PAKA Men's Ultralight Crew Sweater Review: Built to Last

I tend to think of PAKA Apparel as making cozy and durable cold-weather sweater layers for my trips and adventures outside, so the Men’s Ultralight Crew is different. I had to get used to it a bit.

Throughout this review, I’m going to be discussing if it is for me, and of course, if it is for you. In trying it and wearing it, I figured out the fit and what it feels like, and which situations it’s best for.

(As a spoiler, this review will cover why I’m in between sizes and what you should know before buying one.)

The Score View detailed breakdown

4.05 / 5

The PAKA Men's Ultralight Crew is a thin shoulder-season sweater made from baby alpaca wool, cotton and Coolplus polyester. It rolls up tiny for packing, provides warmth without bulk and features a trim fit perfect for early fall and spring, though it runs long and big in sizing and feels almost delicate compared to thicker sweaters.

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Pros and Cons

Here’s a few pros and cons to consider if you’re measuring up this sweater against others from PAKA.

Pros

• It’s less baggy than other sweaters, so it looks trim.
• The special fabric blend helps with regulating your body temp.
• Raglan sleeves help avoid ripping during a full arm’s range of motion.
• Designed for guys who want a shoulder season sweater.

Cons

• It’s very thin, and almost delicate. Think about the activities you’d do in it to decide if it’s right for you.
• It’s made to be a warm-weather sweater, so if that’s not your style, it’s also not for you.
• It runs long, so it is not ideal for shorter guys.

First impressions of the Ultralight Crew

This sweater is different for sure. I don’t have any sweaters this thin. And what is interesting is how PAKA designed it to be both thin and durable.

It can roll up into a ball for packing in my packing cube or into a daypack for a hike. And it does not take up a lot of space.

It’s also very soft, and almost silky. I don’t have any sweaters like it. I got it because I’m trying to get more into sweaters, as a look to wear with jeans. This sweater is a trim and slimming piece of clothing for weather that’s not quite cold, but not too hot either.

The fit: what to know (and sizing)

Right away I will tell you that this sweater runs long. It also runs big for the size you get. Here is what I experienced.

The fit, in two sizes

First off, I ordered a size men’s M, as that is my typical size in PAKA products. I’ve owned size M in most of the PAKA sweaters, and I’ve even tried L because sometimes a Medium was too snug.

So this time, for the Ultralight Sweater, I first got a Men’s M. Upon trying it on, it was much too spacious (and I’m a regular size M in most brands, save for some, where I size down to a S).

The size Medium was overly spacious on me. I’m not sure if that was because this style sweater is supposed to run more fitted, or if it’s in the construction and design itself. But regardless, I sent it back for an exchange.

I then received a size Small. On trying it on, it did fit better, but unfortunately, I was not comfortable with the snugness and how it hugs my skin and my frame.

I think in summary, I am in between sizes for this particular PAKA sweater. I have had better sizing luck with their more standard products like the Original Crew (unisex) in an M.

Figuring out PAKA’s sizing (consider this to help out)

This is a men’s apparel product. It’s good to mention here that PAKA also makes unisex sizing, in the Original Crew and the Original Hoodie, their most well-known alpaca fabric items.

Men’s sizing should be easier to figure out, so I used the size chart, which is a tool called Wair on the PAKA website that helps you put in your measurements and body type, and it tells you your expected size. It helps, but if you’re in between sizes like I am (for some of their sweaters), you may be at a loss.

What’s nice about PAKA in their men’s line is that their sweaters do come in XS through XXL. I have seen tons of menswear companies that only make products starting at size S, and only up to XL. So for lots of guys, there are more sizes available here, and if you’re not a fit for one, you can size up or down.

For the sizing on this one, keep this in mind: this sweater runs long, and BIG, from what I experienced in having the M too big and the S being closer to my body size, but too tight for my liking.

Does it run long or short?

It runs long, by far. If you are an average-to-tall guy, the fit will be nice for you. The model on the website is wearing a M and he’s 6’2”. I’m 5’9” and even the S was long on me. If you’re average or short, you may find that this sweater just is not made for your body type.

Quality and construction

Like all PAKA products, the construction on the Ultralight Sweater is really nice: raglan sleeves with reinforced stitching, and tapered sleeves and bottom.

Like I mentioned, it is made from baby alpaca wool fibers, cotton and PAKA’s “Coolplus” polyester, which makes it a hybrid between a natural fabric and an artificially-enhanced one. It’s silky smooth, for a sweater, if you compare it to something like traditional wool, which is scratchy.

My favorite parts are the unique ribbing at the sides, which matches the ribbing at the bottom and the end of the sleeves.

Considerations between other sweaters from PAKA

I felt like it should have been easier to find my correct size on one of PAKA’s products designed specifically for men, but like I said, I am in between sizes ultimately.

I have tried two other PAKA sweaters: the Original Crew and the Original Hoodie. Both of those run unisex, and I had an even harder time finding a fit for my body type with those. I even sized up to a L to try to get it right. I stuck with a Medium.

Other PAKA sweaters for men are thicker, which would make sense. The Ultralight Crew is incredibly “ultralight” with how thin it is made. The Original Crew and the Hoodie are both more brushed in their textures, like true sweaters you’d consider for late fall and winter. We talk about the warmth of the Hoodie in our PAKA Original Hoodie review.

PAKA has proven to both me and Becca to be a quality brand, and you can see more photos of everything we have tried at our PAKA Apparel travel brand review.

Comparison with similar products

Here's how this product compares to similar options. Use this table to find the best of the bunch!

Usage review: wearing it as a layer

The cool thing about this sweater is that after all, it is a warm-weather layer. It is designed for shoulder season, when you want a chilled-out sweater look, like an early spring morning, or a fall evening where a bulky winter sweater is not yet appropriate.

So, I’ve worn this light sweater in early fall and during spring when it’s not yet hot out, and even on trips to upstate New York during summer when it gets cold up there, but I’m not emotionally ready to bundle up.

It’s nice for when I’m starting a hike, or walking around towns up there like Lake Placid, where a summer trip brings nighttime temperatures down to the 40s and 50s. Having a thin long-sleeve travel sweater like this one kind of nixes the need for long-sleeve tees, because this sweater goes over a T-shirt.

Having a sweater like the Ultralight Crew packed in my bags for shoulder season trips means much less bulk. You can see here how it wraps up and is a fraction of the size of a bulkier wool sweater that would typically come with me on a trip at the end of fall or during winter.

Sustainability considerations

I like supporting PAKA Apparel because of their commitments to a few things off the top of my head:

• Creating jobs and artisan work for women in Peru
• Being a certified B Corp company
• Showing consumers like me the “traceable alpaca” and exactly where the alpaca wool comes from (down to a map pin)

I learned all about PAKA’s sustainable alpaca tracing on their website.

Why you’d want it

You’d want this sweater if you’re looking for a sweater that is slightly form-fitting, lightweight (yet strong) in how it’s made and also sustainable.

If you are a guy who is average to tall in height, and if you don’t mind a sweater that runs long, then this ultralight sweater is also for you.

Detailed score breakdown

4.05 / 5

The PAKA Men's Ultralight Crew is a thin shoulder-season sweater made from baby alpaca wool, cotton and Coolplus polyester. It rolls up tiny for packing, provides warmth without bulk and features a trim fit perfect for early fall and spring, though it runs long and big in sizing and feels almost delicate compared to thicker sweaters.

Comfort against skin

88%

The baby alpaca wool fibers, cotton and Coolplus polyester blend feels silky smooth and soft against skin. It's incredibly comfortable to wear, especially compared to scratchy traditional wool. The thin construction means it doesn't feel heavy or restrictive.

Fit, mobility & sizing accuracy

70%

This sweater runs long and big. I'm in between sizes - the M was too spacious and the S was too snug. It runs long, so if you're average or short height, this sweater may not be made for your body type. The model is 6'2" wearing a M, and I'm 5'9" and even the S was long on me.

Materials, care requirements & durability

82%

Made from baby alpaca wool fibers, cotton and PAKA's Coolplus polyester. The hybrid blend between natural and synthetic fabrics performs well. Care requirements aren't specified in detail, but the thin construction suggests it needs gentle handling.

Breathability & moisture management

86%

The ultralight construction and Coolplus polyester help with temperature regulation. It breathes well during shoulder season weather, handling early fall mornings and spring evenings without feeling clammy. The thin fabric allows good airflow.

Temperature regulation

84%

Designed specifically for shoulder season when you want a sweater look without bulk. Works well in early spring mornings, fall evenings and summer trips to places like upstate New York where nighttime temps drop to the 40s and 50s. Not for cold weather, but perfect for that in-between temperature range.

Stretch & shape retention

80%

The thin construction means it doesn't have much stretch, but it maintains its shape well after packing. It rolls up tiny for packing and doesn't lose its form. The trim fit stays consistent after wear.

Functionality & layering practicality

76%

This is a very thin, almost delicate sweater. You need to think about the activities you'd do in it. It's not designed for rugged outdoor use - it's more of a trim, slimming piece for casual wear. No pockets, which is fine for this style.

Wrinkle resistance & packability

88%

Rolls up into a ball for packing in a packing cube or daypack and doesn't take up much space. The thin fabric handles compression well and emerges from luggage without major wrinkles. Much less bulk than a typical wool sweater.

Durability & knit quality

74%

The thin construction feels almost delicate, so durability is a concern. It's designed to be lightweight, but that comes at the cost of ruggedness. The raglan sleeves help avoid ripping during full arm range of motion, which is good, but overall it feels less durable than thicker PAKA sweaters.

Styling versatility

82%

Works well for shoulder season travel, early fall hikes and spring mornings. It's trim and slimming, so it looks good with jeans for a casual sweater look. Not versatile across all seasons, but excellent for its intended warm-weather sweater purpose.

Overall value for price

78%

The price reflects the quality materials and construction, but the sizing issues and delicate feel make it less of a value if you're in between sizes like I am. If it fits you well and you want a thin shoulder season sweater, it's worth considering.

How we score gear

Where to get it

PAKA Apparel products are only available at the PAKA website, so you can get yours at the Ultralight Crew page.