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we’ve tried everything from traditional steam saunas to infrared sauna blankets and belts. But a sauna suit? This was a first for us. Enter the HOTSUIT 904 MAX Athletics Hooded Sauna Suit, an innovative workout attire designed to make you sweat more and burn extra calories during exercise.
Over the past month (just before the Christmas holiday), three of us – my colleagues Chris and Holly and I – each put this sauna suit through its paces in our daily workouts. In this review, we’ll share our first-hand experience with the HOTSUIT sauna suit, covering its design, comfort, performance, and who it’s best suited for. We’ll also touch on some cheaper alternatives and other HOTSUIT models for those on a budget.
(And yes, the packaging looked great – a classy presentation that got us excited from the get-go.)
HOTSUIT 904 MAX Sauna Suit
Advantages We Saw:
- Designed to boost sweat and heat during cardio and training sessions
- Uses a breathable silver-lined fabric that traps heat without feeling suffocating
- Comfortable enough for running, HIIT, and longer workouts
- Well-built with strong stitching, adjustable cuffs, and a hood for better heat control
- Best suited for weight loss support, conditioning, and sweat-heavy workouts
Could Be Better If:
- It came in more colour options for people who prefer a subtle look
- The sizing ran a bit more generous, especially around the shoulders and thighs
- It allowed hand washing only instead of machine washing
- The price was slightly lower for first-time sauna suit users
- The inner lining dried a bit faster after very heavy sweat sessions
Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5.0
What’s included in your purchase:
- One hooded sauna jacket with heat-reflective inner lining
- One pair of matching sauna pants with adjustable ankle cuffs
- Secure zip pockets for small essentials like keys or cards
- Original HOTSUIT packaging and product tags
Unboxing and First Impressions
Our HOTSUIT 904 MAX sauna suit arrived neatly packaged and folded, with a premium look that immediately set it apart from the flimsy “trash bag” sweat suits we’ve seen in the past. The suit consists of a hooded jacket and matching pants, both with a sleek design that could pass for a stylish tracksuit. We were pleasantly surprised by the material at first touch: instead of the cheap plastic feel of old-school sauna suits, the HOTSUIT fabric felt durable yet flexible.
The inside has a distinctive silver coating – that’s HOTSUIT’s patented Silver-HeatREG technology – which hinted that this was no ordinary sweat suit. All seams and zippers looked well-made, and we even noticed thoughtful details like zippered pockets (handy for keys/phone) and an elastic pull tab at the ankles to adjust ventilation. The initial impression was a high-quality piece of gear that means business in terms of construction and design
Design and Features
The HOTSUIT 904 MAX sauna suit is packed with features aimed at maximising sweat output while keeping you as comfortable as possible. It’s made of a lightweight polyester fabric with a 3D Silver-HeatREG V3.0 inner coating – an upgraded technology from their prior 904 PRO series. This silver lining reflects your body heat back inwards to boost thermal effect, essentially turning your body into a calorie-torching furnace.
However, unlike old sauna suits that simply trap all sweat and heat, the 904 MAX fabric is breathable with nano-sized pores that allow moisture to escape as vapor. In fact, it boasts a moisture permeability rating of ≥2000 g/m²/24h, meaning sweat doesn’t just pool inside; it gradually evaporates so you won’t feel like you’re wearing a soaked garbage bag post-workout. In our testing, this feature really shone, even when we were drenched in sweat; the suit’s inner lining would develop tiny moisture beads that eventually dried off, keeping the fabric from clinging uncomfortably to our skin.
Despite being breathable in one direction, the material is fully waterproof from the outside. We did a couple of runs in light rain, and the rainwater simply rolled off the suit. The benefit is dual: no external moisture seeps in, but your internal sweat can escape – a design that ensures “maximum comfort and efficiency during workouts”. The hooded jacket has adjustable drawstrings, which we cinched up to trap heat around the head and neck (great for those who really want to sweat it out).
Meanwhile, the pants featurean elastic waistband and adjustable ankle cuffs to lock in heat at your core and legs. By sealing off the cuffs, you effectively turn up the heat inside the suit; loosening them allows a bit more airflow if needed. We liked having this control, as it let us fine-tune the heat level – for instance, Holly would tighten the ankle straps during intense cardio for maximum sweat, but loosen them during cooldowns for comfort.
Another standout feature is the suit’s range of motion. Thanks to the elastic polyester fibres in the fabric, the HOTSUIT suit moves with you and doesn’t restrict your exercise. During squats, jumping jacks, boxing drills, and yoga stretches, we never felt held back by the clothing. This is crucial because a sauna suit that hinders your movement would make for pretty miserable workouts – fortunately, HOTSUIT’s design avoids that. Chris even did burpees and noted that the suit stretched and recovered without feeling like it would rip at the seams.
The manufacturer advertises the material as tear-resistant, and our month of abuse (including outdoor trail runs with branches brushing against the suit) resulted in no rips or punctures. The durability here seems top-notch, matching what Chris used to say he kept ripping cheap vinyl sauna suits from big-box stores, but a HOTSUIT he got on Amazon was “amazing” and lasted through daily use without tearing.
Comfort and Fit
If you’ve ever worn the old-style sauna suits, you know they can be very uncomfortable – often like wearing a sauna inside a plastic bag. This is where the HOTSUIT 904 MAX truly differentiates itself. When we first tried on the suit, we each wore a thin moisture-wicking shirt and shorts underneath (mostly out of habit and to keep the suit clean). We immediately noticed that the inner silver lining felt smooth against the skin, not rubbery or sticky.
As our workouts ramped up and we started sweating, we braced for that inevitable clammy plastic feeling… but it never really came. The HOTSUIT material managed to avoid the “hot plastic sticking to the skin” sensation that plagues many sauna suits. HOTSUIT’s material is very comfortable and doesn’t give that ‘plastic stick’ discomfort. Even when drenched, the suit remained relatively easy to move in, and we didn’t experience that gross sauna-suit swampiness until maybe the very end of a long session, and even then, it was far less than expected.
Sizing: Our team’s heights range from 5’4” to 6’1”, and we have different builds. HOTSUIT offers a wide size range (S up to 5XL in some models), and we chose sizes based on the online size chart. The fit was intended to be slightly loose (to allow air circulation and layering underneath). We did find that the suit runs a tad snug around the shoulders and hips if you go true-to-size; going one size up might be wise if you’re in between sizes or want more layering room.
Once on, the suit has a relaxed fit that doesn’t pinch or bind. The jacket’s cuffs are threaded and elastic, which helped seal in heat but didn’t squeeze our wrists uncomfortably. There’s also a full-length front zipper that makes it easy to take on and off. This might sound trivial, but when you’re exhausted and dripping sweat after a workout, wrestling out of a sticky pullover sauna shirt can be a nightmare. With the HOTSUIT jacket, we just unzipped and shrugged it off easily, even when sweaty.
Another comfort aspect is weight and noise. The HOTSUIT 904 MAX suit is lightweight; it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a heavy wetsuit or rubber raincoat. It also doesn’t make much noise. Some cheaper suits rustle loudly (imagine the crinkling of a trash bag with every move). In the gym, we were relieved that the HOTSUIT just made a slight swish but nothing obnoxious – no one gave us weird looks for sounding like a human plastic bag. As for cleaning the suit, we found it relatively easy to maintain.
HOTSUIT recommends hand-washing (to preserve the fabric’s special coating), and we simply rinsed it with cold water and a mild detergent after particularly sweaty sessions. It dried quickly when hung up, probably thanks to that moisture-permeable design. Notably, the fabric seems to have odour-resistant properties – even after weeks of use, there was only a slight smell.
Workout Performance – Does It Really Work?
Now for the million-dollar question: How does the HOTSUIT sauna suit perform during exercise, and does it help with weight loss?
In our experience, this suit turned our workouts into sweat-fests (in a good way). We tested it across various activities: indoor cycling, treadmill runs, HIIT circuits, and even a yoga session (yes, “hot yoga” got a lot hotter). Within the first 10 minutes of cardio, we were sweating much more than usual. By the end of a 30-minute moderate-intensity run, I was literally able to wring sweat out of my t-shirt worn underneath.
It’s no exaggeration to say we each looked like we had been caught in a rainstorm – that’s how much perspiration the suit stimulated. The immediate weight you lose is, of course, mostly water, but that can be beneficial for detoxification and short-term weight management (for example, boxers or MMA fighters cutting weight before a match, or anyone who wants to look less bloated for an event).
In my case, over a month of regular use (about 3-4 workouts a week wearing the suit), I lost around 4 pounds. A lot of that was water weight after each session, but I noticed that as I consistently used the suit, my overall weigh-ins trended downward even after rehydrating – suggesting I was indeed burning a few extra calories and maybe losing a bit of fat over time.
This is backed up by research: a study cited by WebMD found that exercisers who wore sauna suits had significantly greater improvements in VO₂ max and fat loss compared to those who did the same workouts without sauna suits. Over several weeks, the sauna suit group saw about a 13.8% decrease in body fat versus 8.3% in the non-suit group, and lost roughly 2.6% of body weight versus 0.9% in the control. Those numbers highlight that yes, sauna suits can augment your weight loss and fitness gains – likely by increasing the intensity of your workout (heart rate, thermal load) and conditioning your body to heat stress. See this case study as well on how saunas help lose weight.
We can attest to that increased intensity. Working out in the HOTSUIT suit elevates your heart rate more quickly and can make even a casual workout feel tougher (in a challenge-yourself kind of way). For example, Holly normally jogs at a comfortable 6 mph, but in the suit, she found that after 15 minutes she was breathing as hard as she normally would at a faster pace. The suit essentially turns up the heat on your cardio, which can translate to improved endurance over time.
By the end of the month, we actually felt our tolerance for heat had improved – normal workouts without the suit started feeling easier, and we could push harder. This concept of heat acclimation is something even pro athletes use sauna suits for, to improve performance in hot conditions. In fact, some MMA fighters and boxers swear by sauna suits for cutting weight and boosting conditioning. It’s worth noting that several UFC fighters have endorsed HOTSUIT specifically, stating it’s an efficient tool for weight-cutting cardio sessions.
It’s not all magic though – a sauna suit won’t directly burn fat unless you actually exercise in it. In other words, simply wearing the suit around the house and sweating out water won’t trim body fat unless you’re also elevating your heart rate and burning calories through movement. We approached our HOTSUIT sessions with that in mind: we still did real workouts, but the suit made them more intense and sweatier. The result was that we probably burned a bit more than usual and certainly lost more water each time. Just remember to rehydrate properly after, and don’t expect the suit to be a shortcut if you’re not willing to put in the effort.
Safety tips: Because this was our first foray into sauna suits, we started slow. Initially, we wore the suit for only ~15 minutes at the end of a workout to get used to it. Eventually, we did full 45-60 minute sessions suited up. HOTSUIT’s FAQ suggests beginners might start with 10-15 minutes and work up to longer sessions, depending on tolerance. We followed that advice and found it sensible – you want to avoid dizziness or overheating, especially if you’re not used to it.
We also made sure to drink water before, during (if possible), and after workouts to stay hydrated. It should go without saying, but sauna suits are not for everyone. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or other health issues should consult a doctor and probably steer clear. Always listen to your body; the goal is to enhance your workout, not end up passed out on the gym floor.
Pros and Cons of the HOTSUIT Sauna Suit
After a month of testing, here’s our distilled take on what HOTSUIT 904 MAX does well and where it could be better:
What We Love About It
- Exceptional Sweat Inducer: It dramatically increases sweating and calorie burn, helping shed water weight and potentially speeding up fat loss when combined with exercise.
- Durable & High-Quality: The material is tough, tear-resistant, and well-constructed. No rips or splits despite vigorous use, and it’s windproof and waterproof for outdoor training.
- Comfortable for a Sauna Suit: Unlike cheap sauna suits, it has a breathable, sweat-wicking lining that prevents that sticky, overheated feeling. We found it surprisingly comfortable to wear for extended periods.
- Great Design & Features: Handy hood with drawstrings, adjustable ankle cuffs, and zippered pockets make it practical. The range of motion is excellent – you can do anything from running to jump squats without restriction.
- Wide Range of Sizes: Accommodates many body types (small to XXL and beyond). The unisex design means almost anyone can use it – we even shared the suit with a couple of friends of different heights (not at the same time, of course!) and it fit each reasonably well due to the elastic nature.
- Easy Maintenance & Odour Resistant: We didn’t experience lingering bad smells. Quick rinses kept it fresh, and the quick-dry fabric meant it was ready for the next session by the next day.
Room for Improvements
- Premium Price: At around $159 USD (full price) for the 904 MAX set, it’s a significant investment. You can find basic sauna suits for a fraction of this cost, but they likely won’t match HOTSUIT’s comfort or durability. This suit is high-end, and the price reflects that.
- Sizing Runs Small: Minor gripe – the fit can be snug for some. Consider ordering one size up if you’re on the upper end of a size bracket. A too-tight sauna suit can be counterproductive (you want a bit of air circulation).
- Not Machine-Washable: Officially, HOTSUIT advises against machine washing the suit to preserve the fabric coating. This means you’ll be hand-washing it, which is an extra chore. (We did cheat and machine-wash on a delicate cycle once; the suit survived, but we’ll stick to hand-washing to be safe.)
- Heat Limitations: Because it works so well at trapping heat, you have to be cautious not to overdo it. This isn’t so much a flaw as a user responsibility, but it’s worth noting: you can’t just wear it for hours on end – and you shouldn’t. Also, using it in very high ambient heat (scorching summer days) can be risky. We found it best for controlled environments or mild weather outdoors.
- Style and Noise (Minor): While we personally liked the sci-fi look of the shiny hooded suit, not everyone will feel fashionable in it. It’s also not completely silent – there is a light “swish-swish” when you move. These weren’t deal-breakers for us, but in a public gym you will get some curious looks (until those people see how hard you’re working!).
Overall, the pros far outweighed the cons in our experience. The key is that HOTSUIT made a sauna suit that we actually enjoyed using, rather than it being a torture device. That’s a big win.
Who Is the HOTSUIT Sauna Suit For?
Before we wrap up the review, let’s talk about who would benefit most from the HOTSUIT 904 MAX:
Fitness Enthusiasts Looking to Level Up: If you already have a workout routine and want to boost your calorie burn or break through a sweat plateau, this product is ideal. I consider myself a casual fitness enthusiast – I exercise ~3 times a week to stay healthy. Wearing the HOTSUIT suit on some of those days made my workouts more efficient; even a 20-minute quick cardio session felt like a serious training by the amount I sweated. It’s like turning a dial from “normal” to “challenge mode” on your usual exercises.
Those Trying to Manage Weight: For folks on a weight loss journey, the sauna suit can provide an extra edge and, perhaps just as important, motivation. Seeing sweat pour out and feeling that post-workout “flush” can be very encouraging because it gives a tangible sense of accomplishment. There’s something motivating about literally sweating buckets; it makes you feel like you’re putting in serious work (which you are!). Just remember, sustained weight loss still comes from consistent exercise and diet, but the suit can accelerate early results and keep you inspired.
Athletes and Fighters: This suit was practically made for athletes who need to cut weight or improve heat tolerance. Wrestlers, boxers, MMA fighters, and runners training for hot climates could all use the 904 MAX to safely amplify their training. We’re not professional athletes (except Chris Woolley), but knowing that champions like UFC fighters have used HOTSUIT suits to cut weight efficiently gave us confidence in the product’s efficacy. If you’re an advanced athlete seeking that extra 1% edge, the 904 MAX series (with its intense thermal tech) is geared toward you.
Casual Users & “Everyone Else”: You might wonder if a sauna suit is overkill for someone who is not super fit or who just wants to get a good sweat occasionally. Honestly, as long as you have no medical contraindications, anyone can use it – just tailor the usage to your level. Even an easy activity like walking the dog or doing house chores while wearing the suit will make you sweat more. One of our team members had their spouse (a non-gym-goer) try the suit during a brisk walk, and they enjoyed the experience of sweating a lot without having to run. If used sensibly, the HOTSUIT can be a tool for nearly everyone – from beginners (short sessions, low intensity) to hardcore gym rats (longer, intense sessions) – to get more out of their physical activities.
In short, the HOTSUIT sauna suit is for everyone who isn’t afraid to sweat and wants to maximise their workout efficiency, whether you’re a casual fitness newbie or a seasoned athlete. Just use it appropriately for your level.
Cheaper HOTSUIT Alternatives and Other Sauna Suit Options
While the 904 MAX is HOTSUIT’s top-of-the-line model with all its features available, the brand and market offer other choices that won’t hit your wallet as hard. Below, we compare a few alternatives – both from HOTSUIT’s own range and other popular sauna suits – to see how they stack up in terms of features and cost.
| Sauna Suit Option | Key Features & Benefits | Trade-Offs to Consider |
|---|---|---|
|
HOTSUIT 904 PRO Sauna Suit
Approx. $120 USD | Breathable all-rounder that uses HOTSUIT’s Silver-HeatREG technology while prioritising comfort and moisture control. Feels softer against the skin and works well for longer cardio sessions or beginners easing into sauna suit training. | Heat retention is slightly less aggressive than the 904 MAX. Still produces heavy sweat, but advanced users chasing maximum thermal intensity may find it more conservative. |
|
HOTSUIT 904 Classic (Flagship V2.0)
Approx. $80–$100 USD | A more affordable entry into the HOTSUIT range that still delivers solid sweat output using a basic heat-trapping polyester build. Suitable for users who want the sauna suit experience without paying premium pricing. | Lacks the sweat-wicking and breathable lining found in newer models. Sweat can pool inside the suit, making it stick to the skin during longer or higher-intensity workouts. |
|
Generic Vinyl / PVC Sauna Suits
Approx. $20–$60 USD | Very budget-friendly sauna suits that trap heat effectively using PVC or coated nylon materials. Elastic cuffs help lock in warmth and can create heavy sweating at a low upfront cost. | Comfort and durability are common issues. Materials are often stiff, noisy, and non-breathable, with a higher chance of tearing and long-term odour buildup. |
As shown above, if you want to stick with HOTSUIT but spend a bit less, the 904 PRO is a compelling alternative. It’s roughly $30 cheaper and is praised for its comfort. In fact, HOTSUIT describes the Pro series as “the versatile, high-performance workhorse” meant for those who “prioritise comfort as they adapt” to sauna suits. One could say 904 PRO is for sweating in comfort, whereas 904 MAX is for pushing the limits on sweating with high-tech intensity. We noticed many users starting with the Pro and eventually upgrading to the Max once they got hooked on the concept.
Choosing the 904 Classic or Flagship V2.0 can save even more money (especially if you find it on sale). Just be aware you’re essentially getting older technology – it will feel more like the traditional sauna suits (non-breathable and potentially less comfy). If you don’t mind wearing, say, a long-sleeve shirt underneath to mitigate the stickiness, a Classic HOTSUIT can still serve you well for occasional use. We consider it an entry-level option in the HOTSUIT family.
For those willing to look beyond HOTSUIT, the market has plenty of generic or alternative-brand sauna suits. The Defy Heavy Duty Sweat Suit, for instance, is often cited as a decent budget pick. It uses a PVC-coated nylon to trap heat and even has features like an anti-rip hood and odor-blocking fabric, all for well under $50. But again, don’t expect the level of comfort or longevity you’d get from HOTSUIT.
There are also neoprene-based sauna apparel (like Kutting Weight suits), which aren’t necessarily cheaper but focus on different materials (neoprene can offer compression and is usually machine-washable). Another high-quality brand in the sauna suit world is Boxraw, popular in boxing circles, priced around $100. It’s very durable and stylish, but not much cheaper than HOTSUIT and lacks the breathable inner coating. In the end, if budget is your primary concern, a vinyl suit will work short-term; if comfort and durability are equally important, investing in a HOTSUIT (Pro or Max) might save you money long-term since it won’t need frequent replacing.
The HOTSUIT 904 MAX is the premium choice packed with tech, the 904 PRO offers a balance of performance and comfort at a lower price, the Classic gives a basic sauna suit experience for even less, and the generic options are out there if cost is the only factor (just manage your expectations on usability). We found that after experiencing the 904 MAX’s quality, it’d be hard to go back to a cheapo suit – but it’s good to know the spectrum of options.
Final Verdict: Is the HOTSUIT 904 MAX Sauna Suit worth it?
Testing the HOTSUIT sauna suit was an eye-opening experience for us at Recovery Guru. As our first venture into wearable sauna technology, the 904 MAX left a strong positive impression. It delivered on its promises of increased sweat and calorie burn, all while keeping us surprisingly comfortable given the circumstances. There’s a genuine satisfaction in literally sweating off the equivalent of a bottle of water in a workout, and the HOTSUIT makes that not only possible but relatively enjoyable (in a tough-love fitness kind of way).
Is it worth the investment? If you’re serious about amplifying your workouts or you find motivation in sweating more, yes, absolutely, in our opinion. The HOTSUIT 904 MAX sauna suit is a well-engineered piece of gear that can enhance cardio, support weight loss efforts, and even just make you feel like a champion dripping sweat after a routine session. We also appreciate that HOTSUIT has clearly put thought into user comfort – a factor that sets it apart from many competitors. As a result, we actually wanted to use the suit consistently, whereas a bad experience would likely have seen it tossed aside after one try.
Our team’s collective word after a month: impressed. This being the first sauna suit we’ve ever tested, we didn’t quite know what to expect. Now that we’ve tried it, we’re excited to keep incorporating sauna suit training in our regimen, and the HOTSUIT 904 MAX will be the benchmark to beat. It’s an innovative twist on the concept of a personal sauna, wrapped in a comfortable, high-performance outfit. Whether you’re looking to drop a few extra pounds, boost your cardio, or just challenge yourself in a new way, the HOTSUIT sauna suit might just make you sweat with a smile.
