PAKA Quarter Performance Socks Review: Alpaca Fabric Cozy Feel

I’m picky about winter socks because when they’re too thick my shoes feel cramped, and when they’re too thin my toes freeze. The PAKA Quarter Performance Socks hit the sweet spot with a plush alpaca blend that insulates without overheating. I slipped them on for an early-morning flight to Mexico City, and didn’t spend the whole taxi ride wiggling my toes to stay warm.

Why they’re in my carry-on

I’m fairly new to crew socks, having worn no-show socks for the last decade. But I welcome these, and they’re superb for layering under my leggings or pants. They feel vintage-y and natural.

• Alpaca + Tencel knit: The alpaca fiber fabric traps warmth better than cotton and stays breathable on long travel days. I wore them on that cold flight and didn’t once reach for my backup pair, even when the cabin temperature got frigid.
• Targeted cushioning: Light padding under the heel and forefoot absorbs impact when I’m walking snowy sidewalks or chasing my toddler, without making my boots feel tight. I can feel the cushion in them pretty obviously, compared to basic athletic socks I typically wear.
• Arch compression: Keeps the socks snug so they don’t slip inside winter boots. As someone with flat feet, the arch compression is a nice feeling on the soles of my feet.

Use cases

To be honest, I’ve worn them while not traveling as well. They’re a better quality sock than any basic athletic ankle socks I have in my drawer at home. And I spot them first when the temperatures go down.

• Flights & road trips: They keep my feet cozy without feeling sweaty in waterproof shoes like my Vessis.
• Après-ski lounge: Perfect thickness for slipping into cabin slippers after a day on the slopes or cozying up in an Airbnb.
• Everyday errands: I wear them with leggings for an extra layer during stroller walks in January. They can hide under my leggings or scrunch up over them, which I think is my new preferred look.

Care tips

Because these socks are made with specialty alpaca fiber, I do NOT put them in my dryer.

• What I do is machine wash cold, inside out, and lay them flat to dry, to preserve the alpaca fibers. They air-dry overnight on a hotel towel rack as well.
• They resist odor, so I comfortably wear them twice before washing when we’re on short trips.
• Actually, I sometimes wear them three or four times if they don’t smell. Shh.

Fit notes

They don’t come in women’s nor men’s sizing, so keep this in mind:

• Available in unisex sizing. I wear a women’s 6.5 and found the size S fits snug on the foot, but has room and would stretch for larger feet.
• They come in S, M and L, and PAKA has a size guide to help out with their sizing method.
• Quarter height hits above the ankle, making them ideal for mid-height winter boots or sneakers, and they peek out just enough to show off the heathered knit.

Quick takeaways

Use this summary to learn about these socks quickly:

• Alpaca-blend knit (which also includes polyester and spandex for stretch) provides cozy warmth with natural odor resistance.
• Compression and cushioning make them versatile for travel, hiking and lounging.
• Easy-care (no dryer!) routine keeps them in regular rotation for winter trips.
• Feel free to wear them multiple times, which is something I tend NOT to do with other socks from other brands.

If merino socks haven’t been cutting it for your cold-weather travels, these alpaca quarter socks are the pair I keep recommending for warmer toes in winter weather.