Clohill Alpaca Socks Review
Our first look from the “other” woolly animal. Can alpaca socks compete with merino?
Clohill Alpaca Socks Review Introduction
Clohill - we’ve got another new brand for you to check out. Well, as usual, new to me. That might mean new-to-you, as well. Clohill approached me about checking out their products. They make socks. Well, a lot of people make socks, right? What’s the selling point? They make ALPACA socks. Have your attention now?
Alpaca has certainly been a fabric that’s used in many articles of clothing, for a long long time. It’s native to South America and Peru is typically its largest producer. What makes it interesting beyond it being a purely “natural fabric” - is that it comes with a lot of the same properties as merino wool, that oft praised travel fabric. More on this in a second.
This is my review of the Clohill alpaca wool socks. I used these for some travel, as well as lots of day to day wear around NYC in the warm (and at times oddly hot) June weather. This included full workdays, commute and all. I wore them with a variety of sneakers but never dress shoes, as that just really isn’t their purpose.
As always for full transparency - I was asked if I wanted to review a pair of their socks and I felt it was on-brand for me. That said, this is not a sponsored or paid article and Clohill had no input into the content. I do use affiliate links to support the site, but this comes at no cost to you if you choose to use them. Thank you for stopping by!
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Clohill Alpaca Socks Overview
Clohill as a brand doesn’t offer too much beyond the usual brand stories on their site. It’s a pretty standard origin story. But the socks - are all focused on alpaca wool. So, let’s get into that a little. The brand sources their wool from Peru, and specifically uses royal baby alpaca. This wool is new to us, and might be to you as well - so we did a little research to beef this section up a bit.
Alpaca wool has frankly gone under the radar in the mass availability conversation. I’m not sure it should, though. In fact, it’s got a lot of the same qualities as merino wool and also a few improvements on it.
Like merino, alpaca is as natural as it gets. And because of the job it does for the animals, it carries those properties with it into clothing like socks and sweaters. It’s naturally moisture wicking and very breathable, just like merino. A plus for travel or outdoors activities. Just like merino, it’s odor and stain resistant.
Additionally, there’s actually a bit of separation in its qualities. Alpaca has a unique fiber structure that apparently has a hollow core - you see this sometimes in “airspun” nylon which is meant to replicate this natural condition. That leads to better insulation, generally speaking. This is also what allows it to be temperature regulating. The hollow center basically makes better insulation against outside air. I’d guess that this is similar to how an insulated water bottle works, if that makes sense. Or window plastic in the winters (anyone that’s ever lived in an old rental in the North East US or Midwest, knows what I’m talking about here!).
Alpaca wool resists pilling and shedding, too. So it’s known to be quite durable for a natural fabric.
One thing to note with alpaca is that it’s generally recommended to hand wash. Clohill is no different in this regard. Not an issue to many-a-onebagger as I know you diehards are well versed in the art of sink washing while on the road. In the interest of honesty, I definitely washed mine in the machine, whoops, but saw no ill effects. That said, if you don’t follow care instructions on garments, any negative results are on us. Not the brand.
Lastly, though you need to check this yourself in terms of allergies and how much will cause allergic reactions, there is MUCH less lanolin in alpaca wool, which makes their wool much more hypoallergenic. This is often a reason why folks can’t wear merino.
Clohill’s socks are made for the active wearer. I tested a pair of crew and ankle height socks. They don’t quite hit 70% of the active wool fabric that I like to see, but to be honest that’s generally a made-up threshold I use, and has no scientific backing for effectiveness. At least I’m honest right? They come close.
Materials From their Site：
65% Peruvian Royal Baby Alpaca Fiber
30% Nylon
5% Lycra
They have a lifetime warranty on what they describe as “quality” issues. That refers to manufacturer defects, FYI. So while it doesn’t matter how long you have them and there is no time limit on these quality issues, general wear and tear is not covered. But, there’s only one brand that covers that to my knowledge.
They come in a few different colors as of July 2025 and sell for $13.99 USD per pair of ankle socks - or also come in multipacks which gives you better pricing. Available in ankle, crew, or traditional over-calf length. Pricing is pretty fair on these.
Clohill Alpaca Socks Features
Ready to go with some packing cubes.
All the things we just discussed about alpaca above.
Additionally, they’ve added a few things in terms of the construction of the socks themselves.
There is arch support which I feel like is table-stakes on active socks, so good to see that.
My own descriptives here - I’d say they are lightly cushioned, but not overly so. This is important for me since I’m not putting these in hiking shoes. It might not be important for you, or it might. Just mentioning it here to note they don’t over do it on cushioning. I’d say less cushion than Fox River socks, but more than the “lite” versions of Darn Tough.
The compression is what I’d consider “light”. Darn Tough are much tighter. That’s neither good nor bad, and is personal preference in terms of which you want.
The Good
Good quality on these socks. I saw no issues in the construction or make up. They felt nice when I put them on, and I was impressed by the softness while wearing them considering alpaca wool is known to be a bit more durable than merino. Softness is hard to give an “absolute” opinion on - meaning, SOFTEST this or that. I’m not trying to throw hyperbole at you. It’s soft and nice. Someone, somewhere, at some time could make a softer product based on the yarn they use. But it’s softer than normal wool FOR SURE. I found them quite comfy.
Also, considering I wore one pair for much of the month (not every day mind you, I’m not a goon) - there was no warping or stretching of the fabric, which is a good sign generally speaking. I don’t believe these will lose their stretch on you during a trip. I’d say the fibers seem to stand up to the durability ratings you see on alpaca wool. There is very little pilling on my socks, and really just in the very high friction area like my heel. That’s pretty normal and hard to avoid.
The qualities you want from alpaca (or merino) were there - my feet didn’t feel like they overheated while walking around the city, never felt too wet, and after a full 5 days of wear, the socks smelled none-the-worse. No kidding. Now, I wasn’t traversing the PCT or “finding myself” while doing 15km per day on El Camino, but you get the idea. Your smell (no really - your specific foot) and how hard you push any wool will be the determining factor here. But would these work on normal length trips alternating each day between a couple of pairs? Yup. They did well on this test, though my wife is forever grossed out by me smelling my socks. It’s for my readers, I tell her.
I see a fair price on these, too. That’s important.
I do like that they source the wool from Peru. Nothing against any random country that wants to raise alpacas, but the good folks of Peru have been raising and creating clothing with them for thousands of years, so let’s keep using their product. It’s theoretically the best.
Something a bit random and crazy specific, but worth mentioning. After getting out of the shower, I find Darn Tough can be a bit sticky to get on due to residual moisture on your feet and their level of compression. This is not a brand criticism, just an observation (90% of my socks are Darn Tough). With these alpaca socks, most likely due to the compression levels, they went on nice and easy. I swear I’m not fishing for compliments in this section, it’s just something I noticed in day to day use.
The Bad
I don’t have a lot to criticise here. This is mostly going to be a suggestion section because they are a youngish brand, and right now are pretty focused on one model.
These are active socks - they never pretend otherwise so they won’t be good for dress shoes or more formal scenarios. Any casual work environment is fine. But mostly it’s the cushion that will prevent that, rather than the looks. They def are pretty athletic looking. Which again, is kind of their point. I’m just mentioning.
I’d like to see a version with a little less cushioning. Typically what’s referred to as a runner’s sock. Could be a little higher on the compression, but lighter weight-thread and less cushion. Personal preference.
As they expand, I’d like to see a dress sock version. Much like Darn Tough has done while expanding into “lifestyle socks”. Again it’s a young brand, so this might come in time. Or at least, have a few versions with no graphics on the socks.
I’d like to see them consider a no-matter-what warranty like Darn Tough. I freely admit I do not know how Darn Tough does it, but it’s at least 50% of why they are the most popular socks. It’s something that needs to be pointed out whenever I review a competitor.
Final Thoughts On My Clohill Alpaca Socks Review
The ankle sock.
So what do we think? I think I like options. So often over the last five years you hear “merino, merino, merino” and it might as well be in the same voice as “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” if you know that reference. It exploded - but it’s not for everybody.
Alpaca offers many of the same beneficial qualities as merino, and even adds a few more on top. Like better durability and better hypoallergenic-ness (Is that a word? Maybe not, but give it to me just this once). It does add a little bit of a challenge in terms of washing, that is true.
So while alpaca might be heading towards “having a moment” status in the next couple of years, it’s an opportunity for brands like Clohill to get their stuff into the market now. They saw the chance to get a newish material into the outdoors space, and took that opportunity.
I think they released a product that’s pretty hard to criticise and they stayed true to what their intentions were. An athletic and outdoorsy leaning sock made from one of the world’s natural “super materials” that can help to increase your performance and increase wear - without the stink and pilling.
If you like the idea of merino but can’t wear it, or you’re just into trying different materials to find your optimized version - give Clohill a try for some well performing alpaca wool socks. They’re comfortable, they deliver on the promise of those natural, mountain born fibers, and I was quite satisfied with the pairs I tried. With some expansion into different models of socks, they could really increase their reach. (But stay focused on quality first, don’t lose that, Clohill!)
As always with the indie brands, I’d suggest buying directly through their website for best service.
Wander more - and wander smarter everyone.
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