Perfect wool socks: Merino wool or Alpaca wool?

Whether it's a relaxing evening at home or an adventure in nature, the right socks guarantee comfort and warmth for every moment. Which suits you better – the affordable price and easy accessibility of merino sheep or the luxurious softness, exceptional insulation, comfort and genuine ecology of alpaca wool?

Have you noticed that woolen socks, often made of merino wool and alpaca wool, are only partially natural fiber and mostly some other fiber, such as polyamide, polyester, etc.? The added fibers make the product more affordable and possibly more durable, but at the same time the sock loses properties typical of wool, such as thermal insulation, breathability and odorlessness, as well as antibacterial properties. Therefore, even in merino wool/alpaca wool socks, the toes can get cold and the socks need to be washed frequently.

If wool fiber has been used for the most part (≥ 80%) in the production of the sock, merino wool socks also offer a good balance between warmth, moisture transfer and comfort. Both wool fibers are odor and water resistant and durable. Alpaca wool is also naturally antibacterial.

Ruukki Kehräämö's alpaca wool socks also shine thanks to their comfort, excellent thermal insulation, lightness and responsibility. Alpaca socks are perfect for cold, hot and/or humid weather, also for sensitive skin.

Could it be luxurious alpaca socks?

Ruukki's Kehräämö alpaca wool socks are made from 80% undyed Superfine alpaca fiber, to which 20% artificial fiber is added to improve durability. In this way, we get excellent properties in alpaca wool socks, which our customers praise. Despite the acknowledged thickness, they fit into any shoe, even rubber boots, without leaking. Here are the biggest differences between the most popular merino wool socks and Ruukki Kehräämö's alpaca socks:

1. Softness

Alpaca wool is softer than merino wool fibers, which makes it one of the most luxurious wool qualities on the market. The softness increases the finer the fiber structure and the more animal fiber has been used in the socks.

2. Non-extortion

Our alpaca wool socks are designed and made of soft terry knit. The elastic of the sock does not tighten and our socks are also suitable for diabetics, rheumatism and swollen feet. Our socks do not cause mechanical irritation and are the perfect choice for e.g. long hikes where blisters easily form on the feet.

Our knee-length alpaca socks can be used as riding socks or as support socks if wearing compression socks is not possible.

3. Heatability

Alpaca wool's thermal insulation capacity is better than merino wool. The thermal insulation of alpaca wool is due to the structure of the alpaca fiber, which is hollow. Air pockets between the fibers also keep your toes warm/cool and dry.

4. Water and dirt resistance

Alpaca wool naturally repels water and dirt. Ruukki's Kehräämö alpaca socks feel warm even when wet, because the air pockets insulate regardless of the conditions.

5. Odor resistance and antibacterial

Alpaca wool repels odors and bacteria. Due to their water and dirt resistance, antibacterial properties and odorlessness, our alpaca socks rarely need to be washed. As incredible as it may seem, alpaca socks feel clean and do not smell even after many days of hiking.

6. Hypoallergenicity

Unlike sheep's wool, Alpaca wool does not contain fat or lanolin, which is a substance that some people are allergic to.

7. Weight

Alpaca wool is lighter than merino wool, so an alpaca sock is the perfect choice for hikers and backpackers.

8. Non-staining

Please also note that various treatments, such as superwash treatment or dyeing of merino fibers, turn the living fiber into a dead one and thus weaken the properties of the finished product.

Various treatments and washing also consume a lot of water. Undyed fiber is a better choice for both you and nature.

Although the advantage of merino socks has been the low price and availability that have accompanied their popularity, when choosing wool socks, you should especially think about the price-quality ratio. In our opinion, Ruukki's Kehräämö alpaca socks offer the best price-quality ratio. As you can tell from our customer reviews.