Yoga has become an important part of my routine, but if you're a yogi like me, you know how crucial finding the right mat is. As someone who’s always on the move, I remember the moment I realized my old, bulky yoga mat just wasn’t going to cut it for traveling.
There I was, trying to squeeze it into an already overstuffed suitcase before a flight to Thailand, and it hit me: I needed something more practical. It had to be comfortable and grippy but also light enough to pack away easily and tough enough to handle being unfurled on a variety of surfaces. Easier said than done!
If this sounds familiar, you're in the right place. We’ve researched, tested, and reviewed the top travel yoga mats to find options that stand up to the demands of life on the road. This guide will help you pick a yoga mat that suits your travel and yoga needs, with personal tips from us on how to carry, maintain, and clean your mat while traveling (yes, you need to clean it!). Ready to find your perfect travel yoga mat? We are!
Best Travel Yoga Mats: Our Top 6 Picks
Traveling doesn't mean you have to put your routine in the drawer. So, to make sure you can continue your yoga sessions while traveling, we've found the 6 best travel yoga mats on the market. We've personally tested each mat during our travels (yes, we have loads of mats by now), from early morning stretches on the chilly floors of a London apartment to evening asanas on a warm beach in the Canary Islands.
- Yogo Ultralight 4.0 Folding Travel Yoga Mat
- MIKKOA Travel Yoga Mat
- Gaiam Travel Yoga Mat
- Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat
- SNAKUGA Travel Yoga Mat
- Yogamatters Eco Travel Yoga Mat
- Avoalre Foldable Yoga Mat
In our guide, we’ll give you the 411 of each mat, from their texture and thickness to how well they pack away. We’ll tell you what we love about them, as well as point out any challenges we've found with them because let's be honest—no mat is perfect.
1. Yogo Ultralight 4.0 Folding Travel Yoga Mat: Best Overall Travel Yoga Mat
On my recent backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, the Yogo Ultralight 4.0 Folding Travel Yoga Mat was an absolute lifesaver. Weighing just about the same as a bag of apples and as slim as a notebook at 1.7 mm thick, this mat made it into every travel bag I packed. It is incredibly effortless to carry around, and I would super recommend it, whether you are heading to a beach in Koh Lanta or setting up for some sunrise yoga on a quiet corner in Purto Escondido. And yes, I've been using the Yogo Ultralight 4.0 on different types of grounds, from grassy parks to wooden decks, and it has shown me just how versatile and reliable it can be for a traveling yogi.
What we love about this travel yoga mat
What really sets the Yogo Ultralight apart is its clever folding design. It folds up so neatly that the surface I practiced my poses on never touched the underside that lay on the ground. This was especially handy when I found myself wanting to practice in less-than-spotless locations (and who are we kidding, most of them aren't spotless). I could lay it down anywhere without worrying about getting the top side dirty.
Another thing I really appreciated about this yoga mat is its commitment to sustainability. I love knowing that it's made from FSC-certified natural rubber, which helps protect our rainforests and supports fair labor. Traveling has also opened my eyes to unfair practices towards people from poorer countries, and I don't want to be a part of that. Not to mention, the straps are made out of recycled water bottles, which feels like a small but significant contribution to reducing ocean plastic.
Key Features:
- Weight: 2.3 lbs / 1 kg
- Thickness: 0.07" / 1.7 mm
- Size: 68"L x 24"W / 173 (L) x 60 (W) cm
- Material: Tree rubber and cotton
2. MIKKOA Travel Yoga Mat: Best for Hot Yoga
People always imagine yoga as this serene thing where everyone is calm and centered, and everything around is aesthetically pleasing. Sure, the first few minutes! Then, it gets all sweaty, especially in humid tropical climates where the heat amplifies every session. If you often find yourself in a hot yoga class while traveling, the MIKKOA Travel Yoga Mat is the go-to choice. This mat is tailor-made for intense, sweaty practices. It has a microfiber surface that feels smooth under your hands and feet. But the real magic happens as you heat up—the mat’s grip improves with moisture, ensuring stability no matter how challenging the positions.
What we love about this travel yoga mat
Aside from its excellent grip in hot yoga sessions that prevents you from sliding or hurting yourself? Well, it's incredibly travel-friendly! It's lightweight and folds up easily, slipping into your luggage without taking up much space.
Key Features:
- Weight: 2.2 lbs / 1kg
- Thickness: 0.05" / 1.3 mm
- Size: 72"L x 26.7"W / 183 (L) x 67 (W) cm
- Material: Rubber
3. Gaiam Travel Mat: Best Budget Mat
Do you know the thing about reviewing yoga mats? It means you have a lot of them, which means my friends ask me to test them out all the time! A while ago, I was packing for a month-long stay in Tbilisi and all my yoga mats were with my friends (the irony). So I read some last-minute reviews about the Gaiam Travel Yoga Mat, which I was eyeing for its budget-friendly price tag. I purchased it and guess what? As I participated in daily yoga sessions in Tbilisi, ranging from different types of workouts, from energizing Vinyasa flows to grounding Yin yoga, I realized how good this mat was! Despite its modest price, this mat stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the pricier models. It’s just 2mm thick, effortlessly folding down to a neat 10" x 12" square that fits in almost any bag (or travel yoga bag). So yes, it's truly a minimalist’s dream.
What we love about this travel yoga mat
Its featherlight build makes it incredibly easy to carry around, perfect if you prefer to travel light (who doesn't?). Plus, its affordability means you don’t have to compromise on quality, even if you're sticking to a tight budget. My friends are already lining up to test it!
Key Features:
- Weight: 1.8 lbs / 0.8 kg
- Thickness: 0.08" / 2.00 mm
- Size: 68"L x 24"W / 173 (L) x 60 (W) cm
- Material: PVC
4. Manduka eKO Superlite: Best Eco-Friendly Mat
As someone who travels frequently, I'm aware of my lifestyle's environmental footprint. That's why I try to make a conscious effort to choose products that align with my commitment to sustainability whenever I can. That goes for yoga mats, too. If you're like me, the Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat will get your curiosity tingling. Not just because it's superbly lightweight and foldable but also because it's crafted from sustainably harvested tree rubber.
It's not perfect, it's just 1.5mm thick, which means it sometimes requires the addition of a towel for extra cushioning during intense sessions. But its durability and eco-friendly design are love at first sight. After returning from a trip to Nicaragua, I can say that it held up like a champ through all sorts of daily use in different places, without showing signs of wear and tear!
What we love about this travel yoga mat
What we particularly appreciate about this mat is its eco-conscious manufacturing. I can keep up with my yoga sessions without compromising my environmental principles. The mat's lightweight and easy foldability means I can take it with me anywhere—from a quick city break to a remote retreat—without adding bulk or guilt to my travel experience.
Key Features:
- Weight: 2.2 lbs / 1 kg
- Thickness: 0.06" / 1.5 mm
- Size: 71" (L) x 24" (W) / 180 (L) x 60 (W) cm
- Material: Sustainably harvested tree rubber
5. SNAKUGA Travel Yoga Mat: Best for Versatility
If you're a yogi constantly on the move, struggling to find a mat that keeps up with your nomadic lifestyle, then the SNAKUGA Travel Yoga Mat is probably for you. It was designed with the needs of the traveling yogi in mind, combining the best of both worlds: it’s lightweight and eco-friendly, made from a sustainable blend of natural rubber and suede. This mix ensures you get a soft, non-slip surface perfect for a range of yoga styles, from a meditative flow in your hotel room to a sweat-inducing hot yoga class in a studio.
But a heads-up: the SNAKUGA Mat does score high on environmental friendliness and portability, but it has a thinner construction. While that's great for travel, it may not provide the best cushioning if you need extra support during more challenging poses or when you're practicing on harder surfaces.
What we love about this travel yoga mat
The mat's non-slip surface is super, even as sessions intensified, the mat stayed securely in place, allowing me to focus on my poses rather than worrying about slipping. And its compact and foldable nature, complete with a handy carrying bag, made it easy to transport from one destination to the next.
Key Features:
- Weight: 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg
- Thickness: 0.06" / 1.5 mm
- Size: 72"L x 26"W / 183 (L) x 66 (W) cm
- Material: Natural rubber and suede
6. Yogamatters Eco Travel Yoga Mat: Best Mat for Barefoot Feel
Sometimes, the choice of a yoga mat really depends on where you'll be practicing. Yes, thick mats offer cushioning, but there are moments when you want to feel grounded and connected with the place you're in. This is especially true if you're practicing outdoors (it's not like anybody wants to feel the parquet floor of a yoga studio). So, a few months ago, we were heading to the Canary Islands, and I could already envision my early morning beach yoga sessions in Fuerteventura. I knew I wanted to be comfortable but at the same time, I wanted a mat that would let me feel the golden sand beneath my feet, you know what I mean? And the Yogamatters Eco Travel Yoga Mat turned out to be just perfect at this. Weighing only 700g and just 1mm thick, it was just the right balance.
What we love about this travel yoga mat
It's like having just the right barrier against twigs and pebbles, but you still feel every grain of sand. The thin layer shields but it enhances your yoga session. Just perfect.
Key Features:
- Weight: 1.6 lbs / 0.7 kg
- Thickness: 0.03" / 1mm
- Size: 72"L x 24"W / 183 (L) x 61 (W) cm
- Material: Sustainably harvested natural tree rubber
7. Avoalre Foldable Yoga Mat: Best Storage Bag Included
I recently saw another digital nomad use the Avoalre Foldable Yoga Mat, went online and after seeing all the rave reviews, I thought, why not add an extra one to my collection? Since then, it’s quickly become one of my favorites because it’s so easy to pack away and carry around. What’s really cool is that this mat folds up into a neat square and comes with a bag that can also be used as a small backpack—very handy! Just a little tip: make sure to unfold it and let it air out for a few days when you first get it. This helps clear out any smells and lets it lay perfectly flat.
What we love about this travel yoga mat
So…it has a foldable and portable design, it’s environmentally friendly and get this: it even has a double-sided non-slip texture, ensuring stability for various yoga styles no matter which surface you’re practicing on.
Key Features:
- Weight: 4.18 lbs / 1.9 kg
- Thickness: 0.02" / 0.5mm
- Size: 72"L x 24"W / 183 (L) x 61 (W) cm
- Material: Phthalate-free Eco-Friendly PVC
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How to Pick The Right Yoga Mat For You
As we saw from our list, yoga mats are not all the same! This may not be obvious to beginners, but take it from a true yogi. Picking out the right yoga mat can completely change your yoga sessions and your travel experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind that might help you pick a mat that not only suits your yoga style but also fits into your travel routine:
Weight
Digital nomads aren't just visiting one country. We're always on the move. So, traveling light is essential, and this extends to your yoga mat, too. You don't want to carry around a bulky mat through a crowded international airport, trust me, I know. I learned this the hard way when I brought a heavier yoga mat on a backpacking trip through Europe. It felt like I was hauling a second backpack. That experience made me start testing out various mats, opting to find something lighter, which drastically changed how I travel. A lightweight mat is invaluable when you're moving often and have to carry your gear yourself. It needs to be light enough not to be a burden, yet substantial enough to provide comfort and support on whichever surface you're practicing on.
Texture & Grip
You don't want to be having a yoga session, worrying about whether your sweaty hand is going to slip away or not, potentially hurting yourself. That's why the right texture and grip can make or break your yoga practice, especially in unfamiliar settings. I once found myself on a sleek studio floor in Puerto Escondido where my mat just wouldn't stay put because it didn't stick well to the surface. After switching to a mat with a cork texture, my yoga sessions became way more stable, no matter the surface. Cork and jute are excellent because they offer natural slip-slip resistance, which is essential whether you're trying to hold a pose on a dewy morning hillside or a humid tropical beach.
Material
We've rolled out everything from PVC to natural rubber mats throughout our yoga journey. While PVC mats are budget-friendly and offer decent initial stickiness, they haven't always matched up with the performance of natural rubber or other eco-friendly options. The shift to natural rubber made a difference for me, especially in terms of grip and eco-consciousness.
Size
Size does matter when it comes to yoga mats. I remember practicing on a mat that was too short in Bulgaria, and it was just so annoying adjusting my poses to stay on the mat. That isn't the type of yoga session I was going for. Ensuring your mat is at least six inches taller than you can make all the difference, offering ample space for any pose. Remember, the width and length of your mats have to be in line with your body and the different types of yoga you'll be practicing during your travels.
Style
Do you know how surgeons wear colorful scrub caps? That’s their way of showing personal style. For us yogis, it’s our yoga mats that do the talking. You can't deny there's something special about unrolling a mat that resonates with your style, especially when you’re in a new environment. While functionality trumps everything, we've found that choosing a mat with a design or color that speaks to us enriches our session, making it feel more intimate and personal. Yes, these stylish mats might cost a bit more, but setting down a piece of your personality in each new location is priceless.
How to Travel With Your Yoga Mat: My Top Tips
Traveling with a yoga mat has turned into a non-negotiable for me, as essential to my trips as a comfortable pair of walking shoes. I use my mat for stretching out in between calls or grounding ourselves when we're in a new city. Here's how I carry them around the world and how we manage to keep our yoga practice going strong, no matter where we are:
Packing Your Yoga Mat
Stuffing your yoga mat into your suitcase is not the way to go. Instead, a reliable yoga mat bag or a carrying strap is essential. I always look for bags with extra pockets—they're perfect for safely tucking away the mat but also other personal belongings like wallets and passports. This setup keeps everything organized and easily accessible, which is crucial when you're moving from place to place.
Air Traveling with a Yoga Mat
In my experience, bringing a yoga mat on flights hasn't been an issue. Most airlines allowed me to bring our mats along as carry-on luggage. I've gotten into the habit of attaching our mats to our backpacks using either compression straps or simply sliding them under the elastic bands that many travel packs come with. It's a simple trick that keeps our hands free and makes moving through busy terminals much easier.
Maintaining Your Mat
I've learned that keeping my yoga mats rolled up too tightly for too long isn't the best idea. So, wherever I land, I make it a priority to find a little nook in my temporary apartment where I can spread out my mat and leave it flat.
This helps the mats keep their shape and also creates a ready-to-use space that inviting for regular practice. Once, I turned a small corner of our temporary home into a serene yoga spot with just our mats and a view. Since then it became a daily ritual that grounded me in my routine.
Cleaning Your Mat
Yes, you need to clean your yoga mat, especially after a sandy beach session or a sweat-drenched workout. We stick to a simple cleaning solution — water mixed with a splash of mild soap or a few drops of essential oils. A quick spray and wipe with a soft cloth after each use does the trick.
Ensuring the mat is completely dry before rolling it back up is key to preventing any mold or unpleasant odors. This is how we've saved our mats from wear and tear and kept them fresh, no matter the climate or setting.
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How Can I Fold a Yoga Mat for Travel?
Packing a yoga mat for travel is like going on autopilot for me. Here's the simple yet effective method I've perfected over the years to make sure my mats are always ready for the next destination:
- Lay it Flat: I start by spreading the mat flat on a clean surface, with the side we practice facing inward. This step is crucial for protecting the mat's surface from dirt and wear while we travel.
- Fold or Roll: Depending on the mat's material and how much space we have, I either fold it into a compact square or tightly roll it up. Folding is great for saving space, while rolling can be better for keeping your mat in shape long-term.
- Place in Luggage: I then carefully place the mat in our suitcase or yoga mat bag. If it’s folded, I lay it flat against the bottom or along the sides to keep it uncreased and ready for use as soon as we land. In a backpack or tote, we find a snug spot where it won’t get bent or twisted.
That was it for this guide! I hope you will find your perfect yoga mat and you will have taken something useful from my tips. Happy travels!
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