| Alpaca | Yak Down | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical diameter | 18–32 µm | 16–20 µm |
| Source | Alpaca | Yak undercoat |
| Lanolin | No | No |
| Warmth | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Softness | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Luster | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Elasticity | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
Bottom line
Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool.
Soft, warm, usually naturally brown.
Choose alpaca for warm, drapey, lanolin-free garments; choose yak down if you value its particular character. Blends often give the best of both.
Yak fiber is the term commonly used to refer yak fiber wool produced from the coat hair of yaks, a long-haired bovine mainly found in the Himalayan region, Tibetan plateau, and some areas of Mongolia and Central Asia.From Wikipedia — “Yak fiber”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
FAQ
Is alpaca better than yak down?
Alpaca is more durable and more lustrous. Warm for its weight, lanolin-free, silky hand; less elastic than wool. Soft, warm, usually naturally brown.
Is alpaca warmer than yak down?
Yak Down is at least as warm as alpaca.
Is alpaca softer than yak down?
It depends on the grade: fine alpaca (18–22 µm) is very soft, while yak down typically measures 16–20 µm.