Pros & Cons of Alpaca Wool vs Merino vs Nylon vs Polyester
At time of publication, we believe that alpaca wool is the #1 bio-based performance fabric on the market. It tops merino wool in most, if not all ways, and is generally preferable to synthetics like polyester and nylon, though not in every way. This article is focused on the alpaca hoodie in particular, because we believe hoodies are the most universal, versatile, and effective garment chassis to take into the backcountry or on travels. Now let’s dive in to the pros and cons.
Pros of Alpaca Wool
- Warm, breathable, thermoregulating
- Lightweight and durable
- Soft and comfy
- Sustainable, biodegradable
- Odor-resistant
- Absorbs little water, reasonably quick-drying
- Hypoallergenic
- Outperforms merino wool
- Strong and long-lasting
- Moisture wicking
- Insulative when wet
Cons of Alpaca Wool
- Expensive
- Usually requires importing
- Less UV blocking than polyester/nylon
- Slower dry time than polyester/nylon
Alpaca wool is warm, strong, and lightweight
The microscopic composition of alpaca wool is is characterized by air trapping hollow voids, which increase its thermally insulative properties, similar to how puffy jackets work. This reminds us of hollow-core Octa yarn, but 100% natural. The hollow voids increase its loftiness, without increasing its weight, and offer a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than merino. It also has a higher tensile strength than merino, meaning it can bear more pressure before breaking.
Alpaca wool is very sustainable
Of course, any wool trumps petroleum based fibers like nylon and polyester when graded for sustainability. That’s because it’s bio-based and 100% natural, of course. But even compared to merino wool, alpaca wool requires less industrial processing, and the presence of alpacas is less harmful to grazing lands than sheep. And like all wools, alpaca is biodegradable.
Absorbs little moisture, reasonably quick drying
Compared to merino wool, which can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture, alpaca wool absorbs approximately 10%. With less moisture absorbed, that means it is much quicker to dry out. The overall great breathability of knit alpaca wool allows for great passage of air through the textile, which further speeds up dry time. That being said, like all natural fibers, it is still slower drying than nylon and polyester, which absorb less than 5% of their weight in moisture.
Alpaca Wool is odor-resistant, bacteria-resistant
Alpaca is naturally antimicrobial, thus resistant to odor. After days, or even weeks of use in the backcountry, you may not even notice a smell while polyester garments would reek. This is due in part to its cellular structure which bacteria struggles to penetrate, and complimented by minimal moisture absorption to create a hostile environment to yuckies. A recipe that prevents bacterial growth.
Soft & Hypoallergenic
Even compared to merino, which is famed for its softness, alpaca comes out on top. First, it has a smaller micron count, meaning the fibers are narrower and give a softer hand feel, especially royal alpaca. Alpaca fiber is also smoother and more uniform than merino, thus less prickly to touch. Lastly, the fibers are free of lanolin, which is an allergic irritant to some people.
