The comfort layer for the sauna interior. Four cedar pieces on this page: a standard headrest for the neck, two backrests with opposite ergonomic philosophies (Comfort is convex, Elite is concave), and a cedar bottle shelf for water and oils within reach. Cedar throughout - the same wood the rest of the sauna is built from, sized to fit standard bench depths. Ships Canada-wide.
Sauna Headrests & Backrests
Three pieces for the body, one for the bench.
The page has two jobs - ergonomic support during the session, and storage within reach. Four products do both.
The Standard sauna head rest is an angled cedar block sized for the neck. 15 inches wide, 10.25 inches tall, 4.5 inches deep. Sits behind your head wherever you're leaning back on the bench. One per seated position is the typical setup, two if the sauna seats more.
The Comfort back rest and the Elite back rest are built around opposite ergonomic ideas. The Comfort is convex - the cedar slats curve outward, the back rests gently against it as you sit slightly forward. Encourages upright posture with a slight arch through the lower back. The right call if you sit up during sessions and want support that doesn't let you slouch. The Elite is concave - the cedar slats curve inward, the back leans fully into it as you sit back. Follows the natural arch of the lumbar region and cradles the spine rather than correcting it. The right call if you lean back during sessions and want lumbar support that holds you. Both are 17.5 inches wide; the Comfort is slightly taller at 20.5 inches, the Elite slightly deeper at 5 inches.
The cedar bottle shelf is the storage piece - 13.5 inches wide, 8 tall, sized for water bottles, sauna oils and essences, and small accessories within reach without leaving the bench.
Why ergonomic support matters more than it looks.
A flat cedar bench is fine for the first 5 minutes. Past 15 minutes of a 30-minute session, the rigid surface adds up - pressure points on the spine, shoulders rolling forward, a neck angle that strains. The pieces on this page are what make longer sessions physically tolerable, not a luxury upgrade. Cedar is the right material for the job - it doesn't get hot to the touch the way metal would, doesn't compress under weight, doesn't off-gas in heat, and matches the rest of the sauna interior. All four pieces are sized for the standard bench depths most builds use, including the benches in our DIY sauna kits, and they pair naturally with the sauna lighting that lets you actually see what you're doing in the room. For custom builds with unusual dimensions, contact us before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What's the difference between the Comfort and Elite back rest?
The shape, and which sitting posture each one suits. Comfort is convex - the cedar slats arch outward, the back rests gently against it as you sit slightly forward. Encourages upright posture. Elite is concave - the slats curve inward, the back leans fully into it as you sit back. Cradles the lumbar region. Same width on both (17.5 inches), nearly identical price. Choose Comfort if you sit upright through sessions, Elite if you lean back.
How many headrests and backrests do I need for my sauna?
Match the count to your bench seating. A two-person sauna usually means two headrests and two backrests; a single-person sauna means one of each. For couples or shared-use saunas, a common setup is one Comfort and one Elite so each user has the support style they prefer. The cedar bottle shelf is one per sauna - mounted within reach of the main bench position.
Are cedar headrests and backrests safe in high heat?
Yes - cedar is the standard sauna wood for a reason. It doesn't transfer heat to the touch the way metal would, doesn't warp under repeated temperature cycling, and doesn't off-gas under sauna conditions. The same wood is what most sauna interiors are built from, so the headrests and backrests blend into the room visually as well as functionally.
Can I leave headrests and backrests inside the sauna between sessions?
Yes - the products are designed to live inside the sauna, not be carried in and out. The caveat is humidity: store them somewhere they can dry fully between sessions, ideally on or near the upper bench where airflow is best. A properly ventilated sauna handles this on its own; if your sauna doesn't ventilate well after sessions, lift the accessories off the bench between uses to let the underside dry.
Will these fit on any sauna bench?
The dimensions match standard sauna bench depths, which on most home builds run 20 to 24 inches. The headrest at 4.5 inches deep, the back rests at 4.5 to 5 inches deep, and the bottle shelf at 5 inches deep all sit comfortably on a standard bench without overhanging. For custom builds with unusual bench dimensions, send us the measurements before ordering and we'll confirm fit.