Why did I set up Sussex Sauna Hats?
Coming from a creative and teaching background Amy the founder of Sussex Sauna Hats had a dream of returning to her much loved millinery career but to continue her passion of facilitating creative workshops.
Bringing together 12 years of teaching design and craft, a career in theatrical millinery and whole lot of love for saunas, Sussex Sauna Hats was born.
Sussex Sauna Hats are made slowly on purpose, with thought, care and joy.
Making hand stitched not machine made hats because I enjoy the peace it brings when hand stitching.
Every hat is made from a cosy studio in Sussex surrounded by other wonderful makers.
Making Sussex Sauna Hats is restful, joyful and fun. The same feeling I hope you get wearing them.
I love making them so much I like to share that feeling at in person hat workshops.
The tradition of wearing a hat in the sauna traces back centuries to Eastern Europe, the Baltic regions, and Scandinavia, where bathers recognised a fundamental law of physics: heat rises.
In high-heat environments like Finnish saunas and Slavic banyas, temperatures near the ceiling can exceed 80–100°C. Because your head sits highest in the room, it absorbs heat faster than the rest of your body, which can cause core temperatures to spike prematurely before your muscle tissue has had time to warm up.
To solve this, early bathers fashioned thick wool caps to serve as thermal barriers. The wool insulated the scalp against extreme heat, protected hair follicles from drying out and snapping, and allowed bathers to sit comfortably through full sauna cycles.
Sussex sauna hats carry on this heritage using 100% natural wool and cotton threads. No bobbling, smelly synthetic felt hats here—just sustainable, high-performing craftsmanship designed to make your sauna experience as comfortable and natural as possible.
The Benefits of Wool in the Sauna
Thermoregulation & Heat Protection
Wool is an active, micro-porous fibre that slows heat conduction. In a hot sauna, it insulates your head, scalp, and hair from extreme temperatures, preventing dizziness and allowing you to enjoy deeper, longer sessions safely.
Naturally Breathable & Moisture-Managing
Unlike synthetic materials that trap heat and sweat, wool is exceptionally breathable. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture vapour without feeling wet, pulling perspiration away from your head to evaporate into the air.
Odour Resistant & Hygienic
Wool naturally absorbs and locks away odour molecules from sweat, releasing them only when washed. Because it stays drier and inhibits bacterial growth naturally, your hat remains fresh without holding onto stale scents.
100% Renewable & Biodegradable
Every year, sheep produce a completely new fleece, making wool a fully renewable resource. When a pure wool hat eventually reaches the end of its life, it naturally decomposes in soil within a few years, returning valuable nutrients to the earth.
How to Care for Your Wool Sauna Hat
Because wool is naturally soil- and odour-resistant, your sauna hat requires minimal upkeep. Follow these simple steps to keep it in prime condition:
Air Dry After Every Session
After exiting the sauna, gently reshape your hat while it’s still damp and hang it to air dry in a well-ventilated space. Avoid placing it directly on hot radiators or drying it in direct sunlight.
Wash Only When Necessary
You don’t need to wash your hat after every use. When it does need a refresh, gently hand-wash it in lukewarm water using a wool-safe detergent. Avoid twisting or wringing the fabric.
Reshape & Flat Dry
Press out excess water by rolling the hat in a clean towel. Reshape it over your knee or a rounded surface, then lay it flat to dry. Never tumble dry, as heat and agitation will shrink the wool.
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