Cashmere or alpaca.

A fair comparison of cashmere, baby alpaca and royal alpaca

Cashmere, alpaca, baby alpaca, and royal alpaca are among the highest quality natural fibers in the world. They are often mentioned together, but rarely explained in detail. Anyone investing in high-quality clothing should know the differences – not only in how they feel to wear, but also in their origin, durability, and long-term value.

This comparison considers the materials objectively and fairly , without generally placing one material above the other.

The comparison criteria

To enable a fair comparison, all fibers are evaluated according to the same criteria:

1. Origin and extraction

2. Fiber structure and fineness

3. Wearing feel and comfort

4. warmth and breathability

5. Durability and care

6. Sustainability and responsibility

cashmere

Origin
Cashmere comes from the fine undercoat of the cashmere goat, mainly from Mongolia, China, and Nepal. The fiber is combed out during the shedding season.

Fiber & feel
Cashmere is very fine and soft, often with an immediately noticeable, luxurious feel. However, the fiber is relatively short, which can lead to pilling if the quality is lower or the processing is improper.

Heat & Use
Cashmere provides excellent warmth and is particularly suitable for fine knitwear and light layering pieces.

durability
More delicate than alpaca. High-quality cashmere can be durable, but requires careful maintenance.

Alpaca (standard quality)

Origin
Alpacas originate from the Andes Mountains, primarily in Peru. The animals are sheared, not combed, which makes fiber production more even and gentler.

Fiber & feel
Alpaca fibers are smoother than cashmere fibers and have a hollow structure. They feel soft to the touch, but more textured and smoother than cashmere.

Heat & Use
Excellent thermal performance combined with high breathability. Particularly suitable for coats, jackets, and structured knitwear.

durability
Significantly more robust and dimensionally stable than cashmere.

Baby Alpaca

What does "baby alpaca" mean?
Baby alpaca refers not to the animal's age, but to the fineness of its fiber. It usually comes from the first shearing or from particularly fine fiber areas.

Fiber & feel
Finer, softer, and more uniform than standard alpaca. Baby alpaca combines softness with texture and is hardly prone to pilling.

Heat & Use
Excellent temperature regulation. Pleasantly warm without overheating. Ideal for high-quality coats, scarves, and premium knitwear.

durability
Very durable, especially in blends with wool or silk.

Royal Alpaca

What is Royal Alpaca?
Royal Alpaca is the rarest and finest quality alpaca. It makes up only a very small proportion of the annual alpaca production.

Fiber & feel
Extremely fine, comparable to or finer than high-quality cashmere. At the same time, the fiber retains the typical alpaca structure and firmness.

Heat & Use
Excellent thermal performance at very low weight. Mostly used for exclusive small production runs.

durability
Despite its fineness, it is more durable than many cashmere qualities.

Sustainability and responsibility

Alpaca, baby alpaca and royal alpaca are generally considered more sustainable than cashmere:

• smaller ecological footprint

• gentler fiber extraction

• longer product lifespan

Cashmere can be sustainable, but requires very controlled animal husbandry, which is not always the case.

Cashmere or alpaca – which is better?

There is no universally "better" option. The decision depends on the purpose:

• cashmere
  Ideal for very soft, lightweight knitwear with a focus on immediate tactile feel.

• alpaca
  Suitable for structured, durable garments with high wearing comfort.

• Baby Alpaca
  A balanced compromise between softness, durability and temperature regulation.

• Royal Alpaca
  For particularly high-quality, limited-edition pieces where refinement and tranquility are paramount.

Conclusion

Cashmere stands for immediate softness, alpaca for balance and durability. Baby alpaca and royal alpaca expand this spectrum with finer, more exclusive qualities, without losing the structural advantages of alpaca.

For those seeking clothing that not only impresses today but lasts for years to come, alpaca – especially in baby and royal qualities – offers a serious alternative to cashmere.