Why Bamboo Bedding
Bamboo bedding has become synonymous with luxury, comfort, and sustainability. However, not all bamboo bedding is created equal. In this review, we’ll explore the key factors that set high-quality bamboo sheets apart and help you identify the best options for your sleep.
If you’ve ever wondered why some bamboo sheets feel ultra-soft and breathable, while others seem rougher or less durable, the difference often comes down to fabric composition, weave, thread count, and manufacturing process.
While premium bamboo bedding delivers exceptional softness, temperature regulation, and durability, cheaper alternatives often cut corners. Many low-cost options contain synthetic blends, lower thread counts, or inferior weaves, all of which diminish bamboo’s natural benefits. Without the right combination of materials and construction, bamboo sheets may not provide the comfort and longevity that make them so desirable.
Choosing the right bedding isn’t just about aesthetics - it’s about ensuring you experience the full advantages of bamboo’s breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and long-lasting comfort.
In this article, we’ll break down what makes premium bamboo bedding stand out, why investing in quality matters, and how to ensure you’re getting the best sleep experience possible.
The Difference in Bamboo Fabric Composition
One of the most significant differences in comes from what it’s actually made of. While some brands promote their sheets as “bamboo,” they may actually contain a blend of fabrics - often mixed with polyester or, in some cases, cotton. These blends dilute bamboo’s natural softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties, meaning you will not be experiencing the full benefits that pure bamboo sheets provides.
With polyester blends, bamboo content can sometimes be less than 50%, with the higher percentage being synthetic fibres. Polyester blends reduce the natural advantages of bamboo, making them less effective at regulating temperature and noticeably less soft and comfortable. They also tend to feel heavier and warmer, with less breathability than pure bamboo fabric. While these blends may still feel smooth, they lack the naturally silky-soft texture and lightweight feel that high-quality bamboo bedding is known for.
Even cotton-bamboo blends, while preferable to polyester, still dilute bamboo’s natural advantages. Cotton reduces bamboo’s silk-like texture, breathability, and moisture-wicking abilities, making the fabric feel heavier and less refined. While these blends may offer some of bamboo’s benefits, they will not be experiencing the ultra-soft touch and lightweight feel that make 100% bamboo bedding truly special.
Premium bamboo bedding is crafted from 100% bamboo viscose with no synthetic blends. This ensures that the full benefits of bamboo - hypoallergenic properties, temperature regulation, and superior softness - are fully experienced.
Thread Count: Why It Matters
Another key factor in differentiating quality bedding is thread count. For a comfortable and high-quality sleep experience, you should accept no less than 300 thread count, as this provides a soft and breathable fabric. However, for those seeking true luxury and superior durability, 400 thread count is the gold standard.
What's the best thread count for bamboo sheets?
In the UK, 400 thread count is the highest available for bamboo bedding, offering the perfect balance between breathability, comfort, and longevity. While cotton sheets often require much higher thread counts to achieve a similar feel, bamboo’s finer, more tightly woven fibres create a fabric that rivals - and even surpasses - the softness of 1000-thread-count cotton sheets.
A higher thread count also means a more refined fabric texture, contributing to a bedding experience that feels both indulgent and long-lasting.
Weave Type: The Key to Softness & Durability
Bamboo sheets come in different weave types, which impact their feel, durability, and overall sleeping experience.
Percale Weave: Crisp but Less Luxurious
A percale weave is a simple one-over-one weave that gives bamboo bedding a crisp, matte feel. While this weave is lightweight and breathable, it lacks the ultra-soft, silky drape that luxury bamboo bedding is known for. Some lower-end bamboo sheets also have a looser weave, which makes them more prone to pilling and wearing out faster over time.
Satin Weave: The Best for Softness & Elegance
A satin weave is the preferred choice for luxury bamboo bedding. Unlike percale, it uses a four-over-one weave, allowing longer bamboo fibres to sit on the surface of the fabric. This results in:
✔ A silky-soft, smooth finish that feels gentle against the skin.
✔ A natural sheen that enhances the luxurious look of the fabric.
✔ A drapey, flowing texture, giving your bed an elegant, premium feel.
For the best bamboo sheets, a satin weave combined with a 400 thread count offers the perfect balance of softness, breathability, and durability.
The Myth of GSM Explained
When comparing bamboo bedding, some brands may highlight GSM (grams per square metre) as a key measure of quality. While GSM plays a role in fabric weight and density, it does not always indicate superior softness, durability, or breathability. Understanding what truly contributes to the best bamboo fabric is essential to making an informed choice.
How GSM is Determined in High-Quality Bamboo Bedding
A higher GSM in bamboo bedding comes from three key factors:
- Higher Thread Count – More threads per inch create a denser weave, naturally increasing GSM while enhancing softness and durability.
- Superior Bamboo Fibres – The quality of the raw bamboo used in production significantly affects GSM. Moso bamboo, a superior variety, is known for its strong, long fibres, resulting in a finer, more durable fabric with a naturally soft feel.
- Satin Weave – The weaving technique used determines how the fibres interact, affecting GSM and overall feel. A satin weave allows for longer bamboo fibres to sit at the surface, creating a luxurious drape, ultra-soft feel, and refined finish.
These three elements work together to increase GSM naturally, ensuring a high-density, premium fabric that enhances softness and durability while maintaining bamboo’s natural breathability and temperature regulation.
The GSM Misconception: Beware of Synthetic Blends
Some brands artificially increase GSM by blending bamboo with polyester or other synthetic fibres. While this may create a heavier-feeling fabric, it removes the very qualities that make bamboo bedding superior.
- Polyester increases GSM artificially but traps heat, reduces breathability, and lacks moisture-wicking properties.
- Blended fabrics often feel thicker but do not provide the natural cooling effect of 100% bamboo viscose.
- Over time, synthetic fibres degrade faster, making the bedding less durable and comfortable.
- Most importantly, blended fabrics don’t have that silk-like softness of pure bamboo, resulting in a coarser and less luxurious feel.
This is why GSM alone is not a true measure of quality. The right combination of high thread count, premium Moso bamboo fibres, and satin weave is what creates luxurious, long-lasting bamboo bedding—not simply a heavier fabric.
When choosing bamboo sheets, don’t be fooled by high GSM numbers alone. Instead, look for 100% bamboo viscose with a 400 thread count, satin weave, and premium Moso bamboo fibres - a combination that guarantees the highest standard of comfort, durability, and breathability.
Sustainability Matters
One of the reasons bamboo bedding is growing in popularity is its eco-friendly appeal. However, not all bamboo sheets are sustainably produced.
Some manufacturers use chemical-intensive processes that strip bamboo of its natural benefits and harm the environment.
For truly sustainable bamboo bedding, look for:
✔ 100% bamboo viscose produced in a closed-loop process, which minimises waste.
✔ OEKO-TEX certification, ensuring the fabric is free from harmful chemicals.
✔ Sustainable farming practices, such as using Moso bamboo, which grows quickly without pesticides.
By choosing eco-friendly bamboo bedding, you’re not only investing in luxury and comfort but also making a responsible choice for the planet.
Upgrade Your Sleep with Lost Loom
All Lost Loom bedding is crafted for the ultimate sleep experience, combining luxury, sustainability, and premium craftsmanship. Our sheets are designed with:
✔ 100% viscose from bamboo – Ensuring breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and silky softness.
✔ Moso bamboo fibres – A superior variety known for its strong, long fibres, contributing to durability and a refined fabric texture.
✔ 400 thread count – Delivering a smooth, high-density weave for superior comfort.
✔ A satin weave – Creating a luxurious drape and ultra-soft, silk-like feel.
✔ An 80×60 weave density – Enhancing durability while maintaining a lightweight, breathable fabric.
✔ A sustainable manufacturing process – Minimising environmental impact while preserving bamboo’s natural benefits.
Discover the difference for yourself and experience a cooler, softer, and more restful night’s sleep like never before.
