Yoga is a highly beneficial practice that can be done almost anywhere, whenever we want. However, to be able to do yoga on the go, away on vacation, or straight after work, we need a reliable, high-quality travel yoga mat.
A travel yoga mat makes it much easier for you to perform yoga poses without having the added hassle of lugging around a large mat. This is even more beneficial if you don’t have a big enough bag for a full-sized mat.
Whether it be at the hotel, on the campsite, or even in your office, these smaller mats are easy-to-use and easily stashable.
However, with so many to choose from, picking the right one can be tough. You have to take size, quality, and performance into account, making the whole process a little overwhelming.
To help, we’ve done the hard part for you. We’ve done the research and found the best travel yoga mats. In this article, we’ll show you each one we found.
Let’s dive in!
OUR TOP PICK
Let’s kickstart this list with one of, if not the best travel yoga mats on the market. Manufactured by Manduka, the eKo Superlite travel yoga mat is highly recommended by some of the industry's most experienced faces.
This includes Hatha yoga teacher and yogi Christabel Lobo, and CSCS, DPT, and physical therapist Kasia Gondek.
When we reviewed the mat, it wasn’t hard to see why. This travel mat folds down super small, only weighs 2.2 lbs, is just 1.5 mm thick, and is 100% tear-resistant. These four things already put this mat above others, but that’s not all it offers.
The mat is also made from a durable natural rubber material that helps the mat cope with the pressures of travel. As if that wasn’t enough, the mat also has an almost sticky surface to ensure it doesn’t bunch or slip as you practice your poses.
Manduka has even included a closed-cell design which helps to keep the surface of the mat dry. This also adds more grip.
Made from non-toxic materials and free from PVC, we found it super easy to fit this vibrant travel mat into a suitcase.
Pros:
- Lightweight - Easily carry your mat.
- Durable - This mat is made out of a durable rubber material.
- Sweat-resistant - The mat's closed-cell design prevents a build-up of sweat.
Cons:
- Pricey - The eKo Superlite mat is expensive.
Also available at: Manduka.com
EDITORS CHOICE
If you’re on the lookout for a more budget-friendly yoga mat, don’t look any further than the Gaiam yoga mat.
The Gaiam yoga mat is up there with the very best travel yoga mats but it doesn’t cost too much. In fact, it’s up there with the best affordable yoga mats too.
With this yoga mat, Gaiam offers yoga enthusiasts a high-quality, stylish mat that conveniently folds down to a 10” by 12” square.
Super compact, this is perfect for those who need a mat they can throw in their suitcase or carry in their work bag. We loved this square design because it makes it much easier to store than a rolled mat.
In terms of weight, the mat only weighs 1.8 lbs. That's 0.4 lbs lighter than the eKo Superlite yoga mat.
Another thing we absolutely loved about this mat is its design. Available in a range of attractive patterns and vibrant colors, the mat looks and feels great.
The texture of the mat is nice and grippy too, so you won’t encounter any slipping when you sweat.
This allows you to take part in hot yoga with this mat too.
Pros:
- Stylish - The Gaiam yoga mat looks and feels great.
- Compact - The mat folds down to a 10” by 12” square.
- Affordable - This travel yoga mat is one of the best-priced mats on the market.
Cons:
- Quite thick - At 2mm thick, some users have said that this mat is a little too thick.
Also available at: Gaiam.com
BEST VALUE
Next on our list, we have a solid choice from Jade Yoga. Alongside Manduka, Jade Yoga is the most popular yoga mat brand in the world.
They produce high-quality, durable, reliable, and stylish yoga mats that are used by thousands of yoga lovers all over the world.
As a result, it’s no surprise to see that Jade Yoga offers an awesome travel yoga mat. The Jade Yoga travel mat is called the voyager mat. With a name like that, we can only expect a mat that can be easily traveled with.
When we took a closer look at the mat, that’s exactly what we got. Available in four different colors, of which olive green is our favorite, this travel mat only weighs 1.5 lbs, folds down easily, and is made from a durable rubber material.
That’s not all though!
The Jade Yoga Voyager mat is also super sticky. This is important because it guarantees you a better grip during your class.
One brilliant thing about Jade Yoga is that they will also plant a tree on your behalf with every purchase you make. This is a nice way to give back to the world.
Overall, this stylish, environmentally friendly mat is reliable, compact, easy to carry, easy to fold, and super comfortable.
Pros:
- Lightweight - The Jade Yoga voyager mat only weighs 1.5 lbs.
- Plant a tree - With every purchase, Jade Yoga plants a tree.
- Slip-resistant - This mat is super sticky.
Cons:
- Too thin - At 1/16” thick, it could be argued that this mat is too thin.
Also available at: Jadeyoga.com
RUNNER UP
If you’re in the market for a travel-friendly yoga mat that also helps you focus on improving your alignment, the Liforme travel yoga mat could be perfect for you.
This compact travel yoga mat’s best feature isn’t actually anything to do with its portability. Instead, its most appreciated features are the Liforme AlignForMe markers. These neat markers are fantastic.
They help remove any doubt that your hands and feet are in the proper position, allowing you to effectively practice and develop the best yoga poses.
Along with the mat's portability, this is what makes the mat so popular!
When it comes to the mat's travel features, we were pleased with what we found. Despite being longer, wider, and thicker than most travel yoga mats, the Liforme travel yoga mat is still compact.
It folds down small and can be placed in most bags.
However, when compared to the other mats on this list, you have to be aware that it’s one of the thickest (2mm). With a weight of 4 lbs, it's also one of the heaviest.
Having said that, it's still a fantastic travel option.
Simply roll the mat and throw it in your trunk.
Pros:
- Super smooth - The mat's surface is wonderfully smooth.
- Perfect for alignment - This mat has Liforme’s AlignForMe feature.
- Easily stored - Roll the mat easily.
Cons:
- Large - Compared to other mats on our list, the Liforme mat is quite big.
Also available at: Liforme.com
RUNNER UP
The final travel yoga mat on our list is the Yogo ultralight folding yoga mat. We have to say, this is easily one of our favorite travel yoga mats. Clearly built with travel convenience in mind, this mat has everything you need from a travel mat.
It’s foldable, portable, compact, easy to clean, made from sustainable materials, and super grippy. What more could we ask for?
Well. Yogo has actually taken things a step further by providing us with handy travel straps. These straps make it so much easier to carry the mat around with you. They also keep the mat neatly folded.
In terms of foldability and compactness, this mat couldn’t be better. Easily folded to the size of a newspaper, this mat is extremely compact. You can easily toss it in your backpack, strap it to a suitcase, or even attach it to your bike.
We loved the clean design this mat comes with too. Made from plant-based materials, this yoga mat has a patented origami design that ensures only the top part of the mat touches your body, not the dirty underside.
Finally, the Yogo mat also offers plenty of grip.
Pros:
- Carry straps included - The Yogo travel mat comes with a carry strap.
- Clean - The patented origami design keeps the underside of the mat away from your skin.
- Sustainable product - This mat is made from plant-based materials.
Cons:
- Expensive - This mat isn’t cheap.
Also available at: Yogo.net
Best Travel Yoga Mat Buying Guide
Now you’ve seen the available options, it’s time to start thinking about what you need and want from a travel yoga mat. It is only by fully understanding what you need and want that you can start making a decision in relation to the mat you should buy.
To make the decision process easier for you, we’ve put together this buyer’s guide. In this buyer’s guide, you’ll find everything you need to think about when making the best decision.
Foldability
One of the most important things to think about when buying a travel yoga mat is foldability. After all, you're purchasing a travel yoga mat so you can take a mat with you when space is limited.
Generally speaking, yoga travel mats can be folded in two ways. Some mats are folded and others are rolled.
There isn’t too much difference between the two, but you have to get it right. If the mat doesn’t fold or roll down small enough, the mat won’t be easy to travel with.
If we had to choose between the two, we prefer a mat that folds into a compact square. For us, these mats are easier to store in a bag.
Aside from that, simply take the folded size into consideration when picking a mat. You don’t want a mat that’s too big.
Weight
Weight is another thing you have to take into consideration when choosing a travel yoga mat. The last thing you want is a mat that weighs too much. Luckily for you, all of the mats on our list are lightweight.
However, if you decide to look for other mats on the market, you need to think carefully about how much they weigh.
If a mat is too heavy, you won’t be able to travel with it easily. From experience, we recommend looking for a mat that weighs approximately 1 to 2 lbs. Mats that weigh up to 4 lbs are also fine but lighter is better if you plan on traveling with your mat.
Style
This factor might not seem as important to some, but to others, it could be crucial. Yoga mats come in a wide range of colors and patterns.
These patterns and colors can be important because they might be more calming for the mind. Brighter colors might even energize you.
If you’re someone that benefits from the calming nature of different colors, we recommend taking your time to pick a mat that suits your thoughts and feelings.
On top of that, other mats come with specific markings that aid yoga performance. For example, the Liforme travel mat has alignment markings on it. This helps the user find the correct foot and hand position when posing.
As you can imagine, all of these things are beneficial.
Sustainability
Yoga isn’t just a workout, it’s also a way of life. One of the main philosophies in yoga is the concept of ahimsa. For those that don’t know, ahimsa is practicing a life of non-harm.
If you follow this tenant, you should do everything you can to find a mat that is eco-friendly and sustainable. By doing so, you can practice one of the most important things that yoga believes in.
Looking out for companies that contribute towards green causes is also a good idea. Companies like Jade Yoga contribute to green causes by planting a tree for every yoga mat they sell.
This gives you the opportunity to give back to the world whilst doing something as simple as buying a yoga mat.
Stickiness
Finally, you also need to think about stickiness when buying a yoga mat. This is important because the stickiness of a yoga mat determines how much grip and support it offers.
When it comes to choosing a mat that offers the right levels of stickiness, the stickier the mat is, the better. A super sticky mat will offer you plenty of grip, ensuring that you don’t slip when posing.
To find out how sticky a yoga mat is, you should start by reading the product description.
This will usually give you a good indication as to how sticky the mat is. After that, you should read user reviews. Again, this will give you a better idea of how sticky a mat is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Travel Yoga Mat Is The Best?
Ultimately, deciding which travel mat is the best comes down to personal preference. Everyone has different needs and requirements that need to be fulfilled.
For us, the best travel yoga mat on the market is the Manduka eKo Superlite travel yoga mat. Despite being quite pricey, the overall performance, foldability, durability, and reliability of the mat are much better than other mats on the market.
Are More Expensive Yoga Mats Worth It?
Generally speaking, yes, more expensive yoga mats are definitely worth it. Compared to more affordable mats, they are usually much more durable as they are made from better materials.
Therefore, they typically last a lot longer and maintain higher performance levels.
How Much Do Travel Yoga Mats Cost?
You’ll find yoga mats on the market at a wide range of prices. Some yoga mats cost $19, while others cost upwards of $100.
This can make it a little trickier to find the best-priced mat, but as long as you carefully think about your budget and what you’re looking for, you should be able to make a good decision.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, five of the best travel yoga mats on the market. In this article, we’ve reviewed the five best travel yoga mats on the market, showing you what to expect from each one.
As you can see from our list, the options we have available to us are pretty awesome.
Whether it be a small mat that can be stored in a bag or a mat that can be easily attached to a suitcase, all of the yoga mats on this list are perfect for those of you who travel.
While they all differ in terms of appearance and design features, they are all guaranteed to help you keep up with your yoga classes when traveling.
In all honesty, we could probably have gone on and on with our list, but we’re confident that the options we have provided you with are the best of the best.
Now you know what’s out there, why don’t you take some time to narrow down our list?
The positive effect yoga had on me was indescribable. Every aspect of my life improved, from social to mental, physical to emotional.
I want my website to help more people get into the world of yoga and teach them how to be present for themselves - even if that’s just for a few minutes a day.
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