If you are a frequent traveler, or taking a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, it’s natural to want to take your yoga practice with you.
But full-size yoga mats can be cumbersome, taking up valuable space in your luggage and maybe even costing you baggage fees.
Fortunately, there are yoga mats specifically designed for portability, so here are some of the best travel yoga mats available today.
Quick Answer:
Our top 3 picks for the best travel yoga mat are:
This travel yoga mat folds down to a small size and light weight in the included carrying case.
One side has a sueded surface for excellent grip and slip-resistance, while the other side has a rubberized surface that resists skidding.
This compact yoga mat is a great solution for grip and stability during hot yoga and other moist environments, and for ease and comfort when traveling.
This travel mat comes in either 68 or 74 inches long, making it a great option for taller people who need extra length in a lightweight, compact yoga mat.
The natural, open-celled rubber is sustainably harvested, very durable, and naturally moisture and skid-resistant.
Jade plants a tree for every yoga mat they sell, and this eco-friendly yoga mat provides for a comfortable yoga practice no matter where you are.
3. eKO Superlite Yoga and Pilates Travel Mat
This yoga mat is extremely thin and lightweight, able to fit into the smallest of carry-on luggage.
It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, and is made of natural rubber for great cushioning, stickiness, and durability, with natural resistance to sweat, odors, and bacteria.
Editor’s Pick Best Travel Yoga Mats
Travel Yoga Mat Buying Guide
Travel yoga mats are usually designed to be folded flat, so they can slip into a laptop bag or suitcase without needing the space of a rolled-up mat.
They are primarily designed to provide a non-slip surface for your practice, offering stability rather than padding or cushioning. If you travel often, look for a travel yoga mat that resists moisture, and clean it often, because a damp yoga mat can be unpleasant to mix with your other luggage.
Let’s look at three things you should also take into account:
1. Thickness
One of the most important things to keep in mind when selecting the right travel yoga mat for you, is how thick it is.
Something to consider here is that a really thin yoga mat will not provide you with adequate protection from the floor.
Something that is as thin as 1/16 of an inch, or even thinner, while being very lightweight and easily portable, may be so thin that it does not provide you with good protection, and that can result in painful knees and elbows.
On the other hand, consider that a really thick yoga mat, something like ¼ inches, while it provides good protection from the ground, may be so thick that you do not have a good connection with the ground, which can negatively affect balance and cause you to be wobbly, and of course, a thick yoga mat is also a heavier yoga mat, which also affects portability.
When it comes to a good travel yoga mat, something that is thin enough to be portable and allow for good balance, but thick enough to keep your bones and joints protected, something between 1/8 and 1/16 of an inch is what you probably want to go for.
2. Length & Width
Something else to consider before you go out and buy a yoga mat for travel, is how long and wide it is. Needless to say, a super long and wide yoga mat is going to be much larger and heavier than a smaller yoga mat.
Of course, a big and heavy yoga mat is not going to be all that easy to carry around with you from home, to the yoga studio, to work, and back home again. Something that is fairly light and small is ideal for travel.
However, once again, there is a tradeoff to think about here. Simply put, the shorter and narrower the yoga mat is, the less room you have to do all of your poses and exercises.
You do want the mat to be large enough so you can really spread out on it without having to deal with some of your body being directly on the floor.
Therefore, the size of travel yoga mat you are going to purchase is going to depend on your own size. Make sure that it is just large enough so you can do yoga in comfort, but not so large that it become hard to transport.
3. A Carrying Strap or Bag
The other thing to keep in mind when selecting a travel yoga mat is what kind of carrying system it comes with.
Some travel yoga mats come with straps that simply wrap around the mat and also act as carrying handles. These are very easy to deal with.
Some other travel yoga mats come with a storage bag that also has handles or straps for carrying. This really comes down to personal preference more than anything else.
7 Best Travel Yoga Mat Reviews
1. TOPLUS Travel Yoga Mat
The TOPLUS Travel Yoga Mat is 68 x 24 inches and 1/16th of an inch thick, and weighs 2.4 pounds. It’s a yoga mat that folds down to a compact 8 x 12 inches, and comes with an attractive and convenient carrying bag, making it ideal for travel.
Read Also: TOPLUS Yoga Mat Review
It can be used alone as a yoga mat, or as a cover for shared, public yoga mats, for a more comfortable, hygienic practice. The top side is a skin-friendly sueded material that absorbs sweat without becoming slippery, and the bottom side is a non-toxic, non-skid rubber surface that keeps the mat securely in place.
It is machine washable, comes in elegant purple or sea blue colors, and has a one-year warranty.
PROS:
- Made from natural, non-toxic materials without PVC, plasticizers, or dyes
- Natural non-slip grip makes it ideal for hot yoga
- Easy to clean
- Folds down to a lightweight, small size in included carrying case
CONS:
- Thin mat may not offer enough protection for those with delicate knees or elbows in some poses
Best For:
The dual surfaces of the TOPLUS Travel Yoga Mat are convenient for a variety of uses. The sueded surface of this yoga mat makes it a great, non-slip option, not just for travel, but for hot yoga and workouts where moisture can be a problem, while the rubberized bottom provides stability and plenty of grip.
This mat allows for easy transitions from pose to pose, and is machine washable, unlike many travel yoga mats. It's useful and versatile, not just for travel, but for daily practice.
2. Jade Travel Yoga Mat
The Jade Travel Yoga Mat is 24 inches wide, 1/8th of an inch thick, and comes in lengths of either 68 or 74 inches, weighing either 2.9 or 3.3 pounds. It comes in your choice of black, midnight blue, olive green, or purple.
These yoga mats are sustainably manufactured in the USA, and made of natural open-celled rubber for excellent cushioning, resilience, and durability. Rubber is naturally moisture resistant and non-slip, so there is no need for unnatural or unsustainable materials like PVC, PER, TPE, or EVA.
Jade is proud of being a US-based company, and takes care to provide high-quality yoga mats made of sustainable materials. The company partners with Trees for the Future to plant a tree for every yoga mat they sell.
PROS:
- Natural, sustainable rubber yoga mat
- Thin, light, and compact for easy travel
- Rubber provides easy care, excellent cushioning, and good durability
- Excellent “stick” and non-skid mat
- Every yoga mat supports tree planting for environmental health
CONS:
- Needs to be protected from UV light at all times
- Superior stickiness means it also quickly picks up dust, hair, lint, and other debris
Best For:
The Jade Travel Yoga Mat is a top pick for sustainability and eco-friendliness, and the rubber surface provides excellent grip in poses where it is needed, like downward dog.
This mat is slightly higher maintenance than others, and is probably best used as needed for travel and portability, and not for daily practice. The option of a longer Jade Travel mat is also a great choice for taller yogis.
3. eKO Superlite Yoga and Pilates Travel Mat
The eKO Superlite Yoga and Pilates Travel Mat weighs just over 2 pounds, measuring 68 x 24 inches, and less than 2 millimeters thick. It folds up extremely small for travel, and comes in a choice of 22 colors, including colorful patterns and designs.
It is made of natural rubber with a closed-cell orange peel surface for excellent grip, even with perspiration.
The tightly woven scrim provides good durability, and the mat naturally resists sweat and bacteria. The natural tree rubber material is free of PVC, latex, plasticizers, or harmful dyes.
PROS:
- Extremely light and compact for travel
- Natural tree rubber with excellent grip and durability
- Made of natural, sustainable materials
- Comes in wide range of colors and patterns
CONS:
- Thin mat may not offer enough protection for those with delicate knees or elbows in some poses
- Excellent “stickiness” can impair smooth gliding motion from pose-to-pose; you may have to peel hands and feet from this mat
Best For:
The eKO Superlite Yoga and Pilates Travel Mat is attractive and useful, and made of natural materials that resist moisture and bacteria. It is extremely thin and foldable, so it's incredibly easy to take anywhere, and it's a durable construction that will stand up to heavy use.
It's a great option for frequent travelers who will be staying in hotels and studios where they will be practicing on a carpet or thicker mat, and will have ready access to towels.
4. Travel Yoga Mat from Clever Yoga
This Travel Yoga Mat from Clever Yoga is a full-size yoga mat, measuring 70.5 x 26 inches, but weighing only 2.2 pounds, and just 1 millimeter thick. It can be folded down into a compact size to go anywhere. It comes in purple or blue with an attractive henna-inspired pattern, and comes with a convenient carrying case.
The polyurethane top layer wicks away sweat and absorbs moisture for a slip-free surface with a secure grip. This yoga mat is durable and resists peeling and flaking, and is naturally antibacterial to resist germs and odors.
It is made of non-toxic materials that don’t emit an odor, and is backed by a full warranty.
PROS:
- Handsome yoga mat with durable carrying case
- Extremely thin and lightweight
- Naturally resists moisture and bacteria
- Excellent grip and non-slip surface
CONS:
- Thin mat may not offer enough protection for those with delicate knees or elbows in some poses
- Despite the fact that it is thin enough to be folded, it is recommended that you travel with it rolled in the included case, which takes up more carryon space in your luggage
Best For:
The best thing about the Travel Yoga Mat from Clever Yoga is that it is non-toxic and odor-free. Other travel yoga mats, even when made of natural materials, can have a strong scent of odor that takes a long time to dissipate, and can affect the odor of other items in your luggage.
It's the perfect choice for people who have sensitivities, or who need to use their travel yoga mat right away.
5. Jade Voyager Yoga Mat
The Jade Voyager Yoga Mat is Jade’s thinnest and lightest yoga mat, designed specifically for traveling and compact storage space. It measures 68 x 24 inches, is just 1/16th of an inch thick, and weighs 1.5 pounds.
This travel yoga mat comes in lavender, midnight blue, olive green, and purple, and folds down smaller than a yoga block.
It is made of natural rubber for cushioning, durability, and grip, with no PVC or EVA. Jade partners with Trees for the Future to plant a tree for every yoga mat they sell.
PROS:
- Extremely compact, lightweight, and portable yoga mat
- Natural, sustainable rubber yoga mat
- Every yoga mat supports tree planting for environmental health
CONS:
- Provides no cushioning
- Not very durable
- Bottom slips when placed on top of other mats and surfaces
Best For:
The Jade Voyager is even smaller and thinner than the Jade Traveler reviewed above. It has excellent grip, and folds up to an incredibly compact size.
This is a fantastic choice for people who already have a padded surface, like a carpet or studio mat, but want a stickier, more durable surface for their yoga practice.
6. June & Juniper Travel Yoga Mat
The beautiful June and Juniper Travel Yoga Mat is made of microfiber to combine the benefits of a yoga mat with the moisture absorbency of a yoga towel. This thin, light, portable yoga mat comes with an additional cushion to protect knees and elbows in sensitive poses, as well as a convenient carrying strap.
The mat is 70 x 24 inches, as slim as a credit card, and weighs 2.7 pounds. The graphic side is artist-designed and visually beautiful, with a microfiber construction that grips even better when wet.
The black side is made of natural rubber with an excellent grip. It is quick-drying, and won’t slip or bunch while in use. It is odor-free, anti-microbial, and environment-friendly. It is backed by a 30 day 100% satisfaction guarantee.
PROS:
- Compact, lightweight, and portable yoga mat
- Versatile design combines slim, non-skid mat with the absorbency of a towel
- Included knee cushion protects joints
- Included strap provides great portability, and doubles as a yoga strap
- Artist-designed yoga mat
- Eco-friendly, natural, biodegradable materials
CONS:
- The mat is not quite easy to flatten
Best For:
The June & Juniper Travel Yoga Mat is a complete traveling yoga set, with the mat, the included cushion, and the convenient carrying strap that doubles as a yoga strap.
It's a great way to take your yoga practice anywhere in the world, because the strap and cushion enable a much wider range of poses than the un-cushioned mat alone, and the mat combines the functions of a yoga towel with the non-slip surface of a yoga mat.
We also love the artist-designed artwork in this complete, all-in-one compact travel yoga set.
7. Gaiam Yoga Mat for Travel
The Gaiam Yoga Mat for Travel measures 68 x 24 inches, is just 2 millimeters thick, and weighs only 1 pound. It folds into a 10 x 12 inch square that fits into nearly any bag, tote, or luggage.
It comes in 6 attractive colors and patterns to suit any taste. It is made of PVC, with a sticky texture that provides excellent stability. Perforated lines make for easy folding without damaging the mat.
PROS:
- Very attractive patterns and designs
- Super slim and lightweight travel yoga mat
- Scored surface makes it extra simple to fold
CONS:
- Slippery surface
Best For:
This beautiful travel yoga mat from Gaiam is incredibly small and lightweight, and perforated to lay flat and fold precisely. It’s a perfect travel yoga mat for people who already use and prefer Gaiam products.
FAQs:
Q: What if I Need More Cushioning Than Thin Travel Yoga Mats Provide?
You may have noticed that travel yoga mats are quite thin, to allow them to fold or roll up into small sizes and go anywhere you do.
They specialize in providing good grip and durability, essential in poses that can be slippery, like downward dog.
But, no, they don’t have a lot of cushioning that you may also need for your knees, elbows, or other pressure points during some yoga poses.
Many travel yoga mats assume that you will be doing your yoga workout on a carpeted hotel floor, or on a public shared mat at a yoga studio. In that case, the travel mat only needs to provide you with slip-resistance and keep your practice hygienic.
If you also need cushioning, but don’t want to travel with a thick, bulky mat, the most travel-friendly solution is to either use a hotel towel, or to bring your own yoga towel as well as a mat.
A towel can be placed beneath your travel mat for extra padding overall, on top of your mat for moisture absorbency, or folded and placed as needed beneath your knees and elbows.
Yoga towels are specifically designed fit the size of a mat, dry quickly, and to resist slipping and skidding.
While it may seem redundant to travel with a towel as well as a mat, both items can be extremely small and lightweight, and the towel can easily make up for the lack of cushioning in a travel yoga mat. This Ewedoos Yoga Towel even has anchored corners for extra stability.
Q: How Do You Care For a Natural Rubber Yoga Mat?
Many travel yoga mats are made of rubber. It’s a fantastic choice as a natural, sustainable, organic material that provides great cushioning and grip in a compact size.
However, natural rubber can require a bit more care than some other materials. Here are a few tips to keep a rubber travel yoga mat in peak condition.
Protect it from sunlight
UV rays can dry and damage natural rubber, and you should not expose a rubber yoga mat to sunlight, either direct or indirect.
To avoid overexposure to sun, it’s a good idea to get a canvas yoga mat bag to carry your yoga mat, rather than use straps. T
his yoga mat bag from Fit Spirit is a good choice because it’s small enough for travel, but thick enough to exclude sunlight, and also comes in a great choice of colors and patterns.
Wipe it clean
Of course, you should always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, but, as a rule, natural rubber should not be machine washed.
Instead, spray the mat with a solution of 2/3 water and 1/3 apple cider vinegar, wiping it down with the vinegar solution, and then wiping it again with a damp cloth and allowing it to air dry.
Rubber mats that are repeatedly exposed to high levels of moisture or prolonged storage may need periodic deeper cleaning, so you may want to purchase a specialty cleaner for the purpose, like the Black Diamond Yoga Mat Cleaner.
Allow it to breathe
Most rubber yoga mats have a natural smell that many people find unpleasant. This smell isn’t harmful (as some chemical outgassing can be), but it can be persistent, and spread to other items in your yoga bag or luggage.
For many types of mats, simply unrolling them and hanging them outdoors is a great solution to dissipate any odors, but, as we’ve mentioned, rubber shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight, and shouldn’t be machine washed.
To help dispel the scent of the rubber in a new yoga mat, use diluted vinegar to wipe it down and allow it to lay flat and air dry.
Conclusion
Our top pick of best travel yoga mats is the TOPLUS Travel Yoga Mat, because the dual sueded and rubber surfaces provide the stability and moisture resistance that you need, and it folds down to a small size in the included case.
If you need a more versatile travel yoga solution, and have more space in your luggage, consider the June & Juniper Travel Yoga Mat, which comes with a versatile carrying strap and a cushion when extra padding is needed.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
