If you have ever shopped for silk bedding, you have encountered the word "momme" — and likely wondered what it means, why it matters, and which number to look for. The answer is simpler than it seems, and it has everything to do with how your silk will feel, perform, and last.
What Is Momme Weight?
Momme (pronounced "mummy") is the unit used to measure the density and weight of silk fabric. Think of it as silk's equivalent to thread count in cotton — except it is a far more reliable indicator of quality. One momme equals 4.340 grams per square metre. The higher the momme, the denser and heavier the silk.
Silk products typically range from 12 momme on the lightest end to 30 momme on the heaviest. But not all momme weights are created equal, and more is not always better.
The Momme Spectrum: A Comparison
16 momme: Lightweight and affordable, but noticeably thin. It can feel delicate in a way that borders on fragile. You will see this in budget silk products. It is real silk, but it will not stand up to regular use without showing wear quickly.
19 momme: A step up, and the most common weight in mid-range silk pillowcases. It has a pleasant feel and reasonable durability, but lacks the substantial drape and body of heavier silks.
22 momme: The sweet spot. Dense enough to feel luxurious and substantial, yet light enough to maintain silk's signature breathability and temperature-regulating properties. This is the weight recommended by textile experts for sleep products.
25 momme and above: Beautiful for structured garments and heavy furnishings, but for sleepwear and bedding, it begins to sacrifice breathability. The fabric feels stiffer and less fluid against the skin.
"At 22 momme, you get the perfect convergence of durability, breathability, and that unmistakable liquid drape that makes silk, silk."
Why 22 Momme Is Ideal for Sleep
Durability: The denser weave of 22-momme silk resists pilling, tearing, and thinning far better than lighter weights. Properly cared for, a 22-momme silk pillowcase will maintain its beauty for years, not months.
Breathability: Unlike heavier silks, 22 momme allows air to circulate through the weave, helping to regulate your body temperature throughout the night. It keeps you cool when you are warm and insulates gently when you are cool.
Temperature regulation: Silk's natural protein structure responds to your body heat. At 22 momme, this thermoregulatory property is at its most effective, creating a sleep surface that adapts to you rather than trapping heat.
Luxurious drape: There is a weight and fluidity to 22-momme silk that lighter silks simply cannot replicate. It moulds to the contours of your pillow, glides against your skin, and feels genuinely indulgent.
Why Revery and Silk Chose 22 Momme
When we set out to create our collection, we tested every momme weight from 16 to 25. We slept on them, washed them, lived with them. The choice was clear. At 22 momme, we found the fabric that delivered everything we wanted for our customers: lasting quality, unmatched comfort, and that intangible feeling of slipping into something truly special.
We paired the 22-momme weight with Grade 6A mulberry silk — the highest quality classification — because we believe that when you invest in silk for sleep, every detail should be at its best.
"We do not believe in 'good enough.' 22 momme is not a compromise — it is a conviction."
Ready to feel the difference? Explore the Revery and Silk collection and discover what 22-momme silk feels like against your skin.