Name: Women's Alpaca Wool Sun Hoodie: 160 Ultralight
Rating: 3.83 (6 reviews)

Long days don't ease up. Neither does this hoodie.

Your layer starts with Alpaca wool from Peru. Its smooth fiber surface gives the knit a soft feel, while the knit structure allows air to move through as you do.

Product info

Coverage without the bulk
A hood and long sleeves cover your head and arms in a light Alpaca knit.
Breathable on the move
The light knit lets air move through, giving you a comfortable layer as you go from everyday miles to a change of pace.

Perfect for

Outdoor activities
Trail running
Backpacking
Travel

Women's Alpaca Wool Sun Hoodie: 160 Ultralight

The benefits

Why Alpaca wins

Andes-adapted for changing temperatures

Alpacas evolved where days run warm and nights turn cold. Their semi-hollow fibers trap insulating air, helping you stay comfortable as the temperature changes.

Softness starts in the fiber

Alpaca’s smoother scales give the fabric a soft feel against your skin. Comfort comes from the fiber’s structure.

Wear more, wash less

Alpaca wool naturally resists odor. Air your layer between wears, then wash it when it needs cleaning. Less time doing laundry. More time outside.

Single origin

Peru, start to finish.

Arms of Andes is a family company with roots in the Peruvian Andes. “Arms” brings together the initials of four siblings. That connection to Peru shapes what we make and where we make it.

From fiber sourcing and yarn spinning to knitting and sewing, production stays in Peru. One country, with the people and knowledge behind your gear close together.

Learn our story

Customer reviews

Pros and Cons

The weight is great. And it keeps me warm. But I prefer to wear a thin base layer underneath because it feels a little rough. I cannot wear Sheep's wool. It makes me itch all over (even where there is not fabric). The Alpaca does not make me itch at all, but it is rougher next to my skin than I expected. It also smells like wet wool! Very distinct. The fact that it keeps me warm in the cold even when I sweat is important to me. I will take it on my thru hike, but I will wear a thin layer underneath.

Great hoodie!

This hoodie is so versatile. I wear is alone in warmer weather and under a sweater when it is colder. It is very soft and comfortable!

sun hoodie

I appreciate my sun hoody. I work outside all day and I wear it all the time. It is cool when needed, warm when needed and does not hold any odors. I can go literally weeks without washing it; wear, hang in fresh air, repeat... Does everything its supposed to accept if I am pruning roses! Then I need a canvas shirt!

Great material, but not the fit

I love the material but have two issues with the fit: the sleeves are way too long.. have to roll them up; and the hood is too big and loose with no fastener… wind can blow in and even knock it off unless I use a scarf. Hope on future hoodies you’ll add a fastener. My other concern was the months of waiting and even then color I ordered not available and had to settle for black.

Love love

I have purchased the tops and layers of all weights that AOA carries. My favorite ones are 160 ultralight and the 420 hoodie . I was more than thrilled when the 160 ultralight hoodies came out as I loved the 160 ultralight long sleeve tops. I grabbed three, one of each low impact colors. I usually wear xs tops but I got size S for these, and they fit comfortably-- they shrink slightly after washing and xs would still fit but would be very form fitting. The 160 ultralight is perfect hiking tops. For summer, they keep you cool, much cooler than 160 merino wool shirts and dry much faster. For chilly autumn days ( high 30F and low 40F), I only needed a wind breaker on top of it at the beginning of the hike and at the summits. They keep me plenty comfortable. For winter hikes, I wear the 160 ultralight non-hoodies as base layers and I do not need to change before summiting as I would do with merino base layers.

The 160 ultralight shirts and hoodies are also great for daily wear, pairing nicely with pants, jeans, shorts, and skirts -- extremely versatile. They are very soft. They did feel a bit scratchy when I first put on but then all I feel is the softness. Can't recommend more.

The only thing I wish is that I can get blue colors -- it seems the colors other than Navy, Black, and Gray are always sold out.

Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear how much you love the 160 Ultralight and 420 layers , they really are perfect for everything from hiking to everyday wear. We’ll definitely keep your wish for more blue colors in mind!

1 2

5 stars: 3 (50%)
4 stars: 1 (17%)
3 stars: 1 (17%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 1 (17%)

Pros and Cons

The weight is great. And it keeps me warm. But I prefer to wear a thin base layer underneath because it feels a little rough. I cannot wear Sheep's wool. It makes me itch all over (even where there is not fabric). The Alpaca does not make me itch at all, but it is rougher next to my skin than I expected. It also smells like wet wool! Very distinct. The fact that it keeps me warm in the cold even when I sweat is important to me. I will take it on my thru hike, but I will wear a thin layer underneath.

Great hoodie!

This hoodie is so versatile. I wear is alone in warmer weather and under a sweater when it is colder. It is very soft and comfortable!

sun hoodie

I appreciate my sun hoody. I work outside all day and I wear it all the time. It is cool when needed, warm when needed and does not hold any odors. I can go literally weeks without washing it; wear, hang in fresh air, repeat... Does everything its supposed to accept if I am pruning roses! Then I need a canvas shirt!

Great material, but not the fit

I love the material but have two issues with the fit: the sleeves are way too long.. have to roll them up; and the hood is too big and loose with no fastener… wind can blow in and even knock it off unless I use a scarf. Hope on future hoodies you’ll add a fastener. My other concern was the months of waiting and even then color I ordered not available and had to settle for black.

Love love

I have purchased the tops and layers of all weights that AOA carries. My favorite ones are 160 ultralight and the 420 hoodie . I was more than thrilled when the 160 ultralight hoodies came out as I loved the 160 ultralight long sleeve tops. I grabbed three, one of each low impact colors. I usually wear xs tops but I got size S for these, and they fit comfortably-- they shrink slightly after washing and xs would still fit but would be very form fitting. The 160 ultralight is perfect hiking tops. For summer, they keep you cool, much cooler than 160 merino wool shirts and dry much faster. For chilly autumn days ( high 30F and low 40F), I only needed a wind breaker on top of it at the beginning of the hike and at the summits. They keep me plenty comfortable. For winter hikes, I wear the 160 ultralight non-hoodies as base layers and I do not need to change before summiting as I would do with merino base layers.

The 160 ultralight shirts and hoodies are also great for daily wear, pairing nicely with pants, jeans, shorts, and skirts -- extremely versatile. They are very soft. They did feel a bit scratchy when I first put on but then all I feel is the softness. Can't recommend more.

The only thing I wish is that I can get blue colors -- it seems the colors other than Navy, Black, and Gray are always sold out.

Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear how much you love the 160 Ultralight and 420 layers , they really are perfect for everything from hiking to everyday wear. We’ll definitely keep your wish for more blue colors in mind!

Itchy and tight

The weave was not soft. I have bought alpaca before, and this brand is much more uncomfortable than merino wool. It was also very form fitting.

Hi Ray, Thanks for your honest feedback! Sorry to hear the fabric feel and fit weren’t what you expected. Our pieces do tend to have a more athletic, form-fitting cut. We’ll keep your input in mind as we keep improving.