Glenn C.

Why Alpaca
NATURE'S FINEST.
ENGINEERED BY
EVOLUTION.
Alpaca fibre has a hollow core, won't trigger allergies, and regulates temperature on its own. It beats wool for warmth, cashmere for softness, and both for durability. Andean herders have looked after alpacas for roughly six thousand years.
3×
Warmer than wool
6×
Less water absorption than cotton
30%
Stronger than wool
ZERO LANOLIN. ZERO ITCH.
Sheep's wool carries a coating of lanolin and has to go through intense chemical treatment before it can be worn. Alpaca never had any to start with — it is soft by nature, right off the animal.
6,000 YEARS IN THE MAKING.
Up in the Andes, alpacas developed a fibre made to cope with extreme altitude and harsh swings in temperature. This isn't marketing talk — it's 6,000 years of evolution working for you.
Real customers, real reviews.
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS
How We Compare
Alpaca vs The Rest
| Alpaca | Merino | Cotton | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warmth | 3× warmer than wool | Bulky & traps heat | Barely insulates at all |
| Moisture | Absorbs 6x less water than cotton | Holds onto sweat, gets heavy | Soaks it up, stays wet |
| Itch / Lanolin | Zero lanolin, zero itch | Lanolin can irritate skin | No lanolin, still not as soft |
| Strength | 30%+ stronger than wool | Pills and stretches over time | Wears thin, loses shape |
| Backed by our 99-Day Guarantee |
on 4+ Pairs
Michael P. Verified
Amazing socks!! The SOFTEST I have ever had on my feet. So comfortable. Warm but breathable... cool when it's hot, warm when it's cold. These are my first 'toe socks' and I LOVE them! Honestly the best I have tried, and for years I have worn smartwool almost exclusively. My wife is a fan too, so we're loading up! (Pun intended).
Marinus E. Verified
Good start! I've owned these socks for just a week and haven't washed them even once. They feel really nice and offer good support. My hope is that they'll hold up for ages and survive everyday use.
Frédéric B. Verified
So comfortable! Delivery was quick, and my feet are really thankful.
Julian M. Verified
I've cycled in merino socks in the past, so I picked up a single pair to try out. Honestly I'm blown away after a 143km ride from Brighton to Reading this past Sunday. More pairs are definitely on the way!
Roger S. Verified
My new socks have been on my feet for a week and I bought a pair for my wife too. They feel great and keep us warm as winter approaches
Judith P. Verified
I adore my Alpaca socks. I've got long ones for winter and skiing, and short ones for summer. The best I've ever owned.
Sara S. Verified
This was an indulgence for me...a major one. I normally buy socks in packs of 10, so I hesitated a while before clicking order. Honestly, it ranks among the five best things I have bought lately. Get the socks. You've earned them and you won't regret it!
Cameron D. Verified
I'm a fan of these Socks, and my wife tried them and became one too. She grabbed two pair, so now I'm short one for my 5 day work week, which is annoying. Guess I'll need to order more. Thanks Guy's for making us such a great sock.
Stephen L. Verified
Great socks,, I have worn construction boots for 48 years,, and these fit better than any socks I have owned. My feet stay comfortable in summer,,, I am eager for winter ( okay,, not really,, I can wait ) to test them in the cold.
Kerry H. Verified
Big fan of these socks. Plush, snug and very supportive.
Megan O. Verified
Everything promised about these socks is true. They're cozy, warm and fit just right, and best of all my feet stay super dry and comfy.
Terry M. Verified
Fit is great. So nice to wear. Even my snuggest shoes feel good with them on, 😊 love them.
Cushla T. Verified
I own 4 pairs and adore them, and I bought some for our disabled adult son, whose feet are always cold. They were snug and warm on him. I just hope they hold up in the care home laundry, since the drier gets used constantly there!
Judith C. Verified
My feet freeze all through the Winter where we live, and I've never had socks this warm, cosy and comfortable. It's a pity it took 73 years to find them, but what a bonus now. I LOVE THAT YOU CAN WEAR THEM FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS WITH NO ODOUR AT ALL!! MANY THANKS.
Christina P. Verified
Soft and wonderfully warm - I passed a few pairs along to friends so they can enjoy the coziness too 😀
FAQ
Got Questions? We've Got Answers.
Who is behind Olive & Jet & where do the socks get made?
A young entrepreneur from New Zealand started Olive & Jet, motivated by Olive and Jet, the two alpacas he ran into while out jogging near Dunedin. Their fleece gave him the idea for a brand centred on what makes alpaca fibre special: a fibre that out-softs cashmere, out-warms wool and stays kind to the planet. Socks came first, as the easiest way to introduce this amazing fibre to daily life, yet that's only the start. We work with top alpaca textile specialists in China and aim to make natural clothing the norm. Keep watching, because a lot more is coming. 👀
Where is your alpaca wool sourced?
Our alpaca wool comes ethically from South America, where alpacas wander freely over the highlands, a bit like sheep in New Zealand. The region has the oldest and best established alpaca wool industry anywhere. Each alpaca is shorn only once per year, usually in spring, in a fully humane process that is vital for their wellbeing because it stops them overheating when it gets warmer. After that the wool is cleaned with care, spun, and made into our premium socks. Compared with synthetic fibers, alpaca wool is natural and sustainable, and it delivers superb warmth, breathability, and comfort.
Who are alpaca socks for?
Alpaca socks suit anyone after a single pair that handles everything, whether that means long days on the trails or slow Sundays at home. We took alpaca, the finest natural fibre around, and made a sock that can take serious punishment yet still feels gentle enough to lounge in. With alpaca's amazing temperature control, ability to pull moisture away, and cloud-soft feel, they honestly make the best everyday socks: rugged enough for any outdoor adventure and cosy enough for a Sunday morning in. Perfect for:
✔ Hikers & runners – Warm and breathable, fighting blisters on every terrain and trail.
✔ Trade & outdoor workers – Tough comfort that stays strong inside boots through long days.
✔ Daily wearers – Lavishly soft, free of itch, and warmer than wool.
✔ Loungers & cold-foot haters – The pair to reach for on frosty mornings and snug evenings.
✔ Anyone with sensitive skin – With no lanolin there is no itch, only pure, silky comfort.
Heading out on an adventure or relaxing at home — Alpaca socks are made for both.
How can I combine different styles, sizes and colours and still qualify for the discount?
Simple — put the styles, sizes, and colours you like in your cart, then change the amounts once you're in the cart.
Buy 2, Get 1 Free → Put 3 pairs in your cart → Save roughly 33%
8 pairs in your cart → Buy 4, Get 4 Free (half price)
Feel free to combine any colours, sizes and styles. All you have to do:
1. Put your preferred styles and sizes in the cart
2. Go to your cart
3. Tweak the amounts so your cart totals exactly 3 pairs or 8 pairs
4. The correct discount will apply automatically
Need a hand? Email contact@oliveandjetsocks.com
Why is alpaca better than merino wool?
In several important ways, alpaca socks beat merino: more warmth, more softness and longer wear. The fibres naturally shed water and pull moisture away faster, so your feet remain dry and comfy whatever the weather. They are also hypoallergenic and, unlike merino wool, do not hold onto odors. If you want luxury and practicality together, nothing else compares to alpaca socks.
Will you be making more products from alpaca?
Our story kicked off a little over a year ago with the alpaca socks you see here, and there is plenty more to come! As the brand grows, we intend to build out a complete range of alpaca fibre products that bring the same quality and comfort to many natural, sustainable goods. Keep watching—a lot more is on the way!
Is it possible to send the socks back if they aren't for me?
Yes! Our 99-Day Try-On Guarantee gives you 99 days after delivery to work out whether they suit you. Feel free to wear them around the house, but anything returned has to be in its original condition, so we can't take back pairs worn for several days. Put your name and order number in the return parcel so we can link it to your purchase. If you want to return or swap something (say you picked the wrong size), email contact@oliveandjetsocks.com and we'll walk you through every step.