3 in 1 jackets: Good idea or not?

Good for city use, extra faff for backcountry use.

Consider while seemingly a good value, each piece performs worse than standalone versions from the same maker.

@ Steve

The one I was considering to buy can handle 25 000 mm and on another site a customer said he felt comfy at 5°F with it. I don’t plan to climb the K2 with this jacket.

Here’s a link (in French sorry):

https://www.eider.com/fr/covent-gtx-3in1-jkt-m-noir-veste-randonnee-homme.html

I think it comes down to the performance of the layers.  Paclite in my experience is not all that breathable and a Paclite shell needs pit zips.  This shell is  “GORE-TEX® SCREEN PACLITE // 100% POLYESTER RECYCLE // Waterproofness 28 000 mm – Breathability RET <9 m²Pa / W.”  Is Screen Paclite more breathable than classic Paclite?

Second, how warm is the eBall?  Finally, the 3rd part of the 3 in 1 is presumably the sur vest (under vest?). Is this attached to the synthetic down layer or separate?

Both Eddie Bauer First Ascent and Patagonia have tried at various times to market “layered systems” to outdoor enthusiasts.  But consumers seem to want to mix and match pieces.

Go try it on at a bricks and mortar store and see what you think.

They’re a great idea in those places where it’s only ever cold, windy, or wet when it’s cold, windy, *and* wet.  Not so good for the other 99.99% of the world.