Merino wool vs. Alpaca Royal

How does a Royal quality alpaca product compare to a merino wool product?

Alpaca and Merino are both natural fibers and top-quality materials that are rapidly conquering the world. The advantage of alpaca wool (Alpaca Royal) is that the fine alpaca fibers feel softer against the skin and are noticeably lighter in weight. This is precisely why the Royal-level (≤ 18 µm) the luxurious feel of clothes made from alpaca.

 

Alpacas at Tienda Molinon farm in the Netherlands

 

Is alpaca wool warmer than Merino wool? Yes

All wool fibers work well as insulation, even when wet, because they are crimped along their entire length. Thanks to the crimps, small air pockets remain between the fibers. Your body heat warms the air in these pockets, making the woolen knit feel warm.

The difference between merino wool and alpaca wool lies in the internal structure of the fiber. The structure of alpaca fiber is hollow, so there are also insulating air pockets in the core of the fiber. In contrast, the insulation of merino wool is based only on the air trapped between the fibers. That is why merino wool is also heavier than alpaca wool.

Alpaca wool naturally regulates temperature due to the fiber's hollowness and crimp. Alpaca wool garments store the heat your body produces both inside the fibers and between them. An alpaca knit may feel cool to the touch at first. But when you put on an alpaca knit, the air pockets warm up quickly and protect you from the cold. This also works the other way around, preventing you from overheating in warm weather.

 Close-up of alpaca wool. The hollow and crimped structure of the fiber keeps the alpaca warm in the cold mountains of Peru. (Photo: International Alpaca Association)

Is alpaca wool itchier than Merino wool? Yes and No

Prickliness cannot be generalized. It entirely depends on the quality of the fiber. When speaking generally about alpaca, it can be quite prickly, as can other wool fibers, especially sheep wool fibers.

Royal -level (≤ 18 µm) alpaca fiber knitwear (Ruukki Spinning Mill's Alpaca Royal) does not feel prickly against the skin. Therefore, even people who find merino wool products prickly can usually wear Alpaca Royal knitwear directly on bare skin.

Factors affecting the softness/prickliness of wool fibers:

1. Lanolin content

Lanolin is a wax naturally found in sheep's wool, produced by the sheep's sebaceous glands. It acts as a protective barrier and moisturizer. Although it is used in some skincare products, it can be an allergenic substance for some people. Unlike merino, alpaca wool's moisture resistance is naturally high, which is why it does not need lanolin to keep its wool protected. Without lanolin, alpaca wool also attracts fewer bacteria and dust, making alpaca wool hypoallergenic and antibacterial.

2. Fiber thickness

Not all alpaca wool is equally soft. The same applies to merino wool. The thickness of the fiber can determine whether it feels prickly or soft against the skin. Fibers with a large diameter feel coarse, while very fine fibers, less than 20 microns in diameter, feel soft against the skin (cf. Alpaca royal ≤ 18 µm vs. Baby Alpaca ≤ 22 µm).

3. Smoothness of fibers

Wool fibers have microscopic scales that protrude from the surface of the fiber and cause a prickly sensation. The smaller and more even the scales are, the smoother the fiber is.

Alpaca fibers have small scales that lie flat against the surface of the fiber, so high-quality alpaca wool (Alpaca Royal) does not cause itching. Merino's overlapping scales are protruding and very visible. Like sheep fibers, it is coated with lanolin. All this leads to the typical itchiness of a wool sweater.

The merino wool used in clothing is generally chemically treated to remove lanolin and the scales of the fibers (Chlorine-Hercosett, Superwash, Ecowash), which is why it feels much softer and less itchy than untreated sheep's wool. However, the treatment is toxic and releases microplastics into the environment during all stages of production as well as during consumer use, wearing, and washing. Alpaca wool, on the other hand, does not require any special treatment: it is naturally super soft, making it more pleasant on the skin.

 Alpaca fiber

 

Is alpaca wool more durable than Merino wool? Yes

Alpaca fiber is very flexible and withstands more pressure and tension than merino wool. Studies show that the tensile strength of alpaca fiber is up to 50N/ktex, allowing the production of thin garments that endure heavy wear. Merino fiber, on the other hand, withstands significantly less pressure, 30-40 N/ktex.

Is alpaca wool more breathable than Merino wool? Yes

Breathability refers to wool's ability to transfer moisture away from the skin when you sweat. This basic feature combats odors and increases user comfort. Both Merino wool and Alpaca wool effectively absorb moisture and transport it to the outside of your garment, where it evaporates. However, Alpaca wool has been found to be superior in breathability compared to other natural fibers and modern technical fibers.

Does alpaca wool have better water resistance than merino wool? Yes

Alpaca wool is especially famous for its water resistance. Alpaca wool absorbs moisture at only 8% of its weight. Merino wool can absorb moisture up to 30% of its weight. This property of alpaca wool makes it a superior insulator and it dries faster than merino wool.

Is an alpaca product a more environmentally friendly choice than a merino product? Yes

Alpaca is an environmentally friendly companion. Alpaca farming is never based on intensive production. Unlike goats and sheep breeds, alpacas do not destroy vegetation while grazing; on the contrary, they improve the viability of the vegetation. Throughout their entire lifecycle, alpacas and products made from alpaca wool use very little water. This super-fine fiber is never treated with chemical processes or synthetic methods. At Ruukin Kehräämö, we don't even use dyes but rely on nature's own color palette.

On the other hand, merino wool undergoes a toxic "superwash" treatment to make it soft, washable, and comfortable. Merino wool is also often blended with other synthetic fibers, such as nylon, to enhance its luxurious feel, which increases environmental microplastic pollution.

Are alpaca products valuable? Yes and No

We believe that the high price of Ruukki's Kehräämö Alpaca Royal knitwear is not expensive when you remember that it is the most luxurious wool product on the market. It is durable, stays in good condition year after year, and is 100% recyclable in its untreated form. Our Alpaca Royal knitwear is definitely worth the investment according to our customers.

Royal quality alpaca fiber (Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal) does not itch, is warm, and does not require chemical treatment. Therefore, its natural properties remain unchanged in the final product, and it performs better than merino wool and other types of sheep's wool.

For this reason, Royal grade alpaca fiber is excellently suited as a material for smart business, everyday luxury, outdoor clothing, hiking socks, and even underwear products.

Alpacas have naturally evolved over thousands of years in harsh conditions on high mountain plateaus, creating the perfect fiber for knitwear that helps keep you protected in all conditions.

In ancient times, the use of alpaca wool was reserved only for royalty. Its exponentially fine qualities and vitality make it the goddess of the knitwear industry. At Ruukki Spinning Mill's online store and shop, you can explore luxury-class alpaca knitwear.