By: Alexandrea Gerke
Forget cashmere, drape me in Alpaca and Eucalyptus! Before you conclude I have completely lost my mind, please recognize you have yet to try on PAKA Apparel’s base layer. It is made with a unique blend of Royal Alpaca and Tencel (an incredibly soft, eco friendly fiber derived from eucalyptus) that creates a thermo regulating, water resistant and moisture wicking base layer. According to PAKA this is “the softest long sleeve you’ll ever own”.
I had previously purchased three PAKA Alpaca blend sweaters and appreciated their warmth and comfort while enjoying Michigan’s winter, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in Colorado, and of course lounging at home! As you can imagine, when they invited me test out something that performs just as well in warm weather, I was delighted!
FIT/STYLE
The base layer is available in men & women’s specific sizing along with a limited edition unisex style. I was gifted the Women’s base layer in Heather gray. I typically wear a S or M depending on the brand. Because the fit is described as “form fitting/flexible” on their site, I opted for M. In my opinion this garment ran to true to size, I probably could have gone with a S, but the M size has worked out great. The fabric is thin but surprisingly durable! I found this shirt to be just the right length for me and a very flattering cut.
Although sold as a base layer, I was also able to wear it on its own as well; thanks to its durability. It’s been wonderful at keeping me comfortable on the trail during the day and staying warm on cool mornings & evenings.
One thing to note, because the material is thin, the Heather Gray option is not completely opaque. So, keep that in mind if you decide to wear this alone. PAKA has introduced additional color options. If this is something that concerns you, likely the Black or Clay (a beautiful red hue!) option would be more discreet. Also, keep in mind, this is after all a base layer. You will likely have another garment providing additional coverage. I found wearing a sports bra in a neutral color allowed me to feel completely comfortable wearing this as my only shirt while hiking/biking local trails or simply walking my dog around the neighborhood.
MATERIAL
This garment is created with 85% Tencel and 15% Royal Alpaca. As I mentioned before, Tencel is a biodegradable textile created from Eucalyptus that is prized for his softness. The term “Royal Alpaca” refers to the fineness of the fibers. To earn this title, fibers must be derived from the softest areas of the Alpaca’s coat. Often those who are sensitive to wool fibers have less, or no issue with Alpaca fibers. I found this garment to be completely Itch FREE.
CARE
These base layers are machine washable. Hooray!!! Just like my Merino Wool garments, I prefer to wash gear created with Alpaca fibers inside-out and in a washing bag when possible. I always line dry. I am very impressed with how quickly this dries.
While bikepacking with this garment, I ended up with exposure to poison ivy. I was so grateful that without worry, I could throw on gloves, douse it with oil fighting cleanser, and machine wash this to completely remove any urushiol oil (this is the culprit for the allergic reaction). Thankfully even after multiple washings, there are no holes & it remained just as soft as when it first arrived.
DURABILITY/PERFORMANCE
Base layers are designed to be worn close to your skin to maximize their moisture wicking properties and typically they will end up under additional layers. Because of this, they are not always known for being the most durable garments. The PAKA base layer is surprisingly tough for a fabric that feels so soft and delicate. It has continuously displayed some serious durability and strength. After being used in multiple ways on jogs, bike rides & hikes it still looks and feels quite nice!
I appreciate that this shirt can be worn multiple days in a row with little to no smell! I found simply leaving it to air out overnight was enough to keep it fresh. This is wonderful, as it allows you to pack light for your next hike!
The shirt did ultimately end up showing some very small signs of wear after months of use (and abuse!) But honestly, it is nothing more than the standard pilling that you would expect from gear made with natural fibers. The location of the most wear can be found where my backpack rubbed against the fabric and underneath my arms. Thankfully even with this very minimal wear, the garment still feels super soft on my skin and looks great! This in no way impacted its moisture wicking and quick drying performance. Plus don’t forget, this is after all a base layer. If I had only used it as intended and underneath another layer, it would likely still be in mint condition!
One thing I did notice was that sweat lines really show up on the heather gray color option. Thankfully because this garment features exceptional breathability and moisture wicking capability, they disappear fast. As mentioned before, the Alpaca fibers help minimize any unpleasant smells. If sweat marks are something you are self conscious about, I would suggest going with the black option. But honestly, we all sweat and the shirt is just doing it’s job, so I didn’t mind! ha!
Another bonus about this lightweight base layer is of course it’s low weight! The weight (according to my kitchen scale), was just 4.9 ounces. It also has the ability to fold up freakishly small. I was quite pleased to discover it fit quite nicely in my CTUG water bottle holder.
This base layer has worked out great through the summer and will be a welcome addition to my gear going into fall. You can wear it alone, underneath clothing, or even throw it on top of other athletic wear. It has been ideal for when a little extra warmth was needed; or I was desiring additional protection from the sun & bugs on the trail. Even though it is thin, I can see myself wearing this while hiking to wick away sweat underneath heavier outer layers through the winter.
PROS
- Easy to care for (machine washable)
- Flattering fit & 3 color options!
- Maintains shape and comfort after multiple uses and washing
- Alpaca is thermoregulating allowing for use in a variety of settings / climates
- No tag. Itch free! Super SOFT!
- Minimal wear and zero tears after months of use and multiple washings
- Breathable & Moisture wicking
- Lightweight & Folds up small (fits in my CTUG water bottle holder!)
- Supports artisans in Peru
- Eco-friendly & sustainably sourced materials
CONS
- Sweat lines are very obvious in the heather gray option (but dry freakishly fast!)
- Minimal pilling after wearing a backpack
- Not completely completely opaque
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’ve worn this base layer while hanging out with my friends, hiking trails, jogging, walking around my hometown, and bike-packing. I’ve found it to be a very capable multi-use garment that works as an everyday shirt, base layer, or athletic layering tee. Through it all, I have been thoroughly impressed with its versatility, durability, and SOFTNESS!
I also appreciate that purchases from PAKA Apparel help support 80+ Women artisans in Peru. The company as a whole is continually making changes to reduce their impact on the planet. Not only do they make use of biodegradable and recycled materials in their clothing, but they will even ship your new favorite base layer in biodegradable & compostable packaging. Everything is released in small batches to ensure the highest of quality so be sure to get yours before they sell out!
Alexandrea Gerke fell in love with the outdoors at an early age growing up in Michigan. She and her husband travel the world and enjoy car camping, backpacking, mountain and gravel biking, as well as bikepacking. She is a minimalist and thoroughly researches every purchase she makes, only making room in her tiny apartment for the highest quality gear and clothing.