes it a great option for those who are looking for a 3-in-1 to take on backpacking or camping trips where you need to carry your gear for long distances. The insulation is a little lighter than some other 3-in-1’s, making this better suited for more mild outdoor conditions (late fall, early spring, or less-severe winter weather).

It has additional protection against rain, with heavy-duty GORE-TEX polyester in both the insulated and shell layers. It’s also fully seam-sealed so there won’t be any leaks.

Pros

  • Very lightweight, at 1 lb 12 oz for the men’s version, 1 lb 9 oz for the women’s
  • Solid rain protection
  • Removable hood
  • Powder skirt

Cons

  • The smaller hood might not fit a helmet underneath
  • More expensive than other options, with an MSRP of $425
  • Less warm than other 3-in-1’s

North Face Arrowood Triclimate 3-in-1

The North Face Arrowood Triclimate offers consumers a great value option, coming in at a lower price point than most competitors. This package is a little bit lighter in design, with a fleece serving as the insulated layer, rather than a full-weight puffy jacket.

As a result, like the Marmot Sugar Loaf, the Arrowood Triclimate is really geared toward more fall and spring conditions, rather than full-force winter chills. It also doesn’t come with as much protection around the waist.

But the lighter insulation and reduced coverage also comes with weight savings, and the entire package clocks in at just 1 lb 15.8 oz for the men’s version, and 1 lb 10 oz for the women’s.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Very lightweight, at 1 lb 15.8 oz for the men’s, 1 lb 10 oz for the women’s
  • Good for late fall or early spring weather

Cons

  • Less insulation than other 3-in-1’s
  • Will still require purchasing a puffy to have full winter protection
  • Reduced midsection coverage

Why 3-in-1 Jackets Aren’t for Everyone

Although 3-in-1 jackets offer the convenience of having insulating and shell layers that are designed to be paired with each other, they are not for everyone. One major downside of 3-in-1 jackets is that you have less choice in the features at each layer.

You may really like a particular puffy jacket from one manufacturer, and a different shell layer from a different company. By opting for a 3-in-1 package, you are stuck with the particular collection of features put together by that single maker.

There can also be issues paring 3-in-1 jackets with other parts of a layering system.

For example, say that you want to put on a fleece, puffy, and shell layer on top of your base layer. If the 3-in-1 you purchased has a fleece and shell pairing, you may not be able to easily fit a puffy between them.

A final concern to bear in mind is that it can take a few extra steps attaching and removing integrated layers from one another. If you like to quickly throw on or rip off your layers to keep moving, a 3-in-1 jacket may not be the best option for you.

(That said, you can always forego the attachment mechanisms and just wear the layers independently, but then you aren’t making use of some of the features you paid for in the 3-in-1 jacket.)

So, while the promise of 3-in-1 jackets is their versatility and tailored pairings, this may not hold true in all circumstances. It’s important to evaluate the product in the context of the rest of your preferred layering system before making a final decision.

If possible, try on the 3-in-1 while wearing other garments you might want to pair with it. Also check out the single-use garments individually to see if there are any features you like that might not be available in an integrated 3-in-1 package.