Merino wool is a well-known and much-loved natural fiber option in the outdoor industry due to its well-documented performance characteristics. A question we often get is: how does your All-Paca™ performance fabric compare to merino wool? We’re glad you asked.
This blog will go in-depth to compare the performance qualities of merino wool to those of our All-Paca knits and fleeces, which are made from 100% alpaca fibers. First, let’s look at the similarities. Like merino wool, alpaca is a natural animal protein fiber that is fully biodegradable. Second, both alpaca and merino are known for their exceptional “breathability,” or climate regulation (the ability to keep you cool on a warm day and warm on a cool day). Finally, both alpaca and merino are excellent at odor control, and don’t retain the “stink” you’ll find in synthetic apparel after a long day on the trail. However, if you take a closer look at the physical characteristics of both fibers, you’ll see why alpaca is the superior performance option.
When compared to merino wool, alpaca is softer, stronger, warmer, and retains less water. It’s also a more environmentally sustainable option when you look at the overall impact. “Prove it!” you say. OK – we will.
Softer: Alpaca fibers have a smoother and more uniform surface then merino, so they are less “prickly” to the touch. They are also naturally free of lanolin, a wax found in sheep’s wool that can cause an irritating allergic reaction. In addition, the micron size (the measure of width of one individual fiber) of alpaca and wool fibers utilized for outdoor apparel is comparable. Smaller micron diameters yield softer fiber “handle,” and the average of most wool and alpaca fibers used in base layers and mid layers is generally between 18-22 microns. As a comparison, the average human hair is around 100 microns.
Stronger: Alpaca fibers have a higher tensile strength than merino, meaning they can stand up to more pressure or tension before breaking. Get ready – we’re about to drop some technical knowledge. On average, studies have shown that alpaca fibers have a tensile strength in the general range of 50 N/ktex, which measures how many Newtons of force, “N,” are required to break a fiber of a given thickness measured in kilotex, “ktex.” Merino wool has a tensile strength in the general range of 30-40 N/ktex. AppGearCo’s patent-pending process capitalizes on alpaca’s natural strength to build a bomber fabric that can stand up to serious use and abuse. Go ahead and put some serious pack miles on your All-Paca – it can handle it.
Warmer: Alpaca fibers have a unique physical structure characterized by consistent hollow voids throughout. These hollow voids trap air, which, in turn, increases the fiber’s thermal properties and creates a warmer experience for the wearer. This semi-hollow structure also makes alpaca fibers extremely lightweight, offering greater warmth for the weight than you’ll get with merino wool of a similar fiber size. There’s a reason alpacas flourish in South America’s Andes Mountains…they were engineered by nature to thrive in harsh conditions. Here at AppGearCo, we’ve fine-tuned that natural insulating power to create garments and gear perfect for cold conditions.
Retains Less Water: Alpaca fibers are considered extremely water resistant, while staying highly breathable. That’s because they only absorb about 10-11% +/- of their weight in water, compared to merino wool at about 30%. That means alpaca dries faster and insulates better than merino when wet. It would take serious effort to get your All-Paca soaking wet, and even if you did, it would dry extremely fast. That’s what makes it an ideal option for snow sports and hiking in varying weather conditions. In fact, the recommended method for washing your All-Paca in the backcountry (if you absolutely need to) is to dunk it in a stream, ring it out, and hang it up – you’ll be set by morning.
More Environmentally Sustainable: The processing of alpaca fibers into All-Paca fabric does not require any harsh chemical treatments or added synthetics, such as those used in the merino “superwash” process, to make it soft, wearable, and washable. Many lightweight merino garments are blended with synthetics, such as nylon, to increase their performance qualities, and synthetic fabrics have been proven to contribute to microplastics pollution in the environment. Additionally, the raising and grazing of alpacas has a very low environmental impact compared to sheep, which have been shown in studies to have a significant environmental impact. When you put on your All-Paca, you can feel as good about wearing it as it feels on you.
So there you have it. Hopefully we’ve convinced you just how amazing alpaca fiber is. Now throw on your All-Paca and put it to the test yourself!
SOURCES:
http://www.alpacaresearch.org/resources/dyn/files/319759z7dbdf304/_fn/fiber-characteristicsof-huacayas.pdf
https://www.woolwise.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Wool-412-512-08-T-03.pdf
https://www.woolmark.com/about-wool/wool-processing/
http://www.lionbrand.com/blog/faq-what-is-superwash-wool/
https://www.voguebusiness.com/sustainability/fashions-dirty-microplastics-secret-pollution-polyester
http://globalfashionagenda.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Pulse-of-the-Fashion-Industry_2017.pdf
http://www.alpacainfo.com/_resources/dyn/files/619215z46612973/_fn/alpaca-fiber-characteristics-fuqua.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca_fiber
https://theecologist.org/2019/mar/12/environmental-impact-wool
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978188420799050004X
FAQs
Softer: Alpaca fibers have a smoother and more uniform surface then merino, so they are less “prickly” to the touch. They are also naturally free of lanolin, a wax found in sheep's wool that can cause an irritating allergic reaction.
Is alpaca fiber better than merino wool? ›
"Alpaca fleece is warmer than Merino Wool, wicks moisture off of your body at an 85% greater rate than Merino Wool, is the most eco-friendly natural fiber, is softer than cashmere and is antimicrobial." Alpacas of Montana, Inc. Alpacas of Montana, Inc.
Is alpaca more sustainable than wool? ›
According to Mara Hoffman, Alpaca lasts longer than most other luxury fibers like wool, cashmere, and silk. Alpaca fleece has no lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic and easier and more sustainable to process.
How does the fiber produced from alpacas differ from the fiber produced by llamas? ›
Both llamas and alpacas are capable of producing wool. But llama hair tends to be coarse, while alpaca hair is generally soft and fine. Alpaca hair also grows much faster than llama hair, and it is often used for fleece production. Alpacas were selectively bred by the Inca Indians to produce soft, beautiful fibers.
What is the warmest natural fiber? ›
Angora wool is exceptionally soft and possess the highest heat retention of any natural fiber (two-and-a-half times warmer than sheep's wool).
Is 100% alpaca good for socks? ›
Made from alpaca wool, these socks are not only incredibly soft and warm, but also naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking. Unlike regular wool socks, alpaca wool is lightweight and doesn't itch or scratch, making them perfect for all-day wear.
What is the controversy with alpaca wool? ›
Despite how it's marketed, alpaca wool comes from cruelty.
Alpacas are tied down when they are shorn. There are recordings of alpacas being stitched up without any pain relief after being cut with shears.
Can bacteria grow on alpaca wool? ›
Alpaca wool has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The thin waxy coating of wool fibre contains fatty acids that inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria.
Why do people prefer alpaca wool to sheep wool? ›
Often, Sheep wool can trigger skin allergies, but Alpaca fiber is lanolin free, which reduces the risk of skin allergies to zero. Moreover, Alpaca fiber is soft and non-irritant to skin, unlike other types of wool.
Is alpaca more expensive than wool? ›
It's the more eco-friendly and higher performing natural fiber, which makes it worth it, but until there are more alpacas and alpaca mills in the United States, alpaca fiber and alpaca wool products will always cost significantly more than other wool products.
Peru is the world's largest alpaca fiber producer . This country is home to 87 percent of the world's alpaca population, and 90 percent of alpaca wool shipments are sent from Peru.
What is better alpaca or cashmere? ›
A sweater made of baby alpaca wool, in terms of softness and strength, wins over cashmere. Cashmere fibers are four centimeters long, while alpaca fibers measure between eight and twelve centimeters. This means that alpaca fiber garments are more resistant, therefore long-lasting and less prone to pilling effect.
Is alpaca better than merino? ›
Exceptional Warmth: Alpaca's Hollow Fiber Advantage
Alpaca wool features hollow fibers, providing superior insulation by trapping more air. This characteristic makes alpaca exceptionally warm, even in the coldest conditions. Merino, though warm, lacks this unique insulating property.
Which is better, alpaca or llama wool? ›
Both llamas and alpacas produce wool, but the llama's wool is less commonly used because its properties are not as interesting as those of the alpaca, which makes it so unique. The alpaca is known for the exceptional quality of its wool, which is one of the softest, finest and most sought-after in the world.
Why is alpaca fiber so versatile? ›
Alpaca fibers are longer and stronger than comparable wool fibers, with a greater resistance to pilling and general wear and tear. Alpaca fiber is also water and stain repellant as well as flame-resistant, which makes it easy to care for and more comfortable to wear even in bad weather conditions.
What material is better than merino wool? ›
Nonetheless synthetics are a cheaper and more durable alternative to merino wool. If you are stocking up on underwear or you're on a tight undie-budget then synthetic underwear is probably the way to go. This usually means nylon, polyester, or a combination of both…
Is alpaca more itchy than wool? ›
One of the reason alpaca wool feels less itchy than any other type of wool is because of its smooth surface fiber scales.
Which animal wool is the best? ›
Merino wool
It's the finest and softest sheep wool with a superior shine, and definitely the most luxurious! It's unsurprisingly a very popular material for luxury bedding and clothing brands. It has thinner staples than other wool, around 17-25 microns, so it is softer, more flexible and less itchy.
Is alpaca wool high quality? ›
A favorite material for luxury fashion designers and hand knitters alike. At one point, clothing created with Alpaca fiber was restricted only for use by royalty. It was known as “The fiber of the Gods” by The Incas because of its high quality.
