What is alpaca wool?

Alpaca wool is a luxury natural fiber shorn from alpacas, camelid animals native to the South American Andes. There are two breeds: Huacaya (which produces dense, fluffy fleece) and Suri (which produces long, silky locks). Alpaca fiber is classified by fineness, with Royal Alpaca (under 19 microns) being the softest and most prized grade — comparable in softness to cashmere but significantly more durable and sustainable.

Alpaca fiber has several remarkable properties. It is naturally hypoallergenic because, unlike sheep wool, it contains no lanolin — the waxy substance that triggers reactions in many wool-sensitive people. It is also thermoregulating, hollow-cored for excellent insulation, moisture-wicking, and naturally odor-resistant. Alpaca fiber is warmer than sheep wool, lighter in weight, and stronger, making it an elite performance material.

From an environmental perspective, alpacas are gentle on their habitat. Their soft, padded feet do not damage soil like hooves do, they graze without pulling up roots (allowing grass to regrow), and they consume less water and food than sheep or goats. At ONDU, PAKA sources Royal Alpaca fiber from indigenous herding families in the Peruvian Andes, supporting over 200 families through direct trade while creating activewear and loungewear that is fully biodegradable.