Merino wool vs. Alpaca Royal

How does a product made from Alpaca Royal fiber 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 fiber (Alpaca Royal) is that its thin, smooth-surfaced fiber feels softer against the skin and it is clearly lighter in weight than merino wool fiber. For this reason, Royal -level (≤ 18 µm) Clothes made from alpaca feel so luxurious to wear.

Alpacas at the 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. Small air pockets remain between the fibers thanks to the crimps. Your body's heat warms the air in the air pockets and thus a wool sweater feels warm.

The decisive difference between merino wool and alpaca wool is in the fiber structure. Alpaca fibers themselves contain heat-trapping air pockets, and the fiber is additionally folded into a wavy, crimped form. Merino wool's fiber structure is straighter, and its insulation is based solely on the air trapped between the individual fibers. That is why merino wool is also heavier than alpaca wool.

Alpaca wool naturally regulates temperature thanks to its air pockets. 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 an alpaca sweater on, 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 fiber's hollow and crimped structure keeps the alpaca warm in the cold mountains of Peru. (Photo: International Alpaca Association)

 

Is alpaca wool itchier than merino wool? Yes and no

The prickliness of a fiber depends entirely on the quality of the fiber. If we talk about alpaca in general, it can be quite prickly. In general, wool fibers, and especially sheep's wool fibers, can feel prickly to those with sensitive skin because they have a scaly surface structure.

From the Royal -tier (≤ 18 µm) alpaca fiber knits (Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal) do not, however, feel prickly against the skin. This is due to the smooth-surfaced fiber structure. Therefore, even people who find merino wool products prickly can, in most cases, wear the Alpaca Royal knit directly on bare skin. Several factors affect 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 a moisturizer. Although it is used in some skincare products, it is an allergenic substance for some people. Unlike merino wool, alpaca fiber's moisture resistance is naturally high, which is why it doesn't need lanolin to remain protected. Without lanolin, fewer bacteria and less dust adhere to alpaca fiber, which is why alpaca fiber is also 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. Wool fibers that are thick in diameter feel coarse, whereas very fine fibers, those under 20 microns in diameter, feel soft against the skin (cf. Alpaca royal ≤ 18 µm vs. Baby Alpaca ≤ 22 µm).

3. Fiber surface smoothness

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

Merino wool used in clothing is generally chemically treated to remove lanolin and the scales of the fibers (Chlorine-Hercosett, Superwash, Ecowash). For this reason it feels much softer and less itchy than untreated sheep's wool, but the treatment is toxic and releases microplastics into the environment, both during the various stages of production and in consumer use, when worn and washed. Alpaca wool, however, does not require any special treatment: it is naturally super-soft.

 

Alpaca fiber

Is alpaca wool more durable than merino wool? Yes

Alpaca fiber is very elastic, and withstands more pressure and tension than merino wool. Studies show that the tensile strength of alpaca fiber is up to 50N/ktex, which makes it possible to produce thin yet durable garments. Merino fiber withstands pressure significantly less, 30-40 N/ktex.

 

Is alpaca wool more breathable than merino wool? Yes

Breathability refers to wool's ability to move moisture away from the skin when you sweat. This basic property fights odors and increases the garment's comfort. Both merino wool and alpaca wool absorb moisture effectively and transport it to the outside of your clothing so that it can evaporate. However, alpaca wool has been found to be superior in breathability compared to other natural fibers and technical fibers.

 

Is alpaca wool more water-resistant than merino wool? Yes

Alpaca wool is particularly renowned for its water resistance. It absorbs only 8% of its weight in moisture. Merino wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight. This characteristic makes alpaca wool a superior insulator and it dries faster than merino wool.

 

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

Alpacas are environmentally friendly animals. Alpaca farming is never based on intensive production. Unlike goats and sheep, alpacas do not destroy vegetation when grazing; on the contrary, they improve vegetation's chances of survival. Throughout their life cycle, alpacas and products made from alpaca wool require very little water.

Alpaca fiber does not require additional chemical treatments or synthetic processes. The yarns used in Ruukin Kehräämö's products are dyed only when necessary, and always using the most responsible and safest, REACH- and GOTS-certified methods. Some colors are undyed, natural alpaca shades. Merino wool undergoes a toxic "superwash" treatment so that it will be soft, washable and comfortable. Merino wool is also often blended with synthetic fibers, such as nylon. This increases microplastic pollution in the environment.

 

Are alpaca products valuable? Yes and No

The price of a Ruukin Kehräämö Alpaca Royal sweater isn't expensive when you consider that it is the most luxurious wool product on the market. It is durable, retains its quality year after year and is 100% recyclable. Our Alpaca Royal sweaters are, in our customers' opinion, definitely worth the investment.

Alpacas have evolved over thousands of years in harsh conditions on high mountain plateaus, creating the perfect fiber for knitwear that helps you stay protected in all conditions. In ancient times, alpaca wool was reserved for royalty. Its unique qualities make it the finest material in the knitwear industry. In Ruukin Kehräämö's online store and boutique you can explore luxury alpaca knitwear.