Yak Wool: A Guide to Yak Knitwear
Exceptionally soft, warm and lightweight, yak wool is a natural fibre with all the qualities needed for luxurious cold weather knitwear. While perhaps less familiar than cashmere, lambswool or merino wool, yak is prized for its softness, natural insulation and comfortable feel.
From where it comes from to how it compares with other natural fibres, discover what makes yak wool special and why it is such a good choice for men’s knitwear.
What Is Yak Wool?
Yak wool comes from the soft undercoat of the yak, an animal naturally adapted to the cold conditions of high altitude regions across Central Asia.
Beneath the yak's coarser outer coat is a layer of fine, insulating fibres that helps protect it against extremely low temperatures. These softer fibres can be spun into yarn to produce warm, comfortable and beautifully soft yak knitwear.
What Does Yak Wool Feel Like?
One of the most distinctive qualities of yak wool is its softness. Its fine fibres create knitwear with a smooth, luxurious handle that feels comfortable against the skin. Yak wool also has a naturally rich appearance and soft texture, making it particularly well suited to classic men's jumpers where the quality of the yarn can speak for itself.
Is Yak Wool Warm?
Yak wool is naturally insulating, making it an excellent choice for autumn and winter knitwear. The fine undercoat that protects yaks from harsh conditions also provides excellent insulation when spun into clothing. Importantly, that warmth doesn't have to mean unnecessary weight. Yak wool can provide impressive insulation while remaining relatively lightweight, making a yak jumper particularly comfortable to wear and easy to layer. Yak wool also has a naturally rich appearance and soft texture, making it particularly well suited to classic men's jumpers where the quality of the yarn can speak for itself.
What Are the Benefits of Yak Wool?
The appeal of yak wool lies in its combination of practical performance and luxurious comfort. It is naturally warm and insulating while remaining soft, breathable and relatively lightweight.
These qualities make men's yak wool knitwear particularly versatile. It can provide plenty of warmth on colder days without the bulk associated with some heavier knits, while its softness makes it comfortable enough to wear throughout the day.
Yak Wool vs Cashmere
Yak wool is often compared with cashmere, and there are similarities between the two natural fibres. Both are prized for their softness, warmth and lightweight feel and are used to create luxurious knitwear.
Cashmere is renowned for its exceptionally fine handle, while yak wool has its own distinctive softness and excellent insulating qualities. Rather than one simply being better than the other, both offer different ways to enjoy natural warmth and luxurious comfort.
How to Wear Yak Knitwear
The understated appearance of yak knitwear makes it easy to incorporate into a wardrobe. A classic men's yak wool crew neck works particularly well over a cotton shirt with chinos or corduroy trousers for a smart casual look.
For something more relaxed, wear a yak jumper with a T-shirt and jeans. When colder weather arrives, its relatively lightweight warmth also makes it ideal for layering beneath an overshirt, gilet or jacket.
Neutral shades provide plenty of versatility, while richer seasonal colours are an easy way to bring a little more interest to autumn and winter outfits.
How to Care for Yak Wool
Looking after yak wool correctly will help your knitwear retain its shape, softness and appearance. Always follow the specific care instructions on the garment label and avoid washing your knitwear more frequently than necessary.
When it comes to storing yak wool jumpers, we recommend folding them neatly and storing them flat rather than hanging them. Hanging knitted garments for long periods can cause them to stretch and may affect their shape, particularly around the shoulders.
Before storing yak knitwear for a longer period, make sure it is clean and completely dry, then keep it folded in a cool, dry place.
Why Choose Yak Wool Knitwear?
If you're looking for something a little different from more familiar wool varieties, yak knitwear is well worth considering. Naturally insulating, wonderfully soft and lightweight, it offers an excellent balance of luxurious comfort and practical warmth.
From wearing it on its own to layering it beneath an overshirt or jacket, men's yak wool knitwear is a versatile choice when temperatures begin to fall.
Shop our men's yak knitwear and experience the warmth and softness of this remarkable natural fibre.