Paka Aire Long Sleeve Shirt Review

METROBackpackers and gear enthusiasts have all been swapping synthetic gear for merino options, but if you’re into outdoor clothing, you’ve probably also seen the ads for Paka, an outdoor clothing company that specializes in a unique natural fiber: alpaca wool.

Founder Kris Cody founded Paka in 2017 after experiencing the softness of alpaca wool firsthand on a backpacking trip through Peru. Alpaca fibers are said to be warmer, softer and stronger than merino wool, an attractive combination for hikers looking to get the most out of their layers.

I love my merino wool base layers for cold weather adventures, but I’m always excited to try something new, so this fall I tried the Paka Aire Long Sleeve Shirt, an alpaca blend base layer.

Paka Aire long sleeve shirt at a glance (Women’s | Men’s)

Recommended RRP: $75
Weight: approximately 4 ounces, depending on size and gender
Material: 85% Tencel / 15% Real Alpaca
Intended purpose: Hiking, Climbing, Camping, Travel

Review conditions

I tested this shirt for a couple of months in late summer and early fall, camping, hiking, and backpacking. I live in West Virginia, but I had to take a trip during this period to Lake Superior in Wisconsin.

Temperatures for my trips have ranged from 30 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. I’ve used it on cool nights and mornings at camp and on sunny afternoon trail hikes.

Features of Paka Aire

Eucalyptus Tencel and Real Alpaca Fiber Blend: The fabric of this shirt is a blend of two natural fibers: Eucalyptus Tencel, a soft, non-irritating moisture-wicking fabric derived from eucalyptus wood pulp, and real alpaca wool, a soft, lightweight fiber that regulates temperature and is odor resistant.

Unlike other wools, alpaca wool is hypoallergenic. Does not contain lanolin, which can cause allergic reactions and skin sensitivity. Alpaca wool also has rounded edges and can be less “prickly” than some wool garments.

4-Way Stretch: Non-restrictive garment that allows comfortable movement on walks.

All-natural materials: Completely free of microplastics.

Fit

The Paka website lists the Aire Long Sleeve as fitted, but I found it to be a little looser than some of my other skin-friendly base layers. I ordered a women’s size medium, which is my typical shirt size. For reference, I’m 5 feet 6 inches tall and weigh about 145 pounds.

Comfort

I found the Paka Aire shirt incredibly comfortable. The fabric is thin, soft and breathable. It worked perfectly for me this fall, when warm afternoons followed frosty mornings. I get cold easily, so I enjoyed walking in a long sleeve instead of taking off my base layer to walk in a t-shirt.

When would you want a lightweight alpaca base layer?

The Paka Aire is a lightweight base layer ideal for hikers and backpackers looking for something warm but breathable for fall and spring trips. It is also a great option for those who want wool or natural material but cannot use merino.

However, if you are planning a backpacking trip in extreme cold or need something to keep you warm in the winter while not moving around much, such as while camping, I would opt for a thicker base layer. Paka also offers thermal equipment in Women’s and Men’s that would probably provide a lot more warmth. This is a blend of 40% alpaca wool, 40% merino and 20% Tencel.

Paka Aire Pros

Excellent thermoregulation: This shirt kept me warm in cold weather, but was breathable enough for walking as the temperatures rose. On my last trip, I expected to have to put on a t-shirt as the day went on, but I ended up wearing it all day. It worked well when I went from walking up sunny slopes to walking up windy ridges and through shady rock formations.

Quick drying: The material is thin and quick drying. I noticed that it dried quickly when I sweated and didn’t get cold. I also hand washed the shirt on my trip to Wisconsin and it dried in the sun in less than an hour.

Hypoallergenic and itch-free: I don’t have a wool allergy and have other wool clothing that I wear hiking with. Still, I noticed that the Paka Aire is softer than my other wool base layers.

Lightweight and foldable: The Paka Aire is super light. The website says about 4 ounces, but that varies depending on the size of the garment. It’s also small.

Cons of Paka Aire

Not 100% wool: I found the fabric to be very comfortable and breathable, but it is not 100% wool (or 100% alpaca), and I know some hiking friends look for that in their base layers. This might be especially true with this shirt, as the uniqueness of alpaca wool might be a major selling point for some. Please note that while the fabric is 100% natural, it is primarily Tencel and only contains 15% alpaca fibers.

Loose sleeves: This is a personal preference, but it’s worth noting that the sleeves of this base layer don’t fit against the skin very well. I had no problems with them this fall and found them really comfortable. It was great to roll them up as the day warmed up if I didn’t want to stop and change.

However, I’m not sure how well they will stay in place if you wear multiple layers on a winter trip. Some of my other base layers have tighter sleeves, which I think helps them not ride up when I’m wearing three layers in bitter cold weather.

Final thoughts

Overall, I think the Paka Aire jersey is a great lightweight base layer. I also think it’s a great running shirt for days when it’s too cold to run in a shirt, but you need something breathable.

It was soft, super comfortable, and didn’t itch even when I was sweaty walking in it. I think it’s a good option if you have issues with material found in other base layers. However, it’s definitely a lightweight option and I’ll be switching back to my thicker layers as the weather gets colder.

I also love that this shirt doesn’t feel like a base layer. Some of my other options clearly look like long underwear. It doesn’t matter at all when I’m on the trail, but in everyday life I think the Paka Aire is a great fall shirt that easily adapts to an afternoon walk.

Finally, I appreciate Paka’s ethics as a company. Like many backpackers, I consider myself environmentally conscious. It was nice that the Paka jersey arrived in completely biodegradable packaging. The t-shirt itself does not contain any plastic material and is made from sustainable fabrics. Paka is also a certified B Corporation and has a fully traceable supply chain. These are all features I can appreciate as someone who cares about the social and environmental costs of purchasing new equipment.

Buy the Paka Aire Women’s Long Sleeve Shirt

Buy the Paka Aire Men’s Long Sleeve Shirt

Comparable shirts

Patagonia Capilene Crew Midweight Base Layer (Women’s | Men’s)
Recommended RRP: $89
Weight: 4.3 ounces
Material: 100% recycled polyester

Smartwool Intraknit Active baselayer for women (Women’s | Men’s)
Recommended RRP: $110
Weight: 200gsm fabric weight (approximately 6.35oz for women | 7.34oz for men)
Material: 51% Merino Wool, 20% Lyocell, 22% Polyester, 7% Elastane

REI Lightweight Long Sleeve Base Layer (Women’s | Men’s)
Recommended RRP: $39.95
Weight: 5.7 ounces for women | 6.4 ounces for men
Material: 94% recycled polyester/6% spandex