Sauna towel for tall people: the length you really need
From about 1.85 m things get tight on the sauna bench: your head is on the towel, but your feet are already on the wood. A sauna towel for tall people has to be one thing above all – long enough. In this guide you will find out which towel length suits which body height, what role your lying position plays and which tricks let you lie completely on fabric even with a standard towel.
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Why length matters so much
A simple basic rule applies in the sauna: no part of your body touches the wood – not even your feet. Otherwise sweat soaks into the untreated wood of the bench. For people up to about 1.75 m this is no problem with almost any large towel. If you are taller, you quickly notice that common formats have their limits. In the trade, sauna towels are usually 175 to 200 cm long, hammam towels often 180 cm.
Width, on the other hand, plays a smaller role. Sauna benches and loungers are narrow anyway. Width is mainly pleasant when you want to wrap yourself up on the way to the shower. So for a sauna towel for tall people: length before width.
Which towel length suits which body height?
As a rule of thumb: if you want to lie stretched out, your towel should be at least as long as you are tall, preferably a few centimetres longer. If you lie with your legs slightly bent, a little less is enough. This overview helps you get your bearings:
| Body height | Recommended towel length | Suitable towels from us |
|---|---|---|
| up to approx. 1.75 m | from approx. 175 cm | DOTWAVE sauna towel XL (175 × 90 cm) |
| up to approx. 1.80 m | from approx. 180 cm | Ocean hammam towel, MAHINA, HOMELEVEL sauna towel (each 180 × 100 cm) |
| up to approx. 2.00 m | from approx. 200 cm | Ocean StayOn hammam towel (200 × 70 cm) |
| over 2.00 m | over 200 cm or an extra towel | Coastline XXL beach towel (240 × 200 cm) or towel plus foot towel |
A note on sizes: with fringed towels only the woven fabric counts for the lying surface. For the MAHINA hammam towel, the size is explicitly given without fringes.
Lying, sitting, bending your knees: position matters too
How long your towel needs to be also depends on how you lie or sit in the sauna:
- Lying stretched out: here you need the full length. For tall people this is the most demanding position.
- Lying with bent legs: many sauna benches are too short to stretch out fully anyway. With bent knees a 180 cm towel is often enough.
- Sitting: during an infusion or in full cabins you usually sit. Then your bottom, thighs and feet need to be on the towel – a 180 cm towel usually manages this easily even for tall people.
Tricks if the towel is too short
Not everyone wants to buy a new towel straight away. With these tricks you can lie completely on fabric even with a standard format:
- Add a foot towel: a small towel under your feet extends the lying surface. The Mini hammam towel Diamant at approx. 90 × 45 cm hardly takes up any space in your bag.
- Lay the towel diagonally: on wider benches you gain a few centimetres by laying the towel slightly at an angle.
- Save space at the head end: lay the towel so that it starts just below your head and rest your head on a folded extra towel. That way you gain length at the foot end.
- Bend your knees: the simplest solution if the bench is too short anyway.
Our recommendations: sauna towel for tall people
For bench and lounger: Ocean StayOn
At 200 × 70 cm, the Ocean StayOn hammam towel is our longest towel made specifically for bench and lounger. It weighs approx. 400 g, is made of 100 % cotton and has a sewn-in pocket that is pulled over the backrest of the lounger. In the relaxation room it doesn't slip away. For tall people up to about 2 m it is our first choice. At 70 cm wide it is rather narrow for wrapping up – for that, take a second, wider towel.
For lots of space: Coastline XXL
If you are over 2 m tall or want plenty of space, you can choose the Coastline XXL beach towel. At 240 × 200 cm in 100 % cotton it is really a beach towel, but according to the product description it can also be used as a light sauna towel. On a narrow bench you simply fold it lengthways. Bear in mind its weight of approx. 1.2 kg in your bag.
As a set: lying and wrapping up
A good team for tall people: a StayOn for bench and lounger plus a hammam towel measuring 180 × 100 cm for wrapping up and drying off. Exactly this combination is in the Hammam towel set Single (2 × Ocean and 1 × StayOn).
Width, weight and bathrobe
Tall people often have broad shoulders – so width also matters when wrapping up. A towel 100 cm wide is enough for most people to close it under their arms. If you also want to use your sauna towel for wrapping up, pay attention to this width as well as the length. Narrow lounger towels are less suitable for this. As for weight: the longer and denser a towel, the heavier and bulkier it is in your bag. Flat-woven hammam towels stay comparatively light even in long formats.
For walking between the cabin and the relaxation room, a bathrobe is more comfortable than a skimpy towel. We explain what to look for in bathrobes in large sizes in a separate guide.
Buying checklist
Before you order a new towel, a quick check is worthwhile. These points are particularly important for tall people:
- Check the length in centimetres: terms like “XL” or “XXL” are not standardised. The centimetre figure is what counts.
- Size with or without fringes: the lying surface is the woven fabric, not the fringes.
- Allow some reserve: cotton can shrink slightly in the wash. A few centimetres more than your height do no harm. Follow the care instructions – our hammam towels, for example, are washed at 30 °C.
- Clarify the use: do you mainly need a lounger towel for the bench and relaxation room, or a towel for wrapping up? For both, the combination of a long and a wide towel is ideal.
- Consider the weight: a long, heavy towel takes up a lot of space in your sauna bag. Flat-woven towels are more compact.
With this checklist you can quickly find out whether a towel really suits you – or whether a foot towel as an addition is enough.
Related reading: Hammam towel size: all formats from mini to XXL · Bathrobe in large sizes: what matters · XXL beach towel for the family: sizes, weight and practical tips
Conclusion
A sauna towel for tall people should be at least as long as you are if you want to lie stretched out. Up to about 1.80 m, 180 cm is enough; up to about 2 m, 200 cm is ideal – beyond that, an XXL towel or an extra foot towel helps. For bench and lounger length counts, for wrapping up width. With a long lounger towel and a wider towel for drying off, you are well equipped for every sauna day.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a sauna towel for tall people be?
At least as long as your height if you want to lie stretched out. From about 1.85 m, towels 200 cm long are recommended.
Is a 180 cm towel enough if I am 1.90 m tall?
For sitting yes, for lying stretched out rather not. Add a small foot towel or choose a towel 200 cm long.
Is a wide towel better than a long one?
For the sauna bench, length is what matters most. Width is pleasant for wrapping up. On narrow loungers a narrow towel such as the StayOn at 70 cm is often more practical.
Can I use a beach towel as a sauna towel?
Yes, if it is made of cotton and big enough. According to the product description, the Coastline XXL beach towel is explicitly suitable as a sauna towel too.
Do fringes count towards the length?
Not for the lying surface. Check the product description to see whether the size is given with or without fringes.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.