What is a Sauna Hat?
A sauna hat is a thin beanie-shaped hat, usually made from wool felt, which keeps your head cool while you use the sauna.
Sauna hats are particularly among Russian sauna users and are often called “banya hats” or even “banya bonnets,” alliterating the Russian word for sauna.
Sauna hats are also worn in Finland and are sometimes referred to as “Finnish sauna hats”. But there is no difference between a “Sauna hat” and a “Finnish sauna hat.”
Why You Should Wear a Sauna Hat?
The benefit of wearing a sauna hat is that it keeps your head a bit cooler than the rest of your body. This allows you to stay in the sauna for longer periods of time and makes for a more enjoyable experience as well.
Your head tends to be the most heat sensitive part of your body. When you sit in the sauna, your head is likely going to be the first part of you that feels overcome with heat. Your hot head will end you sauna session before the rest of your body has had a chance to reap the full benefit of the sauna.
When you wear a sauna hat, your head stays slightly cooler and allows your entire body to heat more evenly.
Do Sauna Hats Really Work?
Yes. There are no shortage of first person accounts of people feeling cooler and being able to stay in the sauna longer while wearing the sauna hat.
Also, if you’ve ever put a towel over your head in the sauna, then you know that it will provide you with some quick relief. A sauna hat functions the same, but is much more effective.
How Do Sauna Hats Work?
A sauna hat works just like any other hat. It provides a layer of insulation between your head and the outside world. This helps keep your head at its natural temperature of 98°.
This insulating effect keeps your head warmer in the winter, when the air is much colder than 98°. But it keeps you cooler in the sauna, where air temperatures are much hotter than 98°.
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Best Sauna Hats
Best Overall: Eden Ukraine Embroidered Wool Sauna Hat at Amazon
Best Seller: Borsch Russian Sauna Hat at Amazon
Best Budget Option: Fdit White Russian Sauna Hat at Amazon
Best High-end: Saunahats Classic Wool Felt Hat at Etsy
The 12 Best Sauna Hats:
BEST STYLE: This hat by Eden Ukraine is simple yet stylish–stylish not silly. While the simple checkerboard pattern keeps it from being plain, the straightforward design and structure to keep it from being silly. This hat has received nothing but stellar reviews.
- Manufactured in Ukraine
- 100% Sheep’s Wool
- Weighs 3.2 Ounces
2. Borsch Russian Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST NO-NONSENSE: This hat by Borsch is simple, sleek and gets the job done.
I like this hat because looks almost like a normal hat. Look closely and you see a sauna hat. But if you look a little less closely and your bound to mistake it for your standard winter beanie. You could wear this hat to the grocery store or on the subway, and no one would pay any special attention.
Verified Buyers report service is friendly and responsive and that the item ships quickly. Pleasant to the touch.
- Manufactured in Russia
- 100% Sheep’s Wool
- Weighs 3.0 Ounces
- Unisex
3. Natalya Kiseleva Russian Flower Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST SAUNA HAT FOR WOMEN: You can wear this Sauna hat by Natalya Kiseleva out-and-about, if you so desired. It looks that good.
- Made in Russia
- 100% Wool
- Weighs 2.1 Ounces
4. Eden Ukraine Embroidered Knight Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST FOR BATTLE: Wear this hat by Eden Ukraine and you will be ready for battle. It is called a Knight hat, but its horns make it look like a better fit for a viking. Either way, it looks like a lot of fun and it is sure to be a conversation starter.
- Made in Ukraine
- 100% Sheep’s Wool
- Weighs 4 Ounces
5. Fdit White Russian Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST MINIMALIST: This hat by Fdit is perfect for the absolute minimalist. It is white and has a purely functional design. It’s just a hat with a loop to hang it on. It is one of the lightest hats on the market, yet is found to be effective by its users.
- Made with Wool Felt
- Weighs 2.4 Ounces
- Low Priced
6. Eden Ukraine Red Ornament Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN: This hat by Eden Ukraine features an intricate and elegant red ornament. Reviews for this hat have been nothing but positive, praising the hat both for its embroidered decoration and for its ability to keep the head cool and protect hair.
It can also be purchased with a blue ornament. Or with no ornament at all.
- Made in Ukraine
- 100% Sheep’s Wool
- 3.2 Ounces
7. Rushnichock Crown Sauna Hats at Amazon
BEST HIS AND HERS: These hats by Rushnichok are made in the shapes of his and her crowns. They are fun and also effective. The King Crown and the Queen Crown can each be purchased separately. These hats are a bit heavier than the others, but have great build quality.
- Made in Ukraine
- 100% Carpathian Wool
- Each Weigh About 3.5 Ounces
8. RussianBear Polished Gray Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST FOR TRAVEL: This simple, no frills Sauna hat by RussianBear is the lightest one on the market and is one of the least expensive–so you won’t mind losing it. That said, it is effective, as verified purchasers report that it keeps their heads cool.
- Made in Russia.
- 90% Wool and 10% Kapron (Nylon)
- Weighs 0.8 ounces
9. Eden Ukraine Pilot Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST HAT FOR FIGHTER PILOTS: This “Pilot” hat by EdenUkraine brings some additional fun to the sauna. It is made in the Ukraine. Not only is does this sauna hat look cool and act as a great conversation starter. But the elongated ear flaps will provide heat protection than a more conventionally shaped hat.
- Made in Ukraine
- 100% Wool
- Weighs 3.4 Ounces
10. Allforsauna Cat Ears Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST HAT FOR CAT LOVERS: This “Cat” Sauna hat made by AllforSauna is perfect for people who are looking for the same fun and added protection of the “Pilot” hat, but don’t necessarily own an airplane.
At 1.6 ounces, this hat is much lighter than some other similar hats, but still has great performance reviews suggesting that it is just as effective as other, heavier hats.
- 100% Wool
- Weighs 1.6 Ounces.
11. Rushnichok Viking Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST HAT FOR VIKINGS: This Viking hat by Rushnichok really gives the “Knight” Sauna hat a run for its money. In fact, with its cutout for eyes, you get more protection, whether its from enemy warriors or sauna heat.
- Made in Ukraine
- 100% Wool Felt
- Weighs 4.5 Ounces
12. Eden Ukraine Red Cell Sauna Hat at Amazon
BEST HAT TO STAND OUT IN A CROWD: If you want to be seen, then this red and white, made by EdenUkraine, is the way to go. The checkerboard pattern and vibrant red stands out like a warning sign. This hat also comes in a loud blue.
- Made in Ukraine
- 100% Sheep’s Wool
- Weighs 2.5 Ounces
How to Care for Your Sauna Hat
You should always defer to you any manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.
Generally speaking, however, a sauna hat should be hung up to dry after each use. Most come with little a little loop sewn on top for easy hanging. You don’t need to wash your hat after every use.
When it is time to clean your sauna hat, you should lightly hand wash it with a little hand soap or shampoo. Do not put your sauna hat in the washing machine.
