Yak Sweaters

4 styles in 100% yak wool: Crewneck, Turtleneck, and Diamond Cable Sweater. Yak wool is a rare luxury fiber sourced from yaks in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Quince is one of the few western brands to offer a dedicated yak wool sweater assortment at accessible pricing. The styles have a natural, earthy look — yak wool dyes with a characteristic depth that differs from cashmere or merino.

Yak wool fibers measure roughly 16-20 microns — finer than merino (18-22 microns), comparable to fine cashmere (Quince Mongolian cashmere: 15.8 microns). It's lighter and warmer than merino pound-for-pound: yak wool has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than cashmere or merino, due to fine hollow-core fibers. Yak wool is naturally thermoregulating, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant. It's softer than merino with a slightly different texture than cashmere — a denser, earthier feel. More durable than cashmere. Choose yak for extreme warmth + weight efficiency + durability; choose cashmere for the most luxurious softness.

Yak fibers have a natural scale structure that resists friction better than cashmere, making yak wool more durable and less prone to pilling over time. The hollow-core structure naturally wicks moisture away from the skin and inhibits odor-causing bacteria — similar to merino's natural odor resistance but more pronounced. Yaks live year-round at extreme altitudes above 14,000 feet and their fiber has evolved for harsh conditions — high warmth, moisture resistance, and durability are structural properties of the fiber itself, not added treatments.

Hand wash cold with mild detergent, or use the wool/delicate cycle in a mesh bag. Lay flat to dry — never hang wet. Yak wool's denser fiber structure makes it more resistant to pilling and stretching than cashmere, but the same basic care rules apply: no hot water, no bleach, lay flat to dry. Store folded. Yak wool's natural odor resistance means you can wear it multiple times between washes. If the fabric feels slightly stiff after washing, that's normal — it softens again with wear.