When you shop for a scarf, a sweater or a wrap, three natural fibers keep coming up: alpaca, cashmere and wool. All three are warm, natural and beautiful, but they feel and behave differently. Here is a clear comparison to help you choose the right one.
Alpaca comes from the fleece of the alpaca, a gentle relative of the llama that has been raised in the Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Chile for thousands of years. Alpacas are shorn about once a year, and each animal gives several pounds of fiber. Alpaca grows in more than twenty natural shades, from white and fawn to brown, grey and black.
Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, mostly raised in Mongolia and northern China. The fine down is combed or shorn in spring, and each goat produces only a small amount of usable fiber a year, which is one reason cashmere is so expensive.
Wool usually means sheep’s wool. It covers a wide range, from coarse wool used in rugs and outerwear to fine merino, the soft wool of merino sheep that is popular for knitwear and activewear.
Softness depends mostly on the diameter of the fiber, measured in microns (thousandths of a millimeter). The finer the fiber, the softer it feels. As a general guide:
Alpaca also has smoother scales on the surface of each fiber than sheep’s wool, which gives it a silky feel and a soft drape.
All three fibers are warm, but alpaca has a special advantage: many of its fibers have a hollow or partly hollow core. These tiny air pockets trap heat, so alpaca keeps you warm without being heavy. Many people find an alpaca scarf or sweater noticeably warmer than a wool one of the same weight, which is why alpaca has always been the fiber of choice in the cold, high Andes.
Cashmere is also very warm for its weight, and fine merino is a great insulator that stays warm even when slightly damp.
Sheep’s wool contains lanolin, a natural grease, and coarser wool fibers can prickle the skin. Alpaca has virtually no lanolin, and its smooth fibers rarely itch, so many people who cannot wear wool find they can wear alpaca comfortably. Cashmere is also gentle on the skin because its fibers are so fine.
This is where alpaca really shines. Alpaca fiber is strong and resists pilling better than cashmere, so a good alpaca scarf or sweater keeps its look for years. Cashmere is wonderfully soft but delicate: it pills more easily, especially lower-grade cashmere with short fibers. Wool is durable and elastic, and it springs back into shape after stretching.
One thing to know: alpaca is less elastic than wool, so heavy alpaca knits can stretch if hung. Fold your alpaca sweaters instead of hanging them.
All three fibers prefer gentle care. Hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent or wool shampoo, do not wring or twist, and dry flat away from direct heat. Alpaca naturally resists odors and stains, so it needs washing less often than you might think. For step-by-step instructions, read our guide on how to clean and care for alpaca products.
Alpacas are gentle on the land. They have soft padded feet instead of hooves, they nibble grass rather than pulling it out by the roots, and they need relatively little food and water. Alpaca also comes in so many natural colors that it can be used undyed.
Cashmere’s popularity has led to very large goat herds in Mongolia and China, which contributes to overgrazing of fragile grasslands. Responsible cashmere producers are working to change this. Wool is a renewable natural fiber, and its footprint depends a great deal on how the sheep are raised.
| Alpaca | Cashmere | Wool (merino) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softness | Very soft (baby and royal alpaca) | Softest | Soft |
| Warmth for its weight | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| Itch | Rarely itchy, no lanolin | Not itchy | Can itch, contains lanolin |
| Durability | Strong, resists pilling | Delicate, pills more easily | Durable and elastic |
| Shape retention | Less elastic, store folded | Good | Springs back |
| Price | Mid to high | High | Low to mid |
Ready to feel the difference? Browse our alpaca scarves and alpaca stoles, our shawls and wraps, our ponchos and capes and our sweaters and cardigans. For pure luxury, try baby alpaca pieces like the Zangay baby alpaca scarf or the Zoda baby alpaca stole.
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