ALPACA

[stillhunter]

Had a lady at the Wisconsin trad banquet tell me that alpaca socks are super warm. Anyone have any experience with alpaca socks or clothing?

[Whip]

I have a pair of llama socks that are very similar to the ones she was selling.  Warmest socks I have ever had!

[cacciatore]

Alpaca is some of the finest wool available along with Vicuna,and they are pretty expensive.

[limbolt]

I have an extra long Alpaca sweater that is super warm and really light weight.

[Orion]

They are warm, and wear well, too.  Mine are 100% alpaca (purchased a few years ago) and  I bought them larger than necessary because I thought they would shrink from washing (cold water and woolite, hang dry).  Shrink they did.  Wouldn't hurt to put a little spandex or some stretchy material in them.  I don't find them any warmer or better wearing than any other well made heavy marino wool sock, such as a Filson, but they're another option.

[jr1959]

I bought two pair from her.  I haven't given them a good test yet except around the house.  They are comfortable and warm and don't seem to trap odors.  I have worn one pair for 3 days with out any odor issues.  No moisture after 4 hours shoveling snow in Sorel's.  Very comfortable too.  I try to support these small local vendors.  If we don't help out the vendors they will stop attending the events and we will all miss that.  Jim

[ron w]

My wife has a hat and  a pair of socks that are Alpaca, she loves them.....very soft and warm!

[Stumpkiller]

Alpaca is great stuff.  Softer than most wools . . . but not necessarily warmer and I don't believe better wearing.  Depends on the yarns made from the fibers.  I had a pair of alpaca wool socks that were holed in one hunting season.  I have "strong" wool socks that have gone years and years (my wife spins and knits wool and we raise Shetlands and have raised Jacob in the past).  On the other hand, I have a pair of aplaca wool "glomitts" that keep going strong.  But trying to hold a drawn bow wearing one on your bow hand is a hazard to your nose.  Slick and smooth.

Each aplaca fiber is 7-8" long and down to 15 microns in diameter - which puts it in the same range with ultrafine Merino.  But ultrafine Merino lacks strength & wear.  Strong Merino is 23 to 25 microns.  Our Shetlands are 24 micron to 28 microns, but the fibers are only 4" long so you have more ends in the yarn - which contributes to the feel against the skin.  Course with lots of ends in the yarn = itchy.  Soft with less ends = itchless.

Human hair ranges 50 to 120 microns - in case you're still awake.    

[stagetek]

Her name is Sally Schmidt, and I bought a pair from her as well. Very comfortable. She say's not to layer them. I can't imagine my feet staying warm in really cold weather with just one pair of socks on.

[Terry Green]

I don't nkow about alpaca, but I don't buy anything anymore but merino wool. I'E'....Smart Wool.

[njloco]

Go for them, you won't be sorry !

[tracker12]

Smartwool or Woolpower for me.

[Duncan]

Alpaca sweaters were all the rage in the late 60's. I had one and it was a very fine wool. I was just looking at the vendor list for the upcoming Dixie Deer Classic in Raleigh NC and I see some one will be selling Alpaca socks. I'll have to check them out if I decide to go. (Dixie Deer Classic is not a Trad Only event)

[Phrogdrvr]

I have Alpaca socks and they are definitely warm, don't know if they are warmer than my merino or Woolpower, but warm.  My daughter has a couple of Alpacas that we sheer every year,  the fiber is very fine and can be woven densely making a warmer fabric.

My $.02

Tom

[Keith Zimmerman]

I buy Bison wool.

[stillhunter]

Thanks for the info guys and no Stumpkiller you did not put me to sleep. I thought it was very interesting. I found her business card in my wallet and they call their business SabambaAlpaca. My ongoing problem with socks is sz 14 foot and that's where most socks stop and any shrinkage and I'm tight and cold.

[Kris]

My brothers back and chest is so hairy he doesn't need anything...he has his own wool          

I know the alpaca to be super soft and all the other attributes aforementioned.  My other "not so hairy brother" picked up some of the same socks, I'll be waiting to hear how those work out for him.

I am using alpaca silencers on my strings and they are very durable, but that is a different kind of wear compared to compressive foot/boot contact.

As for myself, I have a lot of Merino wool and in particular, Smart Wool, love it and couldn't have enough of it.

Love natural materials, all are better and healthier than a lot of other things (polypro) and better and more sustainable for our world.
 
We're likely splitting hairs here between different wools...pun intended.

Kris