Introducing Traceable Alpaca™

Don't just wear it, know it. Trace your garment to the exact coordinates where the fiber was sourced from.

Steps to you

See how we transform alpaca fibers straight from the animal to make your favorite Paka products. From the Andes to you.

01
Alpacas roam free

The Andes Mountains have been home to alpacas for millions of years. They live alongside Peruvian families (called ‘alpaqueros’). Each herd contains only 60-90 alpacas and is cared for by a single family. Farms are scattered throughout the Andean Highlands; most can only be reached by horse.

02
Farmers shear the alpacas

Shearing is an ancient and essential practice that maintains the alpaca’s health and hygiene as they’re unable to shed their fleece coat alone. If the fleece is too long, the animals are at risk of overheating, becoming immobilized, more susceptible to predation, and developing parasitic infections around the breech.

03
The fiber is collected and separated by micron count (by hand)

Incredibly, each fiber is hand sorted by women specially trained to differentiate the micron diameters - the thinner the fiber, the softer the fabric. That’s why we use Royal Alpaca in the majority of our garments (17-19 microns). This kinetic knowledge has been passed down through generations.

04
The fiber is dyed and spun into yarn

Once sorted and washed to remove any dirt, the fibers are colored with environmentally-friendly dyes (OEKO TEX + GOTS certified). In some cases, we don’t use any dyes and rely solely on the natural hues from the alpacas. After dyeing, the fiber goes through a carding machine and is spun into different yarns, all depending on the final product.

05
The yarn is knit into your sweater

We work with our team of Peruvian artisans on each design. The fabric is crafted using specialized knitting equipment and panels are sewn together to create a flexible dynamic sweater. Each woman signs the sweater that they made before they are sorted based on the material’s origin. 

06
A traditional Inca ID is added

A unique handwoven Inca ID crafted in Chincherois is added to each sweater. We've partnered with CTTC to fully employ over 100 Quechua women at 4x the family living wage.

07
Your sweater is shipped in biodegradable packaging

Traveling through the Americas from South to North, your sweater is shipped with fully biodegradable packaging. Made with 100% decomposable materials, you can literally compost it! Transportation is also made carbon neutral through our partnership with EcoCart.

08
From the Andes to you, fully traceable

What you hold in your hands is no longer just a sweater, but the living result of generations of knowledge, millions of years of evolution, and the meaningful co-existence between the land, farmers, and alpacas in Peru. 

09
What comes next

Through our partnership with AIA, 1% of sales support regenerative agriculture and alpaca families. Another 1% funds the education of Peruvian young women through Peruvian Hearts. The story of your sweater and impact is truly just beginning.

Dozens of alpacas roaming free in the Andes mountains Dozens of alpacas roaming free in the Andes mountains
Alpaca's shearing process Alpaca's shearing process
A quechua woman's hands holding the alpaca fiber A quechua woman's hands holding the alpaca fiber
The alpaca fiber is spun into yarn The alpaca fiber is spun into yarn
A peruvian woman hand knitting a sweater A peruvian woman hand knitting a sweater
A woman's hands weaving a bracelet with an ancestral tool A woman's hands weaving a bracelet with an ancestral tool
A Paka's order. There is a sweater inside our biodegradable boxes and includes a A Paka's order. There is a sweater inside our biodegradable boxes and includes a
A light grey alpaca hoodie with a tag that says A light grey alpaca hoodie with a tag that says
Two men hugging in the Peruvian highlands Two men hugging in the Peruvian highlands
Shearing an alpaca

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Alpacas in the Andes Mountains Peru

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Andes Mountains Alpacas Peru cute

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Alpaca herd Peru cute together

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Funny Alpaca in Peru

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Alpaca cute in Peru

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Alpacas in Peru roaming

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Roaming alpacas in peru

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Peruvian alpacas roaming free

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Peru Alpacas Andes mountains

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