Woolen clothes are the perfect textile to style in the fall and winter seasons. Mohair and Cashmere wools are the two top choices for customers that provide deep warmth in the cold weather. But which one is the best? In this article, you will get all the details for Mohair vs Cashmere and which is better. Another common question customers ask is – is Mohair better than Cashmere? We will cater to all the possible questions that are frequently asked by the customers.
Also Read: Wedding Cashmere Pashmina
What is Cashmere Wool?
Cashmere is extremely soft, warm, and luxurious wool which is obtained from the Changthangi goats. It has an excellent insulation property against cold and offers approximately three times better insulation than normal sheep wool. Despite being soft and lightweight, cashmere wool does not feel itchy as most woolen clothes do.
The luxury of cashmere lies in its production process and the rarity of Changthangi goats that reside in the Kashmiri region of Himalaya. Once the cashmere fiber is collected from these goats, the fiber goes through extensive and meticulous processing that results in the softest wool.
What is Mohair Wool?
Mohair, also known as Angora wool, is a type of wool derived from the Angora goat. The fabrics prepared with mohair wool are extremely soft, shiny, and warm. When compared to other types of fabrics, the texture of mohair is coarse which makes it a perfect fabric for cold weather.
Angora goats, from the Mohair collected, are primarily found in the region of the United States, Canada, South Africa, Turkey, and European countries. Due to its shining fiber, Mohair wool from Angora goat is often described as diamond fiber. Mohair is used to prepare premium quality sweaters and shawls, furnishing products, etc.
Mohair vs Cashmere – Which is better?
Mohair and Cashmere both are known for their softness and luxury. However, Cashmere is softer, lighter, and more luxurious than mohair, and each piece of cashmere is unique due to its precise craftsmanship. Also, cashmere fiber has a diameter of 12-16 microns which makes it extremely lightweight and thinner than any other type of wool.
Therefore, Cashmere is better than Mohair in various aspects including softness, lightness, luxuriousness, and warmth. Due to its fine texture and meticulous design, Cashmere is highly preferred. On the other hand, Mohair has a coarse texture that makes it heavy and less warmth, however, Mohair is better known for its shine.
Detailed Comparison between Mohair and Cashmere: –
Softness
Cashmere is way softer than Mohair due to its fineness, micro diameter, and delicate properties. This wool is obtained from the undercoat of cashmere goats that have very soft fibers. These goats have two coats – outer coats and undercoats; the undercoats are very soft as it protected from the outer coat. Also, cashmere wool is produced through meticulous processing by expert craftsmen who prepare every cashmere product very precisely.
Mohair is also known for its soft fiber but it has coarse fiber that makes air vents that allow air to capture in it. The coarse fiber also makes it heavier than cashmere wool which is known for its extremely lightweight fiber.
Insulation
When we discuss the mohair vs cashmere, insulation is the key differentiator of cashmere. The insulation property of cashmere is way better than that of mohair wool. The fiber of cashmere is very thin (12-16 microns) which makes it an excellent insulated fiber. It means despite being lightweight, it offers a very warm experience.
On the other hand, Mohair has hollow fibers that make micro air vents in the clothes that may not offer the desired warmth.
Warmth
Cashmere is highly known for its warmth – Cashmere fiber is considered the warmest fiber than any other luxurious fiber due to its very thin texture and insulating properties.
Mohair also has warm fiber but due to its coarse texture, it becomes heavier. So, when we compare the warmth they offer and their weight, cashmere is way better than mohair.
Luxuriousness
Due to extremely soft fibers, labor-intensive processes, and the rarity of Kashmiri goats, cashmere is regarded as the epitome of luxuriousness. The unique texture, craftsmanship, and precision behind the production of cashmere wool make it a luxury and premium fiber.
Mohair is also considered a luxury fiber due to its warmth, insulating properties, and durability. However, it is not as luxurious as cashmere due to its less softness and heavyweight.
Shining
Shining is the unique property of Mohair wool due to its silk-like property of reflecting light. Due to its long and smooth fiber, it catches the light and feels shiny.
On the other hand, Cashmere wool is also shiny and luxurious. Due to its shining properties, Cashmere is also known as soft gold and king’s fiber. It is frequently used for various garments like shawls and scarves.
How Mohair and Cashmere are produced?
Cashmere and mohair wool, both are produced by goats. Mohair wool is produced and collected from the Angora goats that reside in Tibetan, American, and African regions. These goats are sheared twice a year; in winter and spring, which are then collected and refined for further processing. It is important to note that Mohair goats are single-coated which eliminates the step of 2nd shearing.
The cashmere wool is obtained from the undercoat of Changthangi goats, often called cashmere goats. These goats are rare and commonly found in the Kashmiri region of the Indian subcontinent. Cashmere goats are double-coated and shed their hair once a year only. Cashmere wool is the epitome of luxury fiber which is used to prepare premium quality shawls, scarves, and blankets.
The herders or the local experts collect the wool and send it for further processing which includes the following steps –
- Shearing
- Collecting
- Cleaning
- Combing
- Spinning
- Dyeing
- Knitting
- Embroidering (optional)
Read More: Pashmina Scarf and Shawl from Kashmir
Conclusion
In the detailed comparison, we have found that Cashmere fiber is far better than Mohair in every aspect; softness, durability, fineness, warmth, and luxuriousness. It is not only smooth and lightweight but also it doesn’t feel itchy to a wearer as wool does. Mohair is on the other hand also soft and durable but when compared to Cashmere, it is less warm and soft.
Also, cashmere is better than Mohair due to its high quality and very fine fiber of 12 to 16 microns. Cashmere wool is softer and thinner than mohair wool and is considered more luxurious. However, people who are looking for soft and luxury fiber at an affordable price, often prefer mohair wool over cashmere.
