Blending thermoregulating alpaca and high-tech cooling fibers, the Ultralight COOLPLUS® sets a new standard for lightweight, heat-adaptive apparel.
Boulder, CO (May 1, 2025) — PAKA®, the leading innovator in alpaca apparel, announces the launch of
the Ultralight COOLPLUS® Crew, a sweater that blends natural alpaca fiber and organic cotton with
COOLPLUS® yarn technology for a warm-weather performance layer. Since its founding, PAKA has led
alpaca fiber innovation, developing and releasing the first patented alpaca fiber insulation, PAKAFILL®, in
2022 and the first alpaca-based fleece, PAKACLOUD, in 2023. The Ultralight COOLPLUS® marks the
latest innovation from PAKA, a summer-ready garment that fuses performance-quality breathability with
natural materials.
The Ultralight Crew features a blend of 50% Traceable Alpaca fiber, 30% Organic Cotton and 20%
COOLPLUS® fiber. COOLPLUS® technology uses viscose fiber in a unique spinning process, creating a
larger fiber surface area that allows moisture to evaporate more quickly without added chemicals or
synthetics. This rapid moisture absorption and evaporation provide a cooling effect for the user, paired
with the antimicrobial and low moisture benefits of natural alpaca fiber.
“The alpacas of the Andes have perfectly adapted to the massive temperature swings of a high alpine
environment—ranging from freezing to scorching in a single day,” said Megan Krajco, Design Director at
PAKA. “With the Ultralight COOLPLUS, we aimed to extend that adaptability by blending alpaca fiber with
COOLPLUS technology for a cool, highly breathable knitwear blend. Traditionally, fabric performance has
been treated as an afterthought—often achieved through topical finishes that degrade with wear and
washing. With innovations like COOLPLUS, performance is engineered at the fiber level—enhancing
breathability, durability, and moisture evaporation for the long term.”
Ideal for everything from trail to town, the Ultralight COOLPLUS® is available in Lilac, Lichen, and Ice
Heather Grey for Women and Navy, Andean Moss, and Ice Heather Grey for Men, priced at $135 online
at www.pakaapparel.com/. Each piece is accented with PAKA’s signature Inca ID, handwoven by
Quechua weavers to celebrate the heritage of the company’s origins in Peru.
Please reach out to McClain Moran with any questions at mcclain@purpleorangepr.com.
About PAKA:
PAKA is the leading innovator of alpaca fiber apparel. Founded in 2017, PAKA started as a vision to bring
the revolutionary alpaca fiber to the outdoor industry. PAKA is a Certified B Corp and secured the Best for
the WorldTM award in 2022. The brand employs 300+ Quechua weavers in Peru, makes upwards of 90%
of products locally, and donates 1% of its revenue back to local communities in Peru. Learn more at
www.paka.co Instagram: @paka
