How to Use a Sauna Hat: Wet or Dry, How to Wear It, and When to Take It Off
Wet or dry, ears in or out? How to wear a sauna hat, when to put it on, and how to look after it between rounds.
Quick answer
Put your sauna hat on just before you enter the hot room, pulled down over your ears. You can wear it dry, or dampen it with cool water and wring it out for an extra cooling feel. Take it off between rounds, hang it to air, and let it dry naturally after your session.
Step by step
- Optional: dip the hat in cool water and wring it out well.
- Put it on as you enter the sauna, pulling it down so it covers your ears.
- Relax on the bench of your choice. Higher is hotter.
- Step out whenever you need to, and take the hat off while you cool down.
- Hang it on a hook between rounds so it can breathe.
- After your session, reshape it and let it air dry away from direct heat.
Wet or dry?
There's no wrong answer. A damp hat gives an extra cooling feel as the moisture evaporates, and some people like that on very hot days. Others prefer a dry hat for maximum insulation. Try both and see what you like.
Don't soak the hat and wear it dripping. Wring it out so it's just damp.
CALOR Merino Sauna Hat
3mm New Zealand merino, hand-felted
Shields your head and hair from the hottest air in the sauna. One size, four colours. Bundle 2–4 hats and save up to 20%.
How should a sauna hat fit?
It should sit comfortably and cover your ears without feeling tight. CALOR is one size and fits most adults; the felt relaxes slightly to your head as you wear it.
Can I wear it in an infrared sauna?
Yes. Infrared saunas often run cooler than traditional saunas, but your head can still feel warm. Many people wear a hat in both.
Frequently asked questions
Do you wet a sauna hat before using it?
You can. Many people dampen it with cool water and wring it out for an extra cooling feel, but it works dry too.
Should a sauna hat cover your ears?
Yes. Pull it down so it covers your ears, which often feel the heat most.
Do you wear the hat during the cold plunge?
Usually not. Most people take it off and hang it up while they cool down.