Can You Wear Alpaca Wool in the Rain?

I wear my alpaca wool products all the time, but when it rains, I always ask myself… Can I wear alpaca wool in the rain?

Alpaca wool is highly water repellent, allowing it to resist light to moderate rain by causing water to bead on the surface. However, it is not fully waterproof, so prolonged or heavy exposure will eventually saturate the fibers. Its moisture absorption and breathability enhance comfort even when damp.

If you’re curious about how alpaca wool handles rain and what to do if it gets wet, keep reading to discover its water-repellent qualities, when it might soak through, and how to care for your garment afterward.

Alpaca Wool is Water Repellent

While alpaca wool isn’t 100% waterproof, it is highly water repellent. This means the fibers repel moisture, causing water drops to form on the surface instead of being absorbed right away.

Sounds great, but what does that really mean? 

• “Not 100% waterproof” means alpaca wool won’t keep out all water forever… If the rain is heavy or lasts a long time, it will eventually get wet.

• “Highly water repellent” means alpaca wool naturally resists water, so it doesn’t soak in right away.

• “Fibers repel moisture” means the wool’s tiny threads push water away.

• “Water drops form on the surface” means rain collects as small droplets sitting on top instead of soaking in immediately.

In short: alpaca wool keeps you dry in light rain by letting water sit on the surface and roll off before it soaks in. 

What Happens When You Wear Alpaca Wool in the Rain? 

Whoops, you’re caught in the rain… What happens to your alpaca wool then? Unlike other fabrics that soak up water right away, alpaca wool has some pretty cool natural defenses. 

Here’s the step-by-step on how it handles those raindrops and keeps you feeling comfy longer:

1. Rain hits your alpaca wool clothes.
   

2. At first, water forms droplets and stays on the surface.
   

3. If it keeps raining, the wool starts to soak up some moisture.
   

4. Your body heat then helps dry out the wool from the inside.
   

5. The garment slowly dries, so you don’t feel too wet or uncomfortable.
   

And that is why and how you can wear alpaca wool and stay cozy even when it’s rainy.

Check out this video I made in which you can see how this works!

Alpaca Wool Is Water Repellent Because It Has Smooth Scales

Many people think that it is lanolin that makes alpaca wool water repellent. But actually… Alpaca wool contains so little of this greasy substance that there is basically no lanolin left after processing the fibers. (More here: PDF: When Is a Myth Not a Myth?, 2018)

So, what is it then that makes alpaca wool water repellent? 

All wool fibers have scales that protect their core, and these scales often cause itchiness. However, alpaca wool’s scales are much smaller and smoother. And this is exactly what makes alpaca wool stand out for two reasons: 

1. Small scales reduce itchiness, and;
2. Small scales create a nearly sealed surface that prevents water from penetrating easily. 

It is the smooth fiber texture that causes water to remain on the surface, making the fiber naturally water repellent.

Alpaca Wool is Water Repellent Because it Is Absorbent

According to Cameron Holt (PDF: When Is a Myth Not a Myth?, 2018), the alpaca fiber can absorb up to 30% of its dry body weight. This means that it will take longer for an alpaca woolen garment to feel wet, compared to other materials. 

This is important because alpaca wool can soak up moisture without feeling wet or sticky on your skin. That means even when you got caught in the rain, your clothes still feel comfortable and dry—unlike some synthetic fabrics that get clammy really fast.

When it rains outside and we get wet, it is that feeling of wet fabric on our skin that makes us feel uncomfortable. Similarly, the feeling of wearing a damp and clammy garment is very unpleasant, too! 

Unlike polyester and many synthetics, which absorb only 1–2% moisture and can feel clammy, alpaca wool helps you stay (and thus feel) dry, longer.

However, for heavy or prolonged rain, extra waterproof layers are still needed.

• I wrote another article about how this works. Click the link to read it! Is Alpaca Wool Waterproof? 
  
  

Alpaca Wool is Water Repellent Because it Has Great Moisture Management

The alpaca fiber is often praised because of it's unique features. One of those features is great moisture management. So when your alpaca wool gets wet, its fibers help evaporate the moisture, keeping you comfortable.

Alpaca wool fibers are semi-hollow, they have tiny air pockets inside. When it rains, water can soak into the outer walls of the fiber, but the hollow core usually doesn't fill with water. This means the fiber still traps air, which helps keep you warm.

At the same time, your body heat warms the wet fiber. Because alpaca fiber has that hollow structure, it allows moisture to slowly evaporate from the inside. The result? The garment dries gradually from the inside out... Keeping you drier and more comfortable in rainy conditions than many other fabrics.

Alpaca Wool Is Water Repellent, NOT Waterproof

There is a difference between being water repellent and being waterproof.

• When something is water repellent, it means it repels moisture and rain, but it will eventually get wet. 

• When something is waterproof, it means that no water penetrates or gets absorbed by the fabric ever. 

Alpaca woolen garments are water repellent, not waterproof. This means that they eventually will get wet. 

Alpaca wool gets wet when exposed to heavy or prolonged rain. While it repels light to moderate moisture, continuous or heavy rain eventually allows water to soak into the fibers.

Thicker garments do absorb more before feeling wet, but no alpaca wool is fully waterproof.

But… There’s a benefit to that! It makes a garment much more breathable. 

Waterproof Isn’t Always Better (But Sometimes it Is)

Truly waterproof garments (usually polyester with special coatings) do a great job keeping heavy rain out. But it does so by sealing the layer. And that means they often trap sweat and heat, too, making you feel clammy and uncomfortable. 

That sealed, waterproof layer blocks breathability, which can be a real downside, especially when you’re active.

Sure, waterproof gear keeps you dry, but comfort is about more than just staying dry; it’s also about feeling free to move and without overheating.

Personally, I can’t stand wearing clothes that don’t breathe; it feels suffocating. But if you prefer (or need) full rain protection and don’t mind the clammy feeling, waterproof might be your choice.

It all depends on what matters most to you. In my opinion, alpaca wool is great for outdoor activities because it balances water resistance with breathability. This means it keeps you warm and comfortable during physical activities where you might sweat or face changing weather… Like hiking or skiing! (Click the links below to read more in this!)

• Can You Wear Alpaca Wool When Skiing? (YES, Here’s Why!)

• Can You Hike in Alpaca Wool? (Why It’s My Go-To Gear)

• 14 Activities Perfect for Wearing Alpaca Wool
  
  

It Also Depends on How Rainy it Is

There’s a big difference between light drizzle and a heavy downpour. So, what kind of rain can alpaca wool protect you from?

Alpaca wool works well against light to moderate rain and can handle short bursts of heavier rain. Similarly, alpaca wool protects from wet snow, sleet, regular snow, hail, and other types of moderate precipitation.

How long it keeps you dry depends on the thickness and design of your garment: thicker pieces absorb more moisture before feeling wet.

So, if you’re into alpaca wool for its natural water repellency and comfort, check out my sustainable, water-repellent alpaca products here:

• Products: Yanantin Alpaca
  
  

How Do You Dry An Alpaca Woolen Garment After it Gets Wet from the Rain?

If you’ve been caught in a heavy downpour and your alpaca woolen garment is wet, you will need to let it dry properly to make sure it doesn’t stretch. 

Here’s how you properly dry an alpaca wool garment that got wet from the rain: 

• Make sure you put it to air-dry, on a flat surface. 

• Don’t hang the garment as the weight of the water can make it lose its shape.

• Remove excess water if it is very wet by rolling it between two dry towels.  
  
  

You want to avoid tossing a wet garment on your coat rack to let it dry there. First of all, it will make the other garments wet, which can cause mildew, mold and bad smells. The added weight of the water can also cause it to stretch and lose its shape. 

When an alpaca woolen garment is wet, it will stretch out, so this is something you need to be careful about! 

Never put an alpaca woolen garment in the dryer. The friction of the machine in combination with water will damage the fibers and cause them to mat together. The result is a brushy doormat instead of a soft hat or scarf. 

Keep in mind that when an alpaca woolen garment is really wet, it might take some time to fully dry. 

• After washing my alpaca woolen hat, it took about 12 hours for it to dry. My alpaca woolen sweater took at least 24 hours to dry! 

For the full drying guide, check out the full article below: 

• How Do You Dry Alpaca Woolen Garments? (Prevent Shrinking, Felting, Stretching, Fading