A luxuriously soft, warm hoodie for outdoor adventures.
Warm and Cozy
Made out of 65% alpaca wool and 35% recycled nylon, this cozy hoodie has quickly become one of my favorite fall tops. It’s warm, and it is so buttery soft that when it touches my skin I instantly feel calm and protected. Even serene.
Paka claims that the material is softer than cashmere, so I had to test that out. I did a blind feel test and could not tell the difference between The Hoodie and one of my cashmere sweaters!
The fabric is quite stretchy, so I have complete freedom of movement, as well as enough room to wear The Hoodie over a long-sleeved merino top or heavy-weight merino sweater or jacket. I’ve been wearing The Hoodie as my fall outer layer because it’s so much more comfortable, less bulky, and lighter than a sweatshirt for 45-50 F temps. When it drops into the 40’s and 30’s I’ll add an insulation vest.
The slouchy hood is handy in chilly weather, and it’s roomy enough to fit over my head even when I’m wearing a baseball cap or wool beanie.
Functional and Fashionable
After how the alpaca/nylon blend feels on my skin, what I love most about The Hoodie is how well it breathes. I overheat very easily during activity, so I need fibers that work for me. Alpaca wool, like wool from sheep, helps with thermoregulation. That means it keeps me warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s warm. And, it resists odor quite well. I’ve been wearing The Hoodie every day for two weeks and it doesn’t smell at all. It will be months before I need to wash it (see washing instructions on Paka site).
The Hoodie is one of few outdoor garments I have that doesn’t necessary make me look like a hiker. It’s a beautiful, well-made top. It looks great with jeans, chinos, and even my adidas track pants. I’ve been wearing The Hoodie for walks and hikes, as well as in my house at night since I keep the thermostat set very low.
I like The Hoodie’s looser, larger knit fabric. It just feels like “casual,” so I’m more likely to grab it than other tops because I know it will look good and perform well, no matter what I do. After wearing merino tops and jackets for so long it’s a nice change to have a knit top where I can actually see the knit of the fabric. It feels like a homemade sweater, and it is. Mine was made by Gianmarco in Peru.
The Hoodie is made by weaving cooperatives in Peru. I feel good wearing a sweater from a company committed to fair trade and to its workers. Paka donates to organizations that support the communities in Peru that make their sweaters.
Bottom Line
I love this crazy-soft sweater. I can’t stop touching it. Or wearing it. It’s extremely comfortable, easy to care for, and so functional.
Available in four colors: Charcoal, Light Grey, Oat, and Eucalyptus. Unisex sizing. This sweater runs at least a size big. I usually wear women’s XL or men’s L, and found a good fit in size M.
Manufacturer: Paka
$139 available on Paka website