Few things feel cozier than snuggling up in a sherpa-lined jacket or curling up under a sherpa throw. With its soft, fluffy texture, sherpa fabric has become a cold-weather staple for fashion and home goods. But you might be wondering:
Is Sherpa Vegan?
Usually, yes! Sherpa’s soft, fluffy, and curly pile texture is made to mimic sheep’s wool, but it’s almost always made with animal-free materials, such as cotton, bamboo, polyester, or acrylic.
When Is Sherpa Not Vegan?
It’s rare, but occasionally sherpa can be made with wool. So before you add that trendy sherpa piece to your cart, take a look at the label to check the fiber content and make sure you aren’t accidentally supporting animal exploitation.
Why Should I Buy Wool-Free Sherpa?
The wool industry treats sheep as something rather than someone—but sheep are gentle individuals who, like all animals, feel pain, fear, love, and joy. It’s cruel and speciesist to assume that their fleece, skins, and lives are ours to take and use. Not to mention, PETA has released exposés of more than 100 sheep farms on four continents, and every one of them has revealed how sheep are systemically beaten, kicked, punched, and mutilated in the wool industry—even at disingenuously named “responsible farms”—proving that violence is rampant in the industry.
Choosing vegan options for all our fashion and home goods selection is a simple way to show kindness and compassion toward sheep and other animals. To learn more about vegan materials, check out our guide: