Natural fibers are becoming increasingly popular, and Merino wool and alpaca wool are leading the charge. At Ridge Merino, we’re all about Merino wool, but we celebrate the rise of other natural fibers like alpaca wool. Each has unique benefits, but which one is right for you?

Where Alpaca and Merino Wool Come From

Merino wool is harvested from Merino sheep. Most Merino sheep are raised in Australia and New Zealand. Merino sheep produce ultra fine, soft wool fibers. Often people hear “wool” and think “itchy,” but Merino wool is itch-free, making it a great material for underwear, socks and base layers.

Alpaca wool is harvested from alpacas. Alpacas are native to Peru and most still live there, usually in the highlands between 11,000 and 16,000 feet. Alpacas are also raised around the world now, but the supply chain is centralized in Peru. Alpaca fleece is soft with a more silky texture, so when made well, it’s not itchy either.

Both alpaca wool and Merino wool can be spun into different weights for different levels of durability, softness and usability. Because they have many similarities, alpaca wool vs. Merino wool comparisons are common.

Alpaca Wool vs. Merino Wool Performance

With our mission to create clothing that performs as well in daily life as it does in the wildest outdoor conditions, the first thing we look at in fabrics is how well they work in real world scenarios. The performance benefits of Merino wool are what motivated us to build our company around it.

Durability

Alpaca fibers are soft and silky, but 100% alpaca garments aren’t very durable, and they don’t stretch as much as Merino wool fibers. Alpaca isn’t a great fabric for performance outdoor gear; whereas 100% Merino wool garments (like our Inversion base layers) are plenty durable for winter outdoor sports.

Alpaca is a better fiber for non-outdoor gear like sweaters and accessories where softness matters more than performance. For alpaca fleece to be durable enough for more demanding outdoor use, it’s often blended with synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon. It usually requires a significant amount of this synthetic material to make it durable enough for outdoor use.

We blend our Merino wool with polyester and nylon for certain products too, but Merino wool’s inherent strength allows us to use less synthetic material. As you reduce the amount of natural fibers in a garment, you also reduce all the benefits you get from those natural fibers.

Merino wool fibers are robust and elastic, meaning Merino wool clothes maintain their shape and functionality over time, even with frequent use and washing. While the right alpaca blend can be durable, it lacks the elasticity of Merino, so it may stretch out more over time.

Warmth

Studies have found that alpaca fleece provides more efficient thermal insulation on the alpacas themselves. Few studies have been done specifically on Merino wool vs. alpaca wool in human fabric uses, but alpaca is generally considered warmer. Alpaca fibers have semi-hollow cores, while Merino wool fibers crimp to trap warm air. For Merino wool to provide the same warmth as alpaca wool, it usually needs to be a heavier fabric weight.

Temperature Regulation

Both Merino wool and alpaca wool regulate body temperatures, but because alpaca is often blended with synthetic fibers for higher performance garments, it doesn’t regulate body temperature quite as well as Merino wool garments. Even though alpaca wool can be warmer than Merino wool, Merino wool provides more functional warmth because it typically breathes better and regulates your temperature so you don’t overheat when active.

Moisture Management

Sweat management is a key consideration when creating high-performance outdoor clothing. Merino wool manages moisture far better than alpaca wool. Merino wool can absorb up to 30% of its dry weight in moisture. This makes it better for outdoor activities like ski touring, hiking and running where you’re sweating a lot. Alpaca is moisture wicking to a lesser extent, and it tends to be more water repellent.

Odor Resistance

Both Merino and alpaca wool are odor resistant and much less smelly than synthetic fabrics like polyester and other natural fabrics like cotton.

Sustainability

Merino sheep farming practices, especially at the farms we work with in New Zealand and Australia, emphasize sustainable land management and animal welfare, aligning with our commitment to environmental stewardship. Both Merino wool and alpaca wool are renewable resources, and depending on farming practices, both can be sustainable and environmentally-friendly.

The Responsible Animal Fibers (RAF) Standards Framework was formalized in 2020 and is the umbrella term for standards related to animal fibers. Within this framework, wool is certified via the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and alpaca via the Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS). These certifications are given at the farm level and have similar requirements.

Whether you choose Merino or alpaca, buying natural clothing instead of clothing made from petroleum-based fabrics also reduces microplastic pollution, which is a win for the planet.

Skin Sensitivities

Both alpaca wool and Merino wool tend to work well for people with sensitive skin. Wool contains lanolin, which some people are allergic to, but this is quite rare. Alpaca wool doesn’t contain lanolin.

There’s long been a myth that wool is an allergen, but studies have found that skin irritation was usually due to using coarse wool fibers (30-32 micron), while most Merino wool gear you’ll buy is well under that. Most of our Merino clothing is 17.5-18.5 micron. Everyone’s skin is unique, so your best bet is trying both Merino and alpaca clothing on and seeing which feels best to you.

Popularity

Merino wool clothing is much more widely available than alpaca wool clothing. There’s a more established market for it, so it’s easier to produce. Your favorite outdoor brands may even be adding Merino wool products to their lineup since it has grown so much in recent years.

Sheep wool is currently the most used animal fiber. Merino wool has gotten popular for casual lifestyle wear, but we see it used most often in outdoor performance clothing where its benefits really shine and make it worth the cost.

We see alpaca wool used more to create lifestyle sweaters and high-end fashion, accessories and bags rather than activewear. Long ago, alpaca fiber was reserved for royalty because of its fine micron range. We expect we’ll see more alpaca wool products on the market in the coming years. Yak wool is another animal fiber that’s been growing in popularity.

Choosing Between Merino Wool and Alpaca Wool

The decision between alpaca and Merino wool depends on your specific needs. For extreme cold or for non-outdoor items like sweaters or scarves, alpaca may be the better choice due to its warmth and softness.

But if you’re looking for temperature regulation, moisture management, odor resistance and durability, Merino wool clothing is the way to go. If you’re looking for gear that performs as well on long outdoor adventures as it does in everyday life, Merino wool clothing is the best investment.