A sauna hat keeps your head cooler in the heat. Hot air rises, so your head sits in the hottest part of the sauna. A thick wool felt hat slows the heat reaching your scalp, ears and hair, so you can sit on the top bench comfortably for longer. That is why Finns and banya-goers have worn them for generations.
This guide covers what a sauna hat does, what it is made of, how to use and wash one, and what to look for when you buy. Our own felt sauna hats cost $24 to $29 at the time of writing (October 2026).
Key Takeaways:
- A sauna hat keeps your head cooler, so the top bench feels comfortable for longer.
- It also shields your hair and ears from the hottest air in the room.
- The best ones are thick wool felt that covers the tops of your ears.
A Brief History of Sauna Hats
Sauna hats come from the bath cultures of Finland and Russia. In a Russian banya, a felt or wool hat is as normal as a towel. Felt was the natural choice because it insulates well and copes with heat and steam. For many people, putting on the hat is a small ritual: it signals that it is time to slow down.
Why Wear a Sauna Hat?
Cooling and Protection
The main reason to wear a sauna hat is to keep your head cooler.
In a sauna, the hottest air collects near the ceiling. Your head is the highest part of you, so it takes the most heat. Your scalp and ears can feel too hot while the rest of your body still feels fine.
A thick wool felt hat puts a layer of insulation between your head and that hot air. Your head warms up more slowly, so you can relax on the top bench without that "too hot up top" feeling. Many people find it makes the whole session more comfortable.
A hat is not a reason to stay in longer than feels right. Get out when you feel dizzy, sick or too hot, hat or no hat.
Hair Protection
Very hot, dry air can dry out your hair. If you use a sauna often, or your hair is coloured or fragile, a hat covers most of it and takes the worst of the heat. It is a simple way to look after your hair without giving up the sauna.
See our guide to what to wear in a sauna for the rest of the outfit.
What Are Sauna Hats Traditionally Made Of?
Wool Felt
Wool felt is the classic material. It insulates well, it copes with heat and moisture, and a good felt hat lasts for years. It also holds its shape, so it keeps covering your ears session after session.
Linen and Other Materials
Linen hats are lighter and breathe well, and they dry quickly. They insulate less than thick felt, so they suit people who want a light cover rather than full heat protection. You will also see hats in other wools, such as alpaca, which are soft but cost more.
Fit, Style and Care
Choose a hat that sits comfortably over the tops of your ears without slipping. Many have fun shapes or printed words, which is part of the charm. Just make sure any decoration can take the heat.
Best Sauna Hat: What to Look For
- Thick wool felt: the thicker the felt, the more heat it keeps off your head.
- Ear cover: it should come down over the tops of your ears, which feel the heat first.
- A hanging loop: so it dries properly between sessions.
Our felt sauna hats measure 38 cm by 25 cm and come with a hanging loop.
How to Use a Sauna Hat
1. Dry or Pre-Soaked?
Put the hat on before you go in, pulled down over the tops of your ears. Some people dip it in cool water first and wring it out, for a cooler feel at the start. Others wear it dry, because dry felt insulates better once it warms up. Try both and see which you prefer.
2. Maintenance and Care
After each session, hang the hat up by its loop in a dry, airy spot. Every so often, hand wash it in lukewarm water with a mild wool wash, gently squeeze out the water (do not wring it hard), and let it air dry. Do not put a felt hat in the washing machine or dryer, because it can shrink and lose its shape.
What Do Sauna Hats Do? Additional Benefits of Wearing a Sauna Hat
1. Staying Comfortable for Longer
With your head cooler, the heat feels more even across your body. Many people find they can enjoy a full round on the top bench without needing to step out early.
2. Absorbing Sweat
A felt hat soaks up sweat from your forehead, so less of it runs into your eyes and down your face.
Do You Need a Sauna Hat in an Infrared Sauna?
Usually not. An infrared sauna runs at a lower air temperature than a traditional sauna, so your head does not get as hot. A hat matters most in a traditional sauna, especially on the top bench and when you pour water on the stones for steam.
So, Should You Use a Sauna Hat?
If your head or ears feel too hot before the rest of you, yes. A sauna hat is cheap, it lasts for years, and it makes the top bench more comfortable. It is not essential, but most regular sauna-goers who try one keep wearing it.
To round out your sauna kit, add a spruce bucket and ladle for pouring water on the stones, or the bucket, ladle, thermometer and sand timer set, which makes a good gift for someone new to sauna. Browse all our sauna accessories.
FAQ: Sauna Hats
What are sauna hats for?
They keep your head cooler in the hottest part of the sauna, and they shield your hair and ears from the heat.
Do sauna hats actually work?
Yes, in a simple way. Thick felt insulates, so your head heats up more slowly. There is little formal research on sauna hats, but the effect is easy to feel on the top bench.
Should I wear a sauna cap in the sauna?
It is a good idea in a traditional sauna, especially if you sit on the top bench or your head feels hot first.
Why do Finnish sauna-goers wear felt hats?
It is a long tradition in Finland and Russia. The felt keeps the head from overheating, so the session stays comfortable.
What material is best for a sauna hat?
Thick wool felt. Linen is lighter and cooler to wear, but it insulates less.
Should you wet a sauna hat?
It is up to you. A damp hat feels cool at the start, and a dry one insulates better once it warms up. Try both.
How do you wash a sauna hat?
By hand, in lukewarm water with a mild wool wash. Squeeze gently and air dry. No washing machine or dryer.
Are sauna hats necessary?
No, but they make longer sessions in a hot sauna more comfortable, which is why so many people use them.
Where can I buy a sauna hat in Australia?
We sell felt sauna hats online, delivered across Australia, along with buckets, ladles and other sauna accessories.
