Most people are familiar with Wool, Synthetics, and Cashmere. Below are some useful comparisons.
Alpaca vs. Wool
- Alpaca is stronger (per same fineness)
- Alpaca is a hollow or mostly hollow fiber, and is warmer for an equal weight
- Alpaca is softer, less irritating
- Alpaca fiber is naturally hypoallergenic
- Alpaca is free from dander and lanolin which cause allergic reactions*
- Alpaca will stay cleaner longer because it is lanolin free and doesn’t hold dust.
- Alpaca Superfine won’t mat or pill (some pilling in baby alpaca)
- Alpaca has lots of rich, natural colors
- Alpaca features less shrinkage (washable)
- Alpaca is thermostatically superior (If worn in a 0 degree F environment, alpaca would provide a 50 degree F comfort range vs. 30 degree F for wool)
Alpaca vs. Synthetics
- Alpaca offers superior breath ability
- Alpaca wicks away body moisture
- Alpaca is a hollow or mostly hollow fiber which offers greater warmth for the weight
- Alpaca generates heat even when when wet conditions are present
- Superfine Alpaca won’t mat or pill like other natural fibers. (some pilling may occur in due to fineness in baby alpaca)
- Alpaca is naturally windproof
- It is flame resistant (will not ignite) and doesn’t melt
- It emits only a very low static electricity
- It doesn’t hold debris and stays cleaner longer.
- It is stain resistant and resists acquired odors (odors dissipate overnight)
- It is wrinkle resistant (hang overnight, wrinkles disappear)
- Alpaca is all natural and biodegradable
- It has a natural luster, and is more attractive
- Alpaca is thermostatically superior (If worn in a 0 degree F environment, alpaca would provide a 50 degree F comfort range vs. 20 degree F for synthetics)
Alpaca vs. Cashmere
- Alpaca comes in many natural colors (up to 28)
- Its thermal insulation is better than cashmere (alpaca is warmer)
- It has better wrinkle resistance than that of cashmere and is stronger.
- Alpaca pills less than cashmere, even when comparing the finest baby alpaca to it
- Alpaca is similar to cashmere in water absorption as both absorb almost no moisture.
- Flexibility of alpaca is less than cashmere in normal alpaca, similar to cashmere with baby alpaca
- Shrinkage of alpaca is far less than cashmere
- Alpaca is easier to care for than cashmere (cashmere is recommended dry clean only)
- Alpaca is full of natural luster. Cashmere looses its luster after a couple of years while alpaca retains it for decades.
Alpaca is naturally a green textile, organic in nature and is highly sustainable.
Alpacas are easy to care for, easy on the environment and low emitters of carbon.
Alpaca is the perfect solution for all your knit apparel needs!