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What is Russian sauna culture like? What do I need to know about Russian saunas? Do I have to go in naked or should I use a towel or a swimming costume? What role does sauna hat play in the Russian sauna culture? What are the main differences between Finnish and Russian saunas?

Russian sauna history

Just like Finland, Russia has a long sauna history. Nestor’s letopis (the Russian Primary Chronicle) describes bathing in the Russian way as early as 1113. It describes how the Russians used to bathe in small, hot cottages and use birch whisks.

Rudolf Sykiäinen’s book explains how Russians sometimes used baking ovens as saunas. After baking, they crawled through the small opening into a large baking oven, spread straw on the bottom, and threw water on the walls. They came out to cool down and went back again for another round!

Aristocracy and gentry had access to princely spas. There were many kinds of ceremonies associated with the sauna. The Tsar was said to have seven bath helpers: towel cleaners and back washers, each with their own duties.

It was customary to take a sauna once a week, as well as before parties, weddings and after weddings. The Tsar’s Court organized large dinners in the banyas. They ate and enjoyed the sauna all night long.

The Russians were born and died in the sauna, just like the Finns.

Russian sauna is “banya/banja”

There are many similarities between Finnish and Russian sauna cultures. However, they are slightly different. It is often claimed that a Russian sauna is more humid and a Finnish sauna drier. The Russian sauna is called banya. A smoke sauna is called a black banya and a sauna with a chimney is a white banya. Once the banya is heated, there is no need to add firewood.

So called “folk saunas” (public saunas) have been on the decline in Russia. They do not attract as many visitors as they used to. However, veterans, students and those who do not have their own sauna still visit these saunas regularly. Maybe public saunas will come back to fashion?

Banya is quite similar in structure to a Finnish sauna. Banya has benches and a stove right next to the door. The old Russian sauna was not heated as hot as it is today (100 ° C). The relative humidity is higher than in a Finnish sauna.

The Russians are not quite as steam-focused as the Finns. However, they do use a lot of water in the sauna (for sauna whisks etc.) which makes the sauna more humid.

There are also electric saunas in Russia that resemble a Finnish sauna and are called saunas (instead of banyas) or “finskaja”.

Sauna whisk is called “venik”

Sauna whisks are called venik in Russian. In addition to birch, oak and juniper are used for the whisks. They are either combined with birch twigs or used on their own. The Russians love their sauna whisks.

Russian sauna culture

Sauna hat

In Russian sauna culture, a sauna hat is one of the sauna rituals. You can’t go to the sauna without a sauna hat. In a hot sauna, especially on higher benches, the ears burn easily without a hat. So, I highly recommend bringing a sauna hat if you visit a Russian sauna. Sometimes you can borrow a hat or, if you are lucky, even get one gifted.

Who takes the sauna?

Usually men. However, women also go to the sauna and do sauna treatments, such as exfoliations etc. However, there are more services available for men. Men spend more time in the sauna and thereby bring more money to the spas.

Women may wear swimsuits; men are mostly naked.

Where are the saunas?

Saunas can be found in hotels, spas, gyms in private homes. Banyas are usually public saunas with their own receptionist. They offer a variety of services such as back washing or massages.

Russia has many different, fascinating saunas; underground saunas have been dug into riverbanks, peat saunas have been built on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, in Siberia saunas have been built of clay. The nomads have used tent saunas.

Sauna elf or Bannik

The Russian sauna elf is called Bannik. Saunas have a long history which includes old habits, beliefs and magical creatures. According to one belief, only three groups of bathers can visit the sauna in one evening. If a fourth group comes in, Bannik gets angry and throws glowing stones at them.

The last bather leaves Bannik a bar of soap and water, so he can bathe as well.

When a child was born, Bannik had to be kept away. Sadly, I do not know how or why. Do you have any idea?

Sauna vocabulary English-Russian

Sauna – Banya

Steam room – parilka

Stove – Kamenka

Smoke sauna, black sauna – tsrornoje Banya

Sauna with chimney, white sauna – belyje Banya

Sauna whisk – Venik

There is a lot of discussion amongst sauna enthusiasts about where sauna is originally from. From Finland, Russia, or somewhere else? Some believe that the Finnish and Russian saunas are of Roman origin. There used to be a European sauna culture that was presumably inspired by the Romans.

I do not know if there will ever be an answer to this debate. The Russian and Finnish saunas are at least very similar.

Are you interested in other sauna cultures? The blog also provides comprehensive information on other sauna cultures. Why not start with German sauna culture?

Read more: German sauna culture

The “Best Sauna Hat” article focuses on what a high-quality and authentic sauna hat is like. It also tells how to use a sauna hat and what are its benefits.

After reading this article, you too want an authentic sauna hat!

Why use a sauna hat?

What is the point of using a sauna hat in a hot sauna?

Isn’t wearing a hat in a hot sauna the dumbest thing you can do?

Or have you already tried a sauna hat and know how great it is?

Was macht einen guten Saunahut aus — The best sauna hat

The best sauna hat

I also had my own doubts when I tried the sauna hat for the first time.

At first, I thought that using a sauna hat would make me feel too hot. However, the exact opposite happened. You can sit in the sauna much longer, and the heat does not burn your ears. I can’t help but recommend using a sauna hat!

The problem is where to find the perfect sauna hat. The stores are full of different sauna hats, but only a few meet the criteria for an authentic sauna hat.

For this article, I interviewed Ritva “Itu” Heino, a manufacturer of authentic sauna hats.

Read more: Sauna health benefits

The history of the sauna hat

The use of a sauna hat is an old Central European, especially German custom. In the past, a straw-made, wet hat was used to protect the head from the heat.

The use of a sauna hat disappeared from Central Europe when the spa culture raised its head.

The Russians also used fur and other hats to protect their head in the sauna.

The sauna hat has established its position in Russian sauna culture. In Germany, too, sauna hats are still sometimes used.

You can use the sauna hat in a hot tub, sauna or for ice swimming. The hat keeps body temperature even and reduces head sweating, and headaches after sauna. When used in a hot tub and while ice swimming, the sauna hat prevents heat from escaping through the head.

What is an authentic sauna hat like?

The best materials are sheep and alpaca wool. Wool does not require washing, airing is enough.

The hand-felted sauna hat is seamless, which prevents the growth of bacteria. Wool itself is antibacterial, i.e. dirt repellent. Be careful with embroidery, they are usually made using polyester thread, which a form of plastic.

Benefits of a sauna hat:

Protects your head from heat.
Protects your ears from heat.
Protects treated and coloured hair.
Keeps body temperature constant throughout the sauna session.
Enhances the absorption of conditioner or mask while protecting the hair.
Slows down the formation of split ends.

Attention:

Especially those who have heart or circulatory problems should use the right kind of sauna hat. If symptoms are severe, talk to your doctor. Using a hat may help relieve a headache after a sauna.

However, headaches are often a sign of dehydration. The headache may also be due to the inadequate ventilation of the sauna. The sauna hat naturally does not help with the lack of fresh air.

Small Sauna Hat Shop By Itu

Itu makes sauna hats with love under the trade name by itu. She designs, felts and knits her own sauna hats and other products in Finland. Itu products can also be ordered internationally.

I asked the sauna hat maker a few questions:

What does sauna mean to you?

A sauna is a place to relax.

How often do you enjoy the sauna?

On Christmas, Midsummer and Sauna Day. When I find a quiet moment. Sometimes there may be longer pauses between sauna visits.

Do you have sauna rituals?

Well, I don’t call them rituals, but the sauna experience starts when I heat up the sauna. The scents from the birch sauna whisk and the burning fire; they are already part of the enjoyment. I don’t take a sauna without a sauna hat if it can be called a ritual?

Where did you get the idea to make sauna hats?

I attended a wet felting course in the spring of 2013. I would have liked to try making felt slippers. It wasn’t possible, so I made a felt hat. I wrote down the steps in a notebook and I tried again at home.

I don’t remember where or how I heard about the sauna hat, but I did. Of course, the first one had to have something to do with a sauna whisk. That’s where it started.

What is the best thing about creating your own products?

Well, of course, the process of creating. In addition, the result is an eco-friendly, self-made sauna hat, especially since I hand felt it. Felting requires space, but you can knit almost anywhere, anytime.

What is the best thing about self-employment?

The best part is that I can decide everything myself. No need to compromise. Or wait for someone to do what needs to be done.

What else would you like to tell the buyer of a sauna hat?

Well, that a sauna hat makes sense – it’s Easy – Fun – Useful.

My hats are high-quality products, made out of the best materials:

Satu sauna hat hand felted from 100% domestic sheep wool.

Sauli sauna hat hand felted from 100% domestic alpaca wool.

Saga sauna hat hand-knitted and made of 100% linen.

I call them Authentic sauna hats, not because it sounds good, but because I use genuine and suitable sauna hat materials.

In addition, almost all the sauna hats I make are unique. You will surely recognize yours.

Material does matter

If you already have a sauna hat, check the material of your sauna hat.

The material plays the most important role in the functionality of the sauna hat. It must be breathable, heat-insulating and dirt-repellent in order to be called a sauna hat. If there is any material referring to plastic, then I would not use it. Plastic does not breathe.

Also, it should be clarified that cotton does not have sufficient properties for a sauna hat. It is a breathable material, but it does not have other properties required for a sauna hat.

I often see hats that are 100% to 30% made out of cotton mix and still called “sauna hats”. Of course, these can be used and are safer than “plastic-derived” materials, but I wouldn’t call them sauna hats.

If you are thinking about buying a sauna hat, you should know that not everything that says “sauna hat” on the label is a real sauna hat. Pay attention to the material.

Felt doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wool. Felt fabric and craft felt are 100% polyester (i.e. plastic) A “sauna hat” made from such a material can be a risk to its user. For example, if you have the heart or circulatory problems mentioned earlier in the text.

The sauna hat must be 100% wool felt. There are also sauna hats that are made out of “artificial felt”, I wouldn’t touch those either.

And if you still think “I really do not need a sauna hat”, you do not need to get one. However, I recommend giving them a chance. You can just take it off if you don’t like it.

Personally, I only realized the importance of a sauna hat when I had to take a sauna without one.

There are more than 60 different sauna hat models in the by itu sauna hat shop, 22 of which Itu developed last year. This year’s novelty model is called “Damn Good Steam”.