Short answer: the Almost Heaven backrest is a cedar support that sits between your back and the sauna wall, for $149. It makes a 20-minute session more comfortable. The listing doesn’t give its dimensions or say how it mounts, so check the fit before ordering.
What does a backrest do?
Sauna walls are flat and hot. In a barrel, the wall also curves away from your back. A slatted backrest gives you an angled surface to lean on and leaves an air gap, so your skin isn’t pressed against the hottest wood. In an infrared cabin, check that it won’t sit in front of a heater panel and block it.
Cedar is a sensible material here. It stays cooler to the touch than denser woods and tolerates heat and humidity.
Here’s what the spec sheet won’t tell you
Almost Heaven’s listing doesn’t publish:
- Width and height
- Whether it hangs, screws on, or rests loose
- Which bench depths it suits
Measure your bench depth and the wall space behind it. A backrest takes a few inches of seat depth, which matters on a narrow bench. For reference, the bench in the Almost Heaven Sutton is 23.6” deep. Ask the seller for the dimensions and compare.
Is $149 fair?
It is a lot for a few cedar slats, and you can find generic backrests for less. What you pay for is a match with Almost Heaven’s cabins. If your sauna is another brand, a generic one that fits your bench is the better buy.
How do you care for it?
Leave it untreated. Don’t varnish or oil wood that sits inside a hot room. Sit on a towel so sweat doesn’t stain it, and wipe it with a damp cloth.
How it compares
Some barrels include a backrest, such as the Redwood Outdoors 6-person barrel. Check what came with your sauna first. Bottom line: a comfort upgrade, not a necessity. Sauna Accessories Worth Buying, in Priority Order shows where it ranks.
