Most "pros and cons" articles about alpaca wool read like thinly veiled sales pitches. I won't pretend mine is completely unbiased either—I've built a career around Peruvian textiles. But I can promise you this: every downside listed below is something I've dealt with personally, and every advantage is something I've verified through years of wear.
The Real Advantages of Alpaca Wool
There's a reason alpaca fiber has been prized in the Andes for thousands of years. These aren't marketing claims—they're properties you'll notice the first time you pull on an alpaca sweater in cold weather.
What Alpaca Does Well
- Exceptional warmth. Hollow fiber cores trap heat more efficiently than sheep wool. You stay warm without bulk.
- Hypoallergenic. No lanolin means people with wool sensitivities can usually wear it without irritation.
- Surprising durability. Quality alpaca garments hold up for a decade or more. I own pieces that are 12 years old and still look presentable.
- Genuine softness. Baby alpaca rivals cashmere at the 18-22 micron range. It feels luxurious against skin, not scratchy.
- Lower environmental impact. Alpacas graze gently with padded feet and don't destroy grasslands the way cashmere goat herds can.
What Gets Overhyped
- "Seven times warmer than sheep wool" — the actual number varies, but alpaca is meaningfully warmer
- "Completely waterproof" — it resists moisture well, but it's not a rain jacket
- "Never pills" — it can pill initially, though less than cashmere long-term
The Honest Disadvantages
Here's the part most alpaca retailers skip. These are real drawbacks, and knowing them upfront will save you frustration.
1. Cost
Good alpaca isn't cheap. A well-made sweater runs $150-350, which puts it firmly in the luxury category. You're paying for quality fiber, handcrafted production, and fair wages for Andean artisans. It's worth it long-term, but the upfront hit is real.
2. Limited Stretch and Elasticity
Unlike sheep wool, alpaca fiber doesn't bounce back easily. Pure alpaca garments can stretch at the elbows and cuffs over time, especially if they're heavy knits. Blends with a small percentage of nylon or elastic solve this, but 100% alpaca will always have less snap-back than merino. You can read more about caring for this trait in our alpaca care guide.
3. Initial Pilling
New alpaca pieces sometimes pill during the first few wears. It's not a defect—loose surface fibers work themselves free with friction. A fabric shaver fixes it quickly, and the pilling usually stops after a handful of wears. Still, it catches people off guard.
4. Drying Time
Alpaca takes longer to air-dry than you'd expect. The dense fiber structure holds water, and you can't wring it or toss it in the dryer without risking damage. Plan on laying it flat for 24-48 hours after washing. Not a dealbreaker, but something to factor in.
5. Limited Natural Color Range
Undyed alpaca comes in about 22 natural shades—mostly browns, creams, grays, and black. That's actually more than most fibers, but if you want bright reds or electric blues, you're looking at dyed fiber. Some purists prefer the natural palette. Others find it limiting.
Honest Take
The elasticity issue is the one that catches most buyers off guard. If you're used to merino or cashmere that snaps back to shape, pure alpaca can feel "loose" after extended wear. My honest advice: for fitted garments like cardigans, look for alpaca blends. For wraps, scarves, and ponchos, 100% alpaca performs beautifully because stretch doesn't matter.
Who Should Buy Alpaca?
Alpaca wool makes the most sense for specific situations. Be honest about how you'll use it.
It's a great fit if you: live somewhere cold, have sensitive skin or wool allergies, value longevity over low prices, or care about sustainable sourcing. A single quality alpaca piece will outlast three cheaper alternatives.
Think twice if you: need heavily structured, form-fitting knitwear (the limited elasticity works against you), want to machine-wash everything, or can't justify the upfront cost even knowing the long-term value. There's no shame in choosing a good merino blend instead.
For those who decide alpaca is right, our guide to alpaca fiber grades breaks down the differences between baby, royal, and standard grades—because not all alpaca is equal either.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of alpaca wool?
The main disadvantages are higher cost compared to sheep wool, limited stretch and elasticity, tendency to pill during initial wear, longer drying time after washing, and fewer color options in undyed fibers. However, most drawbacks are offset by superior warmth, softness, and durability.
Is 100% alpaca wool good?
Yes, 100% alpaca wool is excellent for warmth, softness, and hypoallergenic properties. Pure alpaca is warmer than sheep wool and softer than cashmere. The only trade-off is less elasticity compared to blends, which means pure alpaca garments may stretch slightly over time.
What happens if alpaca wool gets wet?
Alpaca wool handles moisture better than sheep wool because it absorbs less water and dries faster relative to its weight. It retains warmth even when damp. However, you should never wring wet alpaca—gently press water out and lay flat to dry to prevent stretching.