| Alpaca | Vicuña | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical diameter | 18–32 µm | 12–14 µm |
| Source | Alpaca | Wild vicuña (sheared under license) |
| Lanolin | No | No |
| Warmth | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Softness | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ | ★★ |
| Luster | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Elasticity | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Price | $$ | $$$$ |
Bottom line
Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool.
The finest and most expensive animal fiber on the market, from live-shearing of wild vicuñas in Andean communities.
Choose alpaca for warm, drapey, lanolin-free garments; choose vicuña if you value softer. Blends often give the best of both.
The vicuña or vicuna is a wild South American camelid which lives in high alpine areas of the Andes. It is a relative of the llama, the domesticated descendant of the guanaco, the only other still wild South American camelid.From Wikipedia — “Vicuña”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
FAQ
Is alpaca better than vicuña?
Alpaca is more durable. Vicuña is softer. Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool. The finest and most expensive animal fiber on the market, from live-shearing of wild vicuñas in Andean communities.
Is alpaca warmer than vicuña?
Vicuña is at least as warm as alpaca.
Is alpaca softer than vicuña?
It depends on the grade: fine alpaca (18–22 µm) is very soft, while vicuña typically measures 12–14 µm.