We know, we know: it’s not cashmere, but hear us out.

A big part of making amazing products is learning everything there is to know about materials, technologies, farms, factories, etc. We spend a lot of our time on research, because when we’re designing something new, or reimagining a staple, we want it to be the best it can be. We want it to exceed the expectations of our customers, to be something they’re excited to wear every day and, ideally, something with a story that they’re proud to be a part of. This approach is why our Lodge Sweater is made with baby yak wool.

Close up of The Lodge Sweater in Gold

First of all, for those of you worried about the texture, rest assured: baby yak wool, which is woven from a plush underlayer of fur that yaks grow in the winter to protect against the fearsome Himalayan chill (which sometimes plunges as low as -40˚F), is incredibly soft and fine—18 microns for you fiberheads out there. Yak wool fibers are hollow, which allows them to retain heat and provide a high warmth-to-weight ratio. Additionally, despite its similarly luxurious hand and light weight, baby yak wool is more durable than cashmere—and if you know us, you know how big a selling point that is.

Model wearing The Lode Sweater in Oat

Of course, at the heart of it all is our commitment to holding ourselves to a higher standard when it comes to how our business impacts the planet. As widespread demand for cashmere continues to grow, overbreeding and overgrazing are on the rise. Throughout China and Mongolia, grasslands inhabited by cashmere goats are rapidly turning into deserts.

We didn’t want to be a part of the problem, so we sought out an alternative. Yaks have been bred by nomadic herding families in high-altitude, low-population regions of Asia for millennia. Because they require very little food to survive and aren’t confined to small plots of land, their impact on the environment is negligible. When temperatures rise in the springtime, they begin to shed the ultrafine fibers of their undercoat—which are then woven into baby yak wool— and then they go about their business, doing all manner of yak things (yaktivities, if you prefer) until next shedding season. The end result: an incredibly soft, warm, and durable sweater that you’ll feel good in—and good about.

Shop Yak Wool

Interested to learn more about our other fabrics? Check out the rest of our Fabric Stories:

fit model posing next to a motel wearing The Short Sleeve Hawthorne in Fig Stripe
April 08, 2024

Styling A Summer Staple

Camp collar shirts are some of the most versatile pieces you can have in your wardrobe. Basically, if the sun is shining and the temperature is high, a camp collar shirt is the right move. They strike a supremely versatile balance between the casual comfort of a T-shirt and the polish of a polo, all while adding a bit of vintage charm that can make the most run-of-the-mill outfit stand out from the pack.

Read more
Close up of The Ledge Men's Flannel Shirts
March 27, 2024

How To Wear A Flannel

Mastering the art of wearing and styling men’s flannel shirts is all about embracing their versatility and timeless appeal. Whether you opt for a casual, workwear-inspired outfit or a more elevated ensemble, flannel shirts provide the perfect foundation for nearly every occasion. Happy styling.

Read more
Get There Quicker

Keyboard Shortcuts

General

  • Keyboard Help Shift+?
  • Search S
  • Go to Account/Login ME
  • Go to Help HELP

Main Navigation

  • Go to Home GH
  • Go to Workshop GS
  • Go to Men's Home GM
  • Go to The Dispatch GD
  • MAG
  • Go to Cart GC

Categories

  • Go to Shirts GCS
  • Go to Outerwear GCO
  • Go to Bottoms GCB
  • Go to Denim GCD
  • Go to Footwear GCF
  • Go to Accessories GCA
  • Go to Essentials GCE