The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket vs Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka

Buy the Nuptse if you want a warm, packable down jacket for cold dry days and city wear; buy the Tres 3-in-1 if you need one coat for wet, coastal winters and want a shell and an insulated jacket in one. The Nuptse is lighter and simpler, with 700-fill down and a boxy retro cut, and its 4.8 rating from about 13,000 owners shows it holds up. The Tres is heavier and longer, with a waterproof H2No shell and a zip-out down liner, but its 4.4 rating from 538 owners is lower and reviewers note the outer pockets are poor for hands.

• Choose the 1996 Retro Nuptse if you want a light, packable, very warm down jacket for dry cold and everyday city wear.
• Choose the Tres 3-in-1 Parka if you face wet, windy winters and want a waterproof shell plus a removable down jacket in one coat.