PAKA Apparel Thermal Baselayer Review

by Niels Oomkes · Published January 31, 2025 , 9:08 am · Updated July 21, 2025 , 1:00 pm

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Not all baselayers are created equal. Additionally, the quality and warmth factor has definitely and vastly improved over the years. The PAKA Apparel Thermal Baselayers have a unique story, and the two pieces I have here certainly look the part. As I took them out of the box, they have a good weighted quality to them. Taking them skiing will be my primary purpose, so I hope they provide the warmth at 12,000 feet of elevation in a windy snowstorm. I ski at Breckenridge a bunch, and its a place known for its fair share of high wind conditions. I’m excited to giving these a go.

The overall presentation from a packaging standpoint is quite unique and pleasant. It is well thought out, and has a touch of class to it. The packing materials are all biodegradable or recyclable. Additional bonus points from the PAKA team for a few touches in the form of a bracelet and stickers.

Knowing Where Your PAKA Apparel Thermal Baselayer Come From

Before I go on to discuss the top and bottom, lets touch upon the sustainably sourced elements that PAKA brings us. PAKA is introducing Traceable Alpaca: “Don’t just wear it, know it. Trace your garment to the exact coordinates where the fiber was sourced from.”

Based on the coordinates provided I can see exactly where my Alpaca wool lived and flourished. I really wanted to kind of zoom in more, and I ended up in a wide open valley. Free roaming Alpaca are at their happiest there, I will presume. There’s talk of a trip to Peru in the future. I doubt we’ll end up there, but it’s neat to know you can trace it down to a specific locale or countryside. My baselayer fibers grow and flourish in some beautiful country.

Technical Features And Details (from PAKA)

Ribbed fabric for custom form-fitting shape
Flatlock seams and tagless design for a soft and comfortable feel
Antimicrobial, odor-free, thermoregulating, moisture-wicking

These PAKA Apparel Thermal Bottoms are made with 100% natural fibers. They are a mid-weight (although they feel nice and heavy), and are naturally insulated and designed for performance and comfort. Now this is the cool part, they feature the highest percentage of royal alpaca fiber in all of PAKA’s collection for a softer-than-cashmere feel. And soft and luxurious is definitely how they feel and fit.

The top is made to fit nice and snug to the body. Whenever I wear a true wool product, the inevitable itch is something that is simply a common occurrence. I would say these PAKA thermal baselayers are not completely immune from it, but it is very minimal. I’m thinking with time while wearing and washing that the softness may actually improve.

Staying warm is usually the first thing that comes to mind, but moisture wicking is super important to me. I go hard no matter my activity. While wearing these throughout a day, the weather conditions can go from cold and blustery to sunny and pleasant. Furthermore, my level of exertion plays a role. I am prone to making a decision mid-day that can see me climbing up to a peak to ski some untouched terrain. If you’ve never climbed up a steep snow slope in ski boots at high elevation, it is an immediate heart rate spike and subsequent sweat fest. Hence, that moisture wicking quality plays a significant role for me.

Taking These PAKA Apparel Thermal Baselayers For A Spin

The main purpose for me for these baselayers is definitely skiing. I think for some of my other winter outdoor passions like running, snowshoeing, or XC skiing, it’s going to be overkill.

It’s usually plenty cold (in the teens) when aiming for first chair and tracks on the mountain. My get-up usually consists of my base layers, a good thicker mid layer like this puffy from Mammut. Lastly, I have a couple of shells that complete the ensemble depending on the conditions for the day. These have been my go to baselayers each and every time out, and the warmth element of these two pieces is the best I’ve had the pleasure of wearing.

I think part of the warmth comes from the ribbed fabric component. I’m not sure how they manufacture or stitch the fabric to be able to to call it ribbed, but I can see and feel the extra quality there. Form fitting is also good. The rest of a ski apparel outfit usually is more on the loose and baggy side. I know that’s the case for the snowboarding community, but even my skiing apparel is cut on the larger side. Adorned with big pockets and zippers everywhere requires room for all the stuff and movement. I like the juxtaposition, because heat has a chance to escape the skin, and into this void of clothing which keeps the heat in. If I need to vent, most ski jackets and pants allow me to open a zipper to let that heat out if needed.

The design is super simple and seamless which is great. I don’t have to go super deep into that, but not having extra useless padding, pockets, or tags are nice to have. Along with that moisture-wicking component, PAKA has incorporated odor-free and antimicrobial elements to add to the mix. And when you piece all of that together, you get a next-level baselayer outfit. As with anything involved with skiing, there is a significant upfront investment, and at $125 a piece this is not the cheapest way to go. That said, the value is absolutely there. I am a fan of buying quality gear, because it will usually pay off in the long run. I can’t speak to the long term gains of this piece, but I have a feeling, I can wear these PAKA Apparel Thermal Baselayers for many years to come.

Last Warming Thoughts On The PAKA Apparel Thermal Baselayer

As with anything, getting a good bang for my buck is something I look for in all of my gear purchases. Skimping on staying warm can quickly backfire if the day turns and one gets to be miserably cold. I full-heartedly support the PAKA mission and their Thermal Baselayers. They are mid-weight pieces that supply heavy weight warmth. Simple design with complex technical manufacturing features make for a very nice winter skiing apparel baselayer. My 8 times skiing thus far this season have been quite successful, even with negative temperatures a couple of times. If you are reading this, and want some solid base layers, I recommend that you take a look at PAKA for your own use. I think I am going to pick up a few of their other pieces as well. For more information or to check these out for yourself, visit pakaapparel.com.