Many fall in love with alpacas because they very cute, gentle and have such loveable personalities. Once the animals have won over hearts, the new-to-alpacas person will eventually ask, “What are they used for?” This note is a short review of the many wonderful qualities of alpaca fiber. Semi-Hollow Fiber There has been a good deal of R&D money spent on the development of synthetic semi-hollow fiber. The reason is fairly simple. A hollow core fiber weighs less that the same diameter solid core and because air is trapped in the core, the fabric warms up very quickly. As a result, all outdoor enthusiasts know that apparel made from hollow core fiber tends to be light weight and much warmer than their solid core equivalents. Alpaca is a natural semi-hollow fiber with a fineness that matches many of the micro-fiber synthetics. Unlike synthetically engineered micro-fiber, alpaca is produced by a sustainable process. No animal is killed during the harvest (such as in goose down). No harsh chemical washes are required to process alpaca fiber. Alpaca truly is an “Earth Friendly” natural product. Moisture Wicking It is really difficult to walk into any outdoor shop today and pick up a product that is not advertising moisture wicking properties. Wicking and absorbing moisture are two different things. Absorbing moisture is what a sponge does. It keeps taking in moisture until it becomes saturated and the whole sponge feels wet. Wicking is when the fabric transports moisture away from its source to the outside of a fabric where it is able to evaporate. Wool and cotton are very absorbent but do not have very good wicking properties, which is why many people complain that their feet sweat or feel wet in wool or cotton socks. Alpaca on the other hand, has low moisture absorbency with great wicking properties resulting in better comfort and warmth. Hypoallergenic Unlike wool, alpaca fleece contains no lanolin, and requires no chemical-scouring agents for processing. This, combined with its natural hypoallergenic properties and softness, makes alpaca garments comfortable, even for sensitive skin. If you compare an alpaca fiber to a wool fiber under a microscope, you will find the surface of the alpaca fiber will be smooth where the wool fiber will appear to have scales. This natural characteristic creates a smoother, slicker feel that is not scratchy or prickly like merino wool.