When compared to merino wool, alpaca is softer, stronger, warmer, and retains less water. It’s also a more environmentally sustainable option when you look at the overall impact
Softer: Alpaca fibers have a smoother and more uniform surface then merino, so they are less “prickly” to the touch. They are also naturally free of lanolin, a wax found in sheep’s wool that can cause an irritating allergic reaction. In addition, the micron size (the measure of width of one individual fiber) of alpaca and wool fibers utilized for outdoor apparel is comparable. Smaller micron diameters yield softer fiber “handle,” and the average of most wool and alpaca fibers used in base layers and mid layers is generally between 18-22 microns. As a comparison, the average human hair is around 100 microns.
Stronger: Alpaca fibers have a higher tensile strength than merino, meaning they can stand up to more pressure or tension before breaking
Warmer: Alpaca fibers have a unique physical structure characterized by consistent hollow voids throughout. These hollow voids trap air, which, in turn, increases the fiber’s thermal properties and creates a warmer experience for the wearer. This semi-hollow structure also makes alpaca fibers extremely lightweight, offering greater warmth for the weight than you’ll get with merino wool of a similar fiber size. There’s a reason alpacas flourish in South America’s Andes Mountains…they were engineered by nature to thrive in harsh conditions.
Alpaca Duvet:
Alpaca duvets add warmth without weight. Alpaca wool is warmer than sheep's wool as its fibres are hollow and trap heat. Sheep's wool fibres have pockets to trap the heat. ... Alpaca has far greater drapability than wool fibres, which allows the duvet to lie closer to the sleeper's body and be more insular.