Sauna Tent Outfitting
From the Finnish Sauna to the Turkish Hammam and Native American Sweat Lodge, I’m fascinated by how cultures around the world adapt the therapeutic benefits of sweat bathing. After hosting thousands of guests at mobile saunas I’ve built with friends and fellow steam enthusiasts here in the Twin Cities, I’ve come to understand the need for making the health and wellness benefits of heat and steam more available today, especially for urbanites trying to find balance and thrive in today’s fast-paced world.
A tradition of innovation
Sweat bathing traditions such as the Finnish Sauna thrive because practitioners continue to adapt and modify the experience.
For example, Finnish immigrants arriving on the North Shores of lake Superior used whatever materials they could find to fashion their structures and stoves. When the spruce and aspen they were used to using back home was not available, poplar became a popular alternative.
Unlike many sauna enthusiasts today, our ancestors wasted no time or energy pitting innovation against traditional best practices—and neither do I.
I want to make the full mental, physical and social benefits of steam bathing available to the most people possible, which is why I started Stokeyard Outfitters with fellow steam enthusiast Rodney Buhrsmith and why we’re so excited to introduce a simpler way to enjoy the sauna lifestyle.
A simpler way to steam
The backbone of the setup is a handmade double-walled canvas expedition tent from SnowTrekker winter camping company.
I set up my first SnowTrekker tent 2 years ago when the company’s owners Duane and Margot Lottig sent one my way for testing.
After 22 years of R&D and hardcore winter camping experience, Duane and Margot realized the structure could easily sustain sauna temps. But they wanted to know how it faired compared to those I have built, hosted and experienced around the world.
What started as a weekend testing expedition has turned into a two year obsession to create a simpler way to enjoy a perfect sweat.
The thing that initially intrigued me the most about this approach was the breathability of the fabric and the tent-within-a-tent design of the prototype.
The next thing was the steam…
I love steam. I use a lot of it, similar to the Russian banyas and turkish hamam I’ve been experienced (which is why they’re often built with tile). However, I’ve always done so a bit reluctantly in my mobile saunas because I know the water finds all kinds of cracks in my flooring (which leads to mold, rot and all kinds of issues I’d rather not worry about while I’m enjoying a good steam.)
One of my favorite things about this design is how I can pour buckets of water over my head without the slightest concern about mold and drainage.
Here’s a quick tour of my backyard steam station...
The tent made of a 7 oz, hi thread count, tight weave canvas that’s treated with a marine grade, preshrunk Sunforger for water repellency and mildew resistance.
I also love how the entire tent—not just the hot room—dries out completely between each use, eliminating the issue of mold in the transition room (between the hot room and outside, which is where the most condensation, and thus mold, typically hides in conventional saunas).
But the most important feature for me right now is the portability. I can set it up anywhere. No truck, no tools, no permit. Easy steaming in less than 20 minutes—and the 8x10 foot footprint fits easily in my tiny backyard.
It’s so simple, yet elegant enough that I’ve been excited to share it with skeptical friends.
I believe everyone should have access to a good steam. I also believe that innovation is the key to making healing traditions like sauna available for future generations.
Unlike SnowTrekker’s other winter camping models, the sauna tent isn’t on the market yet, but you can send us an email if you’d like to get on the waitlist.
See you on the bench!
John Pederson
john@stokeyard.com
