Alpaca vs wool duvet: both fibres breathe, wick moisture and resist dust mites, so neither is a bad choice. Alpaca is lighter for the same warmth and carries no lanolin, while wool gives a grounded, weightier feel at a lower price. We make both in our Auckland factory, so here is an honest comparison.
In brief
- Choose alpaca if you want the lightest warmth, have sensitive skin, or react to lanolin.
- Choose wool if you like the feel of weight on the bed, want the more affordable natural fibre, or need a 500 GSM winter inner.
- A 450 GSM alpaca inner and a 500 GSM wool inner sit in the same winter band of our temperature guide.
The short answer
If you run hot, sleep in a warm house or dislike a heavy duvet, alpaca will suit you better. If you love the cocooning weight of a traditional duvet and want the best value natural fibre for a cold New Zealand winter, wool will suit you better. Both are made from New Zealand fibre in our own factory and both carry the same 3-year warranty.
Alpaca and wool side by side
| Feature | Alpaca duvet | Wool duvet |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre structure | Semi-hollow fibre that traps insulating air | Crimped solid fibre that traps air between strands |
| Warmth for weight | Around 25% warmer and lighter than sheep wool | Very warm, with more weight for the same warmth |
| Lanolin and sensitivity | Naturally lanolin-free, no prickle, suits sensitive skin | Lanolin removed by double washing without harsh chemicals |
| Moisture | Breathes and wicks moisture away | Breathes and wicks moisture away |
| Weight of a Queen at winter weight | 450 GSM inner, about 3.0 kg | 500 GSM inner, about 3.4 kg |
| Feel | Light, soft, cloud-like | Grounded, cosy, more weight on the body |
| Price position | Sits higher | The more affordable natural fibre |
| Care | Dry clean only, air outdoors in the shade | Dry clean only, air in the sun |
The one row that surprises people is the weight. A 450 GSM alpaca inner and a 500 GSM wool inner are both winter duvets in our temperature guide, yet the Queen alpaca weighs about 3.0 kg and the Queen wool about 3.4 kg. For a Super King the wool inner reaches about 4.2 kg. Neither is wrong; it is a question of what you like to sleep under.
Who should choose alpaca
Alpaca fibre is naturally free from lanolin, the waxy coating on sheep wool, so it has none of the prickle some people notice and it suits sensitive or allergy-prone sleepers. It is also naturally anti-bacterial, mildew-resistant and resistant to dust mites.
Because the fibre is semi-hollow it traps a great deal of insulating air for very little weight. That makes alpaca the better choice for hot sleepers, for people who find a heavy duvet oppressive, for children, and for well-insulated modern homes. Our 200 GSM alpaca inner is the lightest duvet we make. Read the alpaca duvet buying guide to choose between 200, 350 and 450 GSM, or shop the alpaca duvet inners.
Who should choose wool
Wool is the traditional New Zealand fibre and it earns its place. Our wool is double-washed without harsh chemical agents, which removes the lanolin and plant residue while keeping the loft, so the inner is clean and fresh. It regulates temperature and wicks moisture in the same way alpaca does, and it is naturally anti-bacterial and resistant to dust mites.
Choose wool if you like the feeling of weight on the bed, if you want the more affordable natural fibre, or if you need a dependable 500 GSM winter inner for a cold, uninsulated house. Our wool duvet buying guide explains what to look for, and you can shop the wool duvet inners directly.
- 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!
100% NZ Wool 500GSM Duvet Inner
Price range: $199.00 through $259.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Can you mix them?
Yes, and many of our customers do. A common pairing is the 500 GSM wool inner for winter and the 200 GSM alpaca inner for summer, with the 350 GSM alpaca covering spring and autumn. Another is our Alpaca Duvet Combo, which buttons a 200 and a 350 GSM inner together for winter. Couples who disagree about warmth sometimes use one of each. Our all-seasons duvet page explains the options.
- 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
Matching the weights
Because alpaca is warmer for its weight, the two fibres line up at different GSM figures. This is our own temperature guide.
| Season | Climate | Alpaca duvet | Wool duvet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hot | 200 GSM | 200 to 300 GSM |
| Spring and autumn | Mild | 250 to 350 GSM | 350 to 400 GSM |
| Winter | Cold | 400 to 500 GSM | 450 to 600 GSM |
So a 450 GSM alpaca inner and a 500 GSM wool inner are equivalent winter choices, and a 350 GSM alpaca inner does the job of a 350 to 400 GSM wool inner in the shoulder seasons. The duvet GSM guide explains the numbers in more depth, and the winter duvet inner page compares the two winter options directly.
Made in the same Auckland factory
Whichever fibre you choose, it is carded, filled, quilted and finished by the same team in our factory in Mangere, Auckland. Both fibres are ethically sourced from New Zealand farms, both are covered in down-proof, pre-shrunk, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified cotton, and both are quilted on our single-needle machine. See how we make our duvets.
Still unsure? Call us on 09 622 1318. We make both fibres, so we have no reason to push you towards one. Tell us about your bedroom and how you sleep and we will tell you what we would choose.
Both fibres are made in Auckland from New Zealand fleece and both carry our 3-year warranty. Choose the one that matches how you sleep, and if you would like a second opinion, we are a phone call away on 09 622 1318.
Frequently asked questions
Is alpaca warmer than wool?
Yes for its weight. Alpaca fibre is semi-hollow and traps more insulating air, so it is around 25% warmer and lighter than sheep wool. That is why a 450 GSM alpaca inner sits in the same winter band as a 500 GSM wool inner.
Is alpaca better than wool for allergies?
Alpaca is naturally free from lanolin, so it suits people who react to it or who find wool prickly. Both fibres are naturally anti-bacterial and resist dust mites, and our wool is double-washed to remove lanolin and plant residue.
Which is heavier, an alpaca or a wool duvet?
Wool. At winter weight our Queen 500 GSM wool inner weighs about 3.4 kg and our Queen 450 GSM alpaca inner about 3.0 kg. Some people prefer the grounded feel of wool, others the lightness of alpaca.
Which is more expensive?
Alpaca sits higher in price than wool because the fibre is scarcer and lighter for its warmth. Current prices for every size are shown on the product pages, and we do not publish them here because they change.
Can I use a wool duvet in winter and an alpaca duvet in summer?
Yes. Many customers pair the 500 GSM wool inner for winter with the 200 GSM alpaca inner for summer. Both come in the same sizes, so they fit the same duvet cover.