Is Alpaca Wool Waterproof?

Alpaca wool has many exclusive qualities. But have you ever heard that it’s waterproof?

Alpaca wool is not waterproof, but it is water-repellent. It has great wicking capabilities, meaning it repels water before it can be absorbed. However, alpaca fiber can still absorb up to 50% of its body weight in moisture. The fiber also has a special structure that helps water evaporate quickly.

Water-resistant, excellent wicking abilities, and a structure that helps water evaporate? Read more about this unique fiber and feel just like a wild alpaca yourself.

 

Is Alpaca Waterproof, Watertight, Water-repellent, or Water-resistant? 

Let’s dive in: is alpaca wool waterproof, watertight, water-repellent, or water-resistant? Using the dictionary definitions of these terms, alpaca wool is water-repellent and water-resistant. It is not waterproof and not watertight. 

 

• Waterproof: Not allowing water to pass through.

A common misconception is that alpaca wool is waterproof. Waterproof means that a fabric does not absorb water at all—ever. Since alpaca wool does absorb water, it is not waterproof.

 

• Watertight: Having no openings for water to enter.

Alpaca wool is also not watertight. Watertight materials must be completely sealed to block out water. Alpaca wool is usually spun into yarn, which is then knitted or woven—methods that create textiles with tiny gaps, making them permeable.

 

• Water-repellent: Repels water during light rain.

Here it is: alpaca wool is water-repellent. That means it can fend off water to a degree, especially in light rain, before the moisture soaks into the fabric. According to most dictionaries, “water-repellent” applies mainly to light rain conditions.

 

• Water-resistant: Resists water to a certain degree.

Water-resistant literally means the fabric can resist water. Interestingly, online dictionaries often use “water-resistant” and “water-repellent” interchangeably. I’ll follow that lead and use these two terms throughout this article.

 

The REAL Experience: Alpaca Wool is PERFECT for Rainy Days

So, if alpaca wool repels light rain, does this mean alpaca wool shouldn’t be worn during heavy rain? In my opinion, you can wear alpaca wool every day of the year. Being a Dutchy in Estonia, rainy days are common (today included).

I confess: I wear my alpaca wool scarf every single day—rain or shine. When it rains, I don’t just wrap it around my neck, I wrap it around my head, too. It doesn’t only protect my neck and throat but shields the rest of my face as well.

After biking home through the rain (yes, I am Dutch), I just unwrap the scarf and flick the droplets off.

I’ve dealt with more than just light rain, and it works just fine for me. However, I don’t want to set your expectations too high—I might just be more used to the rain than you are (is that even a thing?). So, use common sense. 

• Secret Tip: When you’re flicking off the water, always imagine you’re a fluffy alpaca shaking its booty. It makes life better.
  

What Makes Alpaca Wool Water-repellent? 

Alpaca wool is naturally water-repellent thanks to its unique fiber texture and its ability to dry quickly. It also keeps you warm even when damp. However, how water-repellent a garment truly is depends on the fabric construction and type.

Scale-Like Texture

Alpaca fiber has a unique scale-like texture, which gives it its excellent wicking ability. Most types of wool have scales, but if the scales are big (which you’ll find with coarse, itchy fibers), they won’t be as resistant to water as smaller scales. 

Here’s the secret to alpaca’s moisture-wicking power: it is so smooth, that there is less surface area for water to cling to and be absorbed. So, what happens when it rains and you’re wearing alpaca wool? The raindrops just slide off the garment.

Fast-Drying 

When alpaca wool absorbs water, it doesn't stay wet for long. That’s because alpaca fibers have a hollow core, which allows for air to flow freely and basically turn into an efficient built-in ventilation that carries away moisture when it gets wet. 

In technical terms, alpaca wool dries fast because of this: 

• Airflow: The internal air channels allow air to pass through the fiber structure more easily, increasing ventilation.
  

• Thermal retention: The air trapped in the hollow core retains body heat, warming the fabric, which in turn raises the vapor pressure of the water—encouraging it to evaporate faster.

The key here is that alpaca wool already repels water from the fiber to begin with, which means there is less water to dry. However, when a garment gets truly soaked and the water actually enters that hollow core, drying becomes a whole different story and can take forever!

 

Bonus: It Doesn’t Get Cold When Wet

One of the unique advantages of alpaca wool is that it can keep you warm even if it gets a little wet.

Remember those air pockets? They're a natural protection layer. 

Even if the outside of the wool gets damp, those little air pockets stay dry and warm. This means that alpaca wool doesn’t feel as clammy or cold as other materials when wet. So even if you get caught in the rain, alpaca wool can still help you stay warm.

Water Resistance by Fabric Type: Knitted, Woven, and Melton Alpaca Wool

How water-resistant a fabric is depends in part on its structure, particularly how tightly the fibers or yarns are packed. Generally, the denser the weave (or knit), the less space there is for water to seep through.

1. Knitted Alpaca Wool

Water Repellency: Low to Moderate

Knitted alpaca wool is made by looping yarn into a flexible, stretchy fabric. This creates small gaps between stitches, allowing air to circulate, but also making it easier for water to penetrate. 

Knitted garments (like scarves, sweaters, or hats) will start to absorb moisture more quickly in heavy or sustained rain. They're fine for light drizzle or short exposure, but not ideal in wet conditions.

 

2. Woven Alpaca Wool

Water Repellency: Moderate to High

Woven alpaca wool is created by interlacing warp and weft yarns in a structured grid, producing a denser, tighter fabric than knitwear. This construction reduces the number of open gaps, making the fabric more resistant to water seeping through. 

Woven alpaca garments (such as ponchos, scarves, or light jackets) offer better protection against moisture than their knitted counterparts. They’re generally great for damp weather and can hold up reasonably well in light to moderate rain.

3. Melton Alpaca Wool

Water Repellency: High

Melton is a thick, densely woven wool fabric that is then heavily fulled (a process where the fabric is agitated in hot water and shrunk to tighten the weave and smooth the surface.) The result is a felt-like, almost seamless material with excellent wind and water resistance. 

Melton made from alpaca wool combines the fiber’s natural water-repellent qualities with a near-watertight structure. This makes it the best choice for outerwear in wet, windy conditions.

While not 100% waterproof, melton alpaca is the closest you’ll get to it without adding synthetic coatings.

 

Naturally Water-repellent

The water-repellent quality of alpaca wool is inherent. That means no chemical treatments, no coatings, and no synthetic layers. It’s simply how the fiber behaves in its natural form.

This is part of what makes alpaca wool such a sustainable choice: the performance is built in, so less processing is needed. Fewer chemicals in production means less environmental impact, and a cleaner, more breathable material against your skin. 

Its natural water-resistance is one reason alpacas thrive in the high Andes, where cold, wind, and sudden rain are REAL. When you wear alpaca wool, you're benefiting from a fiber that evolved to perform: it’s nature at its best.

Ready to experience the magic of alpaca wool? Visit our store and get your own all-natural, water-repellent garment today.