Staying Warm with Alpaca Wool

Every year during winter, most people put on a least a few layers in an effort to keep warm and stay healthy. More often than not, one of those layers is made from wool, usually sheep wool. Unfortunately, many individuals have never heard of alpacas or vicunas, which are similar in appearance to the fairly well-known llama.

While all three species originated in the southern Andes, areas that today are part of the countries Peru and Bolivia, alpacas have been most successfully exported to other countries such as the United States and Australia, where they are bred for their exquisite wool.

Wool from the alpaca is reputed to be one of the world’s finest fibers. In the ancient times it was reserved for the Incan royalty, who are today famous for their astounding archeological ruins, the most famous being Machu Picchu. Alpaca wool is as soft as cashmere; it doesn’t have that itchy feel that wool made from sheep has, which makes you scratch and squirm unless you’re accustomed to it.

Additionally, alpaca wool is less dense than sheep wool, which makes it lighter and more breathable, and yet this Andean wool actually insulates better than the traditional sheep wool with which most people are familiar. Alpaca wool does not contain lanolin (also called wool wax), which results in it being hypoallergenic, but it also means that alpaca wool absorbs water, unlike sheep wool which is somewhat water repellent.

You can find all kinds of products made from alpaca wool: hats, scarves, sweaters, gloves, socks, blankets and in South America ponchos, which are similar to shawls and are used by both men and women. Alpaca wool is classified into 52 natural colors in Peru, while in the United States there are just 16 recognized colors and only 12 in Australia.

If you plan to purchase alpaca wool, be careful as there are many products referred to as alpaca, but are actually made from other fibers. But if you’re really concerned about getting a top quality, authentic product, you could always travel to Peru on your next vacation and see not only alpacas, but vicunas and llamas as well, all in their original habitat!

This guide to Alpaca wool was written by a Peru travel expert at Peru For Less, here to help you design your customized Peru vacations.