| Alpaca | Suri Alpaca | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical diameter | 18–32 µm | 18–30 µm |
| Source | Alpaca | Suri alpaca |
| Lanolin | No | No |
| Warmth | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Softness | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Luster | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Elasticity | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
Bottom line
Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool.
Lustrous, silky, drapey; little crimp, so it is best in woven fabrics and drapey knits.
Choose alpaca for warm, drapey, lanolin-free garments; choose suri alpaca if you value softer and more lustrous. Blends often give the best of both.
Alpaca fleece is the natural fiber harvested from an alpaca. There are two different types of alpaca fleece. The most common fleece type comes from a Huacaya. Soft, spongy Huacaya fiber grows and looks similar to sheep wool in that the animal looks "fluffy". The second type of alpaca is Suri and makes up less than 10% of the South American alpaca population. Suri fiber is more similar to natural silk and hangs off the body in locks that have a dreadlock appearance. While both fibers can be used in the worsted milling process using light weight yarn or thread, Huacaya fiber can also be used in a woolen process and spun into various weight yarns. It is a soft, durable, luxurious, silky fiber.From Wikipedia — “Alpaca fiber”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
FAQ
Is alpaca better than suri alpaca?
Alpaca is warmer and more elastic. Suri Alpaca is softer and more lustrous. Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool. Lustrous, silky, drapey; little crimp, so it is best in woven fabrics and drapey knits.
Is alpaca warmer than suri alpaca?
Yes, alpaca is generally warmer for its weight.
Is alpaca softer than suri alpaca?
It depends on the grade: fine alpaca (18–22 µm) is very soft, while suri alpaca typically measures 18–30 µm.