I love it when the seasons change, especially when the cold air blows in from the north. The brisk morning air and the fall colors fill me with anticipation--I know winter snows will soon be on the ground.

Growing up in Utah, I have always loved the snow and it is second nature for me to stay active during the winter. A little snow and cold air is no excuse to join the ranks of couch potato-dom. From winter camping in the Wasatch Mountains, to snowshoeing and skiing in the backcountry, to boarding the slopes of the most crowded resorts, winter has many things to keep an outdoor addict busy.

The biggest trick to successful winter activities is staying warm and dry, which requires a good weatherproof parka. We recently tested 6 parkas, called 3-in-1 systems, which include, or at least allow, zip-in liners. The parkas in this category consist of a waterproof outer shell and a zip-in insulating inner shell. Either piece can be worn independently or they can be zipped together to make a warm winter parka, making three possible configurations from one single parka, hence the 3-in-1 designation.

I reviewed the following parkas:
The North Face Mountain Light
Vaude Keno Hill
Boulder Gear Gravity Shell
Sportif Boundary Peak
LLBean All Conditions Parka
Columbia Last Camp Parka

The North Face Mountain Light
shell $360, liner $165

The North Face has been making high-tech outerwear for years. The Mountain Light Parka is made from Gore-TexÆ Lightweight 2-Ply fabric laminated to Supplex Taffeta. It is both very rugged and tear resistant. The shell's many features are useful from the slopes of Park City to the snowfields of Denali.

The attached hood is spacious and comfortable with a mountaineering helmet, although difficult to stow. The Mountain Light includes pit zips for ventilation management and watertight front pockets. There is a stow-away pocket that easily holds the shell. The large front pockets are roomy, but difficult to get your hands into because they are so high.

This Mountain Light's lightweight--one of the lightest we reviewed--makes it a favorite among our test crew. North Face's sizing put me right on the border between large and extra large (with most other parkas, large is sufficient). After trying the large, I decided to go up to an extra large. You always want to allow enough room for additional layers beneath the insulating layer (the liner).

Another nice feature of this parka is the shell's mesh lining, which helps keep perspiration build- up off your skin. The liner we tested has reinforced shoulders, elbows, and cuffs, and pit zips that line up well with the pit zips of the shell. The liner is made of fleece and is sold separately.

Summary: The Mountain Light is a great shell for mountaineering and is stylish enough to wear around town. This is one of my personal favorites. However at a combined total of $525, this is a pricey set. Most outdoor enthusiasts could save money, and still get the entire parka they need at a lower price, with one of the other parkas in this review.

For more information contact the North Face at 800-719-6678

Vaude Keno Hill
shell and liner $465

The Keno Hill is one of two parkas we tested that includes the liner in the price. The price, however, is about the same as the combined price of the other parkas. I like the fit of the Keno Hill and I really like the way the lining is secured to the shell. This parka is heavier than some of the others and is not as compressible as the Mountain Light.

The Keno Hill's helmet-friendly design functions well as a mountaineering parka if weight and space are not crucial. The Keno Hill is made from Sympatex waterproof breathable fabric. The shell has a zipper-mounted removable hood. It took me some time to get accustomed to the reversed European-style zippers.

The Keno Hill has easy to reach pockets for your hands and pit zips for ventilation. The neck is higher than others in the test, which helps to shield your face from the elements.

Summary: The Keno Hill is worthy of outdoor activities from mountaineering to shredding the slopes with your friends.

For more information contact Vaude at 800-447-1539, or on the Internet at www.vaude.com.

Boulder Gear Gravity Shell
shell $215, liner $100

The Gravity is one of the lighter shells we reviewed. Made of a durable Carbon 3 Layer fabric, the shell works well to keep out the elements. It includes a snow skirt that works great when the wearing the shell without the zip-in lining. But, zip in the lining and the snow skirt becomes useless.

Our crew liked the special pocket on the front of the shell, designed to hold a Motorola radio. The built-in chamois for cleaning goggles or glasses comes in handy on the slopes. The removable hood didn't fit right when wearing a mountaineering helmet, limiting the shells suitability for serious mountaineering.

This is the only shell we tested that has a back vent. The vent becomes ineffective when wearing a pack. The built-in lightweight liner helps transfer moisture, and the shell's pit zips aid in ventilation; the liner also features pit-zips.

Summary: Our testers agree this is a great lightweight ski and general outdoor parka, with less effectiveness for mountaineering.

For more information contact Boulder Gear at 800-342-8088 or on the Internet at www.bouldergear.com.

Sportif Boundary Peak
shell $300, liner $140

The Boundary Peak shell is a simple but effective piece of gear, with all the basic functions you'd expect in a high-tech shell and liner. This shell is second best in this review in compressibility.

The Gore-Tex outer fabric in the Boundary Peak combats moisture. Standard pit zips ventilate you as you work your way up a snowfield or break trail through deep powder. The shell's powder skirt gets in the way when you have the liner zipped in. The hood easily rolls into the collar for storage and accommodates a smaller mountaineering helmet. The parka's length works well with a harness. Another added feature is double storm flaps, which keep out the elements.

The liner features Polartec Windbloc fabric, pit zips and front pockets. We tested the Boundary Peak with the Bryce Canyon Vest, which pulls away from the shell when taking it off, making it clumsy to put on or hang up. This occurs because you have no sleeves to hold the liner to the shell. We also noted the lack of a strap or tab to connect the collar of the liner to the shell.

Summary: The Boundary Peak parka has the fundamental features needed in a high tech shell. This is parka can handle the toughest stuff Mother Nature throws at it. Liner and shell are sold separately.

For more information contact Sportif at (775) 359-6400 or on the Internet at www.sportif.com.

LL Bean All Conditions Parka
shell $259, liner $89

The heavy-duty L.L. Bean All Conditions Parka can weather a monsoon or a blizzard. The All Conditions Parka's 3-layer Gore-Tex, DWR coating, and bomber construction make it one of the toughest parkas we tested. The parka's long tail, longest of the parkas we reviewed, gets in the way of a harness if you are mountaineering.

The shell has pit zips for ventilation and a non-removable hood. The liner is a favorite among the testers. Its warm heavyweight fleece makes a great insulating layer. My wife had a hard time handing over the liner when I set out on my field-testing trips.

Summary: This is the best Gore-Tex parka for the money in this review. For the same cost as other manufacturer's shells, you get the both LL Bean's shell and liner. This parka stands up to very stormy conditions, but it is heavier and bulkier. If you need compressibility and lighter weight, you may want to look at the North Face Mountain Light or the Sportif Boundary Peak.

For more information contact L.L Bean at 800-555-1173 or on the Internet at www.llbean.com.

Columbia Last Camp Parka
shell and liner $290

The Last Camp Parka hails from Columbia's Performance Titanium Parka line, which features Columbia's proprietary Omni-Tech fabric. The Omni-tech effectively repels water. Unlike most of the others, the Last Camp's price includes both shell and liner.

We liked the shell's easy-access pockets and the ability to open the pit zips with one hand. The radial venting system keeps you from becoming drenched with sweat. The zip-off hood is helmet-friendly. I liked the coat's fit, and large pockets on the front, which are backed with mesh to provide optimal venting. The liner is made of MTR Fleece and includes pit zips.

Summary: The Last Camp's low price makes it a great deal for the price. For all but the most extreme mountaineering, skiing and snowshoeing, the Last Camp Parka should meet you needs.

For more information contact Columbia at 1-800-MA-BOYLE or on the web at www.columbia.com.

Jeff is a Contributing Editor and co-founder of GearReview.com.