Customer Testimonials

Our customers are our marketing program. Our product sells primarily from repeat buying and referrals by satisfied customers. Please read these comments from around the country to gain a more complete sense of what Altiplano products are about. If you would like to comment on our products, please contact us.

I'm very enthusiastic about the llama clothing. I live in the Central Appalachians where we have winters which are wet and cool, and sometimes cold. My favorite item is the Vaquero Jacket. I'm in my second winter with it and am delighted with its usefulness and durability. From October through April, I wear it several times daily. Usually these are long walks for exercise and outdoor chores. We frequently have cold rain with temperatures in the 30s and 40s, and I never give a second thought as to whether the Vaquero will be enough in such conditions - it always is. I've hand-washed it once and still wonder whether it was actually necessary. It stays very clean.
-- Richard M., West Virginia

My Altiplano wind shirts, of which I have four, are the main stay of my every day apparel. I live, work, and play in Nebraska where the seasons change every 30 minutes and I truly love the llama fiber's ability to provide a large temperature comfort zone. I can be comfortable in outside 30° weather or inside with 75° temps and not need to add or subtract any clothing for comfort. I wear one literally every day. My wife said that she expects to see me in my coffin with my llama windshirt on, and that is probably a great idea, as I will then be prepared for comfort with any future temperature variable I might run into (just in case).
-- John M., Murdoch, Nebraska

Whether I'm guiding clients or enjoying a personal day on the stream, the Alpamayo Jacket performs extremely well under a wide range of conditions. I have worn the Alpamayo Jacket for five years -- it has become a critical part of my fly-fishing gear. Comfort is first and foremost when setting the stage for the perfect outdoor experience. That’s why I strongly recommend the Alpamayo Jacket!
-- Pat D., Fishing Guide, Evergreen, Colorado

I’ve been using my Altiplano pullover for 5 years now. It looks as good as the day it was new. It breathes every bit as well as wool, is way warmer, and is unique in its style and function.
I use it for backcountry hiking...and alpine skiing. I’ve had it in dumps at Snowbird and sunny days at Telluride. It was fantastic with a huge range of temperature comfort. Just a layer under and you’re set. You can also use it as a mid or outer layer. It sheds snow even when I don’t use a shell. People try to buy it off my back all the time cause it’s so stunning in its looks.
-- Lee K. Culver City, CA

When I wear the Altiplano jacket, I find many advantages to the natural fabric. One, fire embers don’t burn holes in it and another is that it maintains its good appearance after long-wear unlike synthetics that tend to pill. The fabric is durable and performs well in wet and windy conditions compared to equivalent synthetics. Llama fabric performs well in the outdoors.
-- Vaughn H., Guide – Bluff, UT

My thoughts about the full length Llama coat: It is beautifully constructed, incredibly soft to the touch and looks absolutely gorgeous and flattering on. It looks and feels great, it keeps me warm and cozy without being weighed down!! I hope you continue to come out with new styles.
-- Joanne C. – NY

For eight months of the year it never really gets "warm" in Alaska so I wear the vest daily. The rest of the time I still wear it because it feels good. As an Alaskan I know the value of an article of clothing that insulates, particularly in the harsh environment of western Alaska where I work as a ships pilot. Just yesterday I was on the bridge of a small tramper in the port of Dutch Harbor. During our mooring evolution the ships master (Japanese) came up to me and asked in broken english "What material made from pilot? Me touch please?" This is not the first time I have been asked about this vest. When I answer that the vest was made from Llama fur the interested party usually then asks if they can feel the material. After some pinching along with a little rubbing the comments are always something to the effect "that feels really nice". The Captain's comment was "where I buy?" For me this vest rates right alongside my Stormy Cromer cap. Hope you stay in business as long as this hat company has.
-- Peter G., Ship's Pilot - Homer, AK

I own an Alpamayo Jacket and vest, both black. They have been my favorite such garments, replacing my polyester fleece vests and jackets in my regard and frequency of use. Even my very good "fleece" garments pill up over time and also seem to lose both their water and wind repellency and their ability to retain heat. The llama garments, on the other hand, have retained their initial good looks, and in fact appear almost new after 5 or 6 years of use. I've worn them in Minnesota, in Virginia, and hunting in Canada and Alaska. They do stay warm in cold and wet weather, and seem to have a high degree of wind repellency. I sweat a ton, and they handle that as well as I could hope. In changing conditions, especially in the mountains, they seldom get "too hot." In all respects, they perform well. I've chosen the cold water and soap approach to their care and in the time I've owned them, have only felt the need to clean them twice each.
-- Kenneth C. Surgeon - Charlottesville, VA

The llama clothing I have purchased are by far the most wonderful and versatile garments I have worn. I have purchased the pullovers and a jacket. I use mine regularly for hunting, golfing, hiking and wear it almost daily during the winter and spring months. The versatility of these garments is second to none. I use it a lot for the activities mentioned, but it is a regular for casual wear in the evening. I rarely notice it to ever hold dirt or stain, and the cleaning is simple. One of the greatest features of the pullover (and I don't know why); it will provide warmth outside, however when going inside I remain comfortable without taking it off. It's the best.
-- Greg B., Baseball Coach - Loveland, CO

I love my Altiplano sweater! Of course, it is the coziest, warmest, most comfortable -- and potentially best-looking -- article of clothing in my closet. Even better, it's the "greenest" apparel I wear, both in terms of sustainability and based on the fact that I know it's not supporting some sweat shop (or animal mill). Factoring for the amount I wear it, my Altiplano sweater is both my most inexpensive article and the one I feel best about wearing on any (and every) level!
-- Randy G, Publisher - Boulder, CO

Feb. 2003:  I am wearing the llama vest K. bought a couple years ago. I haven't taken it off in weeks. It has been really cold here; below zero, which Boston is not prepared for. The vest never gets dirty, is always warm, never pills. It's a great garment and I'm always glad to help you market it.
Update Feb. 2008:  I am still wearing that same brown vest and the jackets we subsequently purchased. They look as good as when originally purchased. They are durable, don't get dirty, retain their shape, and are longstanding members of the family wardrobe. I would definitely recommend the product to anyone whose life brings them into wide ranging temperatures and dirty environments, like ours. We are tending to our horses year round in New England, coming in and out of the outdoors, and are constantly dealing with changes in temperature and barns/manure/etc. We have hardly washed these jackets, in my recollection. They don't get dirty!!!! They keep their shape and the color doesn't fade. I was thinking about why we have to wash our fleece ALL the time and not the llama jackets or vest. One big reason (beside they seem to shed dirt) is that fleece collects animal hair like a magnet.... and we have a herd of cats, dogs, and horses. We are constantly battling hair... the llama garments don't pick it up.
-- Hilary Z., Psy D.- Boston