Alpaca wool is the fleece of the alpaca, an animal that lives high in the Andes mountains. The fibres are soft, light and warm. Unlike sheep's wool, alpaca contains no lanolin. If that natural wool grease doesn't agree with you, alpaca is a good alternative.

The properties of alpaca wool

An alpaca fibre is partly hollow on the inside. As a result, the fibre retains a lot of heat and alpaca weighs less than sheep's wool of the same thickness. The scales on the fibre lie flat, so alpaca feels smooth against your skin. Many people compare the feel with cashmere. Alpaca also absorbs moisture, resists odours and pills little. There are two breeds of alpaca. The huacaya has a dense, fluffy fleece and provides most of the yarn. The suri has a silky fleece.

Choosing alpaca or merino

Both types of wool are warm, breathable and odour-resistant. Merino wool contains lanolin. In addition, a merino jumper can feel itchy for some people because of the crimped fibres. Merino does hold more moisture without feeling wet. You wear a men's alpaca jumper the same way as a merino wool jumper: as a mid layer under a coat or over a shirt.