Alpaca fiber is warmer than sheep’s wool! Alpaca fibers are completely hollow, whereas sheep’s wool only contains pockets of air. Both fibers allow air to permeate the surface and become trapped inside for a warm wearing experience. BUT Alpacas have an advantage over wool because of the extra hollow space in the fiber. This additional space creates a greater thermal capacity and allows for more warm air to fill the textile and provide extra warmth over wool. Alpaca fiber wicks away moisture! Though many people know that Merino wool has air pockets in the fiber, which gives it thermal capacity and the ability to absorb up to 50% of its weight in moisture (usually sweat). Many don’t know that Alpaca fiber has hollow tubes for fiber, which means that it doesn’t absorb the moisture, but instead sheds it and pushes it away. This grants it the ability to wick moisture off of your body at an 85% greater rate than any wool product ever could. Because alpaca fleece wicks moisture away so well it is the most breathable natural fiber and therefore keeps you cool in the summer.

Alpaca is hypoallergenic! Because it is a hollow fiber without sharp barbs, and it contains no lanolin (like sheep’s wool), it is unlikely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.