Paraglider flying above a rocky alpine ridge with distant snow-capped mountains under a blue sky Paraglider flying above a rocky alpine ridge with distant snow-capped mountains under a blue sky
Paraglider soaring above a rugged mountain ridgeline with blue sky and distant peaks Paraglider soaring above a rugged mountain ridgeline with blue sky and distant peaks

Basecamp

From the Andes to the Arctic

Putting the Mayu Ultralight collection to the test across three unique adventures.

When we designed the Mayu Ultralight Collection, we had one goal in mind: create an insulating layer that could handle anything. Unpredictable weather, long days in motion, and variable temperatures — all without slowing you down. Powered by PAKAFILL®, our alpaca-based insulation sourced from free-roaming alpacas in the Andes, the Mayu Ultralight was built to be lightweight, compressible, and versatile to create a jacket that moves as fast as you do.

To see if it could live up to that promise, we sent it into three very different environments: the high alpine winds, long-distance bikepacking routes, and the Arctic coast of Norway.

The result? One jacket that worked everywhere.

Person adjusting collar while wearing a tan Mayu Ultralight jacket outdoors on a grassy trail Person adjusting collar while wearing a tan Mayu Ultralight jacket outdoors on a grassy trail
Woman zipping a tan Mayu ultralight insulated jacket outdoors in a desert-like landscape Woman zipping a tan Mayu ultralight insulated jacket outdoors in a desert-like landscape

Why PAKAFILL®

PAKAFILL® (now patented) is our natural alternative to synthetic fill — a breathable, warm-when-wet, antimicrobial insulation crafted with free-roaming alpaca fiber from the Peruvian Andes. It regulates temperature across changing conditions, resists moisture, and stays warm even after long days of movement.

But the real proof always comes from the field.

PAKAFILL® has ½ the volume of down due to its uniquely structured hollow air pockets, which increase the fiber’s thermal retention while allowing for increased ventilation - keeping the material light, warm, and dry.

Zoom in on Natural PAKAFILL® Alpaca Fiber Jacket Insulation – PAKA Apparel
Thermoregulating icon

Thermoregulating

Naturally adapts to the temperature, keeping you warm in the cold and cool in the heat

Durable alpaca fiber icon

Durable

Alpaca fiber has a tensile strength of 50 N/ktex

Icon of a feather to represent lightness of Alpaca fiber

Lightweight

Alpaca fiber has hollow air pockets that give it an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio

Water resistance icon

Water resistant

Dries faster and insulates better than down when wet

Zoom in on Natural PAKAFILL® Alpaca Fiber Jacket Insulation – PAKA Apparel

High-Altitude Wind + Flight: 
Dante Wardlaw, Professional Paraglider

For professional paraglider Dante Wardlaw, time in the air means facing unpredictable wind, rapid temperature changes, and long hours where every ounce of gear matters. The Mayu Ultralight became his trusted companion for both high-altitude flights and pre/post-flight layering.


Dante highlighted how the jacket adapts to movement and temperature shifts — light enough to layer under a shell, warm enough when the wind picks up, and durable enough to handle rough, repeated use. For him, versatility wasn’t just a marketing claim, it was field-proven performance at altitude.

Quote card with a photo and text summarizing tests of the Mayu Ultralight in alpine, bikepacking, and Arctic conditions Quote card with a photo and text summarizing tests of the Mayu Ultralight in alpine, bikepacking, and Arctic conditions
Man in orange jacket sitting on rocky shoreline with overlaid quote about high-altitude wind Man in orange jacket sitting on rocky shoreline with overlaid quote about high-altitude wind

Long Miles + Temperature Swings: Lael Wilcox, Professional Cyclist

Ultra-endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox knows what it means to rely on one layer from sunrise to campfire. While bikepacking as seasons shifted, Lael tested the Mayu Ultralight through cold air, sweat, and everything in between.

For Lael, the win was its range — warm at rest, breathable in motion, and compact enough to disappear into a bikepacking kit. When your world is lived on two wheels, that balance is everything.

Quote graphic with Lael Wilcox testimonial about the Mayu Ultralight jacket alongside four photos of cyclist and landscapes Quote graphic with Lael Wilcox testimonial about the Mayu Ultralight jacket alongside four photos of cyclist and landscapes
Photo collage with Lael W. testimonial: “Mayu jackets are very packable and ethically insulated with PAKAFILL®” Photo collage with Lael W. testimonial: “Mayu jackets are very packable and ethically insulated with PAKAFILL®”

Arctic Weather + Everyday Movement: Charles Post & Rachael Pohl, Environmentalists + Artists in Norway

Living in Norway’s Lofoten Islands means facing rapidly changing weather, from gusting winds to drizzle, cold coastal air, and sunny intervals that appear and vanish in minutes. For Charles Post and Rachael Pohl, the Mayu Ultralight became the layer they relied on daily, whether hiking mountains, exploring fjords, or working outdoors with their dogs, Rowan and Knute.

For them, the Mayu Ultralight combined lightweight warmth, packability, and style, making it an essential companion for unpredictable weather. It proved versatile enough to transition from outdoor adventure to everyday life, and durable enough to hold up through continuous use.

Photo collage showing three outdoor scenes: alpine slopes, long-distance biking, and an Arctic coastal landscape Photo collage showing three outdoor scenes: alpine slopes, long-distance biking, and an Arctic coastal landscape
Two people in outdoor jackets standing on a rocky Norwegian Arctic coast Two people in outdoor jackets standing on a rocky Norwegian Arctic coast

A Layer Built for Everywhere

What ties these stories together isn’t just the gear — it’s the pursuit of movement, exploration, and connection to place. The Mayu Ultralight Collection was engineered for moments like these: the quiet before a flight, the stillness of camp after miles on a bike, the first cold gust on a ridgeline. Wherever you find yourself, Mayu is designed to meet you there.

Two people wearing dark Mayu Ultralight jackets standing on a rocky coastline at sunset Two people wearing dark Mayu Ultralight jackets standing on a rocky coastline at sunset
Three-quarter view of Mayu Ultralight jacket showing lightweight puffer quilting and hood against a sunset sky Three-quarter view of Mayu Ultralight jacket showing lightweight puffer quilting and hood against a sunset sky

Discover the Lightest Warmth We’ve Ever Made

We can’t wait to hear what you think of the Mayu collection! Please leave us your thoughts in the reviews and tag us @paka in your Mayu adventures on social.


Shop the Collection

Disclosure: The people mentioned were provided jackets and compensated for testing and sharing their honest feedback on the Mayu Ultralight Collection.