Personal Dimensions: H 5’ 9”, W 145 lbs, Chest 40”, Waist 33”
Garment Size, Fit, Cut: Medium/Relaxed/Long
I must confess that I was hesitant to purchase this because I simply have so many mid layer/fleece jacket options already but curiosity got the best of me and I’m glad it did.
After wearing the jacket indoors nonstop for almost a month I decided to go for a mild paced walk outside with the following weather conditions. Starting temperature was 60F, wind speed of 14mph and 82% humidity just after dusk. I was wearing unlined cotton pants, a summer weight short sleeve cotton shirt, a 40 gram insulated synthetic vest, a light weight merino beanie and the Alpaca fleece hoodie.
The Alpaca clearly has measurably better wind resistance and heat retention than the typical 100% polyester and merino mid layer jackets of equal or greater fabric weights that I compared it to. While I could easily feel the wind coming through the jacket I never felt cold when I was static or on the move even though I was moving at a casual pace. After about 45 minutes the temp had dropped 2 more degrees so I picked up the pace to observe heat release/retention and moisture build up.
Even with the steady winds, when you consider the high humidity, my body temp and moisture production rates, I would have typically expected to experience to some degree the beginnings of a slightly noticeable cold and clammy “microclimate” which can clearly occur more easily with a pure synthetic mid layer that provides the same level of thermal insulation. There was no clamminess or unusual moisture retention with the Alpaca leading me to believe that this jacket performs and does what the designer claims it does.
The jacket zippers are burly, two practical average sized dump pockets that easily fit a low profile merino beanie, glove liners or similar items. While the hood doesn’t have adjustments I was shocked at how well it works. Due to the fabric composition it gripped the merino beanie on my head and never moved an inch even in 14mph winds. It stayed right where I placed it the whole time. The cut of the garment allows the zip to go all the way up without any interference to your chin. The hood design and relaxed cut also allows full range of motion/articulation of your head and neck with excellent visibility. If I had not experienced the hood first hand under these conditions I would have great difficulty believing it would perform this well. The zipper will go all the way up without the hood being deployed to create an unrestrictive insulated collar effect which is nice.
I have been in a very steady moderate rain and I was impressed with the level of water repellence. While a small percentage of water did absorb into the fleece, none of the water got through the garment. My skin stayed completely dry. Due to the wool blend the Alpaca won’t melt from embers next to a fire pit like 100% poly.
I’m only a sample size of one but the attention to detail, the accuracy and quality of the stitching around all the seams and overall quality of the garment is top notch.
There are a few, what I would call, potential preferential quirks. Due to the relaxed fit if you want a more “fitted” look you will need to order one size down, the longer than average length that extends below most other outer layer jackets, the relaxed fit longer sleeves that can cause bunching when layered under an outer layer, the lack of an inner chest pocket and it does require some simple yet special laundering care.
I have learned there is no perfect jacket, mid layer, outer layer, etc. but if you are looking for something so cozy you could sleep in it, wear it as a stand alone mid layer, highly breathable outer layer with very good mild to moderate weather resistance, then the Alpaca fleece may just be the jacket you’ve been looking for. I can highly recommend this item as being far superior to all the 100% plastic bottle clothing.
Warm and cozy adventures.
