What to Wear to the Sauna: A Practical Cultural Guide
If you have searched for what to wear in the sauna, you have likely found a wide range of advice and opinions. Some say wear nothing. Others say wear this or that.
What you wear in the sauna depends on where you are, who you are with, and what kind of sauna you are using. Culture matters. Etiquette matters. Comfort matters.
This guide will help you understand not just what people wear in the sauna, but why.
Sauna is About Heat
In traditional sauna culture, clothing is secondary to function. Sauna is not about presentation. It is about allowing heat to reach the body evenly and giving the body space to respond naturally.
Anything you wear should support that. Clothing that traps heat, blocks sweat, or clings to the skin works against the experience. That’s probably why we see these “sweat” suits on Amazon.
In Finland, the sauna is a practical space and part of daily life. What you wear (or don’t wear) is chosen for comfort, hygiene, and respect for others.
Personal note: the sauna bathing culture is booming in North America. Places like Fjord in Salsalito (outside San Francisco) or Bathhouse in NYC/Brooklyn, Aerth in Victoria, BC, or Cedar & Stone in Duluth - one thing is for sure, they do not make their experiences social events.
Events like Coffee and Chill are places to meet others and be seen. Therefore, there might be a handful of situations where it actually makes sense to pay attention to what you are wearing and dress to impress… whatever that means to you.
Finnish Sauna Culture and Clothing Norms
In Finland, sauna is traditionally taken (Finnish speak) nude. This is not about exhibitionism. It is about practicality and equality. Without clothing, heat reaches the body evenly, and everyone enters the sauna on equal footing. If you are an American, you might say, “Huh, that sounds interesting but too risque for me!”
In private or same sex saunas, nudity is still the norm. Towels are used to sit on, not to cover the body. In mixed company, family saunas, or modern public saunas, towels or light wraps are common and completely acceptable.
Personal note and examples: At Löyly in Helsinki, a co-ed sauna, everyone wears a swimsuit. And a place like Lona Island, where one side is male, and the other is female, going nude is acceptable. It’s very common that when in a nude sauna, it is considerably darker. Another point, at least from my experience, is that if you are going to a nude sauna, it is still okay to wear shorts or a towel, which is not the case in countries like Germany or Japan. They’re stricter there.
What matters most is not how much you wear but the attitude you bring. Sauna is a quiet social contract built on respect for the heat, the space, and the people sharing it with you.
The Best Thing to Wear in a Sauna When Possible
The best thing to wear is whatever you are most comfortable with.
In a private or traditional setting, the simplest and most authentic option is to wear nothing at all and sit on a clean towel. Personal note: The Finns call this an “ass towel,” (it also is referred to as a pefletti or a laudeliina), which is funny and direct at the same time. I’m sure that is just the simplest way to tell someone in English what it's used for.
This allows even heat exposure, proper sweat evaporation, and maximum comfort. It also eliminates friction, trapped moisture, and overheating caused by fabric, or sitting on wood. Seems more hygienic too.
That said, many saunas outside of Finland have different expectations. Wearing something is often required or preferred, especially in public or coed environments.
What to Wear in a Sauna When Clothing Is Required
If you need to wear something in the sauna, choose items that are loose, breathable, and made from natural fibers.
Good options include a towel wrapped around the waist or body, cotton or linen shorts, a simple swimsuit without metal parts, or a sauna kilt. Look, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a “sauna kilt” in the wild, but if I had to guess, it would basically look like William Wallace (if you are too young, it’s a reference to a movie called Braveheart) and his buddies went for a sauna.
Natural fibers allow heat and moisture to move freely. They dry faster, feel softer against the skin, and do not trap heat the way synthetic materials do.
What to Wear in a Sauna for Men
Common and practical choices include a towel, cotton shorts, a sauna kilt, or a simple swimsuit.
Synthetic underwear is not ideal - leave your Lulu undies at the door! It traps heat, holds moisture, and tends to cling as you sweat. Comfort should always come before habit.
Personal note: I understand the issues with wearing polyester swimsuits or boardshorts; however, I choose to wear what I have, and I believe the benefits of being consistent in the sauna outweigh what I’m wearing. I do have a pair of Makia cotton shorts that sometimes make the sauna rounds.
What to Wear in a Sauna for Women
What is appropriate often depends on whether the sauna is coed or women only.
Comfortable options include a towel or wrap, a cotton or linen swimsuit, a sarong, or loose breathable clothing made from natural fibers.
Tight athletic wear or compression fabrics are best avoided. Sauna heat works best when the body is not restricted.
What Not to Wear in the Sauna
Some items actively interfere with the sauna experience and should be avoided.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, or spandex trap heat and moisture. Tight clothing restricts circulation. Metal jewelry heats quickly and can cause burns. Makeup, lotions, and oils clog pores and react poorly with heat. Strong perfumes or colognes become overwhelming in a hot, enclosed space.
Personal note: I do wear a metal chain around my neck, and sometimes it can get hot, but it's almost never an issue, and I haven’t had to remove it. That is just my personal experience, and I’d rather deal with some “hot metal” than risk taking it off and losing it.
Shoes and socks do not belong in the sauna. Bare feet or simple sandals (sometimes required at public saunas) are standard practice.
Sauna Hygiene and Etiquette
What you wear is only part of sauna etiquette.
Shower before entering to rinse off oils and dirt. Always sit on a clean towel. Be mindful of shared space. Shower again afterward to rinse away sweat and bacteria.
These habits are standard in Finnish sauna culture and are just as important as temperature or duration.
What to Wear in Different Types of Saunas
In a traditional sauna, wear a towel or minimal natural-fiber clothing, and always sit on a towel. This environment is where you will experience what the Finns call löyly: when water hits the rocks, steam is created.
In a steam room, a light swimsuit or towel is common. The environment is fully humid and constant. Water is not added by bathers.
In an infrared sauna, it's best to wear minimal clothing or a towel. These saunas heat the body directly rather than the air, so skin exposure matters more.
Final Thoughts: Dress for the Heat, Not the Mirror
Sauna is not about proving toughness or looking a certain way. It is about creating the conditions for heat to support the body and mind.
Wear as little as the setting allows. Choose breathable natural materials. Respect the space and the people in it.
If what you are wearing disappears from your awareness once the heat settles in, you have chosen correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Wear to the Sauna
What should I wear in a sauna?
In a private or traditional sauna, wearing nothing and sitting on a clean towel is the most authentic option. In public or coed saunas, a towel, cotton shorts, or a simple swimsuit made from natural fibers is appropriate.
Can you wear clothes in a sauna?
Yes, but clothing should be loose, breathable, and made from natural fibers. Tight or synthetic clothing can trap heat and moisture and make the experience uncomfortable.
Is it better to be naked in the sauna?
From a functional and traditional standpoint, yes. Being naked allows heat to reach the body evenly and prevents fabric from trapping sweat. Cultural norms and location should always be respected.
What should you not wear in the sauna?
Avoid synthetic fabrics, tight clothing, metal jewelry, makeup, lotions, strong perfumes, shoes, and socks. These items can interfere with heat regulation or cause discomfort.
What do people wear in Finnish saunas?
In Finland, people traditionally sauna nude and sit on towels. In mixed or public settings, towels or light wraps are common. The emphasis is always on comfort and respect.
What should I wear in an infrared sauna?
Minimal clothing or a towel is best. Infrared saunas heat the body directly, so skin exposure helps the sauna function as intended.
