Two people standing by a campfire at dusk in a wooded outdoor setting

Hiker wearing an Ultralight Crew sweater hiking across an alpine meadow with backpack and trekking pole, cloudy mountains in the background

Basecamp

Our New Ultralight Crew: The Ultimate Midlayer

This new Ultralight Crew is soft, highly packable, and light as a feather at 11oz.

Since our Original Alpaca Crew appeared in 2016 on our Kickstarter, we've distributed tens of thousands around the globe. It's served our community whether as a travel companion, whether a casual mother-daughter trip or a summit in the Andes. As our goal at Paka is to enable travel and adventure, we built this new Ultralight crew to be even more versatile and packable. Check out the features below!

Two people wearing lightweight alpaca crew sweaters walking on a mountain trail with a valley and forested hills in the background

Two people wearing lightweight alpaca crew sweaters standing on a mountain overlook with a scenic valley in the background

The Ultralight Crew is your single-layer answer for comfort in all temperatures (excepting only the most extreme heat and cold). From chilly morning dawn patrols to midday trail walks to evening dinners with friends, the Lightweight Crew hugs you in a feather-light, naturally thermoregulating, absurdly soft layer — so comfy and weightless it’s like it’s barely there. With 18-19 microns of Royal Alpaca softness, it’s undershirt-optional. And weighing under 11 oz., or less than half of a paperback book, it keeps your pack blissfully light on the go.

At nearly half the weight of our Original Crew, with a tighter knit gauge and breathable mesh, the Lightweight is the ultimate midlayer. Knit from our signature thermoregulating, moisture-wicking, and order-proof alpaca fiber, this versatile piece works straight from trail to table, so you can stay out longer and still make those plans on time. Put simply, it’s the ideal multipurpose travel layer. And because it's made from a sustainable and traceable source, you can feel good about your environmental footprint too.

Climber adjusting a harness while wearing a dark gray ultralight crew sweater, helmet, rope, and backpack on a rocky glacier

Crew Redesign: Versatility and Protection Across Seasons

Ventilation mesh under arm and at upper back
Stable hem that doesn't stretch out
Flatlock seams for ultimate comfort and added durability
Rib knit V at the neck so it's easy to slip over your head and remains a snug fit
Handwoven Inca ID at wrist to always remind you where your crew came from
Mesh knit underarm gussets improve mobility
Ideal layering piece

Discover What Makes This Crew A Standout

Inspired by treks thru the andes, we created this piece as your lightweight companion. Perfect for everyday wear and outdoor adventures, It's a must-have for anyone constantly on the go. The Minimal and classic style lines make this piece your go-to for everything from travel to hikes and even business dinners.

Close-up of Ultralight Crew showing waffle-knit ventilation mesh and neckline seam in dark teal on white background

Ventilated Comfort:

The new Lightweight Crew features ventilation mesh strategically placed under the arms and at the upper back for extra breathability. And a gusseted armhole adds ergonomic design that removes restrictions for ease of movement. Stay cool, dry, comfy, and nimble — no matter how sweaty your trek.

Front close-up of light heather gray Ultralight Crew on model showing rib-knit crew neck and V-stitch detail, white background

Slip-on Structure:

With a rib-knit V and a stable hem, the Lightweight Crew slips effortlessly over your head without losing its structure, so it’s easy to wear, but hard to stretch out.

Close-up of beige Ultralight Crew sweater showing handwoven Inca ID at the wrist and leather hem tag on white background

A True Original:

Everything we build is a handmade original, with the Lightweight Crew no exception. Each features a unique Inca ID at the wrist, handwoven in the mountains of Peru, as well as a bespoke leather hem tag, distinguishing your crew from any other.

Lightweight, Heavy Duty:

Experience free motion in an ultra-lightweight layer that doesn't compromise an ounce of durability. Wear it everywhere, pack it with ease, and let it follow along to your life story.

From Chilly Dawns to Warm Days:

Our crews are wrought from alpaca fiber, which evolved to survive the radical temperature swing of the Andes Mountains, from scorching days to freezing nights, adapting ingenious hollow air pockets that insulate and ventilate at once. Wear the Lightweight Crew all day and feel it adapt with the air around you.

Get Dirty, Smell Fresh:

The Lightweight Crew is not just breathable, but also naturally odor-resistant, so you can go straight from your evening hike to those dinner plans while saving time and skipping the shower.

Climber adjusting rope on a rocky slope wearing a dark ultralight crew midlayer and helmet at dawn

One Layer - Unlimited Places

We’re very excited to share this new Ultralight Crew with you. We’ve spent years designing the most versatile, adaptable, ethical trail-and-travel layer on the market, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy it. See you out there!