It’s jacket weather right now—and here in the Pacific Northwest, that’s true for roughly eight or nine months of the year. From run-ready layers to waterproof shells to true winter warmth, we cycle through a lot of outerwear. Enter PAKA, aiming to cover the colder end of that spectrum with their newest winter offering: the Mayu Collection.
Available as both a jacket and a vest, we spent time with the jacket—and it immediately stood out.
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We’ve been reviewing PAKA products for a while now, and their consistent focus on alpaca wool construction continues to impress. The Mayu Jacket is insulated with PAKAFILL, PAKA’s patented insulation made from fiber sourced from free-roaming alpacas in the Peruvian Andes.
Alpacas naturally thrive in extreme environments, and their fiber reflects that: excellent warmth, strong breathability, and inherent water resistance. A true ultra runners dream setting. Even more impressive, PAKAFILL delivers this performance at roughly half the volume of traditional down.
Despite providing serious warmth, the Mayu Jacket remains remarkably packable. It stuffs into its own pocket, making it an ideal travel companion or just easy to toss into a running pack. At just 9.2 ounces, the weight feels almost unreal for how warm it is.
The recycled nylon shell is both water- and wind-resistant, paired with a tall protective collar and an interior hem cinch that helps seal in heat when conditions turn harsh. Everything feels thoughtfully designed without excess bulk—clean, functional, and versatile enough for everyday wear as well as post-run or travel use.
This is a jacket that quietly earns its place in a rotation—especially for PNW winters—and one we expect will surprise a lot of runners looking for warmth without bulk.
At $250, the Mayu isn’t an impulse buy, but it feels like the kind of winter jacket built for the long haul—one that earns its value season after season.
The jacket is offered in three muted, understated colorways: Burgundy, Black, and Fossil.
PAKA Mayu Collection $249
Materials:
- Insulation: PAKAFILL® 70 GSM (50% Alpaca / 50% Recycled Polyester)
- Shell: 100% Recycled Nylon
- Lining: 100% Recycled Nylon
