Why there is only one size
We get this question a lot, usually as "it feels a bit big, do you have a smaller one?" The answer is no, on purpose. Sauna hats are traditionally made in one standard size, and every Smelt hat is made to the same pattern: 113cm around the base.
A sauna hat doesn't work like a cap or a beanie, which hold onto your head at one fixed line. It's a relaxed bell of felt that rests on the top of your head and hangs down from there. A smaller head lets it sit lower, a larger head holds it a little higher, and in both cases it ends up covering what it needs to cover. That is how one hat fits most heads.
Sized sauna hats would actually make things worse. A hat cut to your exact head size would sit tighter, and a tight hat compresses the felt, which squeezes out the trapped air that does the insulating. There is more on that in how to choose a sauna hat.
Where it should sit
Lower than most people expect. If the hat feels like it's sitting quite low, it's probably sitting right.
- Scalp: fully covered. The top of your head is right in the hottest air in the room.
- Ears: covered. Ears are thin, have almost no insulation of their own, and are usually the first thing to start burning. The felt should come down over them, not stop above them.
- Eyes: shaded. Pulled fully down, the front edge comes to your eyes. That protects them from the hot air and makes it easy to close your eyes and switch off.
If it feels too big
Usually what's happening is the hat is sitting lower than your other hats do, and the front is coming down over your eyes. That's how it's designed, not a sign that it's the wrong size.
The photo at the top of this page is the two of us wearing the same size hat. One sits slightly higher than the other, both cover the ears, and the cream one is pulled right down over the eyes. Neither of us is wearing the wrong size, because there is only one.
Give it a session or two. Wool felt relaxes and shapes itself to your head a little with heat and moisture, especially if you wet it before you go in.
Want to see more? Two easy adjustments
Lots of people like a bit more visibility in the sauna, to keep an eye on the clock, chat to whoever is next to them, or just see the room. There are two common ways to do it without losing the important coverage.
- Tilt it back. Push the front of the hat up and let the back sit lower on your neck. Your eyes come out from under the brim and your ears stay covered.
- Fold the front edge up. Turn the front of the felt up on itself to make a small brim. You can see clearly, and the back and sides stay down over your ears.
The quick fit check
Put the hat on, let it settle, and check three things. If all three are yes, it fits.
- Is the top of your head completely covered?
- Are your ears covered, not peeking out below the edge?
- Does it stay on when you lean forward, without you holding it?