Yak yarn has similar properties to other animal fibers, including breathability and static-resistance. In woolen garments air pockets are created between the fibers that reduce the rate of heat transfer. This property combined with Lanolin (a hydrophobic grease present in wool fibers) allows the wool to keep you warm.
The soft fine under hair is the desirable element of this animal’s coat and is removed commercially by dehairing, which separates the soft under hair from the coarse outer hair, known as guard-hair. It sits in between camel and cashmere for quality at 17-19 Microns and is used as a cashmere substitute, largely as a consequence of price.
