Sauna Hats: What Are They and Why You Should Wear One 🔥

Keeping the head warm during a cool down!

The sauna hat is a quintessential accessory for seasoned sauna enthusiasts and a game-changer for those new to the heat. While it may seem counterintuitive to wear a hat in such a hot environment, sauna hats have been used for centuries, especially in sauna-rich cultures like Finland, Lithuania and Russia. Their function goes far beyond style, they’re a practical, comfortable, and even health-enhancing tool that can elevate your sauna experience.

If you’ve ever wondered what sauna hats are, why they’re so widely used, and how they can improve your time in the sauna, this guide covers all you need to know.

What Is a Sauna Hat?

Cosmos the Cat hat!

Not only serving a jaunty look, a sauna hat is a head covering typically made from insulating materials such as wool or felt - here we are using nature's technology! Sheep's wool after all keeps sheep warm when it's cold and keeps them cool when it's hot! Perfect for our contrast bathing journey where we cycle through the heat and the cold! Indeed one of the primary purposes of a sauna hat is to regulate temperature around the head and the brain, whilst also protecting th delicate skin on the face and ears from the heat and delicioulsly toasty löyly - that's steam to any non-sauna folx!

Sauna hats come many shapes, sizes, and designs, some very traditional and understated, while others are super fun and quirky, allowing you to really serve the look that you desire!

Nowadays, saunhat seems to be dominating the UK mobile sauna operators tool-kit - with this bell shaped hat addorned with company logo popping up at many-a-mobile sauna, but here at The Sauna Corner® we prefer the more authentic fuzzy hat.

Of course Jesse Inferno never shies away from the somewhat ostentatious and is generally spotted in her huge witchy hat adorned with mushrooms and leaves and the like! Go big or go home is her ethos!

You can also really splash out and get a completely hand-crafted affair, starting with literal wool from the sheep, formed, shaped, and dyed to you preference by the talented by-itu

The Science Behind Sauna Hats

During a sauna session, your head is often the first part of your body to feel the heat. This is because the hot air rises, creating a thermal gradient where temperatures are significantly higher near the ceiling. Prolonged exposure to this heat, especially around your head and face, can cause discomfort or even prevent you from fully enjoying the sauna experience. The sauna hat acts as a thermal buffer, slowing down the rate at which heat reaches your scalp. This helps regulate your body’s response to the heat, allowing you to relax more deeply and stay in the sauna longer.

With the head covered you can remain longer inside the sauna and thus absorb more heat in the body, which will in turn result in more health benefits - think more heat shock proteins, a deeper circulatory boost, increased vasodilation of the vascular system, the list could go on. The sauna hat is your trusty accessory for you to do all of this in a comfortable way in which you are not forcing the process or staying beyond what is enjoyable for you. This creates a more manageable holistic experience, allowing you to focus on the meditative and therapeutic aspects of the sauna.

Wearing a sauna hat also protects the hair and the scalp as it forms a from excessive heat, reducing the risk of dryness, frizz, or damage. This is particularly beneficial for people with fine, coloured, or long hair.

Tips for choosing and using your sauna hat

Stay authentic

Wool and felt are traditional and highly effective. Avoid synthetic materials, which may not insulate properly and could release harmful chemicals in the heat.

Get the right fit

Choose a hat that fits snugly but not tightly. A loose-fitting hat may not provide adequate protection, while a tight hat could feel uncomfortable.

Put it on Before Entering

Place the hat on your head before entering the sauna to ensure consistent protection as your body adjusts to the heat.

Care for Your Hat

Clean your sauna hat regularly, especially if it’s made of wool or felt. Handwashing with mild soap and air-drying will keep it fresh and ready for your next session.

Wearing a sauna hat may seem like a small detail, but it can transform your sauna sessions into a more comfortable, enjoyable, and restorative ritual. Whether you’re a seasoned sauna enthusiast or just starting out, a sauna hat is a simple yet powerful tool to enhance your experience. Ready to try one for yourself? Share your favourite sauna hat designs, stories, or tips in the comments below!