Now that we have established that camelids are such amazing animals, let’s dive into what makes them so amazing. And what’s the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about alpacas? Of course, their fleece. And this fleece has some very amazing properties, which is why this is a relatively expensive kind of fibre.

It keeps the animals warm in very extreme climates, but it also keeps them dry. Alpaca fiber is water-repellent while having almost no grease such as sheep wool for example (which contains so-called lanolin). There are several reasons why this fiber is naturally water-repellent:

• The fiber’s scales are smoother and lay flatter against each other compared to sheep’s wool, allowing water droplets to slide off more easily rather than penetrating between the scales.
• The semi-hollow core (medulla) of alpaca fibers contains tiny air pockets. These pockets not only provide insulation but also help prevent water from being absorbed into the fiber itself.
• The protein structure of alpaca fiber contains a high proportion of hydrophobic (water-repelling) amino acids. These molecules naturally push water away from the surface of the fiber.

However, the semi-hollow core structure and protein composition of alpaca fiber also allow it to absorb water vapor (humidity) from the air through a different mechanism. The fiber can take in water molecules between its protein chains without feeling wet to the touch. This process, called hygroscopic absorption, happens at the molecular level.

This dual nature is actually beneficial for temperature regulation:

• When humid air enters the fiber structure, the absorption process generates a small amount of heat, helping to keep the wearer warm
• The hollow core structure maintains air pockets even while absorbing moisture, preserving insulation
• The moisture is held within the fiber structure rather than sitting on the surface, which is why the garment doesn’t feel clammy even at high absorption levels