(Editor’s note: Appalachian Gear Company closed in mid-2024. No word on whether it will regroup and reopen.)
In the world of popular (but impossible to find) mid-layers, is the Melanzana Grid Hoodie or Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Wool Fleece a better option? Over the past few years, these companies have risen to the top of the backpacking fashion world. Both are recognizable, sought after, and often out of stock. But is one a better layer than the other? Should you own both? Are they worth the hype?
Though similar in usage (it’s a mid-layer, come on) the two products have different materials, looks, and price points. Melly fleeces are bold and bright, while AppGearCo hoodies are woven in rich earth tones. Despite their wild popularity, Melly fleeces still sell for under $80 each, while the sourcing and specialized fibers mean the All-Paca Wool Hoodies are priced at over $150 each.
We’ve worn and tested both extensively both at home and on the trail, and we have a brief overview and comparison. This is not meant to tell you which to buy and we are not sponsored or funded by either brand, but here’s what we’ve found through months of intense product testing.
Melanzana
Cool Nickname: Melly
Hoodie Price: $78
Location: Leadville, Colorado
Founded in 1994, Melazana was orginally called “Eggplant” before the company adopted the Italian word for Eggplant, “Melanzana.” The company has always been located in Leadville and stumbled into building layers from fleece microgrid fabric, which the company is now best known for. Their color-blocked “Melly” fleece hoodie has a worldwide presence despite only being available to purchase in person at the Leadville store.
Appalachian Gear Company
Cool Nickname: AppGearCo
Hoodie Price: $153
Location: Kings Mountain, North Carolina
After three years of researching, product testing, and tweaking the manufacturing process, John Gage and Mike Hawkins launched Appalachian Gear Company with their proprietary alpaca fiber weaving method. The North Carolina-based company makes a number of products, from beanies to buffs to hoodies. The hooded sweatshirt style is the most sought after. All their products are made with 100% alpaca fibers. The process, sustainable sourcing, and specialized fibers mean the All-Paca Wool Hoodies are priced at over $150 each.
Durability
Edge: Appalachian Gear Company
The alpaca fabric in an Appalachian Gear Company sweatshirt is just as vulnerable as other fabrics for snagging and the usual wear and tear. But the patented style of the weave does not rip further. A hole will not continue to expand and the area surrounding the damage retains strength and integrity. The AppGearCo hoodie also does not smell and retains some insulating properties when wet. The Melanzana sweatshirt wears very similar to hoodies with non-microgrid fleece. The initial softness disappears over time and washes, and has a comparable lifespan to similar fleece garments.
Softness
Edge: Melanzana
The buttery texture of microgrid is difficult to compete with. As a next-to-skin layer, the Melly fleece is the perfect top to sleep in during a cold night, and feels smooth and comfortable without anything under it. Appalachian Gear Company hoodies can start off feeling abrasive next to the skin, but they do soften with washes and wear. As a Melly loses its softness and starts to feel rougher and pilled, the AppGearCo hoodie is just starting to soften up.
Warmth
Edge: Tie, but for different reasons
Appalachian Gear Company retains its insulating properties even when it is damp or wet. It also dries out incredibly fast. The major insulating downfall to the AppGearCo Hoodie is the wind whipping right through the alpaca fibers. This issue vanishes when paired with a windshell, but the Melanzana microgrid performs much better in wind. The Melly pales in comparison when both garments are wet. Deciding which one to purchase or wear is a matter of knowing your conditions and overall temperatures and predicted precipitation.
Availability
Edge: Neither, but AppGearCo is working on it
Melanzana does not sell online—obtaining one of these fleeces requires a trip to Leadville and a time slot reservation. They are also limiting purchases to one fleece per season, per person. It’s a whole thing. Appalachian Gear Company does sell online, but they are often sold out. They will release batches of inventory on a scheduled basis, and you can sign up for a notification for when the items are in stock. The company has struggled to keep up with demand and often is sold out in a matter of minutes. They have moved to a larger production facility, so we see inventory and production capacity rising in the near future. We recommend joining their email list to be notified when they release inventory batches.
Should you buy a Melly or an AppGearCo Hoodie?
This depends. We love both of these layers for different reasons. A Melly will feel softer next to your skin, but an AppGearCo Hoodie will soften with wear. If you are worried about dampness on your trips and want something to retain warmth, go for the All-Paca Fleece. If you’re looking for better wind protection, head to Leadville and grab a Melly.
And yes … both of these fleeces are hard to come by, which probably contributes to their coveted status. You can hang out online and wait for AppGearCo to replenish, or you can take a field trip to Leadville, make an appointment, and buy a Melly in person.