Essential Fabrics for Winter Travel: Alpaca
Our #1 Pick for Best Travel Fabric
Winter weather can cause major headaches when you travel. You know what I'm talking about - delayed flights due to snow, overcrowded highways, scraping off your rental car, slippery sidewalks... ugh. While we can't control the weather or highway traffic, we can help you stay warm, cozy and looking great. Read on to discover the best winter fabrics for those on the go.
The Best Cold Weather Fabrics Are:
I. Warm
No need for extra layers
Transitions easily from outdoors to indoors
II. Lightweight
Don't add unnecessary weight to your suitcase
Fit comfortably under a winter coat
III. Durable
With proper care, will last many seasons
Doesn't need to be washed after every wear
ALPACA
Not only is this up and coming fabric one of the warmest, softest and most durable available, but it also gets major points for sustainability. You can find Alpaca's in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes, gently grazing the land. Their feet are soft and padded unlike sheeps and goats (who have hooves), so they impart less damage on the root systems and terrain where they live. Alpaca's drink less water than sheeps and goats, and require less acreage to live on. They can produce over four sweaters per year. For perspective, most cashmere goats will barely produce enough hair for 1/4 of a sweater each year, NRDC.
Alpaca is also free of Lanolin, a natural oil that is commonly found in sheeps wool which may cause irritation for some. As a result, Alpaca fibers do not require any harsh chemicals to process and are hypoallergenic.
Warmth
Alpaca takes the blue ribbon home for warmest all-weather, eco-friendly fabric. The microscopic air pockets within the fiber provide excellent insulation and breathability. Keeping you both warm and cool as the temperatures and seasons change.
Weight
No need to worry about hitting the carry-on weight limits with these sweaters. Those same microscopic air pockets that keep you warm, also help to reduce the weight of the garment. Bring along the ride to wear to client dinners and holiday parties alike.
Durability
Caring for Alpaca clothing is easy. Alpaca fibers measure between 8-12 cm (remember Cashmere fibers are considered "long" at 4cm). This length means that the fabric is far less likely to pill or shrink. It works well to repel odors and will retain heat, even when wet. Alpaca is known for being oh so smooth and soft - it won't prickle the skin like wool sometimes can. Also, as if this could get better, Alpaca is static resistant so it doesn't attract dust or other small particles that may damage cashmere or wool.
More on Alpaca
Why your next sweater should be Alpaca, not Cashmere
A Soft Warm Fiber with a Better Ecological "Padprint"
SHOP QUALITY ALPACA
The Reformation Alpaca Business Socks in Black
The Reformation Cornalina Alpaca Blend Sweater
The Reformation Bunny Hooded Onesie (this was just too adorable not to share)
Alternative Apparel Color Blocked Blanket (affiliate link)
Alternative Apparel Speckled Alpaca Gloves (affiliate link)