FabricIQ
Reading the label…
Alpaca
B
Fiber from alpaca fleece. Warmer than sheep wool, hypoallergenic, and naturally water-resistant. A sustainable alternative to cashmere.
Material Score Breakdown
Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.
79/100
DurabilityAbove-average70
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
ComfortStrong85
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
BreathabilityAbove-average75
Air flow and ventilation
WarmthStrong95
Heat retention and insulation
Moisture WickingTypical55
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Care EaseWeak40
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Sustainability (separate Eco score)
SustainabilityAbove-average72
Environmental impact of production and disposal
Brands using alpaca
8 brands have products in our catalog whose composition contains alpaca. Sorted by how many garments they offer with this fiber.
Paka
12 products
Club Monaco
4 products
Corridor
3 products
Comme des Garçons
3 products
Taylor Stitch
3 products
Kith
2 products
Brain Dead
2 products
Aime Leon Dore
2 products
Brand grade = average overall score across all of their products containing alpaca.
Products with alpaca
See all →Top-scored garments in our catalog whose composition contains alpaca. Click through for the full quality + health + eco breakdown.
PakaA
Essential Inca Crew Socks
1% Spandex, 100% Alpaca, 8% Tencel
$25
PakaB
The Original Crew
100% Alpaca
$159
Brain DeadB
Blurry Lines Fingerless Gloves - Light Blue Multi
89% Alpaca, 11% Polyamide
$43
Brain DeadB
Zig Zag Striped Cardigan - Olive Multi
89% Alpaca, 11% Polyamide
$148
CorridorB
Raga Beanie - Grey
81% Alpaca, 10% Polyamide, 6% Wool, 3% Nylon
$135
CorridorB
Diamond Cardigan
81% Alpaca, 14% Polyamide, 5% Wool
$195
Taylor StitchB
The Arlo Sweater Polo in Burgundy Texture Knit
85% Organic Cotton, 15% Alpaca
$148
Taylor StitchB
The Arlo Sweater Polo in Oat Texture Knit
85% Organic Cotton, 15% Alpaca
$148
Taylor StitchB
The Arlo Sweater Polo in Cilantro Texture Knit
85% Organic Cotton, 15% Alpaca
$148
Aime Leon DoreB
Long-Sleeve Knit Pocket Tee
50% Linen, 27% Alpaca, 18% Cotton, 5% Wool
$275
Aime Leon DoreB
Long-Sleeve Knit Pocket Tee
50% Linen, 27% Alpaca, 18% Cotton, 5% Wool
$275
CorridorB
Ombre Beanie
78% Alpaca, 19% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$75
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from alpaca. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same alpaca feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
🧥Winter Outerwear
ExcellentExcellent warmth (95) and durability (70) for cold weather
👔Formal/Office
ExcellentExcellent durability (70) and comfort (85) for office wear
🏃Athletic Wear
GoodGood breathability (75) and moisture wicking (55) for light activity
😴Sleepwear
GoodGood comfort (85) and breathability (75) for sleeping
🩲Underwear
GoodGood breathability (75) and comfort (85) for undergarments
⛰️Outdoor/Hiking
GoodGood durability (70) and breathability (75) for outdoor activities
🌱Sustainable Fashion
GoodGood sustainability score (72)
Detailed Use Case Scores
outerwear90
formal80
everyday70
Pros
- ✓ Warmer than wool
- ✓ Hypoallergenic (no lanolin)
- ✓ Water-resistant
- ✓ Silky soft texture
Cons
- ✗ Expensive
- ✗ Can stretch over time
- ✗ Limited elasticity
- ✗ Requires careful care
Better alternatives
Higher-scored natural materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
VicuñaA
+13 vs Alpaca · 92/100
BiodegradableThe rarest and most expensive animal fiber in the world, from the vicuña of the Andes. Finer than cashmere, incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight. A single coat yields only 250g of usable fiber every 2-3 years.
Merino WoolA
+7 vs Alpaca · 86/100
BiodegradableUltra-fine wool from Merino sheep. Softer and less itchy than regular wool, with excellent temperature regulation and moisture management.
Sea Island CottonB
+3 vs Alpaca · 82/100
BiodegradableExtra-long-staple cotton historically grown in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica) and Sea Islands of Georgia/South Carolina. Among the rarest commercial fibers on earth — staple length up to 2.5", silky hand feel, intense color saturation when dyed. Used in heritage luxury shirting and bespoke menswear.
Care Guide
Washcold (30°C)
Cycledelicate
Detergentmild
BleachDo not bleach
Dryflat dry
Ironlow
Dry Cleanrecommended
SoftenerNo
Special Notes
• Reshape while damp
• Naturally hypoallergenic — no lanolin
Additional Care Tips
- • Hand wash in cool water (below 30°C) with wool or delicate detergent
- • Never wring or twist — gently press water out with a towel
- • Lay flat to dry on a mesh rack, reshaping while damp
- • Iron on low heat with a press cloth if needed — alpaca is heat-sensitive
- • Store folded with cedar blocks to repel moths; avoid hanging to prevent stretching
- • Avoid fabric softener — alpaca fibers are naturally silky and do not need it
Cost
$$$$$
Premium
Shrinkage
Significant risk — hand wash or dry clean
Eco Rating
Strong environmental credentials