Sweater made of alpaca wool is the world's warmest, strongest

Sweaters are an integral part of a person's wardrobe because of the garments' versatility. They match well with other apparel types and can be worn in different occasions. But there are three main qualities that consumers look for when buying a good sweater, namely the ability to retain heat, comfort and durability.

These are probably among the reasons why the Paka sweater has become the most popular fashion campaign currently on Kickstarter, raising more than five times the initial goal of $20,000 with almost a month left.

Literally made at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Peru, the Paka sweater adopts alpaca wool, which said to be the world's strongest mammal fiber, historically used by native Incas in building bridges, and among the warmest, trailing only polar bear fur. The material is also three times lighter than sheep wool and does not contain lanolin, a greasy substance present in other animal fibers that often cause allergies. In addition, alpaca fur is moisture-wicking and odor-resistant.

The Paka sweater benefits local communities as well. Each piece is handwoven by native artisans, allowing them to earn money in the process. Paka, the company behind the clothing line, employs local weavers, in particular, women to allow them "to move from manual, unskilled labor to skilled, passionate work.” The firm hopes to help Paka weavers sustain both their heritage and the Inca culture.

The Paka sweater is available in crew-neck and hooded V-neck styles. Both have flexible sides with a unique woven pattern that enhances breathability. The latter features a three-panel hood designed to head space while eliminating elf-like peaks common in other hoodies. A handstitched mesh material also covers the V-neck. All sweaters are unisex.

The crew-neck version can be preordered on Kickstarter for $99 while the hoodie goes for $109. A $39 beanie is also offered. The first batch of Paka sweaters will be shipped this November.