Alpaca vs. Cashmere
Let’s chat about two popular animal fibers that you’ll often find in sweaters! It personally took me a few years of being an adult until I purchased my first cashmere sweater (I was a grad student) and realized just how superior natural animal fibers are when it comes to comfort, warmth, and durability. Previously, I lived entirely in acrylic (a fossil-fuel based fiber) or cotton (another natural fiber but it’s not quite as warm as alpaca or cashmere).
Alpaca and cashmere are among the most luxurious natural fibers that you’ll find in sweaters, and this post features a comparison between alpaca and cashmere to help you choose which one is best for you next time you add a sweater to your wardrobe!
READ NEXT: Affordable Cashmere Sweater Reviews
Alpaca vs. Cashmere
As a resident in a U.S. state that gets a real winter, I’m a big fan of wearing natural fibers to keep warm. Like I mentioned at the start, it took me quite a while before I realized just how much better it is to wear alpaca or cashmere to stay warm in the winter versus cotton or acrylic. My skin is sensitive to most wools, but in most cases I’m fine with merino wool, alpaca (especially baby alpaca), and cashmere.
Below, I described the features of and compared the differences between alpaca and cashmere so you can have a better understanding of each fiber and decide which will work best for you! I also rounded up a selection of alpaca garments and a selection of cashmere garments in the widgets below to help you get started.
What Is Alpaca Wool?
Alpaca wool is a natural animal-based fiber that is used often in sweaters and other garments as well as blankets and wool dryer balls. It’s known for its durability, hypoallergenic properties, water resistance, and softness (when compared to sheep’s wool).
Most of the time, you’ll find alpaca garments blended with other fibers, like sheep’s wool (commonly referred to simply as “wool”), merino wool, acrylic, nylon, and cashmere. Sometimes, a sweater will contain only a small percentage (less than 10%) of alpaca and still be considered a blend, so be sure to check the tag/list of materials before purchasing, especially if you’re sensitive to it.
How Alpaca Wool Is Made
Alpaca wool fibers are harvested from—you guessed it—alpacas! I had the opportunity to watch alpacas get sheared when I visited my mom and step dad in Washington a few years ago, and it was an interesting and enlightening experience. While the alpacas are generally not huge fans of the loud clippers or being held down, they feel so much better (and look a little sillier) after the weight and heat of their wool is removed.
Alpacas currently thrive in a variety of countries and climates around the world, but they are native to the Peruvian Andes in South America. The indigenous peoples of the Andes Mountains domesticated alpacas thousands of years ago!
Alpacas are sheared once per year, typically in the spring. The soft fleece undercoat is what is used in alpaca production. Once sheared, they sort through the fleece and remove any rough bits, sticks, or anything stuck in it (we watched a couple of people do this at the farm in Washington). Then, the fiber is sorted by color, washed, and ready to be used!
How Soft Is Alpaca Wool?
Alpaca wool is an interesting fiber if you’ve never felt it. I’ve touched alpaca wool that did not feel particularly soft, and I’ve also touched alpaca wool that feels almost silky smooth. I find baby alpaca to be the softest; I own a baby alpaca sweater and cardigan (both blended with regular wool), and I would recommend that fiber if you are also sensitive and get itchy easily.
Alpaca is naturally a very lightweight fiber; alpaca sweaters feel almost pillowy in your hands, and they aren’t heavy when worn. This is thanks to tiny air pockets within the alpaca fibers, which help to insulate (and keep you warm!) while also allowing for air flow (so you don’t overheat).
My two alpaca sweaters are from Quince. They have a generous return policy, so I recommend trying them out if you are curious to know if alpaca could work for you!
What Is Cashmere?
Cashmere wool is a natural animal-based fiber that you’ll find in a variety of winter garments, including sweaters, cardigans, sweatpants, hats, gloves, scarves, and socks. It’s warm and durable and naturally moisture-wicking, so it helps to regulate your temperature.
There are a plethora of 100% cashmere garments, but brands also blend cashmere with other fibers (cotton, silk, elastic, etc.) to keep costs down or for other reasons (like added elasticity).
What Is Cashmere Made From?
Cashmere fibers are derived from the soft undercoats of cashmere goats! These goats live in the harsh climates of China, Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, Afghanistan, and other countries in the same region.
Their coats naturally shed in the spring months, but some are sheared to remove their coats completely. (Like alpacas, it’s natural and necessary for the goats to lose their coats.) Once their coats are sheared, the cashmere wool from the undercoats is processed and cleaned and ready to become cozy garments! Cashmere is considered a luxury because it is only collected during a short period of time during the year and only from these particular goats that live in a very specific climate.
How Soft Is Cashmere?
The softness of cashmere depends on the “grade” of the cashmere fibers in the garment. The softest, most high quality cashmere is “Grade A” (longest and thinnest fibers), and this cashmere is also the most expensive. Most cashmere fibers you’ll feel are “Grade B”, which are not as soft as “Grade A” but are more affordable.
The most inexpensive and least soft cashmere (with the shortest and thickest fibers) is considered “Grade C”. Generally, the higher quality the cashmere, the less likely it is to pill or show general wear-and-tear.
In my experience as someone that is sensitive to wool, I find cashmere to be very soft, and I compared the softness of my cashmere sweaters in my affordable cashmere sweater reviews. You may be surprised to know that the more expensive sweaters were not necessarily the softest!
I recommend purchasing the highest quality cashmere you can afford, especially if you are also prone to itching and want your sweater to last as long as possible.
Is Alpaca Better Than Cashmere?
It’s hard to objectively say if alpaca is better than cashmere. I think it just depends on your personal preference! Both can be soft, both can be not as soft, and both can be lightweight.
After owning sweaters made of an alpaca blend and sweaters made of cashmere, I personally prefer cashmere to alpaca. Even though the alpaca I own is soft, I find the cashmere to still be softer, and the general heavier “weight” of a thick cashmere sweater makes me feel cozier in the winter.
When you’re out shopping for your next alpaca or cashmere sweater, I highly recommend feeling alpaca and cashmere sweaters in your hands (and trying them on) if you are able to see and compare them in person before purchasing. If you’re shopping online, purchase from a retailer with a generous return policy so you can try both fibers and see which one is best for you! My affordable cashmere sweater reviews and Quince alpaca-wool reviews can help.