What PAKA Apparel does

PAKA Apparel (Paka Apparel, Inc.) is a privately held, US-incorporated direct-to-consumer apparel company that designs and sells sustainable alpaca wool clothing manufactured in Peru. The company operates a Shopify storefront (pakaapparel.com) and a wholesale "Find a Retailer" channel, offering men's, women's, and unisex apparel including sweaters, hoodies, base layers, sun protection tops, socks, underwear, and outerwear, with product prices spanning roughly $20 for ankle socks to $165 for premium hoodies and higher for PAKAFILL® insulated jackets and parkas. The product line also includes digital gift cards in $25-$200 denominations and handwoven Quechua bracelets, the latter with 100% of profits going to the weavers.

PAKA's underlying technology is natural-fiber material science rather than software: its proprietary PAKAFILL® insulation uses ethically sourced alpaca fiber marketed as warmer than synthetics with better moisture control than down, Bluesign® certified and PFAS-free. The Traceable Alpaca™ / Origin program tracks fiber from Peruvian alpaca farms through finished garment, and Inca ID tags are handwoven in the Sacred Valley of Peru by Quechua artisans and individually signed. The company cites alpaca's hollow-core fiber structure for thermoregulation, 8% moisture retention versus 16-20% for wool, and tensile strength of 50 N/ktex as performance differentiators.

The business model is product-led DTC e-commerce supported by ambassador-driven marketing, PR, and content (Basecamp blog, annual Impact Report), with distribution via own storefront plus wholesale, free shipping over $150, Afterpay for $35-$1,000 orders, and a Certified B Corporation ESG positioning. PAKA is headquartered in the US with production operations in Cusco and the Sacred Valley of Peru, drawing on a 300+ Quechua artisan workforce, and serves outdoor enthusiasts and environmentally conscious consumers seeking traceable, ethically-made performance apparel.

Name

PAKA Apparel

Legal name

Paka Apparel, Inc.

Website

https://pakaapparel.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PAKA Apparel is a US-based DTC outdoor apparel brand that designs and sells traceable alpaca wool clothing — sweaters, hoodies, base layers, socks, underwear, and PAKAFILL® outerwear — manufactured by 300+ Quechua artisans in Peru and sold to outdoor enthusiasts and sustainability-minded consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Outdoor Apparel

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Knitting Mills (3151), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599)

SIC

Knit Outerwear Mills (2253), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Knitwear & Sweaters Manufacturers (CRAAAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI), Cold-Weather Accessories Manufacturing (Thermal Sets/Arm & Leg Warmers) (IMAOAFAJ), Sustainable & Certified Materials (Organic, Recycled, Traceable) (CRAAAMAK)

Keywords

• Sustainable outdoor apparel
• Alpaca wool clothing
• Natural fiber performance
• Ethical fashion Peru
• Thermal baselayers socks

Headquarters

HQ city

Cusco

HQ country

Peru

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: One-time product sales through owned e-commerce storefront (pakaapparel.com). Products include apparel categories: sweaters, hoodies, shirts, pants, underwear, socks, accessories, and outerwear. Gift cards also available in $25-$200 denominations.
2. Wholesale/Retail Distribution: B2B wholesale channel through retail partners, indicated by 'Find a Retailer' page on website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PAKA Apparel designs, produces, and sells sustainable outdoor apparel made from alpaca wool (and alpaca blends with Tencel, recycled nylon, and organic Pima cotton) knitted and sewn in Peru by Quechua artisans. The product range spans sweaters, hoodies, tees, shirts, joggers, baselayers, socks, underwear, accessories, and PAKAFILL® alpaca-insulated outerwear jackets, sold primarily through its own e-commerce storefront and select retail partners.

Product overview

PAKA Apparel is a sustainable outdoor apparel company specializing in alpaca wool clothing made start-to-finish in Peru. The product portfolio centers on a unified platform of natural fiber clothing with distinct product lines including: sweaters and hoodies (The Hoodie, Women's Hoodie, Men's Breathe Full Zip Hoodie, The Original Crew, Lightweight/Ultralight Crew for men and women); shirts and tops (Essential Tees, Sol Hoodie/Crew sun protection wear, Aire Long Sleeve for men and women); socks in multiple styles (Essential Crew, Trail variants in Crew/3/4/1/4/Ankle heights, Essential Ankle 3-Pack, Essential No Show, and Thermal socks for winter); underwear (Men's Essential Boxer Brief/Printed Boxer Brief, Women's Essential Scoop Bralette/Mid-Rise Brief); baselayers (Men's/Women's Thermal Crew and 1.0 Thermal Crew, Men's Thermal Bottoms); outerwear (PAKAFILL® Collection including Mayu Jacket, Apu Lightweight Puffer, Apu Parka); and accessories (Cozy Marled Beanie, Adventure Hat, Handwoven Quechua Bracelets). The products share common DNA: traceable alpaca fiber sourced from Peru, artisan craftsmanship by Quechua weavers, Inca ID handwoven tags, and natural fiber blends with Tencel, Pima cotton, and recycled nylon. The company also offers Digital Gift Cards. PAKA positions itself as a sustainable alternative to synthetic outdoor apparel, with all products benefiting from alpaca's thermoregulating, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant properties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PAKAFILL®: Ethically sourced alpaca insulation used in Apu Series outerwear jackets.
• PAKA Pro Program
• Origin Program

Products and services

• The Hoodie (Alpaca Hoodie) Premium alpaca wool hoodie with attached hood, marled knit texture, and leather logo patch; unisex fit designed for outdoor adventures and everyday wear.
• Women's Hoodie Lightweight alpaca hoodie with drawstring hood, raglan sleeves, and thumbhole cuffs; designed for women with a curved hem and soft knit texture.
• Men's Breathe Full Zip Hoodie Full-zip alpaca blend hoodie with zippered pockets, hood with lining, and breathable design for active use.
• The Original Crew (Alpaca Crewneck Sweater) Alpaca wool crewneck sweater with raglan sleeves and heathered knit; available in multiple colors for unisex wear.
• The Lightweight Crew Ultralight crewneck alpaca blend sweater with ribbed collar and hem, designed for layering and outdoor activities.
• Men's Ultralight Crew Men's ultralight crewneck sweater with raglan seams and ribbed cuffs; lightweight alpaca blend for outdoor performance.
• Women's Ultralight Crew Women's ultralight crewneck sweater in alpaca blend with raglan seams, designed for lightweight warmth.
• Men's Essential Tee Men's essential t-shirt made with organic Pima cotton and alpaca blend; crew neck, short sleeves with Inca ID hem tag.
• Women's Essential Tee Women's essential t-shirt with curved hem, crew neck, and short sleeves in alpaca cotton blend.
• Men's Sol Hoodie (UPF Sun Hoodie) Men's breathable sun protection hoodie with UPF/SPF features; alpaca and Tencel blend with hood and hidden thumbholes.
• Women's Sol Hoodie (UPF Sun Hoodie) Women's lightweight sun hoodie with crossover hood, UPF protection, and thumbholes in alpaca Tencel blend.
• Men's Sol Crew (UPF Sun Shirt) Men's long-sleeve UPF sun shirt with raglan sleeves, crew neckline, and flatlock seams for outdoor sun protection.
• Women's Sol Crew (UPF Sun Shirt) Women's long-sleeve sun shirt with UPF protection, crew neck, and raglan seams in alpaca blend.
• Men's Aire Long Sleeve Men's alpaca long sleeve shirt with crew neck, Inca ID tag, and soft breathable fabric for outdoor and casual wear.
• Women's Aire Long Sleeve Women's alpaca long sleeve shirt with Inca ID tag, crew neck, and slim fit for hiking and outdoor activities.
• Essential Crew Socks Alpaca wool crew socks with reinforced heel and toe, cushioned knit panels; multiple colors with moisture-wicking properties.
• Trail Crew Socks Hiking socks with cushioned footbed, reinforced heel and toe, and arch support in alpaca blend for trail activities.
• Trail 3/4 Crew Socks Mid-calf hiking socks with cushioned sole, ribbed cuffs, and PAKA logo; alpaca blend for outdoor performance.
• Trail 1/4 Crew Socks Ankle-height hiking socks with cushioned footbed, ribbed arch support, and low-profile alpaca blend design.
• Trail Ankle Socks Low-cut ankle socks with reinforced heel, breathable alpaca knit, and cushioned design for active use.
• Essential Ankle Socks 3-Pack Three-pack of alpaca wool ankle socks in mixed colors; moisture-wicking and odor-resistant for running and outdoors.
• Essential No Show Socks (3-Pack) Three-pack of no-show alpaca socks with marled knit, low-profile design, and stay-put heel.
• Thermal Condór Crew Socks Thermal crew socks with Inca condor motif, contrast heel and toe, extra-warm alpaca wool for winter.
• Thermal Spacedye Crew Socks Spacedye thermal crew socks with mountain-inspired pattern and triple-sole cushion for winter warmth.
• Thermal Costa Crew Socks Thermal crew socks with llama jacquard pattern, contrast heel and toe in alpaca wool for cold weather.
• Snow Sebastian Socks Ski and snowboard socks with over-the-calf compression, mountain jacquard pattern in alpaca blend.
• Men's Essential Boxer Brief Men's alpaca boxer briefs with PAKA branded waistband, contoured front pouch, and breathable fabric.
• Men's Essential Printed Boxer Brief Men's printed boxer briefs with alpaca blend fabric and Andes Adventure pattern.
• Women's Essential Scoop Bralette Women's scoop neck bralette with wide straps, elastic underband, and breathable alpaca fabric.
• Women's Essential Mid-Rise Brief Women's mid-rise brief underwear in alpaca blend with smooth seams and full coverage.
• Men's Thermal Crew Baselayer Men's alpaca-merino wool blend thermal baselayer top with rib-knit texture for skiing and winter activities.
• Men's 1.0 Thermal Crew Baselayer Men's lightweight thermal crew top in alpaca blend with crew neck and long sleeves.
• Women's Thermal Crew Baselayer Women's thermal crew baselayer in alpaca-merino blend with Uva color option for winter sports.
• Women's 1.0 Thermal Crew Baselayer Women's lightweight thermal top with moisture-wicking alpaca wool for skiing and snowboarding.
• Men's Thermal Bottoms Baselayer Men's thermal baselayer bottoms in alpaca blend for skiing and winter activities.
• Men's Breathe Jogger Men's alpaca joggers with drawstring waistband, tapered cuffs, and breathable terry fabric for comfort.
• Women's Breathe Jogger Women's alpaca joggers with drawstring waist, side pockets, and cuffed tapered ankles.
• PAKAFILL® Outerwear Collection (Apu Series Jackets) Sustainable jackets and outerwear featuring PAKAFILL® insulation made from ethically sourced alpaca fiber; includes the Mayu Jacket, Apu Lightweight Puffer, and Apu Parka for skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor adventures.
• Mayu Jacket Ultralight travel and layering jacket with ethical alpaca insulation; available in men's and women's versions.
• Apu Lightweight Puffer Women's lightweight puffer jacket with PAKAFILL® alpaca insulation, Bluesign® certified and PFAS-free water-repellent shell.
• Apu Parka Sustainable parka with PAKAFILL® alpaca insulation for cold weather and extreme conditions.
• Cozy Marled Beanie Alpaca-merino wool blend beanie with ribbed knit and folded cuff; fits under ski helmets and available in multiple marled colors.
• Adventure Hat Flat brim adventure hat with adjustable strap and PAKA Apu Adventure Club patch in harvest gold.
• Handwoven Quechua Bracelets (3-Pack) Handwoven alpaca bracelets made by Quechua women artisans in Peru with traditional Inca designs and natural dyes; 100% of profits go to weavers.
• Digital Gift Card Digital gift cards available in $25, $50, $100, $150, and $200 denominations for sustainable alpaca apparel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thermoregulating: hollow fiber structure provides warmth in cold and cool in heat
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SeaLegacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCristina Mittermeier, co-founder of SeaLegacy, serves as PAKA brand ambassador. The partnership aligns PAKA with ocean conservation messaging through the Good Ocean initiative. Mittermeier brings environmental credibility and reach through her global platform on plastic pollution and marine conservation.
• Farmer's FootprintcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Zach Bush, founder of Farmer's Footprint (non-profit focused on root-cause solutions for human and ecological health), serves as PAKA ambassador. Partnership emphasizes regenerative agriculture and health connections to sustainable fashion.
• The Good OceanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of The Good Ocean, a community of businesses aligning to meet and exceed conservation best practices across their total supply chain to achieve ultimate ocean health. PAKA co-launched this initiative with SeaLegacy.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Smartwool: Premium merino wool outdoor socks and apparel brand. The closest fiber-substitute comparable to PAKA on natural-fiber performance positioning, DTC plus wholesale, and overlapping outdoor/casual consumer.
• Icebreaker: Merino wool outdoor apparel and baselayers brand. Closest direct peer in the natural-fiber outdoor category, competing on similar baselayer, sock, and sweater use cases with overlapping retail and DTC channels.
• Cotopaxi: Certified B Corporation outdoor and lifestyle brand with sustainability mission and ambassador-led storytelling. Highly comparable on B Corp positioning, mission-led marketing, and outdoor/lifestyle product overlap.
• Darn Tough Vermont: Premium performance sock brand with a lifetime guarantee. Directly comparable DTC/outdoor sock business, performance positioning, and retention-loop mechanics that PAKA's sock line competes with.
• Bombas: DTC sock and apparel brand with a social mission (donation-per-purchase) and heavy ambassador/marketing investment. Comparable DTC-led sock business with purpose-led branding and premium pricing.
• Minus33: Merino wool outdoor apparel and baselayer brand. Comparable mid-market alternative in natural-fiber outdoor wear that competes directly with PAKA's Thermal, Breathe, and base/mid-layer lines.

Broad incumbents

• Patagonia: Massive sustainable outdoor apparel incumbent. Overlaps with PAKA on outdoor performance apparel and sustainability storytelling but operates across many more categories, channels, and price tiers at far greater scale.
• Vuori: Premium sustainable athleisure and outdoor lifestyle brand. Comparable DTC premium lifestyle positioning and overlap on joggers, hoodies, and performance lifestyle apparel.

Emerging players

• Allbirds: Sustainable natural-material apparel and footwear brand. Comparable sustainability- and storytelling-driven DTC positioning, although Allbirds is footwear-led while PAKA is apparel-led.
• Finisterre: UK-based sustainable outdoor apparel brand. Comparable sustainability- and ocean-led positioning and use of natural fibers, though primarily Europe-distributed and thus not a direct US competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pakaapparel
• Facebookfacebook.com/pakaapparel
• Instagraminstagram.com/paka
• TikToktiktok.com/@paka
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/paka-apparel

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PAKA Apparel