Plenty of people gave up on wool socks years ago because of one scratchy pair. Fair enough. But the itch usually isn't wool's fault so much as the wrong wool.
Why do wool socks itch?
Mostly, it's fibre thickness. Coarse fibres are stiff, and when their ends press against skin they don't bend out of the way. They prickle. Fine fibres bend. Textile people measure this in microns: below roughly 25 microns most people find a fibre soft; much above 30, a lot of people feel the prickle.
The second suspect is lanolin, the natural grease in sheep's wool. True lanolin allergy is less common than the prickle, but some people with sensitive skin do react to it.
Then there's the knit. A tight, cheap knit in rough yarn will scratch whatever it's made from.
Is alpaca less itchy than wool?
For most people, yes. Two reasons:
- No lanolin. Alpaca fleece doesn't contain it, so that question goes away.
- A smoother fibre. Every animal fibre has tiny scales on its surface. Alpaca's lie flatter than sheep's wool, so it feels smoother against the skin.
Which is why “I can't wear wool” and “I'm fine in alpaca” so often turn up in the same sentence.
What about merino?
Merino is sheep's wool, so it starts out with lanolin, though most of it is scoured out in processing. What merino has going for it is fineness. Its fibres are a fraction of the thickness of ordinary jumper wool, which is why a good merino sock feels nothing like the ones your grandmother knitted.
If lanolin is your problem, start with alpaca. If it's the prickle, either should do.
What to look for if you have sensitive skin
- Fibre first. Alpaca or fine merino. Be wary of anything labelled just “wool” with no detail.
- A smooth toe seam. A bulky seam rubs whatever the fibre.
- The right size. A sock that's too small stretches the knit open and drags across the skin.
- No fabric conditioner. It coats the fibre and can irritate on its own. Wool doesn't need it.
If you have eczema, a diagnosed skin condition or a known allergy, your GP or pharmacist will know more about your skin than a sock company does.
Where to start
If wool has let you down before, start with alpaca. The Alpaca Crew Socks are the everyday height; the Alpaca Ankle Socks go with trainers. Both are 74% alpaca, with nylon and a little spandex for strength and stretch.
If you're happy with wool and just want it softer, try the Merino Everyday Crew Sock. Our merino is non-mulesed; here's what that means.
For a straight comparison of the two fibres, read alpaca vs merino socks.
