| Alpaca | Camel Hair | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical diameter | 18–32 µm | 16–24 µm |
| Source | Alpaca | Bactrian camel undercoat |
| Lanolin | No | No |
| Warmth | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Softness | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Luster | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Elasticity | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Price | $$ | $$ |
Bottom line
Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool.
Classic coat fabric; naturally golden-tan.
Choose alpaca for warm, drapey, lanolin-free garments; choose camel hair if you value its particular character. Blends often give the best of both.
Camel hair specifically refers to the fur from the body of a camel, but more generally refers to the fibre that may be made from either pure camel hair or a blend of camel hair and another fibre.From Wikipedia — “Camel hair”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
FAQ
Is alpaca better than camel hair?
Alpaca is more durable and more lustrous. Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool. Classic coat fabric; naturally golden-tan.
Is alpaca warmer than camel hair?
Camel Hair is at least as warm as alpaca.
Is alpaca softer than camel hair?
It depends on the grade: fine alpaca (18–22 µm) is very soft, while camel hair typically measures 16–24 µm.