Sauna outfit: what you really wear in the sauna
What do you actually wear in the sauna? The right sauna outfit is quickly explained, yet for many beginners it's one of the biggest uncertainties. In most German saunas you wear nothing but your towel in the cabin – but you do on the walkways, in the relaxation area and outdoors. Here you'll find out what to wear where: from the sauna towel to the bathrobe and bath poncho, bath slippers and sauna hat. We have been running the Meri Sauna at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years; the information below describes what is customary in German saunas. If in doubt, the house rules always apply.
Contents12
- The sauna outfit at a glance
- In the cabin: a towel instead of clothes
- The bathrobe: the sauna outfit for walkways and breaks
- An alternative to the bathrobe: the bath poncho
- Bath slippers: non-slip and left outside the cabin
- Sauna hat: protection for head and hair
- Hair, jewellery and accessories
- The sauna outfit for beginners: the basics
- The sauna outfit in textile saunas, thermal spas and steam rooms
- The sauna outfit in summer and winter
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
The sauna outfit at a glance
Depending on the area of the sauna complex, you wear something different. The table shows what is customary:
| Area | What you wear | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Shower | Nothing, bath slippers up to the shower | Bathrobe and towel on the hook |
| Sauna cabin | Only your towel – sit or lie on it | Usually textile-free, slippers stay outside |
| Walkways between areas | Bathrobe, poncho or wrap towel, bath slippers | Non-slip soles on wet tiles |
| Fresh air and garden | Bathrobe or poncho, with a hood in winter | In summer a towel is often enough |
| Relaxation room | Bathrobe or covered with a towel | Lounger towel underneath you |
| Bistro | Bathrobe | Just a towel is usually unusual there |
| Textile sauna, swimming pool | Swimwear, where allowed or required | Stated in the house rules |
In the cabin: a towel instead of clothes
In most German saunas the cabin is textile-free. So your sauna outfit there consists only of your sauna towel: you sit or lie fully on it, including your feet, so that no sweat soaks into the wood. Swimwear is usually not welcome in the cabin, partly because it holds chlorinated water and moisture from the pool. If you feel uncomfortable at first, wrap yourself in a towel on the way to the cabin and then lay it out underneath you.
The towel should be long enough to stretch out on – 180 × 100 cm suits most people. A flat-woven Hammam Towel Ocean (approx. 400 g, 100 % cotton) also works as a wrap towel for the walkways because it is light and dries quickly. You'll find more towels in our hammam towel collection. Why the cabin is textile-free and which rules apply is explained in Textile-free sauna; how to wrap your towel so it stays put is covered in How to wrap a sauna towel.
The bathrobe: the sauna outfit for walkways and breaks
Between rounds, the bathrobe is the most important item. It keeps you warm and covered on the way outside and in the relaxation room. You don't take it into the cabin – it stays on the hook outside. Choosing one is easier if you ask how you'll use it:
- Light and quick-drying: The Trimita Barok Bathrobe is made of 100 % Turkish cotton in a light quality (not terry), has a tie belt and pockets and fits nicely into a sauna bag.
- Light with a hood: The Trimita women's bathrobes Elephant and Zebra are made of three-layer muslin (100 % Turkish cotton, OEKO-TEX), with a hood, tie belt and front pockets.
- Heavy and warm: The DOTWAVE Bathrobe made of 100 % cotton in a textured weave weighs approx. 1.6–1.7 kg and has a hood – cosy in the relaxation area, but rather heavy for a sauna bag.
You'll find all models among our bathrobes. Where to wear the bathrobe at the spa and sauna and where not is explained in Bathrobe at the thermal spa.
An alternative to the bathrobe: the bath poncho
A bath poncho is towel and cover-up in one. It is especially suitable for going outside and for changing without a cubicle. According to the manufacturer, the Wave Hawaii Poncho AIR is made of 100 % cotton terry, has a double-layer hood with a high collar and drawstring, a large front pocket and a roomy unisex cut. It weighs approx. 1,300 g and is more suited to the sauna garden and the walk to the lake than to a small bag. You'll find more models among our ponchos.
Bath slippers: non-slip and left outside the cabin
Bath slippers are part of every sauna outfit. They protect you from slipping on wet tiles and are a question of hygiene for many. Look for a non-slip sole and make sure they dry quickly. You usually don't take them into the cabin but leave them outside – plastic soles don't belong on the hot wood. In winter, slippers with a slightly thicker sole are pleasant when you walk outside over cold paths.
Sauna hat: protection for head and hair
The felt sauna hat is still rather rare in Germany but is becoming more popular. It is meant to protect your head from the strongest heat that collects at the top of the cabin and to be gentle on your hair. Whether you wear one is purely a matter of preference – it isn't compulsory anywhere. What the felt hat is good for and how to care for it is covered in Sauna hat: what the felt hat is good for in the sauna.
Hair, jewellery and accessories
- Long hair: Tie it loosely, ideally with a hair tie without metal. If you like, wrap a small towel as a turban.
- Jewellery and watch: These belong in the locker. Metal gets hot in the heat.
- Glasses: They steam up and get hot – many people leave them outside. What you should know about glasses and contact lenses is explained in Glasses, jewellery, contact lenses in the sauna.
- Make-up: Comes off before the first round.
The sauna outfit for beginners: the basics
For your first visit you don't need a complete sauna outfit from the shop. These five items are enough:
- A large sauna towel for the bench.
- A second towel for drying off and wrapping yourself in.
- A light bathrobe or poncho for the breaks.
- Non-slip bath slippers.
- A hair tie if you have long hair.
What else belongs in your bag is covered in Packing a sauna bag. Over time you'll notice whether a warmer bathrobe, a poncho or a sauna hat makes your sauna outfit even more comfortable.
The sauna outfit in textile saunas, thermal spas and steam rooms
Not every cabin is textile-free. In textile saunas, some thermal spas and family saunas, swimwear is allowed or even required. Then you wear a swimsuit, bikini or swimming trunks – ideally dry rather than wet from the pool. You still sit on a towel there. In the steam room, the benches are usually tiled; a seat towel is pleasant, but a thick terry towel quickly gets soaked. Abroad, swimwear is often customary in public saunas. A look at the house rules clarifies what applies beforehand.
The sauna outfit in summer and winter
In summer, a light hammam towel to wrap yourself in is often enough for the walkways; a thick bathrobe is too warm then. In winter, on the other hand, a hooded bathrobe or a poncho is worth its weight in gold when you go out into the fresh air after a sauna round – the hood keeps your head and wet hair warm. For the way home in winter: dry your hair well and pack warm clothes.
Related reading: Sauna hat: what the felt hat is good for in the sauna · Glasses, Jewellery, Contact Lenses in the Sauna: What Can Come In? · Lightweight Hooded Bathrobe: Weight, Sauna Bag and Travel
Conclusion
The sauna outfit is simpler than many people think: in the cabin you usually wear only your towel; on the walkways and during breaks, a bathrobe, poncho or wrap towel, plus non-slip bath slippers. A sauna hat is optional, and jewellery stays in the locker. Where swimwear is allowed or required is stated in the house rules. That way you're appropriately dressed in every area of the sauna complex.
Frequently asked questions
What do you wear in the sauna?
In the cabin, usually nothing but your sauna towel, which you sit or lie on. For the walkways and breaks, you wear a bathrobe, poncho or towel and bath slippers.
Can I wear swimwear in the sauna?
In most German saunas the cabin is textile-free. In textile saunas and some thermal spas, however, swimwear is allowed or required – the house rules tell you what applies.
Do I take my bathrobe into the cabin?
No. The bathrobe stays outside on the hook. In the cabin you lie only on your towel.
Do I need bath slippers?
Yes, for the walkways on wet tiles. Leave them outside the cabin door.
Is a sauna hat compulsory?
No. The felt hat is optional and purely a matter of preference.
What do I wear in the relaxation room?
A bathrobe, or you cover yourself with a towel. A lounger towel goes underneath you.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.