Versatile Alpaca Wool Hoodies for Adventure & Everyday Wear
An alpaca hoodie offers warmth, breathability, odor-resistance, reasonably quick dry time, luxurious comfort, and even sun protection in a textile that is hypoallergenic, technically superior to merino, and more eco-friendly than fleece. Alpacas were domesticated from wild vicuñas in the high Andes, so it makes sense that their wool would serve in a wide array of temperatures.
Alpaca wool apparel, and hoodies in particular, are an emerging category in the outdoor sporting, adventure travel, and athleisure markets, and we plan to keep our fingers on the pulse as offerings and textiles expand and evolve.
Based on our experience, a hoodie is the most optimal and versatile cut, though all of the same fabric benefits apply to alpaca crew necks, tee shirts, quarter-zips, etc. Jump ahead to read more about the pros and cons of alpaca wool. You may also be interested in our guide to alpaca sweaters, alpaca socks, merino sun hoodies, all sun hoodies, lightweight fleece hoodies.
Cover Photo: PAKA The Hoodie
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Quick Picks For Alpaca Wool Hoodies
- For Sun Protection Base Layer: Arms of Andes 160 Ultralight
- For Sun Protection Base Layer: PAKA Sol
- For Sun Protection Base Layer: Alpacas of Montana Ultralight
- For Warm Weather Base Layer: Arms of Andes 110 Featherweight
- For Cold Weather Base-Layer or Mid-Layer: PAKA Thermal Hoodie
- For Mid-Layer: Arms of Andes Lightweight 300
- For Adventure Travel: PAKA The Hoodie
- For Leisure Travel: PAKA The Vida
Alpacas of Montana Ultralight Hoodie
Alpaca Hoodie Comparison Table
| Price ($) | Materials | Design Intent | |
| PAKA Sol | 95 | 67% Tencel, 14% Alpaca, 14% Nylon, 5% Spandex | Sun Protection Base |
| Arms of Andes 160 | 100 | 100% Alpaca | Sun Protection Base |
| Arms of Andes 110 | 115 | 100% Alpaca | Warm Weather Base |
| Alpacas of Montana UL | 126 | 53% Alpaca, 47% Modal | Sun Protection Base |
| PAKA Thermal | 155 | 40% Alpaca, 40% Merino, 20% Tencel | Cold Weather Base |
| Arms of Andes 300 | 150 | 100% Alpaca | Outdoor Sports Mid |
| PAKA The Hoodie | 149 | 65% Alpaca, 35% Recycled Nylon | Adventure Travel |
| PAKA The Vida | 129 | 40% Polyester, 30% Alpaca, 30% Merino | Leisure Travel |
Best Alpaca Sun Hoodies & Base Layers
Arms of the Andes 160 Ultralight Alpaca Hoodie
The new-for-2025 Arms of the Andes 160 Ultralight alpaca wool hoodie is notable for its 100% alpaca wool composition. From a materials perspective, we prefer this to the majority-Tencel blend of Paka Sol and the half Modal ultralight hoodie from Alpacas of Montana. Pure wool dries faster than plant-viscose-based fibers, so is the superior choice for sweaty or rainy activities. As such, this model is our current favorite alpaca sun hoodie.
- Price: $100
- Fabric: 100% Alpaca
- Designed For: Sun Protection Base Layer
- Pros: All alpaca wool, no filler fabric. Highly breathable.
- Cons: Not UPF rated, no thumb loops
PAKA Sol Hoodie
The PAKA Sol is a luxuriously soft, highly breathable, mega stretchy sun protection hoodie, applicable to a wide range of activities. It is the only UPF-rated alpaca wool sun hoodie. However, it’s only 14% alpaca wool, so it barely qualifies for this list. And compared to the archetypical polyester sun hoodie, Sol comes in thicker, heavier, and warmer than average.
Materials-wise, Sol is comprised of majority 67% Tencel, a plant-pulp-derived fabric. Alpaca wool makes up only 14% of the total composition, and we’ll admit we wish those percentages were reversed. Like cotton, Tencel is soft, hyper-breathable, and very pleasant to wear, but can be very slow drying. As such, this is a better base layer for moderate temps, arid climates, and less intense activities. Those seeking to really get after it in warm humid environments should likely stick to thinner, quicker drying options, like the Arms of the Andes 160.
- Price: $95
- Fabric: 67% Tencel, 14% Royal Alpaca, 14% Nylon, 5% Spandex
- Designed For: Sun Protection Base Layer
- Pros: Highly breathable. Very soft, comfy, & stretchy. UPF-30 rated. Great looking. Thumb loops. Relaxed fit.
- Cons: Majority Tencel, not alpaca. Relatively thick, heavy, warm, and slow drying compared to average sun hoodies.
Alpacas of Montana Ultralight Hoodie
The Alpacas of Montana Ultralight is one of only a few alpaca wool sun hoodies on the market and an absolute pleasure to wear. It’s comprised of a soft and highly breathable 53% alpaca wool, 47% modal fabric blend. We like the feel of the fabric, how soft and breathable it is. However, like the Paka Sol, its significantly impacted by the heavy-handed use of modal, which is incredibly slow drying. The loose fit of this model goes beyond relaxed, running nearly a full size large, particularly in the sleeves. The L we tested fit more like an XL. We also note it to be available only in a men’s cut, and only in two colors.
- Price: $126
- Fabric: 53% Alpaca Wool, 47% Modal
- Designed For: Sun Protection Base Layer
- Pros: Highly breathable. Very soft, comfy, & stretchy.
- Cons: No women’s cut. Few colors. Not UPF rated. Runs large, loose floppy sleeves. Slow drying.
Arms of Andes 110 Featherweight
For the coolest, thinnest, most breathable, and quickest drying 100% alpaca hoodie, we recommend Arms of Andes 110 Featherweight. This thing is seriously thin, and semi-sheer even in black. Choose it for use in warm climates because it’s cooler than every other hoody in this round-up! That said, the thinness leaves some durability questions, such as from long term wear and tear with backpack straps. Also, don’t count on it for protection duing all-day sun exposer. The garment is not UPF rated, and too thin to provide adequate UV blockage. If that’s a concern, we recommend bumping up to AoA’s thicker 160 Ultralight, or any other sun hoodie listed in this guide.
- Price: $115
- Fabric: 100% Alpaca wool
- Designed For: Warm weather base layer
- Pros: Thin and cooler than all other alpaca sun hoodies. Natural dye option.
- Cons: No women’s cut. Few colors. Not UPF rated, unlikely to provide adequate protection in harsh UV. Limited color selection.
Best Cold Weather Base Layer or Mid Layer
PAKA Thermal Hoodie
We really like the PAKA Thermal Hoodie because it can be worn as either a cold weather base layer (as intended), or fill the role of a lightweight sweater mid-layer. The breathable rib knit fabric is stretchy but with good rebound, and its 100% natural composition is sustainable and antimicrobial. Notably, the 20% Tencel blend makes it even softer on the skin than pure wool. That said, Tencel is a plant based fabric that holds moisture and slows dry time. And lastly, we all love thumb loops.
- Price: $155
- Fabric: 40% Alpaca, 40% Merino, 20% Tencel
- Designed For: Cold weather base layer
- Pros: Versatile fabric works in multiple layering positions. Very soft and warm. Stretchy breathable knit. 100% natural. Anti-microbial. Thumb loops. Traceable.
- Cons: Expensive. Limited color options. Addition of Tencel slows dry time.
Best Alpaca Hoodie Mid-layers For Outdoor Sports
Arms of Andes 300 Lightweight Alpaca Pullover Hoodie
The Arms of Andes 300 Lightweight is a beautifully fitted, elegant, cozy, 100% alpaca wool hoodie, well worthy of your consideration. The knit is what you’d expect from a classic sweater. Its a great outdoor mid-layer, and blends seamlessly into an everyday wardrobe. This alpaca hoodie offers great stretch, which accommodates the trimmer fit. It is a simple yet effective wool garment.
Not only is alpaca itself one of the most sustainable textiles, but we received our in a 100% compostable mailer bag, which is a huge bonus. Arms of Andes gets it.
- Price: $150
- Fabric: 100% Alpaca Wool
- Designed For: Outdoor Sports
- Pros: Elegant look and fit. 100% alpaca wool for max warmth and breathability. Warmer than blended fabrics. Durable enough for hiking, climbing. Highly odor-resistant. Sustainable product in sustainable packaging. Soft and comfy. Lots of colors.
- Cons: Lower warmth-to-weight than fuzzier/fleecier mid-layers. Dries slower than poly/nylon.
Best Alpaca Hoodie For Adventure Travel
PAKA The Hoodie
Choose the PAKA Hoodie for a versatile adventure travel piece that’s game for a day hike, followed by a trip to the market, happy hour, and a night on the town. It’s very soft, exceptionally comfortable, and sure to draw compliments. No wonder 95% of the reviews for this alpaca hoodie are 5 stars.
The 65% alpaca, 35% nylon blend combines the warmth, breathability, and odor-resistance of alpaca with the durability, quick-dry time, and softness of nylon to great effect. A note on fit – this garment tends to stretch out with use, so if you’re in between sizes go down, rather than up.
- Price: $149
- Fabric: 65% Royal Alpaca, 35% Recycled Nylon
- Designed For: Adventure Travel Versatility
- Pros: Versatile. Soft. Comfy. Odor-resistant. Sustainable. Great looking.
- Cons: Unisex fit. Stretches out some with use. Loose knit prone to snagging. Loose fitting hood easily blows off in wind.
Best For Alpaca Hoodie For Leisure Travel
PAKA The Vida
If you think that Paka Vida looks like their aforementioned alpaca hoodie, you’re correct! These two are quite similar in many ways. However, there are some differences. The Vida is a tri-fabric blend, that combines polyester, alpaca, and merino. The polyester improves the garments quick-dry time, durability, and UV resistance. Other than decreased cost, we don’t see any technical benefit from adding in 30% merino instead of more alpaca.
But the end result is an alpaca hoodie that looks great, feels great, wears great, is lightweight and perfect for weeks-on-end of use while traveling. The alpaca and merino are both highly odor-resistance, meaning this could along on a nice long trip without ever needing to be washed. The fit is relaxed, so size down if in between.
- Price: $129
- Fabric: 40% Recycled Polyester, 30% Royal Alpaca, 30% Merino
- Designed For: Leisure Travel Versatility
- Pros: Quick drying. Odor-resistant. Sustainable. Soft. Comfy. Good looking.
- Cons: Use of merino instead of more alpaca. Too loose and flowy for technical adventure. Unisex.
Pros & Cons of Alpaca Wool vs Merino vs Nylon vs Polyester
At time of publication, we believe that alpaca wool is the #1 bio-based performance fabric on the market. It tops merino wool in most, if not all ways, and is generally preferable to synthetics like polyester and nylon, though not in every way. This article is focused on the alpaca hoodie in particular, because we believe hoodies are the most universal, versatile, and effective garment chassis to take into the backcountry or on travels. Now let’s dive in to the pros and cons.
Pros of Alpaca Wool
- Warm, breathable, thermoregulating
- Lightweight and durable
- Soft and comfy
- Sustainable, biodegradable
- Odor-resistant
- Absorbs little water, reasonably quick-drying
- Hypoallergenic
- Outperforms merino wool
- Strong and long-lasting
- Moisture wicking
- Insulative when wet
Cons of Alpaca Wool
- Expensive
- Usually requires importing
- Less UV blocking than polyester/nylon
- Slower dry time than polyester/nylon
Alpaca wool is warm, strong, and lightweight
The microscopic composition of alpaca wool is is characterized by air trapping hollow voids, which increase its thermally insulative properties, similar to how puffy jackets work. This reminds us of hollow-core Octa yarn, but 100% natural. The hollow voids increase its loftiness, without increasing its weight, and offer a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than merino. It also has a higher tensile strength than merino, meaning it can bear more pressure before breaking.
Alpaca wool is very sustainable
Of course, any wool trumps petroleum based fibers like nylon and polyester when graded for sustainability. That’s because it’s bio-based and 100% natural, of course. But even compared to merino wool, alpaca wool requires less industrial processing, and the presence of alpacas is less harmful to grazing lands than sheep. And like all wools, alpaca is biodegradable.
Absorbs little moisture, reasonably quick drying
Compared to merino wool, which can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture, alpaca wool absorbs approximately 10%. With less moisture absorbed, that means it is much quicker to dry out. The overall great breathability of knit alpaca wool allows for great passage of air through the textile, which further speeds up dry time. That being said, like all natural fibers, it is still slower drying than nylon and polyester, which absorb less than 5% of their weight in moisture.
Alpaca Wool is odor-resistant, bacteria-resistant
Alpaca is naturally antimicrobial, thus resistant to odor. After days, or even weeks of use in the backcountry, you may not even notice a smell while polyester garments would reek. This is due in part to its cellular structure which bacteria struggles to penetrate, and complimented by minimal moisture absorption to create a hostile environment to yuckies. A recipe that prevents bacterial growth.
Soft & Hypoallergenic
Even compared to merino, which is famed for its softness, alpaca comes out on top. First, it has a smaller micron count, meaning the fibers are narrower and give a softer hand feel, especially royal alpaca. Alpaca fiber is also smoother and more uniform than merino, thus less prickly to touch. Lastly, the fibers are free of lanolin, which is an allergic irritant to some people.
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Conclusion To The Best Alpaca Hoodie
Thanks for reading our guide to the best alpaca hoodie where we hope you found your ideal garment. We love covering emerging categories, and hope to see the proliferation of alpaca wool used in outdoor and travel apparel. We will update this post regularly as new brands and hoodies come online. So for now, happy trails, happy travels, and happy hiking!
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