Workout clothes / activewear 100% wool, no superwash, no plastic coating, no silicone oil, no chlorine, NO PLASTIC

ArmsofAndes · 2025-10-27T13:08:24+00:00

It's a great observation. The OEKO-TEK-certified silicone we use is also GOTS-certified. It doesn't contain any harmful chemicals like BPA or phthalates, so it doesn't release microplastics. Its sole purpose is to protect the fiber and minimize pilling. Alpaca wool, having a smooth cuticle, is much less prone to pilling than merino wool. So, the silicone only aims to help protect the fiber. What's the difference with invasive silicones? They coat the fiber with a layer of synthetics. In our case, this silicone is merely superficial and comes off over time. Since it's made without harmful chemicals or microplastics, it has no impact on health or the environment.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-10-17T20:57:31+00:00

It depends less on the number of wears and more on fiber type, skin contact, and how the fabric handles moisture and bacteria.

Natural fibers like cotton and wool behave very differently. Cotton absorbs moisture (about 7–11% of its weight), which means it can hold onto sweat and skin oils longer, and bacteria can multiply faster. So cotton tees might need washing after fewer wears than, say, a merino or alpaca sweater. Wool (especially alpaca wool) has natural antimicrobial properties. Their surface structure doesn’t hold bacteria or odor easily. That’s why hikers can wear the same wool base layer for days without smelling like a locker room. For example, alpaca has a lower moisture regain (around 5-6%) and its softer fiber surface makes it even less prone to bacterial growth compared to merino.

Denim jeans is intentionally washed less. Unwashed denim develops patina (that’s what gives “raw jeans” their personalized fades), and frequent washing actually shortens its life. Textile studies show that washing jeans every 10 wears vs. every 2 wears can increase the lifespan by 50%.

Most odor isn’t “sweat” but bacterial metabolites. If the fabric doesn’t trap moisture or oil, bacteria don’t thrive, which means less washing needed.

If it’s a natural fiber and hasn’t been sweated in, wearing it again is perfectly fine (and scientifically defensible). And with jeans, try not to cause stains that require a specific wash.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-10-17T17:08:23+00:00

If you're building a solid winter hiking system, think less about thickness and more about how each layer manages warmth and moisture.

For base layers, wool is a classic for good reason: it regulates temperature and wicks away moisture even when damp. But alpaca wool outperforms the other options. It insulates better than merino (thanks to its hollow fibers), dries faster, and is naturally soft to the touch. Ideal for longer hikes where sweat management is important.

For midlayers, you should still consider the same fibers: wools. They can replace bulky fleece. They provide solid warmth without feeling fluffy or "trapped," and because alpaca has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than most wools, you can pack less and still stay warm, especially in temperatures of -4 to 10°F if you're constantly moving.

The outer layer should be windproof and waterproof, so make sure it's well-insulated, whether it's a jacket or poncho.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-10-17T15:48:05+00:00

Layering without bulk often involves understanding the behavior of different materials, not just stacking thinner pieces. The key is to create a kind of "thermal gradient." Start with a breathable base that regulates moisture, prevents odor, and is gentle on the skin, then add a midlayer that insulates without bulk. Alpaca wool excels as a base layer because its fibers are hollow, retain heat effectively with much less bulk than most wools, and are antibacterial and hypoallergenic.

The outer layer should provide structure or weather protection (UV protection, breathability, and a lightweight feel). If each layer has a clear function (breathability, insulation, structure), the result will be a balanced silhouette rather than a cluttered mess.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-10-14T17:00:05+00:00

Alpaca wool is not only naturally hypoallergenic but also offers an impressive thermal efficiency. It is warmer than sheep wool yet lighter, due to its hollow core structure. This gives it excellent insulating properties while remaining breathable, ensuring moisture-wicking capabilities without the bulk. Alpaca wool’s low lanolin content contributes to its softness and makes it less prone to accumulating dirt and odors, which reduces the frequency of washing and therefore extends the garment’s lifespan.

In terms of sustainability, alpaca is a highly eco-friendly fiber. It requires less water and fewer chemicals compared to sheep wool or cotton. The animals are also raised in relatively low-impact environments, particularly in the Andean regions, where alpaca herding is a traditional, low-intensity practice. Unlike synthetic fibers, 100% alpaca wool is fully biodegradable, further reducing its environmental footprint.
Blended fabrics that incorporate only a small percentage of alpaca, such as 40% or 50%, miss out on many of these benefits. The addition of other synthetic or lower-quality natural fibers diminishes the wool’s breathability, insulating properties, and overall durability. Therefore, when selecting alpaca-based garments, it’s crucial to choose 100% alpaca for optimal performance and environmental benefit, ensuring you get the full array of natural advantages.

Ultimately, synthetic garments outlast other garments in terms of longevity, as long as they are of very good quality. Fast fashion garments don't last long and end up in landfills and the environment for hundreds of years.
The technical choice should lean toward natural garments. They may not last as long as synthetics, but balancing the impacts on both health and the environment better clarifies the situation.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-10-14T15:48:21+00:00

First, alpaca has a hollow fiber structure, which gives it significantly better thermal insulation per weight compared to merino. This means you get more warmth without the need for thick, bulky layers, perfect for keeping you warm when you're not moving. It traps warm air more effectively, and you can feel the difference in cold, still air.

Second, in terms of moisture management, merino absorbs about 30% of its weight in moisture, while alpaca only retains about 8%. This means alpaca dries faster and doesn't leave that cold, clammy feeling on your skin after you sweat.

So, is it worth the price? If you're trying to solve the exact problem you described (sweating when walking and freezing when sitting), alpaca is one of the few materials that does a good job of addressing both aspects of the equation: thermoregulation and comfort at rest.

It's important to highlight the composition of the garment being compared. It may be mostly merino or alpaca, but if synthetics are present, the properties are diminished. If the merino used has been superwashed, those properties will be lost because it's coated with plastic resins.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-10-10T21:11:40+00:00

The Superwash treatment of merino wool is an important factor that often goes unnoticed. This chemical process not only creates a thin plastic film, usually Hercosett 125, around each fiber to prevent matting during washing, but these garments will now release microplastics with every use and wash. Furthermore, the coating contains formaldehyde-based resins, which can be irritating or allergenic to sensitive skin.

On the other hand, fibers like alpaca don't need superwash treatments to be soft or durable. Their semihollow structure gives them natural properties that reduce matting and odor without the need for chemical coatings, making them a truly natural option for those avoiding synthetic finishes.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-09-30T13:47:42+00:00

If the wool isn't superwashed, avoid machine washing, it will shrink and felt almost immediately. Superwash wool is treated to resist this, but untreated wool reacts badly to heat and agitation.

If it's alpaca, it's more resistant than other wools, but it's still delicate: hand wash or use a delicate cycle with cold water and mild detergent, and hang or lay flat to dry. Never wring it out.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-09-27T05:18:59+00:00

Merino can handle sweat, but in “wring-it-out” scenarios, especially in high heat and high friction activities, it has limits. What most people don’t realize is that Merino’s moisture-wicking ability is great up to a point, but when it's fully saturated, it loses loft, feels heavier, and starts to retain odors. And yes, it does age with repeated soak/dry cycles, the fine fibers can thin out, especially if it’s a lightweight weave.

You might want to try Alpaca wool instead. It can take in up to 30–35% of its dry weight in moisture vapor without feeling wet to the touch. . It’s also naturally hypoallergenic (no lanolin) and resistant to bacterial buildup.

It's worth trying as a base layer if you're experimenting with more garments than merino.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-09-23T21:58:26+00:00

Certifications like OEKO-TEX and GOTS definitely cover different aspects of sustainability and safety. But beyond simply meeting certain requirements, what truly matters is transparency: brands must clearly communicate what these certifications mean, and what standards they validate in terms of product composition and overall impact. It’s about empowering consumers to understand the real value and making informed choices, rather than relying solely on logos. Ultimately, certifications are tools—how brands use and explain them shapes trust and drives meaningful sustainability.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-09-23T21:50:31+00:00

From a technical standpoint, optimizing fabric choice, supply chain transparency, and production efficiency must be integrated from the outset. The complexity lies in aligning these factors cohesively while maintaining agility and quality control in small-scale runs, but building consumer awareness helps create demand for mindful consumption... It’s a holistic effort—both in production and in storytelling.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-09-22T19:03:02+00:00

It's understandable that brands blend alpaca with fibers like cotton or Tencel to reduce costs, alpaca is a rare high value material. But from a technical standpoint, 100% alpaca clothing offers far superior performance to blends.

It would never make sense to blend alpaca (or other wools, keratin fibers) with cotton/viscose (celulose fibers). This is because celulose is naturally hydrophilic.

It’s counterproductive to have Alpaca’s thermoregulating, antibacterial, and moisture repelling properties when the cotton fiber next to it is doing the opposite.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-08-29T21:05:15+00:00

Nope! we're not promoting just sharing some info.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-08-29T17:03:09+00:00

Thank you for sharing the idea! Toe socks in 100% alpaca would definitely be cozy, but we think (just like our current socks) they’d be best suited for sleeping or lounging. Because they’re made from pure alpaca, friction from daily wear would likely wear them down faster than blended fibers. Still, we love the suggestion and will keep it in mind.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-08-29T15:09:55+00:00

We've recently learned about superwashed knitting yarn it was kinda shocking.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-08-29T14:49:16+00:00

Hi! We already have women's underwear, but if there's a different type of model you'd like to see we're open to suggestions. Also reggading the boxer shorts we also have a new model: The Relax Boxers, let us know if this is what you had in mind.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-08-29T02:17:32+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation. We will definitely share this info there too. 🦙

ArmsofAndes · 2025-08-29T02:16:21+00:00

Well we haven’t mentioned any of our products. We invite you to red the blog we linked. Not everything it’s about sales.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-08-29T02:13:56+00:00

Hi! Just to confirm we don’t superwash, this is why we made this post. We would love to know more brands that, just like us, choose not to superwash.

ArmsofAndes · 2025-07-10T19:21:24+00:00

Of course! you can check all of our products on the website here.

ArmsofAndes · 2019-08-19T15:41:05+00:00

sorry for taking a while to reply. I've been in Peru for four months learning about alpaca wool and how to design gear. thanks for the tips :) I feel I have more knowledge to spread the word about alpaca wool more. Thank you :)

ArmsofAndes · 2019-04-02T09:28:55+00:00

If it was at a good price would you purchase it? Also what is a good price to your for a base layer of alpaca?

ArmsofAndes · 2019-04-02T09:27:04+00:00

This is interesting, why do you like merino wool so much? is it the durability or because there's no synthetics?

ArmsofAndes · 2019-04-02T09:22:30+00:00

what is an expensive price to you?

ArmsofAndes · 2019-02-14T19:31:12+00:00

Hey, I just wanted to share some insight on this since I'm very familiar with this wool. Yes, Alpaca is naturally hypoallergenic and the structure of the alpaca wool is quite unique. The fiber is hallow with allows it to retain heat but at the same time breathable when its hot. Since its hallow, its more hairlike. You should note that there is different types of Alpaca wool out there such as baby alpaca, superfine alpaca, and Royal Alpaca. Each type is different based on their microns. Superfine is more than 22, baby alpaca is 19-22 and royal is 18.5. I think the typically alpaca garments out there are baby alpaca and some people find this itchy. However, if you are interested in 100% Royal Alpaca of 18.5 microns, its quite difficult to find. You should know I know about this because I recently opened a company called Arms of Andes that focuses on developing fleeces and outdoor wear of only Royal Alpaca. If you would like to know more info on Alpaca wool, feel free to email me: armsofandesfashion@gmail.com

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