Made from all natural 100% Alpaca fibers, the new All-Paca Fleece Hoodie from Appalachian Gear Company is engineered by nature and built for adventure. What makes Alpaca fibers the perfect choice for adventure clothing? Alpaca fibers are naturally moisture wicking pulling sweat from the body. It’s also temperature regulating, keeping you warm in the cold as well as cool when the sun is out. Additionally, alpaca resists the growth of bacteria keeping you fresh over the long haul. It’s also lightweight and environmentally friendly. How can a fiber be environmentally friendly? Well, Alpacas efficient eating and drinking habits have a much smaller impact on our planet than other grazing animals.
Engineered by nature, built for adventure
All last summer, I’ve been hauling the All-Paca Fleece Hoody everywhere I go. Whether camping on the Lake Huron coast, or traversing the high mountain passes of Colorado. This single garment has been one of the most versatile pieces I carry. Even in the deserts of Moab, where the temperatures were consistently in the 100’s, the All-Paca served a purpose. As the winds picked up in the evening, I always reached in my duffel bag for this hoodie. Allowing the air to pass through the fibers yet keeping the sun off my skin. Three weeks on the road required me to pack smartly. And aside from an insulated jacket, the All-Paca was the only long sleeved shirt I brought.
The moisture wicking ability and more importantly, odor resistance properties of the Alpaca fibers played key roles. With only one opportunity to do laundry on this trip in Ouray Colorado, it was nice to know the hoodie would NOT smell like I’ve been wearing it every evening for 10 days straight. Honestly, it really didn’t smell as funky as it should have. Especially because my normal shower interval also increased a bit while making my way through the Rockies. Some times I’d let the hoodie air out on a line while at camp. But most of the time it would get packed back into the duffel bag in the morning.
Environmentally friendly alpaca fiber
One night in Wyoming, I was relaxing by a fire in an elevated campsite between a pair of rock outcroppings with a killer view. When I noticed lightning approaching from the west. I was wearing the All-Paca Fleece Hoodie since it was starting to cool off at this elevation. While tidying up my site for the night, it started to rain. I still had a few things to secure before crawling into the RoofNest for the night but didn’t want to waste time getting my Mammut Kento Shell out of the FJ Cruiser. So I pressed on with my duties as the sky opened up around me. Although alpaca fiber isn’t waterproof, it really didn’t feel wet while it was pouring either. The next morning, I put the hoodie back on despite it still being wet only to find it felt warm once on.
Construction:
- The Trail Seam™ – The unique 100% Alpaca fiber fabric deserved a seam that would be worthy of Adventure. We designed our Trail Seam™ for tremendous toughness and durability, so you can be confident the gear will perform under extreme stress and prolonged usage. Our hoodies and shirts have been thousands of miles and experienced millions and millions of rubs under backpack straps – and our Trail Seam™ has consistently met those stringent demands.
- Weft Knit – 100% Alpaca fiber is knitted into a unique fabric that provides exceptional performance. Our special knit structure resists “running” – so if you poke a hole in it while you are in the backcountry, the hole may get slightly larger over time, but you don’t have to worry about the hole turning in to a long “run” as experienced in many lightweight knits.
- Lightweight – Ensures this is a shirt you’ll never hesitate to throw in your pack.
- “Regular Fit” Style – Not too snug and not too loose. It looks great and allows for a full range of motion. Natural fibers perform at their optimal level when allowed a little room to breathe.
- Longer tail – Provides coverage and allows for free movement.
Final thoughts:
I’m a fan of alpaca fiber and a fan of the All-Paca Fleece Hoodie. It’s lighter and less bulky than some of my conventional fleece jackets. Plus, it’s all natural so no plastics are used like you’d find in fleece products. The natural fibers have held up well so far and I plan to get another color hoodie when they’re back in stock. The hoodies do run a little large so if you’re between sizes, I’d recommend ordering the smaller size. I’ve been washing the hoodie with cold water and drying on a delicate cycle. Removing the garment while still damp and letting it naturally dry the rest of the way. So far, so good.
Appalachian Gear Company is a USA small business bringing Alpaca to the masses. They import Peruvian fibers and make their products in North Carolina. They offer a small menu of Alpaca products and are struggling with the COVID lock downs like everyone else. In fact, their entire supply chain from Peru has shut down, depleting Appalachian Gears inventory. As restrictions are loosening around the world, their inventory should get back on track soon. So don’t be alarmed as several items are currently out of stock. Keep checking in and help support Appalachian Gear Company innovative American company.
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