Gear Review: The Hoodie by PAKA
The Hoodie by PAKA blends sustainability and performance with royal alpaca fiber. Soft, warm, and breathable, it's perfect for hiking adventures or cozy days. Lightweight yet durable, this hoodie is designed for comfort and style. Updated for 2026!
The Hoodie is one of PAKA's signature alpaca wool pieces and it's become a staple for many adventurers once it gets chilly out. Not only is its unisex fit comfortable and practical on trail, it's naturally an odor-resistant top, making it great for backpacking trips, hiking and travel. And after long-term wear, I am still absolutely enjoying this sweater!
The Hoodie is a great sweater for casual wear as well. It has a nice modern look that can be dressed up or dressed down. In 2026 PAKA released a few new color options for The Hoodie, which is great to see!
Quick Rundown of The Hoodie by PAKA
- Sourced from the outskirts of Puno, dyed in the mountains of Arequipa. Start to finish made in Peru
- 65% Royal Alpaca Fiber / 35% Recycled Nylon
- Weighs less than 10 ounces
- Naturally odor resistant
- Very durable for a wool garment. Holds up to backpacking
- Unisex fit available in XXS through XXL
- Men choose your usual size, women choose your usual men's size. This top has a casual fit
My Experience with the The Hoodie by PAKA
When I first received The Hoodie, I was surprised by how soft it is! PAKA says this piece is softer than cashmere, and after wearing The Hoodie for a bit, I think I'd agree with that. It's very cozy and not itchy at all. I have found myself wearing The Hoodie more frequently than I imagined I would because of it!
Primarily, I have worn The Hoodie on day hikes and on short backpacking trips in the high desert of the Colorado Plateau during the chilly months of October, November and December. It's become a staple part of my kit for those adventures due to its thermoregulation, which is super warm. It's also a highly breathable top and it never gets stinky. I was hesitant about The Hoodie's durability under a heavy backpack with straps pulled tight, but so far so good!
I really like the casual fit of this piece. It's not too tight or too loose. I can easily toss a base layer under it and a down puffy over it. The Hoodie has a tailored feel, with the neckline being a bit stretchy so you don't feel like you're being strangled when you're layering up or if your backpack pulls it back. It has a nice sleeve length as well. Little details like a leather patch, woven patch and artisan signature go a long way in making The Hoodie feel special.
I am genuinely surprised by the durability of The Hoodie and the versatility I get from it because of that. It's a practical wool sweater, going from trails and backcountry adventures, to town, to lounging at home while looking classic yet modern. It doesn't need to be washed very much, which is something I appreciate. Short of it becoming actually dirty, there is no need to wash this top as it does not pick up odors.
As someone who has always loved wool for hiking and backpacking, I am excited by what PAKA is creating. Alpaca wool is a game changer when it comes to warm and effective wool for the wild adventures I get up to. It's more durable than merino and a lot more comfortable!
As of autumn 2026, I am still wearing The Hoodie quite regularly. I love its versatility. Often times I wear it in the Sonoran Desert for great big hiking days when I am layering up, layering down, on and on... as I go from valley floor to higher Sky Island elevations. It's lightweight, and oddly durable. Two things I noted a couple years ago when I was first rocking this piece.
My hoodie is still looking pretty much brand new at this point too. Some of this has to do with how I launder it; I always air dry it flat on a drying rack. But certainly a lot of it comes down to the quality of the spun alpaca wool. There aren't a ton of active garments that become true favorites for me, that continue in my rotation for years. This is one of them. Highly recommend!
Article originally published December 3rd 2024 | Updated October 2026.
My review is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
