Do you think you'd stink after wearing a shirt for 5 days straight? 👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇 8020 Sun Hoodie: geni.us/8020SunHoodie Appalachian Gear Co: geni.us/AppalachianGearCo

Thank you for this review. I've been reading and watching reviews on alpaca tops for about a week now and this video is the one that I got the most value out of. I appreciate the real-world evaluation and the fact that you didn't spend a lot of time just repeating marketing hype about the brand or alpaca fiber itself. Thanks again for all of the work you put into this review.

Thanks for this awesome review. When I bought my first 80/20 Alpaca shirt I was concerned that it was too prickly on my skin. I’m glad I persisted through the initial break in period because now it feels soft and comfortable. I’m impressed with alpaca and will try out the sun hoody as my Patagonia started to stink after just three days.

The best part was the smell test from the ladies. Imagine them talking about their trip years from now saying "remember that guy who asked us to smell him" and the other lady saying"yeah and how good was that alpaca shirt " and the other lady " yeah no smell at all what a day that was " 😅

This kind of content is why I consider Justin’s channel one the top 3 hiking and backpacking channels out there. I saw his review on the Osprey Synchro 20 day/cycling pack and bought one and now it is my go to daypack. I am so happy with that pack I don’t even look at other daypacks now. No pack is perfect but that one comes close, at least for me.

I have owned mine for over a yr. Has about 800 miles worth of trail life. No smells , no rips or wear, warm on cold weather and cool in warm weather. I absolutely love it. If I had to change 1 thing, I would put a draw string around the hood. It's by far my favorite hiking apparel.

Best wool i've ever used for both warmth and warm conditions is KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie. I have the alpaca top but i find i can't wear it next to skin and it still gets hot in warm conditions. The KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie is incredibly light but also durable (so far) and has the same "anti-stink" properties. Its the best most versatile wool garment i have.

Thx for the review... Looks like a good AZ sun shirt for some higher country backpacking.

Kudos to those ladies doing an initial sniffing test!

Good quality alpaca is nice. But for hot weather, I like high quality and/or aged flax linen, or nylon-tencel blends. Flax linen and tencel are also very low odor accumulating materials (along with alpaca and merino wool), and not as insulating as alpaca (or merino). Both have significantly stronger tensile strength than alpaca, also. You can make them thinner, which dries faster and is less insulating. Insulation in heat can be good when it is really hot and dry though, like 100^F and plus. It helps to create a micro climate between you and the ambient temps/conditions. Energy always flows from areas of more to less to try to reach an equilibrium. Btw, out of all the synthetics, nylon is the least odor facilitating. There seems to be a direct correlation between the moisture regain, hydrophobicity vs hydrophilic levels, and odor accumulation factors. The synthetic materials with the least moisture regain and highest hydrophobicity i.e. polypropylene, and then polyester, are the most odor facilitating. After polyester, is acrylic. And after acrylic is nylon. This is because nylon isn't really fully hydrophobic like the other synthetics commonly used for clothing. (This whole odor facilitation thing of synthetics btw, has to do with surface electro chemical charges in relation to electro chemical charges of different microbes). And as mentioned, nylon-tencel blends work pretty well in this regard, though not as good as straight tencel, linen, alpaca, and/or merino. I would love to try a linen nylon blend, but haven't ever seen it. I've seen some linen polyester blends very rarely, and these are fairly good. Oh, and in hot, DRY deserts specifically, you want the material to hold onto moisture as much as possible. Let's apply the micro climate concept with the just former, and the more ideal will be a black, somewhat but not too thick cotton spandex blend long sleeve shirt. And over that, would be a very light colored, more loosely woven and loosely fitting linen long sleeve shirt. The light color will reflect Solar visible light heat, while the black underneath will absorb extra UV. And the cotton spandex will hold on to moisture prolonging the evaporative cooling effect. The two layers and somewhat thick baselayer provide extra insulation and help with maintaining that micro climate of moisture evap cooling. Dunking it every once in awhile is pretty nice. Everything dries fast in a super dry desert. Maybe a thin fishnet baselayer underneath all that, to allow some direct evap from the skin, though some moisture will get channeled into the cotton spandex next layer as well?

Best hiking channel hands down

I found the 80-20 runs smaller in comparison to the heavier wt Alpaca hoodie, I believe its do to the limited stretch compared to the alpaca hoodie. I’m a 42in chest and go with a size md for the regular hoodie. And have to size up with the 80-20. Just my thoughts to help as needed…

I had great results with merino synthetic 50/50 blend. Much stronger and no odour after a week of bikepacking! Also wicks and dries better than merino alone!

Very interested in your follow up head to head video. Also, could you include polyester garments in the comparison? I believe the is no silver bullet and different fabrics would be better in different situations and environments. Love the video and the channel. Just started listening to your podcast and found myself enjoying that content as well.

Great video, because funny as well as instructive. Loved the smeller ladies! Excellent work.

Great review. Didn’t know that about alpaca wool. I’ll definitely be looking more into that too! Looking forward to your thoughts as you use it more.

Very interesting and great video! Definitely an interesting add and seems like a nice option. As summer is here, this may be a need in some areas of backpacking for sure. Great video

i bought into the hype 3 years ago, but it was the most scratchy shirt I ever owned. It felt like a very rough weave of someone's hair. I will say it didn't stink and fit well, but I could not get over the scratching and donated it.

Nice video! Those have been on my radar for awhile!

i have a question on clothing. I saw a linen / viscose thin hoody yesterday in winner's. Was wondering what it would be like in summer for sun protection bug protection and slight chill at night around camp. Ever tried Linen? one was a cotton blend too

Excellent review. Thanks for sharing!

I LOVE MY AGC HOODIE, I WEAR IT ALL THE TIME AND IT DON'T STINK...THANKS FOR THE VIDEO

Pronounced “Ten Cell”. A regenerated cellulose similar to rayon but has several advantages.

Interesting 🤔 Thanks @Justin Oudoors How hot was it during the day?

Thanks for this. I’ll look forward to hearing about your longer term experience with this hoody.

I really would love to get the appgearco poncho, but every time I look, it's sold out 😢

🎉Hi Justin, Amen and amen, alpaca wool is awesome!! We have a lot of alpaca farms here in Michigan so they sell the wool and the products made from it too. The socks are amazing for hiking and get better the more you wear them. Expensive, yes, but well worth it. No, blisters, nostink and real warm and comfortable 😊

Hey justin what gloves are you wearing?

What color was the hoodie royal blue?

Fit true to size?

Great review Justin! I wonder how this material will do with mosquitoes? Tight woven nylon does very well to keep the bites down, so I wonder how alpaca fiber will do. Can't wait for your next video.🙂

Is the shirt a little itchy?

Those are some brave ladies! LOL

Does anyone have a current link for the hoodie? I can’t find it now

Is the shirt itchy?

I have had mine four months, zero washes

Love this review. I feel like proper clothing can be an often overlooked segment of backpacking. What I would really like to know though is what is that trekking pole/mono pod you're using? I really like that straight cork handle.

Why are you wearing two different backpacks? I see the Flash 55 and then there's a black day pack.

What's going on with Righty?

Yes!! People get so excited by merino but I was feeling bummed hearing it (100% pure more than blends) can get holes and not as quick-dry as it could be and may (maybe not very common though? not sure) make some people itch. Then had been hearing Alpaca is like merino but more quick-dry, less likely to get holes, and less likely to make people itch. Then saw this company cause they soecifically gear their alpaca towards activewear and...I think?...use ethical alpaca. I told friends the hoodie by them may be the best piece of clothing I've heard of (though havent tried it on). Anyway super cool this video popped up that reviews it with such a thorough 5-day test!! One thing I wonder is if alpaca underwear and bras could hold up well as swimwear and on wet rockslides. Cause wool is said to be a great base layer.

Great post! I've just bought a couple of merino wool shirts for exactly the same thing. To take less spare clothes (less weight, and pack space), in fact I'm thinking of two shirts, one for daytime and one to sleep in. Your post has sparked a thought, that perhaps one might be enough. Great experiment, I enjoyed it. You thought about doing similar with wool socks and woolen underwear? Take care buddy 😊

Maybe I missed it... do you wear anything underneath the sun hoodie?

@7:41 audio is kinda funky

I would love to know how different brands of alpaca shirts compare. I've seen ads for Paka, which is 80% Tencel and 20% Alpaca and less expensive.

Oh man, I've had one of the these in my cart for weeks thinking about it. You're going to make me spend more money! Anyone know of discount deals?

I also have jumped from merino to alpaca ....first hoodie then socks then shirts and now underwear...I am hooked. I sweat instantly and stink depending on my diet. I love garlic and onions.

You would be swimming in Bow Lake before getting into my car.

I wear a sun shirt for evaporative cooling. I take a poly one for really hot and Marino for a bit cooler conditions. Alpaca is warmer?

Have fee products from appalachian trail gear they are awesome

Have 2 alpaca pullovers from traveling bolivia. The indigen people there use the wool all day. It's sure more durable than all my merino stuff.

Don't get sunburn before the wedding 😅 is that your wedding, if so congratulations for the big day 🎉

I'm definitely the odd one out. I don't find any of these new hoodies to work well for me here in the PNW. I'm always hot in them. I must have 6 pairs. Even your OR hoodie. I find a nice long sleeve polyester button down shirt to work best. I can unbutton the entire front for comfort.

Looks like something I'd buy. Have to wait for it to be in stock I guess =(

Solid review but these aren’t really sun hoodies. Too warm. Great material and I love mine. But over 70 F if you’re hiking is just too warm for me. The stink-proof is for real though. Really helps to let it air out over night to really minimize stink. Same with merino. Maintenance is very important for alpaca though - dry flat or it stretches. And always store with moth balls. And use special wool cleaner. I wash by hand, but rarely, because doesn’t need it.

What's the upf rating of this Sun hoodie?

What size are you wearing and what are your measurements? Trying to gauge size. Thanks

A couple of years ago I bought 3 pairs of alpaca socks. They didn’t last well despite washing as per recommended, they would easily fall down and wore out in the heel base and the toes, and the kicker here is I only wore them around the house in crocs. The other factor seemingly overlooked here, is every individual’s body will sweat and perform differently to another individual, making it too difficult to draw a conclusion. But $100+ is too much for such a niche garment, maybe it’s destined to be the next outdoors fad?

So...where are your knife and fork! 😂

@Justin Outdoors This vid was great! If you're looking to do a head to head test why not try a sock test ?! One foot w/merino wool & one foot alpaca wool, I'd love to see that video comparison. Happy, safe, & healthy hiking!

A full jumpsuit version with hoodie and matching sleep booties would be nuts.

can mosquitoes bite through this shirt. If not this seems like a very promising option.

3:50 Not as good as Astroman. Polyester doesn't stink from wearing it. It stinks from being stored in the pack damp. So your test doesn't really tell us much (other than the Astroman is a better shirt).

Hmmm...id be interested of their entire site wasnt sold out...

Are there any Australian stockists or retailers for this product?

Alpaca is legit...

yeah, $111 for a shirt...that's a lot

Did you every try the Arcteryx cormac or black diamond alpenglow sun hoodies?

Do you have canadian companies for alpaca wool?

I'm curious if the small amount of smell that is there would completely go away if you gave it a quick rinse in a river.

Is the wool ethically sourced?

"if it doesnt stink after 5 days ill eat my shorts"... which ones? the ones you put for 5 days too? LOL

I prefer a brimmed and vented hat to a hood for sun protection when it's hot. A sweaty hood is no bueno. I've owned one of the Alpaca hoodies for several years now. It's not bad, but it's not particularly exceptional especially for the price.

Isnt it kind of merino wools selling point that it can absorb 30% water before it feels wet? Not that it cant get more saturated than that. Kinda weird to spin thst into a selling point for alpaca

I have this shirt. It has performed great on the few 3 day trips I’ve used it on. Very comfortable and doesn’t stink like the synthetics I have.

Thanks for products without any polyester or other plastics! No micro plastics form the washer to the ocean! Nature says thanks

I’ve owned two of these from App Gear, and returned both for two reasons. First, the fit was just awful and flatly sloppy. It only got sloppier the more I wore it. Second, the lack of ability to vent down my neck (zipper or buttons) made it uncomfortable at times. I’m good with the fabric, but not the fit or design from this company.

Why is this guy wearing gloves in the desert???

2:49 Pink spoon raises eyebrows. Also, Alpaca wool is nothing next to Vicuña wool...or so they say. It's so expensive you can't really buy it anywhere.

First🎉!??.... edit. almost , lol

Whatever, dude. I have that sun hoodie and wore it every day for 2 months. It never smelled bad. I only washed it because I dropped a small potato chip on it and it soaked up the grease like it was hungry. I’ve washed it twice now to get rid of that spot, but it’s hanging on to the grease. I guess it’s a permanent stain. BE CAREFUL WHEN EATING CHIPS!

I have no sense of smell so wearing clothes that don't stink help me not offend people around me. Great video, as always.

Anyone notice that Justin is wearing 2 different backpacks on his 5 day trip? What gives?

Just once it would be so cool to have a cruelty free option. Guess I will just keep stinking :-(

Wow you really suffer for all of us!

actually to be honest the real body smell is from underpants and pants Then feet

Too heavy.

If you still have a gallbladder, your not ultralighting :)

What's super funny is that women will say you smell like dust instead of must' and salty sweat means sour wet. It's all word play with women. If you want factual wording; have a man sniff it.

Great let's exploit another animal species so as not to be too stinky, sounds like a fair trade. Oh and before people flame me have a look at the conditions and lifespan of these animals.