Essential for comfortable heat bathing, sauna hats insulate your head from the elevated temperatures found at ceiling level in any sauna cabin. Whether you're enjoying a traditional barrel sauna, home sauna, or commercial facility, a quality sauna hat protects your hair and prevents your head and ears from overheating.
Choose from traditional felted wool hats offering superior thermal protection, or lightweight linen and polyester felt alternatives for gentler sessions. We stock authentic Finnish designs from trusted brands including Rento, Emendo, and SaunaPro, with prices from £7.99.
Pre-soak your hat in cold water before each session to maximise its cooling effect—a simple technique that transforms your sauna experience.
Learn more about why you should wear a Sauna Hat today.
A hat to wear while sitting in the sauna? What does it do?
It's a question that's often asked, especially by individuals who are new to sauna. Finnmark's Technical Director, Max Newport, has created this short video to help you understand sauna hats and how they can enhance your sauna experience.
Sauna hats represent an essential element of authentic Finnish sauna culture, serving both practical and traditional purposes during heat bathing sessions. Whether you're using a traditional barrel sauna, an indoor home sauna, or a commercial facility, a quality sauna hat protects your head and hair from the intense heat that accumulates in the upper portions of the sauna cabin.
Heat rises naturally, meaning temperatures near the ceiling of your sauna can be significantly higher than at bench level. While your body may comfortably tolerate 70-90°C, your head and ears can become uncomfortable at these elevated temperatures. A properly fitted sauna hat insulates your head, allowing you to extend your session duration while maintaining comfort throughout.
Traditional sauna hats are crafted from natural materials chosen specifically for their insulating properties. Felted wool sauna hats offer superior heat protection and remain the gold standard in authentic Finnish sauna practice. The dense felt structure creates air pockets that provide excellent thermal insulation whilst remaining breathable. Linen sauna hats present a lighter alternative, ideal for those new to sauna bathing or for use in lower-temperature sessions.
For optimal performance, immerse your sauna hat in cold water before use. This technique enhances the cooling effect and helps regulate your head temperature throughout your session—a practice passed down through generations of Finnish sauna culture.
Ever asked yourself why wear a sauna hat? Step into a traditional sauna in Finland, Estonia, or across the Baltics, and you’ll see seasoned sauna users pulling on these distinctive wool or linen hats.
For many new sauna users, spotting these can spark curiosity – and a few questions. At Finnmark, we’re specialists in authentic sauna experiences, and we know these traditional accessories are far more than just a quirky part of sauna culture. From protecting your scalp and hair against intense heat to helping you feel comfortable during longer sauna sessions, the purpose of a sauna hat is both practical and rooted in centuries-old tradition. And once you’ve experienced the difference, you may never sauna without one again.
Spot clean your sauna hat with mild soap and cool water as needed. Avoid machine washing, as this can damage the felt structure and reduce insulation properties. Allow your hat to air dry naturally between uses. Quality wool felt hats develop character over time, moulding slightly to your head shape for improved comfort.
Yes, sauna hats work perfectly in all sauna types, including barrel saunas, cube saunas, outdoor sauna cabins, and traditional indoor saunas. They're particularly beneficial in wood-burning saunas where temperatures can fluctuate significantly, and in any setting where you're enjoying longer, hotter sessions.
Felted wool offers the best thermal protection and remains the traditional choice for authentic Finnish sauna practice. The dense felt structure creates insulating air pockets whilst remaining breathable. Linen provides a lighter alternative suitable for lower temperatures, whilst polyester felt offers an affordable entry point for occasional users.
Whilst not strictly necessary, a sauna hat significantly improves comfort during longer or hotter sessions. Heat rises naturally, meaning temperatures at head height can exceed those at bench level by 20-30°C. A sauna hat allows you to enjoy your barrel sauna, cube sauna, or traditional sauna cabin more comfortably, particularly during extended bathing rituals.
