The short answer: sheepskin is the most common and cheapest, and tolerates washing. Reindeer hide is the warmest seat pad outdoors, but sheds constantly and does not belong on an indoor floor. Alpaca hide is the lightest and silkiest, lanolin-free, does not shed and belongs exactly where the hide is touched: a chair, beside the bed, a child's room. Below are the numbers and where our hides come from.
Three hides side by side
| Alpaca hide | Sheepskin | Reindeer hide | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fur | long, straight, silky, 5 to 12 cm | curly, dense, 3 to 8 cm | short, stiff, hollow |
| Feel | cool smooth silk | warm wool | coarse, bristly |
| Weight (approx. 100 cm) | light, under 1 kg | medium, 1 to 2 kg | medium |
| Lanolin | no | yes | no |
| Shedding | minimal | low | constant (hollow hair breaks) |
| Washing | no, dry care only | some hides at 30 °C | no |
| Best place | chair, bedside, child's room, wall | floor, sofa, car | sauna, terrace, hiking |
| Price | 119 to 249 € at Alpaca Nord | typically 40 to 150 € | typically 130 to 200 € |
The prices are the ranges we see ourselves in Estonian and Nordic shops; with sheepskin the price varies most with quality.
When to choose an alpaca hide
An alpaca hide is the choice when it is touched with bare skin or belongs to a child. No lanolin means it has no woolly smell and does not irritate sensitive skin; the long, straight fur does not mat the way sheepskin curls do. The smaller baby alpaca hide (up to 90 × 60 cm) fits a cot or pram, the medium (up to 100 × 65 cm) covers an armchair, and the young alpaca hide (up to 110 × 75 cm) suits a bedside or a bench.
Sheepskin wins where the hide lies on a floor with foot traffic and has to survive washing. Reindeer hide wins outdoors: no other hide keeps a cold bench so warm, but indoors it leaves hairs behind every time you sit.
Where an alpaca hide comes from and why
This is the question we are asked most, and rightly so. Alpacas are not raised for their hides: the animal is valuable alive, because it gives fleece every year. Our hides come from the Cusco region of Peru, from animals lost to natural causes. In the Andes the first winter is hard on a young alpaca and some do not survive it; that is where baby alpaca hides, with the finest fur, come from. We do not buy or sell hides where the hide itself was the reason. It is written into our principles and applies to every product in the alpaca hides category.
The hide is tanned traditionally, the back stays supple and the fur stays put. Each hide is from one animal, so the size and colour pattern always vary a little; the product page lists the maximum dimensions.
Sizes and where they fit
| Hide | Up to | Suits | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby alpaca, small | 90 × 60 cm | cot, pram, car seat, chair | 119 € |
| Baby alpaca, medium | 100 × 65 cm | armchair, nursery corner, wall | 139 € |
| Young alpaca | 110 × 75 cm | bedside, bench, sofa back | 249 € |
Frequently asked questions
Is an alpaca hide warmer than sheepskin?
Weight for weight, yes: alpaca fur is partly hollow and holds more air. The dense curly wool of a sheepskin is a thicker layer, though, so on the floor they feel similar. As a seat pad outdoors, reindeer hide is warmer than both.
Can an alpaca hide go in a child's bed?
Yes, the small baby alpaca hide is made for it. No lanolin, no shedding, and cleaning is a shake and a damp cloth. No fur of any kind is recommended in an infant's sleeping space without supervision, the same as blankets and pillows.
How do I clean an alpaca hide?
Shake it, air it in the shade, comb with a wide-toothed comb. Dab stains with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not wash, do not heat. The longer guide is in our care article.
Why is every alpaca hide different?
Because each hide is from one animal. Colour, pattern and exact size vary; the product page lists the maximum dimensions and colour options, and we send a photo of the specific hide before dispatch if you ask.
Alpaca hides in the shop
All alpaca hides on one page
Three sizes, natural colours, only from animals lost to natural causes.
