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For first-time sauna goers, seeing people wearing a hat in a heated environment might look weird. After all, most of us do not think of wearing woolen hats in a hot environment with temperatures ranging between 150°F and 195°F.
But in reality, the sauna hat serves a practical purpose. It acts as an insulator to protect the head from overheating during a sauna session.
So, is wearing a sauna hat necessary for a sauna session?
While the hat offers some benefits, wearing it comes down to your personal preferences.
In this article, we take a closer look at sauna hats to find out the answer.
What is a Sauna Hat?
The concept of using the sauna hat as a prime sauna accessory is nothing new. Just like sauna whisks, the sauna hat has been a part of traditional sauna sessions for centuries in Finland, Germany, and also in the Baltic regions of Russia.
These hats are often called “Finnish sauna hats” or “banya hats”; the term “banya” is the Russian term for steam baths. In fact, in many Central European countries, the wool sauna hat was used for ice swimming or a cold plunge too.
Sauna hats can be used in both traditional and infrared saunas. These hats are usually made from felt, a nonwoven compressed fabric made by applying pressure on wool fibers. In most cases sheep or Alpaca wool is used to make natural wool felt sauna hats. Other than that, linen is also used as it can absorb moisture more effectively.
Ideally, the hat should fit snugly over the head and cover the ear as well, just like a cloche. The big plus of non-modified wool is its antibacterial property. Moreover, the material is comfortable, durable, and breathable.
A high-quality sauna cap will easily last for years without any specific maintenance needs. However, hats with embroidery can have plastic inserts in them. A traditional Russian banya hat made from sheep’s wool may not have a striking aesthetic appeal. But the point is, a sauna hat serves a functional purpose and is not a fashion accessory.
Modern sauna hats also come with unique designs for both men and women. For example, some new products are shaped like foxes, hedgehogs, or mushrooms to add a fun element. You can also pick Viking sauna hats that come with two horns and looks like a Viking war helmet.
The sauna hat is not something that you must wear in a sauna room. But once you take a look at its advantages, it is worth trying it out.
What Are the Benefits of a Sauna Hat?
The sauna hat will not add any additional health benefits to your sauna sessions. However, you may find it more important than other sauna bath accessories because of the following reasons.
Cooling and Protection
Since you are inside a sauna to get hot, the idea of a sauna hat to keep your head cool can seem counterintuitive. However, the combination of heat and high humidity can lead to heat-related illnesses and dehydration. Some signs of heat exhaustion are tiredness, dizziness, nausea, and a headache.
In any hot environment, the lighter warm air will rise up. Since your head is closest to the ceiling in a sauna, it will get hot at a faster rate than the rest of the body. Moreover, you might feel your ears getting too hot.
This is where the sauna hat can protect the head region from getting excessively hot. Using the hat makes the temperatures more consistent across your body and prevents you from feeling overheated and uncomfortable. As a result, you can sit inside the sauna for longer periods without feeling the need to rush out of the sauna chamber to cool off.
That said, wearing a sauna hat doesn’t mean that you can stay in a sauna for longer periods. The maximum time spend inside a sauna is between 15 to 20 minutes. Always listen to your body and walk out anytime if you are too uncomfortable.
Protects Your Hair From Heat
It has been proven that heat can cause damage to human hair in many ways. The damage is not only to the surface layers but can also spread to the inner layers. Not only do the structural components of the keratin protein in the hair undergo changes due to heat, but the natural oils in the hair are also lost. This makes the hair feel dry, rough, and brittle.
That said, the sauna temperatures are not high enough to cause serious hair damage. In most cases, the use of hairdryers and curling tongs causes the most heat-related damage. But frequent visits to the sauna can irritate the scalp and cause hair loss in some people.
So, a sauna hat helps in protecting the hair from direct exposure to the heated air in the sauna. This limits the chances of hair damage. At the same time, the increased blood flow to the scalp from the sauna heat stress can help in nourishing the hair strands and improve their health.
How to Choose a Sauna Hat
The first aspect of choosing a sauna hat is picking the right size. Since most hats come in a one-size-fits-all option, picking the right size might get tricky. You don’t want the hat to fit too tightly, nor should it be too big for your head. Ill-fitting hats are not only uncomfortable but will not provide the best protection from heat either.
When it comes to choosing between pure wool and felt sauna caps, our preference is felt. Since the wool fibers are compressed together to form a smooth surface, the material offers excellent insulation from heat. The fabric also feels softer on the skin than pure wool.
Linen hats are lighter and can absorb moisture. But they do not have the insulating properties of wool. Besides, linen is not as durable as felt. There are sauna hats made from polyester or artificial felt. It’s best to avoid these hats as the material is not skin friendly and breathable.
A unisex sauna hat suitable for both sexes can be priced between USD 15 to USD 20. Sauna hats with embroidered designs and made from organic fabrics can be more expensive. A cheaper way is to use a towel and wrap it around your head.
Caring for Sauna Hats
While sauna hats do not need specific care, maintaining it properly will make the hat last longer. Since different materials need different cleaning processes, the best way is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and storing the hat.
It’s best to hand wash a sauna hat to prevent any damage to the fabric. You can use a lint roller or a soft brush to remove dust or dirt from felt hats. A combination of mild soap or shampoo can be used to remove any stains. Use a soft cloth or sponge for spot cleaning.
Make sure that the soap or shampoo does not have harsh chemicals like bleach or fabric softener. Once cleaned, rinse out the soap and squeeze the fabric to remove any excess water.
It is best to store felt sauna hats in a dry and well-ventilated area. Do not fold it or put heavy items on top of it during storage. This may cause the hat to get distorted or cause irreversible creases on its surface. Placing the hat over a bowl or a vase will ensure that it retains its true shape.
Final Thoughts
At first glance, the sauna hat may look like a wacky accessory. But it serves an important purpose for sauna users.
In case you are sensitive to heat, the hat is your best bet to keep your head and hair cooler while enjoying the benefits of a sauna. Then again, if you are using a sauna blanket for home sauna sessions, you don’t need a sauna hat
Finally, it all comes down to your personal preferences. If you do not feel comfortable in a sauna hat, you can always take it off. But considering its positive effects, make sure to give it a try.
