PAKA Thermal Crew and Bottoms

Review by Erin Trail

The PAKA Thermal Crew and Bottom base layers are a combination Royal Alpaca / Merino Wool fabric that’s both soft and warm.

Details

• 40% Royal Alpaca, 40% Merino Wool, 20% Tencel
• 2×2 rib knit
• Raglan sleeves
• Flat coverstitch seams
• Crew – wrist cuff thumb holes
• Bottoms – gusseted crotch and an elastic waistband

PAKA Thermal Crew Review

I am a women’s size medium on the PAKA size guide.  The cut of the PAKA Thermal Crew is a slim fit.  The fabric, thanks to the 2×2 rib kit, is VERY stretchy in the horizontal direction (basically as you pull the ribs apart) and because of that, the garment felt slightly oversized compared to how other base layers fit.  If you want a tighter, more compressive fit, size down.

Testing Conditions:

• Several winter gravel bike rides (worn as a base layer beneath an active insulation windproof jacket)
• Alpine skiing (worn as a base layer beneath a mid layer and a shell jacket)

The PAKA Thermal Crew is VERY warm, thanks to the combination of Royal Alpaca and Merino Wool.  Given the combination of Colorado’s unusually warm winter and the warmth of the crew, I often found myself a little too toasty during my winter bike rides, compared to how I normally feel wearing other base layers.  I think for cycling, the PAKA Thermal Crew with a light windbreaker would be ideal for temperatures in the 40s and 50s.

During my alpine ski testing of the PAKA Thermal Crew, I was really happy for the warmth.  This is my first season wearing shell jackets and I have been having a hard time staying warm. I found the PAKA Thermal Crew to be a medium weight base layer that was as warm many of the thicker mid layers that are in my gear drawer.

The fabric and seams are all soft to the touch – no irritation or itchiness as I moved.  I also never felt clammy or sweaty. The fabric is also fairly opaque, so you can wear the PAKA Thermal Crew as a solo layer apres ski.

PAKA Thermal Bottoms Review

I am a women’s size medium on the PAKA size guide.  As one would expect with thermal bottoms, the fit is slim.  For me, I found that the knit material ended up feeling a little baggy, due to the stretch of the 2×2 rib kit.  The waistband however, is a little tight by comparison, so sizing down would feel uncomfortable at the waist.  I do wish that the PAKA Thermal Bottoms had a different waistband design, similar to a yoga style, as I find those to be more comfortable.

Testing Conditions:

• Alpine skiing (worn as a base layer beneath a mid layer and shell pants)

The PAKA Thermal Bottoms have a cuff at the ankles.  I didn’t have any issues with it bunching or feeling bulky inside my ski boots.  Similarly to the PAKA Thermal Crew, the bottoms are soft without any itchiness, thanks to the fabric materials and the seams.

The PAKA Thermal Bottoms are really warm and I was happy to wear them on days that were in the teens or low 20s, with an insulated pant as a mid layer.  For spring ski conditions, I feel confident that I could wear the PAKA Thermal Bottoms with shell bottoms and be plenty warm.

Closing Thoughts

The PAKA Thermal Crew and Bottoms are a super warm, 100% natural fiber option for winter warmth.  The fabric is soft and stretchy, but also very durable.  During my testing, none of the garments have shown any pilling or signs of wear.  They also handle the washing machine (delicate, in a garment bag) without issues.

The PAKA Thermal Crew and Bottoms are available for both men and women.  Men’s sizing ranges from S to XXL, women’s sizing ranges from XS to XXL.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke

Erin Trail on her mountain bike at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race

Erin Trail on her running at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race