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At Paka, we believe nature holds the answers. Since our founding, we’ve been learning how to harness the innate technology of alpaca fiber to change the outdoor industry. One of our proudest advancements as a brand was last year’s release of PAKAFILL®. This technology won awards for not only challenging industry ethics, but enhancing performance as well. PAKAFILL® tested warmer than any synthetic insulation while offering a major safety advantage to the most adventurous outdoor enthusiast by staying warm while wet (unlike traditional down).
We’re thrilled to give you a first look below at this new design.
Why PAKAFILL®
Until now, the outerwear industry has been limited to two main options for insulating jackets: goose down (obtained by killing geese) and synthetics (made from oil). Sourced from free-roaming alpacas in the Andes, PAKAFILL® has opened a third, more ethical option.
Through rigorous research and development, working with teams from SpaceX and IDFL, we created a patent-pending alpaca insulation that tests warmer than any synthetic insulation, achieving a CLO value (the industry standard for measuring clothing warmth) of 2.59.
As opposed to goose down, PAKAFILL® is ethically sourced, meaning no animals are harmed in its making. Alpaca fiber’s ingenious air pockets, studded in each fiber, allow PAKAFILL® to maximize thermal retention and ventilation at the same time, which affords you a wide comfort range from high aerobic activity down to -20°F. And unlike down, which loses heat when wet and can be life-threatening on the mountain, PAKAFILL® retains warm.
There’s also no mystery about where PAKAFILL® came from. Each piece in our Apu Series is fully traceable all the way back to the small farms in the Andes where it’s sourced.
A happy Paka team hugs founder Kris Cody after winning the Innovation Award
This year, PAKAFILL® was recognized as the winner of Outdoor Retailer’s Innovation Award. It’s the fundamental building block of our new Ultralight Puffer and Apu Parka, and we’re ridiculously excited to be able to offer them to you.
What We've Changed
We’ve taken on the outerwear industry in a whole new way this year. Last year, you may have seen our founder, Kris Cody, summit one of the highest peaks in Peru to test our PAKAFILL® puffer. While the puffer performed, Kris gained a whole new appreciation for what it took to make the best in technical outerwear, and brought a new passion to elevating Paka’s technical side.
We designed these jackets to carry you from city to slope, because functional clothing means less need for additional garments, and a better relationship with the environment. This meant adding even more mountaineering and technical features.
Working alongside global partners and mentors, we overhauled the jackets’ entire construction, removing all baffles (those horizontal stitch lines) to reduce weight, unlock mobility, eliminate cold spots, and streamline the design. We also chose bluesign® Certified fabrics, meeting the highest safety and environmental standards in the industry. Our colors are inspired by nature’s palette, and each of our pieces feature Paka's signature Inca ID, handwoven by our team of Quechua women weavers.
For two distinct use cases, we decided to create two jackets: the Apu Lightweight Puffer and the Apu Parka, both named for the spirit of the mountains in Peru.
First Look
The Apu Lightweight Puffer is a lightweight, packable piece with mountain-grade warmth. The Apu Parka is designed for the most extreme conditions, with thicker PAKAFILL® and additional features to keep you safe, such as a rain-resistant shell fabric with stretch, zip vents, tricot cuffs with thumbholes, and additional storage pockets.
You can learn more about these jackets directly in our gear review below, or keep reading for an in depth breakdown:
The Apu Lightweight Puffer: Made for Wherever You Go
The Apu Lightweight Puffer is designed as the ultimate travel and layering piece. At 80 GSM, its PAKAFILL® insulation rivals the weight of any Nano Pull on the market while outperforming its warmth. With our 20dn stretch fabric, the jacket moves with you and allows for high mobility, fitting itself to your adventure. Compressing into a pillow, its packable features make it portable and flexible.
Tech features:
- Helmet compatible with rear-positioned single-hand adjustable cinch
- Internal pocket that stuff into a packable pillow
- YKK zip security chest pocket for easy access to small essentials
- Easy stretch pill-resistant binding at cuffs and hood
- Two interior and exterior pockets for extra utility
- Lightweight 20dn stretch fabric for high mobility
The Apu Parka: Made for the Most Extreme Conditions
The Apu Parka is your cold-weather companion, made to keep you safe and warm in extreme mountain conditions. Insulated with 130 GSM of PAKAFILL®, it’s shiver-proof down to -20°F. From downpour to whiteout conditions, this hardy piece empowers you to revel in the elements.
Tech features:
- Helmet-compatible 2-way adjustable hood to keep you protected in extreme conditions
- Gusseted armhole and side panel for improved fit and mobility
- Interior cuffs with thumb holes that fit with gloves or mitts to lock in warmth
- Armpit zips to speed ventilation and dump heat during high-output aerobic activity
- Two adjustable drawcords with a dropped hem add extra warmth at the back
- Two internal stash pockets and a YKK internal zip security pocket
- High collar with wind guard to hold in warmth
- bluesign® Certified rainproof stretch shell
Conclusion:
The ascent to the Apu Series was a collaborative effort. From creating lightweight stretch fabrics to designing helmet compatible hoods and ventilation zips, this series was designed with your adventure in mind. No matter where you take it, you can be confident you have the ultimate piece of outerwear keeping you safe and warm.
We're proud to present a series that not only issues a challenge to the outdoor industry as a whole, but also reflects the values of our roots with Traceable Alpaca and our signature handwoven Inca ID. As you cozy into your PAKAFILL®, we hope the warmth you feel flows not only from the jacket (that’s guaranteed), but the story behind it, as you take the lead in redefining the outerwear industry towards a more ethical and sustainable future.
