Alpaca or Cashmere

November 01, 2023

Many times I get the question of “What is better, cashmere or alpaca wool? Each have their own characteristics and benefits. Both are high quality natural fibers. Cashmere comes from the hair of Kashmir goats, and alpaca fiber comes from the hair of alpacas. Both are well known for their elegant plush texture and their ability to retain heat.

Here are the top 5 reasons why EcoPersona chose to design eco-fashion using alpaca.

1. Softness. I get questions like: is it itchy? how would I feel? Wool fiber is measured in microns and the smaller the micron, the finer and softer the wool. Good quality alpaca will typically have a thickness that ranges from 18-23 microns, while most cashmere fibers fall at 19 microns. This means that alpaca can be as soft as cashmere and that’s the reason why at EcoPersona we develop scarves that are 20 microns. Also, alpaca wool (particularly the baby alpaca fiber) is non-itchy, warm, and performs better than merino and other types of sheep's wool. This makes alpaca wool perfect for your outdoor clothing.
2. Durability. Cashmere fibers are 4cm long, while alpaca fiber measures between 8 - 12 cm. Which means that alpaca fiber garments are more durable, breathable, hence long-lasting and less amassing. Cashmere is finer than alpaca, but it is more fragile, whereas alpaca is more durable and even better insulating. In terms of softness and strength, baby alpaca wool is the very best!.
3. Water resistance. Alpaca fibers are hollow, they trap heat and naturally repel moisture. The water essentially evaporates as a result of the structure of the alpaca fiber, which is considered water-repellent (not waterproof.) Because alpaca wool doesn’t retain water, it doesn’t support bacterial growth, reducing odors in garments. Alpaca wool  is easy to wash and maintain..
4. Sustainability. What about how wool is produced? It is well documented that the immense popularity of cashmere has decimated many grasslands in China. Alpacas however have soft, padded feet. This means they can explore their natural habitat in the Peruvian Andes Mountains without causing damage. They don’t destroy the root systems of the plants they consume. In other words, alpacas are easy on the land and promote a sustainable habitat. Also, cashmere comes in limited natural colors and so is typically dyed- not an eco-friendly practice. Alpaca on the other hand comes in 22 different natural color variations, 3 of them used by EcoPersona. Since alpaca combines a treasured, traditional craft with the practice of sustainable methods, alpaca production can be placed under the “fair trade” banner. On top of this, at EcoPersona, we don’t use chemicals or tints to paint the scarves. We use natural dyes and we reduce the wastewater in our production.
5. Friendliness. We want to know the animals who are providing us with their wool. I’ve heard: Can I kiss an alpaca? Alpacas are very friendly, but they don’t like to be hugged or stroked. If an alpaca gives you a kiss, then it’s because they are VERY comfortable. Send us a picture!

Join the transformation, helping planet Earth, support producers in Peru, and buy our scarves here.

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