Frequently Asked Questions

For decades, merino set the standard for natural performance in outdoor apparel. Alpaca goes beyond it.

Alpaca fiber naturally outperforms merino in key outdoor conditions. Its unique semi-hollow core fiber allows it to regulate temperature more efficiently, wick moisture without feeling damp, and deliver exceptional warmth with less weight and bulk. It also feels noticeably softer on the skin and resists odor naturally.

Beyond performance, Alpaca stands apart for its sustainability. It’s ethically sourced, requires minimal processing, and is produced with a lower environmental impact from start to finish.

That’s why we chose Alpaca as the foundation of every Arms of Andes layer.

Every Arms of Andes garment is designed and made entirely in Peru, from sourcing Alpaca fiber and spinning the yarn to knitting the fabric and finishing the final product. This single-origin approach lets us ensure high quality, and keep our environmental impact as low as possible by keeping production close to the source of the fiber.

As the world’s main exporter of Alpaca fiber, Peru has the largest population of Alpacas in the world and is the seat of knowledge about Alpaca wool. Working in Peru allows us to ensure the traceability and quality of our products, as well as reduce our carbon footprint, particularly when considering shipping. Manufacturing the garments close to the source of the Alpaca wool means that all transport during production is overland, so we only use air transport for distribution and shipping the final products to you.

Alpaca wool is expensive and historically thought of as a fiber for fashion, so Alpaca clothing brands have generally focused on luxury and style instead of performance. At Arms of Andes, we have developed a unique fabric made entirely from 100% Alpaca wool (the highest grade of Alpaca fiber), which performs even better than merino wool in the outdoors.

Alpaca Wool is fundamentally different in both structure and performance.

Compared to merino, Alpaca fibers have a smoother surface and a semi-hollow core. This allows Alpaca to regulate body temperature more efficiently across both cold and mild conditions, manage moisture more effectively, and feel noticeably softer against the skin, without the itch often associated with wool.

Unlike synthetics, Alpaca manages moisture naturally instead of trapping it. It absorbs vapor without feeling wet, resists odor over extended wear, and performs without relying on plastic fibers or harsh-chemical treatments.

Other natural fabrics like cotton absorb moisture and lose insulation when wet, making them unsuitable for cold or variable outdoor conditions. Alpaca maintains warmth, comfort, and freshness even during prolonged use.

This unique combination of fiber structure, thermoregulation, moisture management, and natural softness is what sets Alpaca apart from merino, synthetics, and other fabrics.

You can explore these differences in more detail on our Alpaca Fiber Performance page.

Not for most people.

Alpaca wool is naturally smooth and soft against the skin. Unlike sheep’s wool, Alpaca fibers have smaller, flatter surface scales and contain minimal lanolin, which reduces irritation and sensitivity.

At Arms of Andes, we use the highest grade Alpaca wool selected specifically for next-to-skin comfort. The result is a fabric that feels smooth, gentle, and comfortable even during extended wear.

The sizing of Arms of Andes products is based on the international sizing system and you can see the basis of these sizes in our Size Guide.

Alpaca fiber requires minimal care.

Because it naturally resists odor, Alpaca doesn’t need to be washed as often as other fibers. When washing is needed, we recommend hand washing or using a gentle cold cycle with a mild detergent.

Lay flat to air dry and avoid fabric softeners, bleach, tumble drying, or dry cleaning, as these are unnecessary and can damage the fiber.

You can find full care instructions here.

Absolutely. Alpaca fiber performs across a wide range of temperatures.

One of Alpaca’s key advantages is its natural thermoregulation. The semi-hollow structure of the fiber creates air pockets that insulate in cold conditions while also acting as a buffering layer in warmer weather, helping prevent overheating.

Lightweight Alpaca garments, such as our 110 and 160 collections, are designed to stay comfortable during high-output activities, including hard hikes in warm or variable conditions. Alpaca manages moisture naturally and adapts as your body temperature and activity level change.

That’s why Alpaca works so well beyond winter, from cool mornings to demanding hikes in shifting climates.

The numbers refer to the fabric weight, measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Each fabric is engineered for different temperatures, activity levels, and uses.

110: Our lightest fabric. Designed for warm weather, high-output activities, and travel. Ideal as a next-to-skin layer when breathability and temperature control are key.

160: Lightweight and versatile. Built for three-season use, active layering, and variable conditions. A go-to base layer for hiking, travel, and everyday outdoor wear.

300: Midweight warmth. Designed for colder conditions and longer days outside. Offers enhanced insulation while remaining comfortable during movement.

420: Our warmest and most insulating fabric. Built for cold weather, winter activities, and low-output or static conditions where maximum warmth is required.

Each fabric uses the same 100% Alpaca wool foundation, engineered at different weights to deliver the right balance of warmth, comfort, and performance for specific conditions.

Layering is the practice of wearing multiple clothing layers to manage temperature and comfort in changing outdoor conditions. Each layer has a specific role:

Base layer: Worn next to the skin to help regulate temperature and manage moisture.
Mid layer: Adds insulation and retains warmth.
Outer layer: Protects against wind, rain, or snow.

Layering allows you to add or remove pieces as your activity level, weather, or environment changes, keeping you comfortable throughout the day.

Arms of Andes layers are designed to work together using 100% Alpaca wool, adapting naturally to both movement and rest.

We accept all major credit cards. You can also pay using PayPal, Amazon Pay, GPay, or Shop Pay.

Shipping is free for all U.S. orders. For shipping to Europe and the United Kingdom, we recommend visiting our European site for local shipping options and rates.

Please allow up to 2 business days after your purchase for order handling and processing.

Delivery within the USA usually takes between 2 and 7 business days after your order ships.

For international orders placed on our USA website, please allow up to 2 weeks for processing before items are shipped. Transit times will then vary depending on the destination.

At this time, we only ship within the United States. We’re working on expanding our shipping options, and international shipping will be available soon. We appreciate your patience and hope to serve you in the near future!

Once your order has been shipped, we’ll send you an e-mail with a tracking number so you can see where your package is and when it will arrive.

We want you to feel confident ordering with us. You have 15 days from the day you receive your order to request a return or exchange. Garments must be returned in their original condition, unworn and unwashed. Once we receive your return and confirm it meets our requirements, you will receive a refund for the item or the exchanged product. Full refunds are issued only when there is an error on our side, such as receiving an incorrect or damaged item. In these cases, customers must notify us as soon as the item is received. For hygienic reasons, underwear sales are final and cannot be returned or refunded.

Once the item you are returning is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you and confirm whether your refund has been approved.

After approval, the corresponding amount will be credited to your original method of payment. Please note that processing times may vary depending on your bank, but refunds typically appear within a few business days.