Guide
Silk momme explained
Momme is how silk is weighed. One number tells you most of what you need to know about a silk pillowcase.
What momme measures
Momme is a weight. A higher momme means more silk in the same area of fabric, so the cloth is thicker and less see-through. Thread count measures something else: how many threads cross in an inch.
Alaska Bear pillowcases come in 19, 22 and 25 momme. The brand states a 600 thread count at 19 momme and 900 at 25.
| Weight | Pillowcases | Closure | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 momme | Zipper Silk Pillowcase | Hidden zipper | $25.99 to $39.99 |
| 22 momme | Envelope Silk Pillowcase, Zipper Silk Pillowcases, Set of Two | Envelope flap or hidden zipper | $39.99 to $79.99 |
| 25 momme | Heavyweight Envelope Pillowcase | Envelope flap | $45.99 to $49.99 |
Which weight to buy
19 momme is where most people start. It costs the least and comes in the most colors. 22 momme is a clear step up in hand feel. 25 momme is the heaviest in the range, and the brand calls it thicker and more durable.
Heavier silk is not softer by itself. All three are smooth. The difference you feel is body: a 25 momme case drapes like a heavier cloth.
Reading the label
In the United States, textile labels have to name each fiber and its share by weight. A pillowcase counts as bedding under those rules, and its label sits inside, near the open end.
The rule matters for silk because blends exist. A case with a few percent of another fiber cannot be labeled 100% silk.
“the generic fiber names and percentages by weight of each constituent fiber must be listed in descending order of predominance.”
“For example, if a blouse contains 97% silk and 3% polyester, you cannot label it “100% silk” based on the 3% tolerance.”
“In a pillowcase, a location on the inside close to the open end is conspicuous and accessible.”
Questions
In short
Is 22 momme silk better than 19 momme?
22 momme silk is heavier than 19 momme, with more silk in the same area, so it feels thicker. Whether that is worth the extra cost is your call: Alaska Bear pillowcases run from $25.99 to $79.99.
Does a higher thread count mean heavier silk?
Not by itself. Thread count counts the threads in an inch, and momme weighs the cloth. In Alaska Bear silk the two rise together: 600 threads at 19 momme and 900 at 25.
Sources
- Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts | Federal Trade Commissionread 9 October 2026 · Federal Trade Commission
General information for shoppers, not medical advice. If poor sleep keeps coming back, talk to your doctor.
Keep reading
More guides
How to choose a sleep mask
Shape, strap and fabric: three choices that decide whether a mask stays on your face.
How to wash silk
Cool water, a laundry bag and no hot dryer: the care lines of each Alaska Bear silk product in one table.
Falling asleep to audio
Podcasts and white noise in bed: how loud is too loud, and what a headphone sleep mask changes.