Make the upgrade from merino to alpaca socks
Choose alpaca socks over merino wool for running and hiking because they’re softer, more anti-microbial, and hold less moisture; all characteristics that work in tandem to decrease the likelihood of blisters. We’ve analyzed the market and tested a multitude of options to determine the best alpaca socks for a wide array of cushion and height preferences. What follows are our favorite models thus far.
This buyers guide was inspired by a head-to-head sock testing tournament, in which a pair of alpaca socks took down all of the most popular Darn Toughs, Smartwools, and Injinjis. It was reinforced by an all alpaca head-to-head test spanning a 300 mile section hike in the Sierra.
While you’re here, don’t miss our other guides to footwear, including non-alpaca socks, trail running shoes, and ultralight sandals.
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The Best Alpaca Socks
- Top Pick, Light Cushion: Paka Trail
- Top Pick, Light Cushion: Hollow
- Top Pick, Medium Cushion: Karu Quarter
- Top Pick, High Cushion: Warrior Cross Trainers
- Best Value: Clohill
- Super Soft: Fluff, Running
- Super Soft: Alpacas of Montana
Comparison Table
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| Price ($) | Underfoot Cushion | Softness | Alpaca Wool Content | |
| Paka Trail | 24 | thin | Soft | 33% |
| Hollow | 27 | thin | Soft | 46% |
| Karu | 30 | medium | Softest | 45% |
| Warrior HP CT | 23 | thick | Softest | 41% |
| Clohill | 18 | medium | Soft | 70% |
| Fluff, Running | 18 | thick | Softest | 42% |
| Alpacas of MT | 27 | medium | Softest | 35% |
Paka Trail Socks
We have more positive experience with Paka Trail Socks than all the rest combined, spanning four seasons and three continents. They’re a great all-purpose design, suitable for use with trail runners and light hiking shoes/boots. Because of the higher percentage of nylon, they tend to be more durable than other pairs of alpaca socks.
- Price: $24
- Cushion: Light
- Materials: 33% alpaca, 7% Tencel, 57% nylon, 3% Spandex
- Heights: 1/4 crew, 3/4 crew, crew
- Pros: Good durability. Extra sporty fit. Great in warm weather. Anti-microbial. Low moisture retention. Thermoregulating.
- Cons: Thin under-arch fabric creates a potential chafing zone.
Hollow Socks
Hollow Socks – which refer to the “medulated core” of alpaca wool fiber strands (pockets of air trapped in the middle) – are another excellent design with light cushion, and are great for use in warmer climates and with tighter fitting shoes.
- Price: $27
- Cushion: Light
- Materials: 46% alpaca, 49% nylon, 5% Spandex
- Pros: Thinner and cooler is useful in heat. Made in USA. Anti-microbial. Low moisture retention. Thermoregulating.
- Cons: Expensive. Only one color.
Warrior High Performance Alpaca Cross Trainers
When thicker cushion is desired, we recommend Warrior Alpaca Cross Trainers. This is a dang comfy sock, and the winner of our 300 mile Sierra Section Hike. It has one of the softest and fuzziest texture, and feels great on your feet late into a high mileage day. The terry cushioning is consistent throughout the entire underside, fully protecting all areas of the sole.
- Price: $23
- Cushion: Thick
- Materials: 41% alpaca, 34% acrylic, 23% nylon 2% Spandex
- Height: 1/4 crew, crew
- Pros: Very soft and fuzzy. Well-cushioned. Anti-microbial. Low moisture retention. Thermoregulating.
- Cons: No 3/4 crew. Thick cushion makes it warmer, dries slower.
Karu Alpaca Quarter Socks
The Karu Alpaca Socks came with me on a 300 mile Sierra section hike, and saw heavy use to great success. The moderate cushion is a balanced, universally appealing design. Biggest drawback is that they’re the most expensive option in an already expensive category. Notably, Karu’s height designation of quarter sock is mislabeled, – all other brands refer to this height as a 3/4 crew.
- Price: $30
- Cushion: Medium
- Materials: 45% alpaca, 40% acrylic, 13% nylon, 2% Spandex
- Height: No show, ankle, 1/4 crew, crew, boot
- Pros: Very soft and fuzzy. Moderate cushion is universally pleasing. Anti-microbial. Low moisture retention. Thermoregulating.
- Cons: Most expensive. 3/4 crew mislabeled as quarter. Only one color.
Clohill Alpaca Socks
For a pair of all-purpose alpaca socks that are surprisingly affordable, choose Clohill at just $18 a pop. We’re especially impressed by the price, given that they are made with the highest percentage of royal baby alpaca fiber of any socks in this buyers guide (70%). That means they’re the most anti-microbial/least smelly/most thermo-regulating. But also most likely to pill. While they do have a pleasant texture and feel great to wear, they’re perhaps the least fuzzy and soft among all pairs we tested; curious, given the high percentage of alpaca fiber.
- Price: $18
- Cushion: Moderate
- Materials: 70% alpaca, 25% nylon, 5% lycra
- Pros: Great value. High percentage alpaca wool content makes them: very anti-microbial; very low moisture retention; very thermoregulating.
- Cons: No 3/4 crew. Pilling. Non-mesh uppers make them a bit warmer. Soft, but less soft than others.
Fluff Alpaca Running Socks
While perceptions of comfort are subjective, the Fluff Alpaca Running socks were most pleasing to my feet on the 300 mile Sierra Section Hike test. Perhaps the softness boost is correlated with a durability hit, as they were also the first to wear out and become threadbare underfoot.
- Price: $18
- Cushion: Thick
- Materials: 42% alpaca, 33% acrylic, 23% nylon, 2% Spandex
- Pros: Very soft and fuzzy. Great price. Anti-microbial. Low moisture retention. Thermoregulating.
- Cons: Lower durability, wore out faster than others.
Alpacas of Montana Performance Socks
Like the aforementioned fluff Alpacas of Montana Performance socks were notable for their softness, but also the delta in thickness between top and bottom half. Thin above, thick below, which could be exactly what you’re looking for in hot weather! The fabric is also a unique composition, combining Modal into the textile. Modal is a plant-viscose-based fabric derived from beech trees. As such, they’re extra soft and breathable, but slower drying, and hold more sweat. All in all, it’s an interesting sock with a unique design.
- Price: $27
- Cushion: thick
- Materials: 35% alpaca 37% nylon, 25% modal, 3% spandex
- Pros: Extra thin top vents heat well-. Standard alpaca wool benefits including soft texture, antimicrobial, and thermoregulating
- Cons: Slower drying, holds more moisture (because of Modal).
Testing two pairs of alpaca socks side by side on a 300 mile section hike
Alpaca Socks vs Merino Socks
While both alpaca and merino are great materials with which to make socks for hiking and running, alpaca does it slightly better. Primarily, that’s because wearing alpaca is slightly less likely to result in blisters, though neither fully prevents it. Here’s why:
Why alpaca socks decrease the likelihood of blisters compared to merino
- Blisters most commonly occur when macerated (sweat-soaked, softened, pruney) skin rubs against the inside of a shoe, until a small section of the epidermis painfully separates from the layer beneath, ultimately filling with puss
- Alpaca wool retains slightly less moisture than merino wool, which slows (but does not prevent) the macerating process, keeping your skin stronger for longer
- Alpaca wool is slightly softer than merino wool, making every rub less abrasive, further slowing the process of separating a layer of epidermis
Why alpaca wool is more odor-resistant than merino
For the same reason alpaca fiber is softer to the touch than merino, it is also more odor-resistant. While both fibers are anti-microbial due to the presence of keratin protein, alpaca wool has a less scaley texture at a microscopic level. This offers fewer attachment points for bacteria to cling to. While polyester and nylon are smoother than either type of wool, the lack of keratin makes it an easy target for bacteria, and much smellier.
Merino is still good
Don’t worry, your merino socks are still great too. To be clear, we’re only saying that alpaca is slightly better. And one thing that merino has going for it is a fully mature industry. That is, the resources going into the sourcing, production, and design of merino wool products are orders of magnitude greater than with alpaca wool. So in theory, this leads to better textile process, better sock designs, and more thoroughly mass-market tested products. So don’t throw away your Smartwools just yet!
Alpaca Socks Conclusion
Previously only available as loose fitting casual footwear for cozy cabin weekends, the alpaca socks marketplace is maturing and diversifying rapidly. Sporty, fitted options for running and hiking abound, in every possible combination of height and cushion. If you haven’t hopped on the alpaca socks train yet, we highly recommend giving it a try. Happy trails!
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