Hoodie weather is usually a spring and fall thing here in the PNW. But what if it could be a warmer weather option, too?
OK, maybe not during the dead heat of fire season. But those stretches where the days are mild and pleasant, only for the evening to cool off enough that you could really use a hoodie? It isn’t cold, per se. It’s just chilly enough that having a hoodie nearby sounds like a pretty good idea. We’ve had plenty of those days this summer in the Valley.
PAKA makes a mean hoodie, but the new Lightweight Hoodie feels like it was made specifically for this scenario.
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Before getting into the Lightweight Hoodie itself, I think it makes sense to talk about why PAKA uses alpaca in the first place. It isn’t just there because “alpaca” sounds a little fancier than your average sweatshirt material.
- Soft: Royal alpaca fibers measure just 18 microns, making them even finer than cashmere at 19 microns. The ultra-fine fibers offer exceptional softness without the itch, and alpaca is naturally hypoallergenic.
- Lightweight: Alpaca fiber weighs about three times less than traditional sheep’s wool.
- Thermoregulating: Those unique hollow-core fibers help alpaca naturally regulate temperature, keeping you comfortable as conditions change.
- Moisture Wicking: Alpaca fibers move moisture away from the body and dry quickly, thanks to their low moisture retention.
- Odor-Resistant: The keratin protein found in alpaca fiber provides natural antibacterial properties, helping your layers stay fresher between washes.
Like the OG Hoodie, it’s made with a blend of Royal Alpaca fiber—the softest, highest-quality alpaca available—and nylon. The result is a layer that’s cozy, comfortable, and durable, which is pretty much everything I want in an everyday hoodie.
But there are some differences. The Lightweight Hoodie drops more than four ounces from the already relatively light OG version, bringing it down to just over 11 ounces. It also has a slightly slimmer fit than the more relaxed cut of the original Hoodie.
PAKA keeps the little details that make the Hoodie work so well, including the stretchy knit sections along the sides and hood that give you plenty of freedom to move. But the real selling point for me is just how easy this thing is to wear.
It’s comfortable from the first minute, looks good enough to wear pretty much anywhere, and somehow keeps finding its way into my rotation. At this point, I’m pretty confident it’s headed toward that coveted “grab it without thinking” status in my closet.
The Lightweight Hoodie is available in four colors.
