USA Made Alpaca Socks Bring Warmth to Riding Adventurers

November 16, 2013

PurelyAlpaca.com is a family owned alpaca products web store in the USA which since 2002 has promoted the cute, lovable and ultimately useful alpaca with 100s of products, ranging from little trinkets for alpaca gift lovers to ultimate luxury garments costing thousands of dollars. We are also avid motorcyclists and as such do "adventure touring" all over the USA, Canada, Mexico and in the spring of 2013, Ecuador. We have well over 200,000 miles of adventure riding behind us and look forward to many more adventures. Next year, perhaps riding in India or a trip across the USA, and back.

As any seasoned rider with tell you, having the right "gear" is paramount to enjoying the adventures of the open road. Nothing ruins a trip more than being too cold, too wet, too hot or just not prepared. There's an old saying we go by, credited to Norway, "There's no bad weather, just bad clothing!"

Recently, we discovered the wisdom of that phrase with great solutions in our own product line. One of the superior features of alpaca socks over other materials is its natural ability to wick moisture (sweat) from the skin while providing comfortable warmth. We discovered this recently on a long trip to Reno, NV. The main road to Reno from San Diego, US HWY 395 is a long, quite easy highway with generally low traffic, beautiful vistas and quiet serenity. There are multiple natural stops along the way to enjoy, old mom-n-pop businesses, little quaint towns, open desert beauty and majestic mountains to admire.

On the Reno trip we tested our Superwarm Alpaca Socks from www.ChoiceAlpacaFootwear.com and the new OutdoorAdventure Alpaca Socks in varying conditions of cold and hot. On the way up from San Diego, it got pretty COLD! The high mountains South of Reno reach over 6000 ft high and temperatures can drop significantly. After hours in "the saddle", your exposure to cold temperatures can really seep in and start to take their toll. Riding cold is NOT fun! Even if everything else is good, if you're feet get cold, you're COLD! The cold runs up from your feet and taunts the rest of your body. But we were good... the Superwarm Alpaca socks did a great job! They kept the otherwise cold leather boots from seeping cold through to our feet while at the same time, "breathing" out any foot moisture.

On a previous trip under similar conditions we had forgotten the alpaca socks. You pack minimally on a multi-day motorcycle trip and can almost unconsciously leave something out if we think it won't be needed. On this trip we found ourselves without our alpaca socks and thereby "stuck" with cotton. Two layes of cotton socks didn't do much. Our feet froze and to make matters worse, the foot started getting damp too... then the dampness got cold!  Not fun!  Our alpaca socks would have avoided this problem with their natural ability to wick away moisture, keeping feet fresh, dry, warm and comfortable.

On our way back from the Reno trip it was significantly warmer. We decided to test the new OutdoorAdventure alpaca socks. These are significantly less bulky than the Superwarms yet are made from the same yarn. They offer comfort and wicking as well. Though the weather back from Reno was likey too warm for these socks, we found an interesting result... by mid afternoon our feet were very warm but as the moisure came off our skin, it was being wicked away, and our feet, which would have been wet with now HOT sweat were comfortable and dry. When we finally arrived home and with the boots off, our socks were dry and odor free. Try that with wet sweaty STINKY cotton socks!  As a matter of fact... I'll admit this here... I once did a 5-day "odor endurance" riding test in alpaca socks. No washing... and no sticking after 5 days riding. Cotton socks would have started to really "grow" under those conditions!

While on the road we like to "motel camp" as it were. Long, long days of riding then a nice cool motel room is camping enough! Once we're off the bike the boots come off and stay off! We find our new SlipperBootie alpaca socks work great as easy comfy cushioned slippers for around the motel room or walks to the ice machine. The compact size is important because of our limited storage space and the comfort and warmth of the SlipperBooties are just what is needed to relax.

As we say, bad clothing can ruin an adventure. No matter what your adventures, the proper gear can make a difference. With these alpaca socks from Choice Alpaca Footwear you'll enjoy natural comfort that will keep you enjoying all those adventures!

To your journey!
-Brian

Purely Alpaca Travels to Ecuador

We had a wonderful time exploring the country of Ecuador in May, 2013 seeking out alpacas and the people involved in the small but growing alpaca products resurgence in this small country on the Equator and West coast of South America.  See our pics of images, people and products.

Winter on the farm 2008

With the winter rush of Christmas orders mostly behind us we at PurelyAlpaca have taken time to enjoy the most beautiful snow our alpaca farm has seen in a decade.

The snow is still cold and locally we don't use salt or ash so even the roads are bright white. To get out of our driveway we need 4WD and Chains. We went through some serious heroics to get orders out quickly on one extemely important Christmas shipping day (but you'll have to ask about it privately, we won't disclose that publicly!)

It's truly gorgeous and it is exciting to know we will surely have a white Christmas!!

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you!!

-Brian and staff at PurelyAlpaca

Ooh, are you wearing alpaca?

Ooh, are you wearing alpaca?

An exciting article about the state of the alpaca garment business....

Clothes made from the fleece of alpacas, vicuñas and llamas are showing up on runways all over the world.
By VICTORIA BEKIEMPIS
The Associated Press

KAREL NAVARRO / AP
A model wears a coat made of alpaca fiber by designer Jose Miguel Valdivia in Lima this month.

AREQUIPA, Peru — In this Andean nation far from glamorous runways, some of the most fashionable residents have four legs: vicuñas, alpacas and llamas.
Exports of the animals' fleecy coats have more...

Where will you take Chico?

Just for Fun we are giving away a free alpaca :)

Chico is an alpaca with a craving to travel. He's been to Peru, sure but wants to go back and see the world! He'd like your company to make it more fun.

Enter to win Chico the alpaca by signing up for our newsletter or updating your existing subscription, telling us where you will take Chico on adventures if you in him.

Chico will be choosing the winner. He will believe most anything so the more exciting and elaborate travel plans you share the better!

Winner promises to send a picture of Chico on travel.

http://purelyalpaca.com/WinChicoContest.html

They Will Beat a Comfortable Path to Your Door

They Will Beat a Comfortable Path to Your Door
Perhaps you have heard of Reflexology, the act of applying pressure to the feet (and hands) to affect the health of the body? The idea is with the proper stimulation, you can effect beneficial and healthy change in the individual. Not having tried it, I don’t know about how well Reflexology works but I see a strong analogy between Reflexology and the humble alpaca sock.

Alpaca socks do for the alpaca owner (and alpaca industry) what Reflexology purports to do for the body, bringing healthy positive change and new awareness. With their superior qualities of comfort, warmth, strength, breathability, odor control and hypoallergenic nature, alpaca socks can be thought of as little ambassadors of good on a mission. Alpaca socks introduce the wonder of alpaca fiber in a simple yet soundly convincing manner.

Having sold alpaca retail products for a number of years I always smile with anticipation at the prospect of an enthusiastic sale when a customer says, “Someone gave me an alpaca ( ) once”. This customer already gets it! They are converts to the luxury and pleasure of alpaca fiber. They are quite pleased to have found a source for products made from this still exclusive material. They understand the value, the price and are most willing to buy.

If you are like most alpaca breeders you wish to promote your alpacas and the alpaca industry as a whole. You ache to tell stories of fine comfort, warmth and the special feel that only alpaca brings. One simple and cost effective method for delivering that message is the humble alpaca sock. With its many fine characteristics, alpaca socks open the door to your customers to think of alpaca the way we do, as a highly useful, luxurious and renewable natural fiber that is perfect for our age.

Getting your prospects into a pair of alpaca socks will get then feeling and thinking about the alpaca industry, its unique nature and your farm. If you have a farm store (or chest of goodies) it will likely lead to sales of more socks, hats, gloves, scarves and larger items. The socks will surely help your prospects to see what this alpaca thing is all about, making your animal sale prospects that much easier.

In an age when advertising can be so expensive, referrals from happy advocates of your business are nothing short of golden. With a little creativity and small expense, the simple alpaca sock can be leveraged to bring you lots of business for your farm store and farm. How do you do it? Find some talkers! Seek out pleasant people who like to chat, perhaps to a fault! Perhaps your hairdresser/barber, your favorite waitress or barista talk away the hours of their work day with friendly conversations. They stand most of the day and appreciate comfortable feet. Find people who are around lots of people and friendly. GIVE them a pair of your favorite alpaca socks! These talkers could easily be raving fans of your socks. They will also promote your farm at the same time as they promote their new happy feet!

Perhaps a family Dentist chats away, or your doctor or someone at your local grocery store that you like. Maybe it’s a fire fighter, EMT or police officer, a person who works outside and works with a lot of other people. Maybe your pastor or mail carrier or kid’s teacher would be a good candidate. Perhaps the gabbiest person in your walking or hiking club, the list of possible candidates is endless. If they know people and spend time on their feet you could have a raving fan that will tell countless people about you, the great exclusive socks you have and your farm of alpacas.

When giving away socks, it is best to pick those that can be easily washed and dried unless the recipient knows they are getting specialty (aka hand wash/no dryer) socks. If your recipient has a family or co-workers, etc,. be sure that you give only ONE pair! The others around them get to hear how wonderful the socks are and can come to you to purchase theirs.

With alpaca socks you have a fun and profitable way to promote your business, one pair of feet at a time.

…….


Brian Schieber owns http://www.purelyalpaca.com/, an alpaca specific clothing and gift business since 2002. He’s a raving fan of alpaca products to all who will listen. He lives with his wife, 2 livestock guard dogs, barn cat and 25 alpacas in the Pacific Northwest.

Online survey and $100 shopping spree

We need answers!

The opinions and ideas of our shoppers is extremely important to us. Each year we conduct product and user experience surveys to learn more about how to please our customers.

This year we are offering a $100 Shopping Spree to one lucky respondent in November and another in December(2007). There is no cost, we just ask for your candid honest opinions. We use that information to improve our service.

There is an additional incentive to respondents who complete the survey.

Click Here to take PurelyAlpaca survey


Regards,
-Brian
Customer Service
PurelyAlpaca.com

Update on Research Rugs, a Magic Carpet?

The Alpaca Research Rug is proving to be a sort of a Magic Carpet. As word spreads of the research rug program, more and more ideas are coming up for this unique alpaca fiber creation.




One recent idea has been to promote the rug and the program at alpaca auctions. Before the auction begins, the first item to go "on the block" would be an alpaca research rug. The auctioneer would describe how the rug is created from what was formerly called "trash" fiber (aka "3rds") to make the beautiful and strong item.

There would also be discussion of how many alpaca farms have generously donated their fiber for the project. At present the manufacturing mill has plenty of donated fiber from generous alpaca farmers and does not need more donations. If you would like to be notified of when there is again a need for alpaca 3rds donations, sign up for the PurelyAlpaca Newsletter (http://purelyalpaca.com/PurelyAlpacaNewsletter.htm). We will send out Research Rug updates via the newsletter.

Proceeds from rug sales on PurelyAlpaca.com benefits alpaca research and the training of new veterinarians.



Also, the rug is an excellent conversation piece for the home or office. It's strength, comfort and durability speaks volumes about the fiber from which it came. It's beauty shows how even the "throw away" fiber from alpacas has great value. And it confirms that ALL alpaca fiber has use and value.

Some are purchasing it as alpaca gift items in ways never anticipated. Though sold as a floor rug, many are using this lighter weight fiber creation as a wall hanging.

Some are putting it under their desk at work for a warm, comfortable home for their feet. Others use it as a soft pad in their job where they stand all day.

One enterprising individual took the small 2x3 rug to a sporting event. They say it is better then those plastic foam pads, is naturally warm and has led to many conversations with others about the many benefits of alpacas!

With all this going for it, perhaps the Alpaca Research Rug really is a Magic Carpet!

See the Research Rug at PurelyAlpaca.com .

-Brian

New products roll in and $100 alpaca shopping spree

I'm excited by the new products that are coming in for the fall! We should have the nicest selection of wearable alpaca that we have had since starting in 2002. This year there are new alpaca sweaters, stylish and flattering alpaca scarves and shawls, new designer yarn and much more. We'll have brand new high-tech alpaca socks too!

Get a sneak preview on or new fall line plus special limited offers, discounts and perhaps a $100 shopping spree by joining the
Alpaca Products Fan Club. The Alpaca Products Fan Club is dedicated to promoting alpacas by promoting the luxurious products made from their fiber!

See what's new now or anytime you visit PurelyAlpaca.com by clicking the New Items link.

-Brian

Alpaca Coffee?!

Ok, sometimes having a store is just fun! It let's me come up with new clothing designs, new socks, chocolates, new jewelry and now..... Alpaca Coffee!! Why not, two of my favorite loves combined! :)

Seattle Gourmet Coffee roasted and bagged two blends of fine coffee for us. The labels are for Mountain Roast Huacaya and Dark Suri blends.

The Suri blend is just too much fun! The Romanian cartoonist that worked up the image is a real talent.

The coffee is good too!