In short, a sauna hat is designed to be worn in a sauna to insulate your head and scalp from intense heat. It can help reduce overheating, dizziness, and hair dryness, making sauna sessions more comfortable and longer-lasting.
Why wear a sauna hat?
The main job of a sauna hat is to slow down heat transfer to your head. As we know, hot air rises, so the air towards the top of the sauna is much hotter than the air lower down. As we typically sit on raised benches the head will heat up faster than the rest of the body in a sauna. Keeping the scalp cooler can make the experience feel more even and comfortable.
What material is best for a sauna hat?
Felted wool is the most popular and effective material for sauna hats. Felted wool sauna hats originated in Russian banyas centuries ago and are still hugely popular there and across the Nordic and Baltic states. Felted wool offers excellent heat insulation whilst being breathable. Many sauna goers chose these for comfort, maximum heat shielding and moisture control.
Alternatives to wool include linen and cotton hats. These are lighter, and for some, comfier to wear, but offer less heat protection so not ideal in very hot saunas.There are also synthetic felt hats (eg polyester - think craft felt) but these lack moisture wicking properties and can trap the heat.
At Wild Moose, our sauna hats use felted wool to provide the most effective, natural thermal insulation, keeping you more comfortable, less dizzy, and able to get the most out of your sauna time.
What shape of sauna hat should I choose?
Sauna hats come in various shapes but the original, traditional shape is the cone. (It’s a look!) This allows an extra layer of air to be trapped in the hat above your head. This shape is popular in Russia and the Baltic and Nordic countries. There is also the bell shape, the bucket shape and novelty shapes to be found, but the cone remains the most effective in high temperatures.
How to choose the right sauna hat
In terms of materials, felted wool has a slight stretch to it when wet so, as they come in one size, this means they accommodate most head shapes and sizes. It also has the best heat insulation.
If you don’t fancy wool perhaps cotton or linen is an alternative, but these are not as effective in very high temperatures - perhaps better for an infra red sauna. We would suggest avoiding felted polyester.
Shape is another factor to consider. As saunas increase in popularity we are raising less eyebrows at the traditional cone shape. However if you want to wear yours to the busy sauna at your local gym and looks matter, you might want to go with what you may consider a more flattering shape.
How to look after your sauna hat
Shaking them out after use, hand-washing in warm water without harsh detergents, and letting them air-dry fully between sessions are all best practices for ensuring the longevity of your sauna hat.
A sauna hat is a great addition to your sauna attire - not that there’s much needed. In some cultures it may be the only thing sauna users are wearing! They really help to slow down the heating of the head and allow for a longer and more enjoyable sauna session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do sauna hats actually work?
Yes. Sauna hats help slow heat transfer to your head, which can make hot sessions feel more comfortable and reduce the chance of feeling overheated too quickly.
What material is best for a sauna hat?
Felted wool is usually the best choice for maximum heat protection, with linen being an all-round option for comfort and breathability; cotton is lighter but less insulating.
Can you wash a sauna hat?
Usually, yes, but gently and in colder water. Spot cleaning and airing out between sauna sessions is good practice. For wool hats, reshape when wet.
Do sauna hats make sense for contrast therapy?
They do. If you alternate cold water and heat, a sauna hat can help you stay in the sauna longer and make the warm-up phase feel smoother and more controlled.
Head here to buy a 100% felted wool sauna hat of your own and enjoy your saunas like never before.