Like they say in Scandinavia: There’s no such things as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. This past fall and winter, Matador editors looked into this theory by trying out a variety of clothing items from PAKA, a brand of sustainable outdoor apparel made of alpaca fiber. We put the PAKA Hoodie, the PAKA Everyday Base Layer, the PAKA Joggers, and the PAKACLOUD Fleece to the test in the outdoors, on the road, and in the cold. What we found was that the brand creates durable, reliable clothing that’s eco-friendly, to boot.
Photos courtesy of Paka
This Brand Leads The 'Pac' in Sustainable Travel Clothes
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- The Paka Hoodie
- Paka Alpaca Underwear
- The PAKA Everyday Base Layer
- The PAKA Joggers
- The PAKACLOUD Fleece
Tracing the sustainability of the PAKA Hoodie
Photo courtesy of Paka
Photo courtesy of Paka
Unboxing a new clothing item that you’ve anxiously awaited is one of life’s most underrated joys. Instead of the item itself, the first thing I noticed upon opening up the package containing my PAKA Hoodie was a small recyclable postcard with a QR code. This QR code took me to a website where I could trace the origins of my hoodie, back to the actual alpaca the wool was sourced from in Peru. This included info on the farm and when the hoodie was made. Living in an agricultural community, I’ve become quite accustomed to farm-to-table food, but the PAKA Hoodie is certainly my first true experience with farm-to-body clothing. Granted, this piece of clothing came from some 3,800 miles away to my front door in Colorado, but that’s actually far shorter than the commute traversed by clothes made in Vietnam or Indonesia.
This complements the original reasons why I purchased a hoodie made of alpaca fur. Those are:
- Renewable and biodegradable fiber: Alpaca wool is a natural fiber sourced from the fleece of alpacas. Unlike synthetic materials like polyester, it is renewable and biodegradable. This means that at the end of its life cycle, alpaca wool will break down naturally, reducing its environmental impact.
Low environmental impact: Alpacas have a relatively low environmental footprint compared to other livestock. They have efficient digestive systems, produce less methane, and can thrive in harsh environments, reducing the need for intensive farming practices. - Low water usage: Alpacas require significantly less water than other livestock, such as cattle or sheep. This reduces the strain on water resources, making alpaca wool production more sustainable in regions prone to water scarcity.
- No chemical inputs: Alpacas are hardy animals that require minimal chemical inputs like pesticides and herbicides. This reduces the pollution associated with farming practices and makes alpaca wool production more environmentally friendly.
- Longevity and durability: Alpaca wool is known for its durability and longevity. Garments made from alpaca wool tend to last longer than those made from synthetic fibers, reducing the frequency at which clothing needs to be replaced.
Of course, I could have simply bought a sweatshirt made of organic cotton. However, as an avid outdoorsman, I’ve come to loathe wearing cotton in anything short of perfect weather. Alpaca fur is both hypoallergenic and very breathable, meaning that even when I’m e-bike commuting in the still-pretty-warm Autumn afternoons in Colorado, I don’t have to worry about sweating through my hoodie.
The PAKA Hoodie looks good outdoors and inside
As noted above, I spend a good amount of time outside, be that biking, hiking, or playing in the yard with my young daughter. As a travel journalist and avid snowboarder, I’m also on the road quite often. These factors combine to drive me towards a style of dress that emphasizes versatility and multi-purpose utility as much as, and often more than, fashion sense. Admittedly, I live in a place (western Colorado) that is known for casual dress, making it easier to get away with wearing the same hoodie five days a week than it might be in more formal emplacements. Still, no matter where I travel I want to have clothes that are comfortable and functional everywhere from an airplane to a mountain trail to happy hour.
The PAKA Hoodie stands out foremost because of its functionality. But, prior to this one, I’d never owned a hoodie that convinced me that I looked good. Typically, hoodies are what you wear when you don’t need to impress. Not to say I’m ready to hit the runway, but I recently wore the hoodie over a black t-shirt and a decent pair of jeans to weekday coffee with a professional acquaintance — and I felt both confident and presentable.
Later that same day I wore the PAKA Hoodie on an e-bike ride in 50-degree weather and managed to ride a clean and comfortable line between sweaty back and shivers. It was perfect, and as an added bonus, that day signaled two weeks of wearing the hoodie almost daily and, aside from a few quick spot treatments due to my own inability to avoid spilling coffee and snack crumbs, I hadn’t had to wash it yet.
My go-to for the shoulder season
The PAKA Hoodie expertly fills the gaps between t-shirt weather and puffy jacket season. It’s ideal for flying, lounging, early morning dog walks, and laptop labor. While it isn’t the layer that’s going to protect me from encroaching foul weather, it has become my go-to for the long transition period that happens between summer and winter, and vice versa. This means the hoodie is among my most-used articles of clothing for a solid four to five months of the year. At its $139 price point, the PAKA Hoodie is an absolute bargain — and an eco-friendly one, at that. –Tim Wenger
A breathable, flexible, sustainable pair of travel underwear
Not me. Photo courtesy Paka
After being impressed with the Paka Hoodie and Joggers, I dove in deeper and got Paka’s Alpaca Underwear (available in men’s and women’s options). Writing about undergarments can be awkward, but I’ve developed the following test points with which to analyze them:
- How closely do they hug my legs?
- Are they itchy or otherwise uncomfortable?
- If I wear them on a long hike or bike ride, do I feel the need to change out of them immediately afterward, or can I make it through happy hour first?
- Can I sit through a long-haul flight in them?
Paka’s Alpaca Underwear fit very comfortably. I’ve been buying organic cotton boxer briefs for a few years now, so I’m accustomed to underwear that doesn’t have poly to form fit. I can honestly say that the Paka boxers are the closest I’ve found to having form-fitting boxers without polyester. Whereas some cotton or natural fiber underwear tends to bunch or slack in certain areas, particularly at the bottom, I’ve never had that problem with these. Part of that is because the boxers are long enough that they don’t ride up my legs into my crotch throughout the day, and I also believe that part is that they’re just made well, as you’d expect from a pair of underwear that costs $38. They’re never itchy and, as should happen with good underwear, I rarely notice them throughout the day.
I commute primarily by e-bike, and have biked over 100 miles in the Paka underwear so far. Rather than having to change when I get to the coworking space, I’m able to comfortably wear them all day and then bike home or out for a beer without having to worry about getting “swampy.” The same is true on flights — these boxers have traveled with me for a few months now, and I’ve not had any issues, even on a long-haul from San Francisco to Istanbul. – Tim Wenger
Shop Now – Men’s and Women’s Alpaca Underwear
Need a travel t-shirt that lasts days without needing a wash? Check out Matador’s detailed reviews:
The PAKA Everyday Base Layer is warm, dry, and functional
Photo courtesy of Paka
Photo courtesy of Paka
I tested the PAKA Everyday Base Layer, and I liked it way more than I expected to.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate a base layer — but I find that they’re usually skin tight, especially too tight around the shoulders and armpits. So I sized up when testing the PAKA base layer, which likely was a mistake — I probably could have gone with a small, since the sizing seems very on point. That said, it’s still one of my new favorite shirts, and I only wish I had a few more of the thicker similar styles to wear into winter. This one is super soft, with no scratchy tags or hems.
My favorite thing about the PAKA base layer, aside from the flattering, straight-line fit, is the warmth. For being a relatively thin feeling shirt, I found myself a bit overheated on a recent September trip to northern Vancouver Island when I wore it in 60-degree weather (and I’m a personal that normally gets cold pretty easily). And when it started lightly raining, it didn’t get very wet. Because it’s thin, it doesn’t absorb much moisture, and when my traveling companions were still a little damp 10 minutes later, I was pretty dry. So I believe the brand when it says it’s both quick-drying and thermoregulation.
PAKA says their shirts are anti-odor, which in my experience, was true. I wore it four days in a row before putting it to the smell test, and it smelled pretty much like nothing. Considering I’d worn it on a full day of flying and driving, under several layers on an all-day boat tour, and for walking around in sporadic rain, the fact that it didn’t have any type of body odor or moldy smell was pretty great. However, what it did have was lots of wrinkles. Fortunately, I travel with a wrinkle releaser spray, but I can’t say it looked totally unworn after a week in a suitcase.
The only thing I disliked about this shirt was my own fault: PAKA recommended I got a size small, but because I dislike tight shirts and have a long torso, I went with a medium. Truthfully, it looks a little baggy on me, and in some photos, the balled up extra fabric at the bottom looks a little like a flab roll. So I actually would advise going with the size chart recommendation. I’m 5’7″ and about 135 pounds, but with broad shoulders and long arms. The green color is also a little lighter than it appears on the website swatch — the model photos are more accurate.
I’d also advise maybe buying more than one. I wish I had also gotten the thicker crew sweater, as I have a feeling the combination of the base layer with the crew over it would be a warm, winter-ready combo. –Suzie Dundas
The PAKA Everyday Joggers are functional ideal workout bottoms
Photo courtesy of Paka
I became such a fan of the PAKA Hoodie that I then acquired a pair of PAKA Men’s Everyday Joggers to replace my fraying workout pants. I use them regularly at the gym, on the trail in colder weather, and around the house on weekends.
The Men’s Everyday Joggers hug close at the ankles, providing support without interfering with the shoe, and there’s no chance of stepping on them. The fit is firm but comfortable, and perfect for running or exercising outdoors early in the morning when it’s still chilly. In particular, they’re softer than other cotton joggers I’ve used, which makes me more inclined to wear them.
Here’s what stands out about the Joggers — they have an uncanny ability to absorb sweat and grime without smelling terrible. I tend to keep them in my Patagonia day-bag during the workweek and change into and out of them at the gym. That means a few uses throughout the week, and I never worry about them being too dirty to use, or about them being smelly and gross should I receive an impromptu happy-hour invite while exercising (the pants have made more than one appearance at my local brewery.)
I also find them to be quite useful for road trip days. The comfort is ideal for long stretches spent buckled into a seat, and unlike flying, you don’t need a passport pocket or anything in particular on your person when in the car, so the Everyday Joggers work great. Overall, these pants are a straightforward and sustainable solution for exercising, and lounging, in cool weather. — Tim Wenger
The PAKACLOUD Fleece is extremely soft, light, and warm
Photo: Morgane Croissant/Jesse Adams
Never has a piece of garment suited its name better than the PAKACLOUD Fleece: It is the softest item of clothing I own, and it’s certainly the most comfortable fleece I’ve ever worn. Not only that, but it’s very lightweight despite being very warm. According to PAKA, it is “more than two times warmer than any synthetic fleece on the market,” and I can totally believe it.
Made primarily from baby alpaca fibers and Merino wool, the PAKACLOUD Fleece is not itchy like a traditional woollen sweater would be. I have worn it on top of short-sleeve t-shirts and never felt the severe discomfort that animal fibers tend to produce on bare skin. Those who worry that the raised collar might irritate their neck can rest easy — it won’t drive you to claw your skin out.
Photo: Morgane Croissant/Jesse Adams
Photo: Morgane Croissant/Jesse Adams
The softness and warmth of the fleece are my favorite features, but the zipped pockets and the zipped collar are the runners-up. I love being able to put my keys or phone in the pockets without worrying about them falling out. Also, a zipped collard allows for temperature control and protection from the wind, which I fully appreciate. The only element that I find irritating are the drawstrings at the hem — they consistently slide out of place.
I was sent the PAKACLOUD fleece by the brand right after its release mid-December 2023. Unfortunately for me, I was away when the garment was delivered to my house and my partner took full advantage of my absence to make the PAKACLOUD Fleece his own. I ordered my regular size, medium, but because the sizing of the fleece is unisex, I knew it would probably also fit my six-foot-two, 180-pound male partner. Truth be told, the garment fits him better than me. While it’s the right size for me, the fit is quite boxy, and rather unflattering to my busty, wide-hipped self. On me, it looks like a comfortable piece of clothing for the outdoors, but on my partner it looks like a well-cut, quite elegant sweater that he can wear on just about any occasions.
Photo: Morgane Croissant/Jesse Adams
When I finally came back home after being away for well over a month, my partner had been wearing the PAKACLOUD Fleece the entire time without washing it once. I certainly could not tell. The fleece did not smell at all. Nevertheless, for the purpose of this review, I took the initiative to wash it but only after looking at the online instructions very carefully. I stuck it in the washing machine on cold, and on a delicate cycle with very little spin, and the fleece came out unaltered. I laid the garment flat on a clothing rack to dry indoors and it did in a matter of a couple of hours. In my books, any items of clothing you don’t have to wash by hand is a win. –Morgane Croissant 