PAKA Alpaca Hoodie Review: Classic Travel Hoodie for Life

PAKA Apparel’s hand-knit alpaca fiber best-selling Hoodie instantly became my “wear it everywhere” layer for frosty mornings and shoulder-season travel. The alpaca blend feels softer than cashmere, yet it holds up to road trips, red-eye flights and kids’ playground duty in 40°F temps. Plus, it looks great in photos that we want to look back on.

The Score View detailed breakdown

4.25 / 5

The PAKA Alpaca Hoodie is a hand-knit unisex layer made from alpaca and recycled nylon that delivers breathable warmth without bulk. It's soft enough to sleep in on flights yet polished enough for coffee runs, perfect for winter travel and chilly flights, though unisex sizing requires careful size selection.

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Why it’s a winter staple

• Alpaca + recycled nylon blend: The knit traps heat without bulk, so I can slip it under a shell when we’re sightseeing in snow or wear it solo on chilly flights.
• Travel-friendly design: The relaxed unisex cut offers full range of motion for all the activity that a trip may require. The hood is deep enough to double as a sleep mask when I’m trying to rest while in transit.
• Hand-signed tags: Each hoodie includes a PAKA “Inca ID” stitched by the Peruvian artisan who made it, a small detail that makes the piece feel special and one of a kind.

Fit & care tips

• This Hoodie is UNISEX: Sizes run large for women and slightly small for men. I sized down to an XXS and Dan sized up to L for a relaxed fit. The XS was too big on me and the M was too small on him (these are our regular sizes).
• Wash cold on gentle in a mesh bag and never tumble dry; lay flat instead. The natural fibers will shrink if exposed to heat. Hand washing is really ideal if you can swing it.
• Expect a boxy, drapey silhouette that layers easily over base tees and under vests like my Toad & Co Sespe Sherpa Vest. For petite women like me, this will run “long” on your middle.

Where it does well

• Winter flights: Keeps me warm in drafty airplane cabins and folds small enough to be a layer in my backpack.
• Cabin weekends: Cozy enough to sleep in, but polished enough for coffee runs the next morning!
• City errands: Pairs well with leggings or pants, and keeps me warm on stroller walks without overheating once we duck into a cafe or a toy store.

Detailed score breakdown

4.25 / 5

The PAKA Alpaca Hoodie is a hand-knit unisex layer made from alpaca and recycled nylon that delivers breathable warmth without bulk. It's soft enough to sleep in on flights yet polished enough for coffee runs, perfect for winter travel and chilly flights, though unisex sizing requires careful size selection.

Comfort against skin

92%

The alpaca blend feels softer than cashmere against my skin. I can wear this all day without wanting to take it off, whether I'm on a chilly flight or walking around in 40°F temps. The hand-knit texture is incredibly soft and comfortable, with no irritation points.

Fit, mobility & sizing accuracy

76%

This is unisex sizing, so it runs large for women and slightly small for men. I sized down to an XXS and Dan sized up to L for a relaxed fit. The XS was too big on me. It has a boxy, drapey silhouette that runs long on petite women like me, but the relaxed cut offers full range of motion.

Materials, durability & easy care

84%

Made from alpaca and recycled nylon blend. You need to wash cold on gentle in a mesh bag and never tumble dry - lay flat instead. Hand washing is really ideal if you can swing it. The natural fibers will shrink if exposed to heat, so care requires more attention than synthetic travel hoodies.

Breathability & moisture management

86%

The alpaca blend breathes well and manages moisture effectively. I wore it on chilly flights and during city errands without feeling clammy or sticky. The knit traps heat without bulk, so it works well as a mid-layer or solo piece.

Temperature regulation

90%

This hoodie shines in the 40-70 degree range. It kept me warm in drafty airplane cabins and during frosty mornings, but I didn't overheat when we ducked into cafes or toy stores. Perfect for winter flights, cabin weekends and shoulder-season travel.

Stretch & shape retention

82%

The relaxed fit maintains its shape well after packing and wearing. It doesn't bag out at the elbows or lose its drapey silhouette. The hand-knit construction holds up well to compression in a backpack.

Pocket function & security

80%

The hoodie has a front pocket that works well for essentials. It's deep enough to hold items securely without bouncing when walking. The pocket placement feels natural and accessible.

Wrinkle resistance & packability

84%

It folds small enough to be a layer in my backpack without taking up much space. The knit fabric handles compression well and doesn't wrinkle badly. It emerges from luggage looking good, though hand-knit items can show some creasing.

Styling versatility

88%

This works beautifully across different scenarios. It's cozy enough to sleep in on flights, but polished enough for coffee runs the next morning. Pairs well with leggings or pants, and layers easily under shells or over base tees. Perfect for winter flights, cabin weekends and city errands.

Overall value for price

86%

The hand-knit construction and alpaca blend justify the price, especially considering the unique artisan story behind each piece. It's more special than mass-produced travel products, and the quality shows in both feel and durability. Worth the investment if you value unique, sustainable pieces.

How we score gear

Quick takeaways

• Hand-knit alpaca fiber blend means breathable warmth and softness.
• Unisex sizing means you may need to size down (women) or up (men). Take it from us, as we tried both.
• Perfect mid-layer for cold-weather itineraries, from ski towns to holiday markets.

If you love cozy layers that have unique stories, this is the hoodie I keep telling friends to try because it’s so much more special than other mass-produced travel products I’d find elsewhere. PAKA is a special company and one of our favorite things about their model is that they employ women in Peru and loop back to the consumers (us) with showing us the details down to their names, of who made our gear.

Comparison with similar products

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