What Is Yak Wool? Yak Down versus Cashmere, Alpaca and Merino

Yak wool is a knitting fibre made from the soft undercoat of the yak, the long-haired cattle of the high plateaus of Central Asia. Combed out and spun, the fine down makes a yarn that is warm for its weight, soft and naturally brown, grey and beige. The ‘S Max Mara Voliera Yak Wool Crew-Neck Sweater is knitted in 100% yak, part of the Max Mara collection at Coveti.

Key facts

• Source: the downy undercoat of the yak, which grows beneath the long, coarse outer hair.
• Where yaks live: high, cold regions of Central Asia, including the Tibetan Plateau and Mongolia.
• Natural colour: mostly brown and grey; lighter shades are rarer, so many yak yarns stay close to their natural colour.
• Feel: soft and fine, in the same family as cashmere and camel hair, with a slightly drier, more matte surface.
• Max Mara yak pieces on Coveti: three ‘S Max Mara designs in 100% yak, a crew neck, a sweater with scarf and a brushed hooded cardigan.
• Price on Coveti: from $910 for the Voliera crew neck to $1,560 for the Aria sweater with scarf.

What is yak wool?

Yaks grow two coats. The outer coat is long, coarse hair that sheds rain and snow; underneath sits a dense layer of fine down that keeps the animal warm at altitude. It is this down that becomes yak wool. Strictly, it is a hair fibre, like cashmere from goats and camel hair from camels, rather than a sheep’s wool, but the trade calls it yak wool, yak down and yak yarn interchangeably.

The down is collected when the animals moult in spring, by combing and by gathering what they shed. It is then sorted, cleaned and de-haired to remove the coarse outer hairs, which would make the yarn prickly. What is left is spun and knitted in the same way as other fine fibres.

The result is a yarn with a soft, slightly dry hand and a quiet matte surface. Brushed, it turns fluffy and cloud-like, as on the ‘S Max Mara Anne Brushed Yak Wool Hooded Cardigan. Knitted plain, it gives a smooth, compact jumper like the Voliera.

Yak wool versus cashmere, alpaca, merino and camel hair

Yak wool is usually compared with cashmere, because both are fine undercoat fibres from animals that live in cold, high places. Here is how it sits against the other fibres you find in luxury knitwear and coats. The descriptions are general and qualitative; the quality of any yarn depends on how it is sorted, spun and knitted.

Matrix compiled by Coveti Editorial from the live Max Mara catalogue on coveti.com, November 2026.

Versus cashmere. The two feel close. Cashmere is usually a touch smoother with more sheen and takes dye in any colour, while yak has a drier, more matte hand and tends to stay in its natural browns and greys. Our Max Mara knitwear guide covers the house cashmere range.

Versus alpaca. Alpaca is silkier and hairier, with a halo that sheds a little at first. Yak is denser and less hairy. Both are warm for their weight.

Versus merino. Merino is a sheep’s wool, springy and resilient, and often easier to wash. Yak is softer and loftier, and needs gentler care.

Versus camel hair. Camel hair is the house fibre for coats, from the Manuela to the Max Mara Teddy Bear coat blends. Yak and camel feel similar, but camel hair is more common in woven cloth, yak in knitwear. Our camel hair versus wool coats comparison explains the coat side.

Is yak wool warm and soft?

Yes. Yak down evolved to keep an animal warm in very cold, dry mountain air, and a yak sweater traps heat well for its weight. That makes it a good fibre for a single warm layer under a coat, when a thick sheep’s wool jumper would add too much bulk. Wear it under one of the women’s wool coats in our guide and you rarely need a second knit.

On softness, yak sits with the fine luxury fibres. It is not scratchy in the way coarse wool can be, which is why it works next to the skin. Brushed yak feels softer still, because brushing lifts the fibre ends into a light halo.

Does yak wool pill?

Like every fine, soft fibre, yak can pill at friction points, under the arms, at the cuffs and where a bag strap rubs. This is normal in the first weeks of wear, as loose short fibres work their way out. Remove pills with a cashmere comb and a fabric shaver, and they usually lessen once the knit settles. Avoid carrying a heavy crossbody bag over the same spot every day.

How to care for a yak wool sweater

Read the label first. Follow the care instructions on the garment above any general advice; Max Mara labels each piece.

Wash rarely and gently. Air the sweater between wears instead of washing it after each one. When it needs cleaning, hand wash in cool water with a wool detergent, and do not rub, wring and twist it. Dry cleaning is the safe alternative where the label allows it.

Dry flat. Roll the sweater in a towel to press out the water, then lay it flat on a dry towel, away from radiators and sun, and ease it back into shape.

Store folded. Never hang a knit, which stretches the shoulders. Fold it into a breathable bag with cedar, and keep it away from moths over summer.

For a wardrobe built around a few good knits, see our capsule wardrobe guide.

Yak wool sweaters at Max Mara

Max Mara’s yak pieces on Coveti all come from ‘S Max Mara and are knitted in 100% yak. The Voliera is a regular-fit crew neck with knit patches on the elbows and an embroidered logo, in brown and medium grey. The Aria is a wide-fit sweater with a matching yak scarf and a soft brushed finish, in beige, navy and medium grey. The Anne is a brushed hooded cardigan with a metal zip, in beige and medium grey.

Matrix compiled by Coveti Editorial from the live Max Mara catalogue on coveti.com, November 2026.

Yak wool around the world

United States and Canada. Yak wool sweaters are a growing search in North America. In the dry cold of the Northeast and Canada, a yak crew neck under a wool coat replaces two layers.

United Kingdom and Europe. In damp, mild British winters, a single yak knit is warm without overheating on the Tube and in heated offices. Brown and grey yak suit the camel and navy coats that dominate European wardrobes.

The Gulf. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, a light yak cardigan is a useful layer for cool desert evenings, long-haul flights and air-conditioned interiors. A hooded cardigan gives extra cover without weight.

Australia and Asia. Australian buyers shop knitwear for a June to August winter; a yak jumper is enough for most days in Melbourne. In Seoul and Tokyo, a yak knit under a long coat suits the dry cold.

Coveti ships worldwide by DHL Express and FedEx International Priority, insured and signed for on delivery. Import duties are usually payable on arrival.

The best yak wool pieces to buy this season

1. Voliera Yak Wool Crew-Neck Sweater in Brown

New for Fall Winter 2026 in brown: a regular-fit crew neck in pure yak with knit elbow patches. The most wearable way into the fibre. From $910.

2. Voliera Yak Wool Crew-Neck Sweater in Medium Grey

The same crew neck in grey, the easiest colour under a camel coat. From $910.

3. Aria Yak Wool Sweater with Scarf in Medium Grey

New for Fall Winter 2026 in grey: a wide, brushed yak sweater sold with a matching scarf. From $1,560.

4. Aria Yak Wool Sweater with Scarf in Beige

The Aria in beige, soft and light against camel and cream. From $1,560.

5. Aria Yak Wool Sweater with Scarf in Navy

The darker Aria, for city wear with grey tailoring. From $1,560.

6. Anne Brushed Yak Wool Hooded Cardigan in Beige

New for Fall Winter 2026 in beige: a brushed yak hooded cardigan with a zip front, for travel and weekends. From $1,510.

7. Anne Brushed Yak Wool Hooded Cardigan in Medium Grey

The Anne in grey, the practical everyday colour. From $1,510.

8. Darsena Cashmere Crew-Neck Sweater in Sand

The cashmere comparison: a pure cashmere crew neck from the main Max Mara line. From $1,160.

Browse more in our knitwear, sweaters and cardigans edits.

Where can I buy Max Mara yak wool in the US?

Coveti stocks the ‘S Max Mara yak sweaters and cardigans and ships to the US by DHL Express and FedEx International Priority, insured and signed for on delivery. Prices are in US dollars, and import duties are usually payable on arrival. Shop Max Mara at Coveti.

More Max Mara guides

• Max Mara knitwear
• camel hair versus wool coats
• women’s wool coats
• Max Mara Teddy Bear coat
• Max Mara outfits
• is Max Mara worth it
• ‘S Max Mara
• Max Mara Fall Winter 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is yak wool made from?

Yak wool is made from the fine, downy undercoat of the yak, which grows beneath the long outer hair. The down is combed out and gathered when the animals moult, cleaned and de-haired, then spun into yarn. It is technically a hair fibre, like cashmere and camel hair.

Is yak wool better than cashmere?

Neither is simply better. Yak and cashmere feel close; cashmere tends to be a little smoother with more sheen and comes in any colour, while yak has a drier, matte hand and natural brown and grey shades. Both are warm for their weight. Choose by colour, feel and the knit itself.

Is yak wool itchy?

Well-made yak yarn is not itchy, because the coarse outer hairs are removed and only the fine down is spun. It sits comfortably next to the skin for most people. If you are sensitive to wool, try it on the inside of the wrist first.

Does Max Mara make yak wool sweaters?

Yes. On Coveti, ‘S Max Mara offers three designs in 100% yak: the Voliera crew-neck sweater from $910, the Anne brushed hooded cardigan from $1,510 and the Aria sweater with a matching scarf from $1,560. Several colours are new for Fall Winter 2026.

How do you wash a yak wool sweater?

Follow the care label first. As general guidance, air it between wears, hand wash in cool water with a wool detergent when needed, and never wring it. Roll it in a towel, dry it flat away from heat and store it folded, not hung.

Does yak wool shrink?

Yak, like other animal fibres, can felt and shrink in hot water, with rubbing and in a tumble dryer. Keep the water cool, handle it gently and dry it flat, and it keeps its size. Where the label recommends dry cleaning, use a specialist cleaner.

Shop the full Max Mara collection, then read our Max Mara knitwear guide and the camel hair versus wool coats comparison.