A sauna shirt covers your torso and works like a warm t-shirt. A sleeveless hoodie adds a hood without sleeves. A jacket covers your arms too, and a suit covers you head to toe. The more coverage, the warmer and sweatier you get, so match the piece to your workout.
What does sauna wear actually do?
It traps body heat, so you feel warmer sooner and sweat more. The benefits are a quicker warm-up feel, comfort in a cold gym, and for many people a bit of extra motivation.
It isn't a fat-loss tool. The weight you lose on the scale after a sweaty session is fluid. Mass General Brigham suggests drinking about 3 cups of water for every pound you lose during a workout. Drink it back and the number returns. For more on how the fabric works, read our post on how sauna wear works.
Which one should you choose?
Think in four steps of coverage.
Sauna shirt. The Pro Sauna Shirt is a true-to-size t-shirt cut in a 3-layer fabric, sizes S to 4XL. It's the easiest first piece. Pick it for lifting, walking, or a 12-hour shift in a cold warehouse.
Vest or sleeveless hoodie. The Pro Sauna Sleeveless Hoodie has a hood, a kangaroo pocket and a relaxed fit, sizes S to 4XL. Pick it if you run hot in your arms and want freedom to move.
Jacket. The Men's Pro Sauna Jacket comes in full-zip or half-zip, sizes S to 3XL, and covers your chest, back, shoulders and arms. The Women's Pro Sauna Jacket runs S to 4XL. Pick a jacket for cold mornings and outdoor sessions.
Suit. The Pro Sauna Suit for Men is a top and pants, sold with separate top and pants sizes from S to 3XL. It gives the most coverage and the most heat. Pick it for short, controlled sessions only.
How do you wear sauna wear safely?
Use this checklist before every session:
- Drink water before you start.
- We suggest keeping your first session to 20 to 30 minutes at an easy pace.
- Pick a size that moves with you. Order up if you're between sizes.
- Keep water within reach and sip during the session.
- Weigh yourself before and after, and drink about 3 cups per pound lost.
- Wash it after every wear and let it air dry.
Stop right away if you feel dizzy, get a headache, feel sick or get cramps. The NHS lists these among the symptoms of heat exhaustion and says to move somewhere cool, remove extra clothing and drink water. Hot skin with no sweating, or confusion, points to heatstroke, which is an emergency.
Talk to your doctor first if you have heart, blood pressure or heat-illness history, or if you're pregnant.
FAQ
Is a sauna shirt or a sauna vest better?
A shirt covers your arms and torso, while a vest or hoodie leaves your arms free. Choose the shirt for more coverage and the vest if sleeves feel too warm.
Should I wear a sauna jacket or a sauna suit?
A jacket gives you upper-body coverage, and the men's full-zip and half-zip styles let you open up to cool down. A suit covers you from head to toe, so it heats you up faster and needs shorter sessions.
Does a sauna shirt help you lose weight?
It makes you sweat more, but sweat is mostly water that you replace when you drink. A scale drop after a session isn't fat loss.
What size sauna shirt should I order?
The Pro Sauna Shirt is a true-to-size t-shirt in sizes S to 4XL. If you're between sizes, order the larger one so you can move freely.
Not sure where to start? Try the Pro Sauna Shirt.
