The Olive & Jet sock guide

Alpaca socks: everything you need to know

Alpaca is the softest, warmest fiber you can put on your feet. But socks take more punishment than anything else you wear, so the best everyday sock isn't 100% alpaca. Here's what alpaca does, why we blend it, and how to look after your pairs.

Shop socks Why we blend
  • 43–48% alpaca
  • Blended for strength and fit
  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100
  • Wash cold, hang dry
Olive & Jet alpaca socks
Alpacas grazing in the Andes

What alpaca does for your feet

Alpaca fiber comes from the fleece of alpacas, shorn once a year in the high Andes. It brings things to a sock that cotton and synthetics simply can't.

Soft, not scratchy

Smooth fibers that don't prickle like traditional wool, and no lanolin, the natural grease in sheep's wool some people react to.

Warm without bulk

Many alpaca fibers have hollow cores that trap air, so you get serious warmth from a light, thin fiber.

Comfortable year round

Alpaca holds warmth when it's cold and breathes when it's warm. The same pair works in winter boots and summer sneakers.

Moisture-wicking

Alpaca absorbs very little water and moves sweat away from your skin to evaporate, so your feet stay drier for longer.

Naturally odor-resistant

Smell comes from bacteria feeding on trapped moisture. Drier feet mean fewer bacteria and fresher socks.

Renewable

Shearing is part of looking after a healthy alpaca, and the fleece grows back every year.

Why our socks aren't 100% alpaca

Socks are the hardest-working thing you wear. Every step grinds your heel and toes against your shoe, thousands of times a day, under your full body weight, in a warm and damp space. Then they go through the wash, again and again. No other piece of clothing takes that much abrasion.

Cuff Heel Toe Sole

Where a sock wears

  • Heel. Rubs against the back of your shoe with every step.
  • Sole. Carries your full body weight on every stride.
  • Toe. Pressed and rubbed at the front of the shoe.
  • Cuff. Has to grip your leg and spring back, all day.

Alpaca is wonderfully soft, but on its own it isn't built for that job. A 100% alpaca sock fuzzes and pills quickly, wears thin at the heel and toe, and slowly stretches out until it slumps into your shoe.

So every pair is a blend

The exact mix varies by style. You'll find the full composition on each product page, under Product Details.

The feel

Alpaca

Softness, warmth, breathability, moisture-wicking and odor resistance. The reason the sock feels the way it does.

The strength

Nylon

Abrasion resistance and strength, so the sock stands up to friction in your shoe and lasts far longer before wearing through.

The finish

Anti-pilling acrylic

Keeps the surface of the knit smooth, so your socks pill less and look newer for longer, wash after wash.

The fit

Spandex

Stretch and recovery. A snug fit that stays up and springs back to shape instead of sagging.

Alpaca for the feel, supporting fibers for the life of the sock. Together, they make the best everyday sock you can buy.

After a few months of wear

Both feel great on day one. The difference shows up later.

A 100% alpaca sock

  • Fuzzes and pills where it rubs
  • Wears thin at the heel and toe
  • Stretches out and slips down into your shoe
  • Loses its shape after a few washes

An Olive & Jet alpaca blend

  • Stays smoother for longer
  • Stands up to friction at the heel and toe
  • Holds its fit and stays up
  • Keeps the soft, warm alpaca feel

If you see a sock labelled 100% alpaca, it's worth asking how long it lasts. Pure alpaca has its place in a scarf or a blanket. Your feet need a sock built for walking.

Sweaty feet and washing

Alpaca does most of the work for you. Here's what to expect and how to keep your pairs going.

Hiker wearing Olive & Jet socks

Good for sweaty feet?

Yes, and this is where alpaca really earns its place. Sweat trapped in a sock makes feet cold in winter, clammy in summer and smelly by the end of the day.

Alpaca holds far less moisture than most natural fibers and moves sweat away from your skin so it can evaporate. A drier sock gives odor-causing bacteria less to feed on. We won't promise your toes will smell like roses, but you won't dread taking your shoes off.

How to wash them

  • Wash cold
  • Turn inside out
  • Hang dry
  • Skip the dryer

Heat is what damages natural fibers, so skip hot washes and the tumble dryer. Turning your socks inside out helps keep the outside smooth.

Because alpaca resists odor, you don't always need to wash after a single wear. You can often get two days out of a pair, which makes them a favorite for hiking trips and travel.

How alpaca blend socks compare

Every sock fiber is a trade-off. Our blend is designed to keep the best of each and leave out the weaknesses.

QualityCottonMerino woolFully syntheticOlive & Jet alpaca blend
SoftnessSoft when newSoft, can feel scratchy to someSmooth but plastickyVery soft, no lanolin
WarmthLow, worse when wetGoodLow to moderateExcellent for its weight
SweatSoaks it up and stays wetGoodWicks, but can feel clammyWicks and stays drier
OdorGets smelly fastGoodKnown to hold smellNaturally odor-resistant
Durability and fitThins and stretches outCan wear through without supportVery durableStrong, holds its shape

Cotton

Comfortable on day one but holds onto sweat. Wet cotton gets cold, rubs, causes blisters and smells.

Merino

A great fiber and the one we're most often compared to. Alpaca is generally softer, lanolin-free and warmer for its weight, which is why we chose it.

Fully synthetic

Tough, but doesn't breathe like natural fiber and is known to hold onto odor. We use synthetics for one job only: making alpaca last.

Where our alpaca comes from

Our alpaca fiber is sourced from South America, and every pair is independently certified.

Responsible Alpaca StandardOur sourcing is certified to RAS, covering animal welfare and land management on the farms.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100Every part of the sock, down to the thread, is tested for harmful substances.

Questions

Are Olive & Jet socks 100% alpaca?
No, and that's on purpose. Our socks are 43–48% alpaca depending on the style, blended with nylon, anti-pilling acrylic and spandex for strength, a smooth finish and fit. A 100% alpaca sock would pill, wear through and lose its shape far too quickly.
Why not just use more alpaca?
Past a certain point, more alpaca means a sock that feels great for a few weeks and then wears out. Our blend gives you the comfort of alpaca in a sock that lasts.
Will my socks pill?
Any soft natural-fiber sock can fuzz a little at first, especially where it rubs in your shoe. Our anti-pilling acrylic keeps this to a minimum. Washing cold, inside out, and hang drying helps too.
Are alpaca socks itchy?
No. Alpaca fiber is smooth and lanolin-free, which is why many people who can't wear wool are comfortable in alpaca.
Where can I see the exact fiber composition?
On each product page, under Product Details.

One sock for every day

The commute, the office, the school run, a weekend hike and a night on the couch. Alpaca keeps you comfortable in every season, and the blend keeps every pair fitting like new long after the first wear.

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