Alpaca vs. sheep or cashmere wool: A comparison
Is it possible that you're seeing more and more alpacas than sheep in German meadows? That's convenient, because then you don't have to travel all the way to the Andes, Chile, Bolivia, or Peru to admire these cuddly and serene animals. And the "fleece of the gods," as the ancient Incas called alpaca wool, has finally arrived in Germany in the fashion world, enriching both the catwalks and our wardrobes.
But how did this come about? What properties of wool have made it a serious competitor to sheep's wool and cashmere, and why is it gaining increasing popularity in Germany? And what effect does wool actually have on the local environment and the climate as a whole? We will explore all these questions in this article.
This is what makes alpaca wool so particularly soft and robust.
Alpacas living in Germany today originally come from South America and have a long journey behind them before arriving here. They are usually transported in a van to an airport like the one in Santiago de Chile and then fly for about 20 hours to Europe, where they then face another several-hour journey in a van before arriving at their new home on a farm.
For all the effort to be worthwhile, the animals must possess qualities that make them incredibly valuable to the people here. And so it is: Alpaca wool is extremely soft and at the same time exceptionally robust. It is therefore ideally suited for processing into various garments and stands for a high level of comfort. This is primarily due to the fiber structure. The individual fibers are generally smoother than those of other types of wool and are therefore less itchy. Furthermore, they are hollow fibers that trap air and offer excellent insulation, meaning they keep you warm in winter and cool in summer.
Another characteristic of wool is its high elasticity. The fibers adapt to a wide variety of conditions during use, resulting in excellent shape retention. This means that garments retain their attractive appearance both in leisure and professional settings, and offer numerous advantages even with continuous use.
Further advantages of alpaca wool
- Currently, 22 shades of color, from white to black, are officially recognized.
- approximately seven times warmer than sheep's wool
- Lower tendency to pill (fuzz and bobble formation) than other types of wool.
- gentle and kind to the skin
That's why alpaca wool is hypoallergenic.
Allergies have the unpleasant characteristic of being triggered by both artificial materials and chemicals, as well as by some natural components such as grasses and pollen. Depending on their severity, such allergies can be bothersome or even dangerous. Those affected should therefore do everything they can to avoid allergens and prevent acute flare-ups.
Another reason for the growing popularity of alpaca wool is that, unlike sheep's wool, it contains no lanolin (wool grease), making it significantly more skin-friendly. Furthermore, due to its low allergy potential, this type of wool is suitable for people with eczema and is even used for babies. In this way, many allergies can be avoided from the outset, and even those who already suffer from such intolerances still benefit greatly from high-quality alpaca wool.
The fact that alpaca fibers are essentially kept in their original state during processing and are not subjected to any chemical post-treatment is a huge advantage. This preserves their smooth, soft properties and results in significantly less skin irritation compared to other fiber types. Despite this, products made from this material are antibacterial and prevent unpleasant odors.
Sustainability in alpaca farming
In times of climate change, clothing is becoming more than just a fashion statement – it's also a matter of conscience. Therefore, it's good and right that more and more people are considering the production and sustainability of their clothing choices. In this context, garments made from alpaca wool have a particularly positive track record. Although alpacas originate from the high Andes, which lie at altitudes of approximately 3,500 to 5,000 meters, there are now many of these animals in Germany, meaning that garments don't have to be transported over long distances. Choosing alpaca wool from regional farms thus allows people to fully embrace the concept of sustainability.
Alpacas are also very environmentally friendly to raise, as they graze on the ground without damaging roots and thus do not cause overgrazing. Furthermore, the animals are relatively lightweight, which is gentler on the soil. Their water requirements are also significantly lower than those of goats and sheep, thus conserving this precious resource. Keeping alpacas is also much gentler and less stressful for the animals themselves, as they are only sheared once a year.
Another argument in favor of clothing made from alpaca wool is its durability. Individual items can be worn for many years, significantly reducing consumption cycles. This is further enhanced by the fact that the various garments are timelessly designed and fit into different fashion phases.
Other sustainable features of the wool:
- Less frequent washing of animals thanks to self-cleaning
- many natural colors, which makes dyes unnecessary.
- Regional stances are also possible in Europe
- no industrial factory farming
- Fibers are biodegradable
- lower methane emissions than sheep and goats
Quality differences in alpaca wool
As with other types of products, there are significant quality differences in alpaca wool. An important criterion for softness is, for example, the fiber diameter. The finer the fibers, the softer the material. Royal Alpaca, for instance, has a fiber diameter of less than 19 micrometers, Baby Alpaca ranges from 19 to 21.5 micrometers, and Superfine Alpaca reaches up to 26.5 micrometers. Baby Alpaca refers to the degree of fineness, not the age of the animal from which the wool was obtained.
While fine fibers are primarily used for clothing, coarser fibers are suitable for blankets and carpets. Robust clothing can also be made from them. The quality also depends on the processing. For example, it makes a significant difference whether the fibers are spun by hand or processed by machine.
That's why investing in alpaca products is worthwhile.
It's truly not always easy to part with beloved garments. Fortunately, this is less often necessary with alpaca wool products, as they offer cozy warmth for decades with proper care. This is partly due to the fact that these types of garments possess a degree of self-cleaning properties. For example, you won't need to subject them to a stressful washing process as often if you air them regularly.
The positive effects are quickly achieved. For example, alpaca wool provides better warmth than sheep's wool, even though less material is needed. In addition, there's the emotional component of the garments. They allow you to connect with nature and tradition and give them a fashionable voice. You're offered chic, stylish, and trendy fashion that values sustainability and provides exceptional comfort.
To broaden one's fashion horizons
Alpaca wool possesses so many positive qualities, from sustainability and comfort to style, that more and more people are venturing beyond their usual fashion choices. There are countless ways to incorporate this material into your wardrobe, complementing or even replacing sheep's wool and cashmere products. Therefore, it's a good idea to learn about the various products and options available and take advantage of them.
FAQ
1. How do I properly care for alpaca wool?
Due to its delicate nature, alpaca wool requires exceptionally gentle care. Hand washing in lukewarm water or using a wool cycle is recommended. Use only a mild wool detergent and no fabric softener. After washing, it's important not to wring the garments, but to dry them flat. This protects the fibers and preserves their strength and comfortable feel. Direct sunlight should be avoided during drying, as it can make the fibers brittle. With this gentle care, the exquisite texture of alpaca wool will be preserved for years to come.
2. Is alpaca wool better than cashmere?
Yes, in many ways alpaca wool is superior to cashmere. For example, it is more durable and pills less. Cashmere has also become a "fashion fiber," as evidenced by its mass production, which often comes at the cost of quality. In terms of sustainability, alpaca wool scores highly in both animal husbandry and pasture management. Even though the prices of both materials are similar, clothing made from alpaca wool has proven to be more durable. Therefore, alpaca wool offers an excellent balance of quality, comfort, and longevity.
3. Where does most alpaca wool come from?
80% of the world's alpaca wool comes from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile. Often, it's not large corporations that produce the wool, but small farmers and cooperatives. Consequently, a fair trade culture has developed, which continues to grow and gain new followers every day. Meanwhile, the German market is also becoming increasingly important – alpacas are now represented on more and more farms here, at least as one of several animal species. This development not only strengthens the regional economy but also promotes awareness of sustainable animal husbandry. At the same time, it creates new opportunities for local producers to offer high-quality alpaca products directly.
