Canadian swimwear brands design suits for the sauna boom

Small Canadian labels including Bathing Belle, Downtown Betty and Left on Friday are making swim and athletic wear tailored for saunas, cold plunges and contrast therapy, emphasizing fit, non-metallic details and durable, quick-drying fabrics.

Canadian swimwear makers are redesigning pieces for people who move between saunas and cold plunges as contrast-therapy practices grow in popularity. Toronto small-business owner Danica Salajko launched Bathing Belle's Graphite Wave collection after noticing fit and material problems at a local Russian banya. The line uses chlorine-resistant Econyl and is produced in Salajko's Roncesvalles shop with performance and repeated immersion in mind. In Vancouver, Downtown Betty and Left on Friday have also introduced sauna-focused lines that emphasize different material choices and construction. Key details: - Bathing Belle unveiled the Graphite Wave contrast-therapy collection last month; it includes four styles, starts at $199, and is made from chlorine-resistant Econyl designed to retain shape, compression and colour. - Downtown Betty launched a That Sauna Life line last May; the pieces are made from 95% cotton and 5% Lycra, are double-lined for durability, retail at about $75 per top or bottom, and the founder highlights breathable, quick-drying and non-metallic materials. - Left on Friday offers styles built for thermal extremes with listed retail prices noted in the article for items such as the Retreat Suit and separate tops and bottoms. - Designers cite fit, non-metallic hardware, quick-drying performance and durability as priorities when apparel is used for repeated hot-cold exposure and active movement. Summary: The movement reflects a shift from leisure-focused swimwear toward garments designed for performance and repeated temperature changes, with small Canadian brands adapting materials and construction to meet those needs. Undetermined at this time.