What to Wear in a Sauna: A Simple Guide

You’ve decided it’s time for a sauna session. There’s just one question left:

What are you supposed to wear in a sauna?

The answer depends largely on where you're using it.

At a public sauna, a swimsuit or towel may be appropriate, and the facility may have its own rules. In the privacy of your own home sauna, you have considerably more flexibility.

Whatever you choose, the goal is generally the same: keep things comfortable, breathable and appropriate for the sauna you're using.

Here's what you need to know.

What Should You Wear in a Sauna?

When choosing what to wear in a sauna, keep it simple.

Depending on the setting, common options include:

• A towel
• A clean swimsuit
• Lightweight, breathable clothing when appropriate
• Whatever is permitted by your sauna or facility's rules

If you're visiting a gym, spa or other public sauna, always check its policies first. Different facilities can have different requirements regarding swimwear, towels and footwear.

If you're using your own sauna at home, you can choose whatever makes you most comfortable while keeping cleanliness and sauna care in mind.

Can You Wear a Swimsuit in a Sauna?

Generally, yes, particularly in public or shared saunas where swimwear may be expected.

If you do wear a swimsuit, choose something clean and comfortable.

Avoid entering the sauna in the same wet swimsuit you've been wearing in a heavily chlorinated swimming pool without rinsing off first. Showering before entering helps keep both you and the sauna clean.

For home sauna owners, a swimsuit is entirely optional depending on personal preference.

Can You Wear a Towel in a Sauna?

A towel is one of the simplest things to bring into a sauna.

Even if you're wearing a swimsuit, having a towel is useful because you can place it underneath you when sitting or lying on the sauna bench.

This helps absorb sweat and protects the wood surface.

For home sauna owners in particular, using a towel on the benches is a simple habit that can make regular sauna cleaning and maintenance easier.

For more ways to care for your sauna, see our Outdoor Sauna Maintenance Tips.

Can You Wear Clothes in a Sauna?

You can, but heavy everyday clothing isn't ideal.

A sauna is designed to be hot, and bulky clothing can quickly become uncomfortable.

If clothing is required or preferred, lightweight and breathable garments generally make more sense than heavy layers.

Avoid heading into the sauna wearing the clothes you've just exercised in. Workout clothing can already contain sweat and bacteria, and a sauna isn't the place to give those clothes another round.

If you're using the sauna after exercising, change or shower first.

Our Should You Use a Sauna Before or After a Workout? guide has more tips for incorporating sauna bathing into your exercise routine.

Should You Wear Shoes in a Sauna?

For a home sauna, outdoor shoes should generally stay outside.

You don't want to track dirt, moisture and debris onto the sauna floor.

Public facilities are different. Some gyms and spas may require or recommend appropriate sandals or shower footwear in certain areas, so follow the rules of the facility you're visiting.

Should You Wear Socks in a Sauna?

Regular socks aren't necessary for most sauna sessions and may quickly become hot and uncomfortable.

If you're using a private home sauna, bare feet are often the simplest option, provided the sauna floor is clean and safe.

Again, shared facilities may have their own footwear policies.

Should You Wear a Sauna Hat?

If you've seen photos of traditional sauna bathing, you may have noticed people wearing distinctive wool hats.

Sauna hats are traditionally used to help protect the head and hair from intense heat, particularly during hotter sauna sessions.

You certainly don't need one to enjoy a sauna, but some enthusiasts enjoy using them.

Can You Wear Jewelry in a Sauna?

It's generally easier to remove jewelry and watches before entering the sauna.

Metal objects can become hot and uncomfortable against your skin, while watches and electronic wearables may not be designed for prolonged exposure to high sauna temperatures.

Leaving these items somewhere safe outside the sauna removes the concern entirely.

Can You Bring Your Phone Into a Sauna?

Your phone is another item best left outside.

Saunas can reach temperatures well beyond the operating conditions recommended for many electronic devices.

There’s another benefit to leaving it behind: your sauna can become one of the rare places where you're genuinely disconnected for a few minutes.

Instead of scrolling, use the time to relax.

Wondering how much time you should actually spend inside? Read How Long Should You Stay in a Sauna? for our beginner's guide to sauna session length.

Internal link: How Long Should You Stay in a Sauna?

What Should You Bring Into a Sauna?

You really don't need much.

For a simple home sauna session, consider having:

• A clean towel
• Water for before and after your session
• Appropriate clothing or swimwear, if desired
• Another towel or robe for afterwards

Everything else is largely optional.

One of the advantages of having a sauna at home is that you don't have to pack a gym bag or plan an outing every time you want to use it.

What Should You Not Wear in a Sauna?

As a general rule, avoid anything unnecessarily heavy, dirty or heat-sensitive.

That can include:

• Heavy everyday clothing
• Dirty workout clothes
• Outdoor shoes
• Metal jewelry that may become hot
• Electronic watches and devices that aren't rated for sauna temperatures

Comfort should be your guide.

If something becomes uncomfortable in the heat, it probably doesn't need to be in the sauna with you.

Home Sauna vs. Public Sauna Etiquette

The biggest difference between using a sauna at home and visiting a public sauna is that public facilities have rules you need to follow.

At a gym, recreation centre, hotel or spa, check the posted sauna policies before entering. They may specify whether swimsuits, towels or footwear are required.

At home, you set the rules.

Still, some good habits are worth maintaining:

• Shower before your sauna session.
• Use a clean towel on the bench.
• Keep outdoor footwear outside.
• Don't bring food into the sauna.
• Keep your sauna clean and dry between uses.
• Give the sauna proper care according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Good sauna habits can help keep the space comfortable for everyone who uses it.

Don't Forget About Temperature

What you wear is only one part of getting comfortable in a sauna.

Temperature matters too.

If you're relatively new to sauna bathing, don't assume you need to turn the temperature as high as possible. Start at a comfortable level and learn what you prefer.

Our How Hot Should a Sauna Be? guide explains traditional sauna temperatures in more detail.

Make Your Sauna Routine Your Own

There's no complicated dress code for enjoying your own sauna.

Keep things simple, use a clean towel, leave unnecessary accessories outside and choose whatever makes you comfortable and is appropriate for your setting.

And that's one of the biggest advantages of having a sauna at home.

Instead of travelling to a gym or spa and following someone else's schedule, you can create a sauna routine that fits your own lifestyle.

If you're considering adding one to your home or backyard, start with our What to Consider When Buying a Sauna and Outdoor Sauna Buying Guide (Canada Edition) to learn more about choosing the right sauna for your space.