An alpaca duvet inner keeps you warm without weight, breathes through humid New Zealand nights and suits sensitive skin because the fibre carries no lanolin. Choosing the right alpaca duvet inner in NZ comes down to one number, the GSM, and this guide explains how to pick it and what else to check before you buy.
In brief
- 200 GSM suits summer and hot sleepers, 350 GSM suits spring and autumn, 450 GSM suits winter, and the combo covers the whole year.
- Look for 100% alpaca fill, the GSM stated clearly, a down-proof pre-shrunk cotton cover and even quilting.
- Every Kiwi Wool alpaca duvet is made in our Auckland factory from New Zealand alpaca and covered by a 3-year warranty.
What an alpaca duvet is and why the fibre suits New Zealand
An alpaca duvet inner is a quilted inner filled with alpaca fleece instead of sheep wool, feathers or polyester. Alpaca fibre is semi-hollow, so each strand traps insulating air while staying light. The fibre also breathes and wicks moisture away from your body, which is why an alpaca duvet feels dry rather than clammy on a humid Auckland night.
Alpaca is naturally free from lanolin, the waxy coating found in sheep wool. That is why it has none of the prickle some people notice with wool, and why it suits sensitive skin and allergy-prone sleepers. The fibre is also naturally anti-bacterial, mildew-resistant and resistant to dust mites.
On our product pages we describe alpaca as around 25% warmer and lighter than sheep wool. In practice that means a winter-weight alpaca duvet gives you deep warmth without the heavy, pressed-down feeling of a thick wool or synthetic inner. For a fuller comparison of the two fibres, read our alpaca vs wool duvet guide.
Choosing the weight: 200, 350 or 450 GSM
GSM stands for grams per square metre and tells you how much alpaca fill is in the duvet. More grams means more warmth. Our own temperature guide recommends 200 GSM alpaca for hot summer conditions, 250 to 350 GSM for mild spring and autumn conditions, and 400 to 500 GSM for cold winters. The table below matches each Kiwi Wool alpaca duvet inner to that guide.
| Alpaca duvet inner | Season in our guide | Best for | Weight of a King inner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 GSM | Summer, hot climate | Hot sleepers, humid nights, well-insulated modern homes, children | The lightest in our range |
| 350 GSM | Spring and autumn, mild climate | Shoulder seasons and warmer homes through winter | About 3.0 kg |
| 450 GSM | Winter, cold climate | Cold bedrooms, unheated houses and the colder south | About 3.5 kg |
| Combo 200 + 350 GSM | All year | Anyone who wants one system for every season | Two inners, use one or both |
200 GSM for summer and hot sleepers
The 200 GSM inner is a cloud-like layer for warm nights. It suits people who run hot, homes with good insulation, and children who need a light cover. Because it breathes so well, it takes the sticky feeling out of a humid February night. See our summer duvet inner page for more.
350 GSM for spring and autumn
The 350 GSM inner is the all-rounder for New Zealand shoulder seasons. It holds warmth on a sudden autumn cold snap and still breathes on a mild spring evening. In a well-heated bedroom many people use it through winter as well.
450 GSM for winter
The 450 GSM inner is our winter weight. It suits cold bedrooms, houses without central heating, and the colder inland and southern regions. Because alpaca is light for its warmth, a King inner weighs about 3.5 kg, noticeably less than a wool duvet of the same warmth. Our winter duvet inner page compares it with our 500 GSM wool inner.
The combo for the whole year
The Alpaca Duvet Combo pairs a 200 GSM and a 350 GSM inner. Use the 200 in summer, the 350 in spring and autumn, then button the two together for a 550 GSM winter duvet. It is the answer for couples who cannot agree on warmth and for anyone who wants to buy once. Read more on our all-seasons duvet page.
- Sale!
200GSM 100% Alpaca Duvet Inner
Price range: $176.90 through $243.90 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page - Sale!
350GSM 100% Alpaca Duvet Inner
Price range: $232.20 through $322.20 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page - Sale!
450GSM 100% Alpaca Duvet Inner
Price range: $253.50 through $363.50 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page - Sale!
Alpaca Duvet Combo (200 + 350 GSM)
Price range: $375.50 through $545.30 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
White or natural brown, and the bound edge finish
Most of our alpaca duvets come in a white 100% cotton cover. We also make a 450 GSM alpaca inner in a natural brown down-proof cotton cover. The brown cotton has a slightly crisper hand and a soft rustle, which comes from the dense weave that keeps the fibre in. Some brown sizes go on back order at times, so check the product page for availability.
Our 350 GSM white inner is also available with a bound edge finish. The bound edge adds seam strength and durability, and it is offered at a special price while stock lasts. Sizes in stock change, so the product page always shows what is available.
- Sale!
100% Alpaca Duvet Inner 450GSM Brown
Price range: $215.00 through $322.20 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page - Sale!
100% Alpaca Duvet Inner 350GSM White (Bound Edge Finish)
Price range: $212.00 through $292.20 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
What to look for in any alpaca duvet
100% alpaca fill, not a blend
Some duvets sold as alpaca contain a share of other fibres. Look for the fill statement and make sure it says 100% alpaca. Every Kiwi Wool alpaca duvet inner is filled with 100% New Zealand alpaca fleece, and we state the percentage and the GSM on every product page.
The fill weight stated in GSM
If a duvet does not tell you its GSM, you cannot compare it with anything else or match it to your bedroom. A clear GSM figure is the first sign of a maker who understands warmth. Our duvet GSM guide explains the numbers in more depth.
A down-proof, pre-shrunk cotton cover
The cover decides how the duvet feels and how long it lasts. Ours is 100% cotton, down-proofed so fibre cannot work its way out, pre-shrunk so it keeps its shape, and certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
How it is quilted
Quilting holds the fill in place so it cannot bunch into cold spots. We quilt every alpaca duvet on a single-needle machine, stitch by stitch, which gives a more even fill than mass-produced multi-needle quilting. You can read why that matters in our article on single-needle quilting.
Where it is made
A duvet can be designed in New Zealand yet filled and sewn offshore. Ours are made from start to finish in our Auckland factory, from New Zealand alpaca, by the family that has been doing it since 2002. See how we make our duvets.
Caring for an alpaca duvet
Alpaca does not need frequent washing because the fibre is naturally anti-bacterial. Air the duvet outdoors in the shade for a day or two now and then to refresh it and restore the loft. Spot clean small marks with minimal water, and use a professional dry cleaner for anything more. Never machine wash or tumble dry an alpaca duvet, because heat and agitation can shrink and damage the fleece.
Every Kiwi Wool duvet carries a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Our care guide covers airing, storage and what to do about the natural scent of a new duvet.
What customers say
Kiwi Wool has 39 published customer reviews, and every product in the range is rated between 4.8 and 5.0 out of 5. One 450 GSM customer told us their duvet arrived in two days and performed well after a day of airing in the sun. Another described theirs as “warm and light” and said it was the third duvet they had bought from us. You can read them all on our customer reviews page.
Sizing. Our alpaca duvets come in Single (140 x 210 cm), Double (180 x 210 cm), Queen (210 x 210 cm), King (240 x 210 cm) and Super King (265 x 210 cm). If you are between sizes, our NZ duvet size guide will help you choose.
Ready to choose? Every Kiwi Wool alpaca duvet inner is made in Auckland from 100% New Zealand alpaca, quilted on our single-needle machine and backed by a 3-year warranty. Browse the range, or call us on 09 622 1318 if you would like help picking a weight.
Frequently asked questions
Which alpaca duvet weight is best for winter in New Zealand?
Our 450 GSM alpaca duvet inner is the winter weight. It suits cold bedrooms and the colder inland and southern regions. If you want one system for the whole year, the combo buttons a 200 and a 350 GSM inner together for a 550 GSM winter duvet.
Is an alpaca duvet warmer than a wool duvet?
Alpaca is around 25% warmer and lighter than sheep wool, so a 450 GSM alpaca inner sits alongside a 500 GSM wool inner in our temperature guide. Our alpaca vs wool comparison goes through the differences in feel, weight and care.
Are alpaca duvets good for allergies?
Alpaca fibre carries no lanolin and is naturally anti-bacterial and resistant to dust mites and mildew, which is why many sensitive sleepers choose it. Read our guide to choosing a hypoallergenic alpaca duvet for more detail.
Can I wash an alpaca duvet?
No. Alpaca duvets are dry clean only. Spot clean small marks with minimal water and air the duvet outdoors in the shade to refresh it. Machine washing or tumble drying can shrink the fleece and is not covered by the warranty.
What sizes do Kiwi Wool alpaca duvets come in?
Single 140 x 210 cm, Double 180 x 210 cm, Queen 210 x 210 cm, King 240 x 210 cm and Super King 265 x 210 cm. Our duvet size guide explains how each matches New Zealand bed sizes.
How quickly will my alpaca duvet arrive?
Orders are generally shipped within 5 working days and delivered by Aramex, usually within 7 days anywhere in New Zealand. Shipping is free on NZ orders over $150 NZD after discounts.