Alpaca are native to the Andean highlands and have been raised for their fiber for thousands of years. Over generations, Andean people selected alpaca for fineness and strength—qualities that made the fiber dependable for daily wear in the demanding mountain climate.
This is the lineage our materials come from.
Alpaca is often compared to cashmere, though the two feel and behave very different. Where cashmere is plush and fuzzy, alpaca feels smooth and silky. Its surface has fewer pronounced scales than many other animal fibers, which gives it a sheen and fluid drape.
Alpaca is also naturally lanolin-free. Combined with its smooth fiber structure, this makes it more comfortable for many people with sensitive or reactive skin.
What makes alpaca different
Warmth
Alpaca fiber has low thermal conductivity, meaning it slows the transfer of heat. This is why alpaca garments are warm without feeling bulky.
Breathability
Alpaca fibers are hollow, which allows heat and moisture move through the fiber rather than becoming trapped. This helps maintain comfort across changing conditions—not just cold weather.
Durability
Though alpaca feels soft on the surface, it isn't delicate. Its smooth, relatively long fibers resist excessive pilling and thinning, making it well suited for frequent wear over years.
Odor Resistant
Alpaca is naturally lanolin-free and antimicrobial, so it tends to hold odor less than many wools. Pieces can often be worn several times before needing a wash.
Smoothness
Royal alpaca fibers have fewer surface scales than most animal fibers, giving them a silky, fluid texture that sits gently against the skin — without the scratchiness common in wool.
Most alpaca products use baby or superfine grades (20–26 microns).
Both are soft, but there is a higher standard.
We use royal alpaca.
Royal alpaca is the finest grade — measuring under 20 microns. Roughly one-fifth the thickness of a human hair.
| Reference | Fiber diameter |
|---|---|
| Human hair | 70–100μ |
| Baby alpaca | 20–23μ |
| Royal alpaca | Under 20μ |
μ = microns — a unit of fiber diameter. Lower number = finer, softer fiber.
Less than 1% of the global supply qualifies as royal grade.
It's a classification defined by Peru's national standards body INACAL. We chose royal because you can feel the difference — it is the softest, most fluid version of an already remarkable fiber.
Alpacas were bred to have dense fiber, which makes annual shearing necessary for their comfort and well-being, especially in warmer months. This is part of responsible care.
One lesser-known detail about alpacas is that they have padded feet rather than hooves (adorable, right?), which causes far less damage to soil and vegetation while grazing. This is one reason alpaca is considered a more sustainable wool option.