• Search Please fill out this field.
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Sweepstakes
  • Travel Products
  • Activity + Adventure
  • Sports + Leisure

The 7 Best Travel Yoga Mats for Practicing on the Go, Tested and Reviewed

Stay in your flow with these supportive, portable yoga mats.

professional travel yoga mat

In This Article

Jump to a Section

  • Our top picks
  • Other Mats We Liked

Our Testing Process

  • Tips for Buying
  • Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Kevin Liang

Finding the right yoga mat is like reaching nirvana — once you do you’ll be in a state of bliss. Find one you can also travel with and that’s just icing on the cake. We tapped Mandy Ingber, yoga instructor and author of Yogalosophy: 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind-Body Makeover to give us the scoop on what attributes you should look for in your next mat purchase. Ingber, who has been the yogi to several A-List celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston and Kate Beckinsale, suggested we make design, comfort, grip, and portability the standards we swear by, noting to pay special attention to things like a mat’s thickness, which if too clunky, can throw off your balance, and whether or not your mat feels like a Slip N’ Slide (not in a good way) or helps you stick your poses with no problems.

Armed with all of this insider information, we tested 19 mats during multiple yoga sessions over a month-long trial period. There were seven that were standout stars with attributes like excellent balance of cushion and support, great grip, and features that made them easy to transport.

Best Overall

Aeromat elite yoga pilates mat.

  • Design 4.5 /5
  • Comfort 5 /5
  • Portability 5 /5

It has a cushy and supportive feel.

The rubber smell, though slight, was bothersome.

When it comes to thickness, consider the Aeromat Elite Yoga/Pilates Mat to be the “just right” porridge, chair, and bed that Goldilocks commandeered in the classic kid’s fairytale. There’s just enough material to support and cushion your body as you flow from pose to pose, but not so much that it gets in your way or inhibits your ability to make solid contact with the floor. It also boasts a textured finish that ensures a secure grip, especially when things get wet. We were able to work up a good sweat without our hands and feet sliding around. The surface also has built-in mesh to help your mat retain its shape. And when you’re ready to pack up and go: Sling one of 12 calming hues (think celeste, dusty rose, sea glass green, and chai) across your shoulder — a harness is included with purchase. It’s super lightweight — essential for any portable exercise equipment — so toting it around will be as easy as Child’s Pose.

The Details: .25 x 24 x 72 inches | PVC

Travel + Leisure / Cindy Erskin

Best Overall, Runner-up

Jade yoga jade voyager mat.

  • Design 3.9 /5
  • Comfort 3 /5

The great grip keeps hands and feet in place no matter the pose.

Sensitive to smells? This mat has a super strong rubbery one that lingers.

There’s nothing worse than having to constantly flow in and out of a pose to wipe the water away from your sweaty hands or feet. The Jade Yoga Voyager solves for this in two ways: Its opened-cell surface easily soaks up excess moisture while the textured natural rubber enhances grip. Also, weighing in at just over 1.5 pounds, this lightweight pick is the perfect on-the-go partner, whether you’re headed down the street or across the country for a wellness retreat . Plus it folds down to the size of a yoga block, which makes storing it in a shoulder bag or a suitcase that much easier. Even better: Every time you make it to the mat, you’ll know you’re doing so with Mother Earth in mind because this eco-friendly mat not only does away with synthetic rubbers (that’s right no PVC or EVA), using the natural kind by extracting the latex sap from rubber trees, but the brand also plants a tree for every mat sold.

The Details: .06 x 24 x  68 inches | 1.5 pounds | Natural rubber

  • Travel + Leisure/Jennifer May

Travel + Leisure / Jennifer May

Best Budget

Amazon basics yoga mat.

Amazon 

  • Grip 4.5 /5
  • Portability 4 /5

At .5 inches thick, this cushy mat is a godsend for those with sensitive joints.

The thickness makes it slightly tricky to transport.

Shelling out big bucks for a mat can be super off-putting, especially if you’re a newbie and unsure if you’re ready to commit to getting downward-dog on the regular. Luckily this mat is very kind to your wallet—without you having to sacrifice on things that really count like durability, grip, and comfort. Those who spend lots of time pressing into their hands (think Crow or Wheel), will find the thick cushioned surface is gentler on wrists. We used it often for handstands against the wall and planks and never felt like we were slipping, even when sweaty. The ample cushioning also makes this a great choice for floor-based bodyweight moves (hello crunches!) too.

The Details: 73.2 x 24.3 x 0.5 inches | 2.45 pounds | Foam

Travel + Leisure / Michael Navarro

  • Travel + Leisure/Michael Navarro

Best Reversible

Manduka yoga mat.

  • Design 5 /5
  • Comfort 4.5 /5

There’s an alignment stripe down the center of one side, which can help better guide beginner’s with hand, foot, and overall body placement.

The mat’s surface is closed-cell, which means it won’t absorb your sweat or any bacteria, so you’ll have to be diligent about wiping it down post flow.

We love that this eco-friendly Manduka mat is not only free from harsh chemical substances but makes you feel like you are getting two mats for the price of one, thanks to the dual-hued sides. Regardless of what mood leads your color choice that day (we are super keen on the lavender/fig combo), you can always count on the mat’s firm, textured surface to add stability through traction. This well-designed mat held up in a variety of classes — flow, power, and hot yoga — but we think yogis interested in a more restorative practice might do better with a more cushioned pick. Bonus points: It’s light and easy to roll and fold, which makes it a great portable option for yoga-based travel .

The Details: 68 x 24 inches | 2.5 pounds | TPE

Travel + Leisure / Megan Hartig

Best Foldable

Lululemon carry onwards mat.

  • Comfort 4 /5

You can throw this mat in the washing machine, making cleaning days much easier.

This mat had a tendency to bunch up, indicating a not-so-great ground grip.

If being without your favorite mat wreaks havoc on your Zen state of being, then you’ll love having the lululemon Carry Onwards Travel Yoga Mat by your side. Be forewarned, though, this portable package, which is held in its folded position by a built-in elastic strap, is pretty hefty, which means you need a bit more muscle to lug it around from place to place. Weight aside, we found it to be a great addition when getting bendy on carpet-filled hotel rooms. The subtle suede finish was also a hit. For some, the soft texture when wet ups the yogi’s stability factor. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s made from sustainably sourced, natural rubber. Namaste.

The Details: 26 x 71 x .08 inches | 2.96 pounds | Rubber, latex, polyester

Travel + Leisure / Lucy Silberman

Gaiam Premium Reversible Lunar Wave Yoga Mat

  • Design 4.2 /5

It features an antimicrobial, waterproof layer that is moisture-wicking and nonslip.

This mat is on the thin side, so if your knees or wrists need extra cushion and support, go with another pick.

The small raised nodes covering this mat’s dual-textured sides gives it a gummy feeling that offers greater traction for hands and feet to keep you steady so you don’t slip. The result: a tremendous grip that verges on almost feeling sticky at times. Don’t let those little nodes fool you, though, they are tiny enough that they won’t disturb those peaceful moments on the mat, not even while you’re letting the day’s work sink in during Savasana. Did we mention we are also moonstruck by the stunningly painted design of moons in its many forms? FYI: If you are a visually stimulated person, a mat with a cool design, like this one, can make your practice more pleasurable, says Ingber. A handy bonus: With this mat you also get access to an online library of yoga content .

The Details: 8 x 24 inches | 6 millimeters | PVC, latex-free

Best for Hot Yoga

Bala play mat.

  • Comfort 3.9 /5
  • Portability 4.5 /5

Its surface is antimicrobial, waterproof, and moisture wicking.

We had to fold the mat to allow for more cushion when performing exercises on our knees.

One thing’s for sure: You’ll definitely turn heads in your next yoga class with this uniquely shaped mat — it looks like one half of a Band-aid. While that might not sound especially elegant, the Bala The Play Mat is just that. In fact, we think this sleek design has a chic look. Aesthetics aside, investing in this mat, which Reese Witherspoon is a fan of , means getting behind a product with a non-slip surface that offers a no-budge grip to help you stay put when the temperature rises in hot yoga class and the sweat starts to pour. We felt incredibly secure while maneuvering across its smooth and seal-like surface.

The Details: 71.3 x 26.5 inches | 2.96 pounds | Natural rubber

Travel + Leisure / Abigail Moore

Other Travel Yoga Mats We Liked

Two yoga mats didn’t quite make our list, but they still scored well and had a few key standout features that placed them in a league of their own.

YogaAccessories 1/4" Deluxe Yoga Mat : At 74 inches long, this foam-based mat is longer than traditional ones, which tend to land around 68 inches, making it more amenable to those over 6 feet. It’s also extra thick, making kneeling poses, like Camel, Low Lunge, and Cat/Cow, more manageable, especially for those with extra sensitivity in this area. That said, this 3.6-pound pick can be a little unruly when it comes to transporting it, making it less portable than they had hoped.

lululemon The Mat 3mm : This barely-there option — it’s only 0.12 inches thick — is dual-sided, boasting one that’s sticky and nubby to keep you stable and grounded while the other is smooth and cushioned for workouts that won’t leave you drenched (think a couple of quick stretches versus a full-on power flow.) While we love that it comes in six gorgeous shades and has an antimicrobial layer that keeps mold and mildew at bay, we weren’t fans of how moisture marks remained long after we finished our last flow.

We tested 19 mats from notable brands (think Manduka, Lululemon and Jade) through three to five yoga classes per week over a four-week testing period. During this time, each yoga mat was assessed for its design, comfort, grip, and portability — all features that Ingber said can make or break a yoga practice. (FYI: Testers we’ll continue putting these mats through their paces for an additional six months and collect insights.)

In the end, the standouts put the kibosh on sweat (at least most of them), weren’t overly cushy but left our joints feeling happy, and offered a stellar grip when flowing through poses.

Tips for Buying a Travel Yoga Mat

Don’t forget about weight.

Lugging around a super heavy mat can make any yoga feel less than Zen, especially if it saddles you with a heavy baggage fee at the airport. That’s why it’s wise to reach for more lightweight styles (think under 2.5 pounds), so you can easily transport it to your final destination.

Consider stickiness

As far as yoga mats go, stickiness is equivalent to traction.  So if you’re looking to lower your risk of slipping and sliding all over the place, the stickier, the better (PVC yoga mats have a pretty high stickiness factor). Also handy for staying power: mats with a raised texture.

Plan for extra support

According to Ingber, thinner yoga mats make great travel companions, as they fold easily and usually weigh less. She also notes that barely there mats “will often leave you feeling every bit of the floor,” which is why shoring up your practice space with a towel or shirt to counter any pain points (think wrists or knees) or cushion more weight-bearing asanas is advisable.

First determine what type of mat you have, as some are meant to be folded and others rolled. If the former, follow the creases, if they are apparent, or simply fold it small enough to fit into the storage space you are aiming for. The latter? Roll it as tightly and evenly as possible. Ultimately, the key is to make it work for the luggage you are using.

When not traveling, consider rolling up your mat and placing it in a mat bag. This will help you keep the practice surface clean, crease-free, and for the most part unscathed, especially if you have a furry friend roaming around your home.

From Astura Yoga Mat Detox to TreeActiv Yoga Mat Spray to Moxe Yoga Mat Cleaner , there are no shortages of quality sprays lining shelves that can help eliminate sweat, stenches, and bacteria. You can also go the DIY route mixing apple cider vinegar in a 1:4 ratio and adding a few drops of tea tree oil. No matter what route you choose, proper cleaning will help extend the life of your mat.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Rozalynn S. Frazier is an award-winning, multimedia journalist with more than 20 years of experience reporting on health and fitness. She is also a NASM-certified personal trainer and an avid exerciser, who routinely puts wellness tools and fitness gear through its paces to help access which products are worthy of praise. She has created content for SELF, Shape, Men’s Health, Real Simple, Oprah Daily, Cosmopolitan, among others. Yoga instructor and author Mandy Ingber also contributed insights to this roundup.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter , and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

professional travel yoga mat

The 7 Best Travel Yoga Mats

professional travel yoga mat

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Visiting new destinations by air or on a road trip opens up many possibilities for sun salutations and a relaxing yoga session. A compact yoga mat is key to saving space in your luggage. There’s nothing worse than juggling an unwieldy mat while checking in for your flight or a bouncing mat in your arms while flagging down your taxi when running late for your trip.

With so many yoga mats on the market out there, narrowing them down to fit your needs and preferences will keep the important elements of your trip planning at the forefront of your mind. Whether you’re looking for no-slip construction, sweat-absorbing technology, or a super cute design, we’ve got you covered with high-quality options for every need. We researched the top options, considering their size, material, and intended use.

Read on to see our picks for the best travel yoga mats available.

  • What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, lululemon carry onwards mat.

Machine washable

Soft side may be hard to grip

Have you experienced that annoying fraying you get after your mat has been through a thousand downward-facing dogs? Lululemon offers a solution with their Carry Onwards Mat, which has clean-cut edges that don’t fray. The yoga mat weighs less than 3 pounds but is still made with the good stuff: sustainably sourced rubber material and a microfiber side that makes good grips possible. If you have another mat to work with, this one can serve as a top layer for soaking up your sweat during hot yoga. The mat folds as neatly as a thin towel and will fit easily into your carry-on luggage or overnight backpack without weighing it down.

Folded Dimensions: 13.4 x 6.5 x 2.2 inches | Unfolded Dimensions: 26 x 71 inches, 2 millimeters | Weight: 2.96 pounds

Best Budget

Gaiam folding travel yoga mat.

Multiple color options

Grippy surface

Doesn't provide much cushion

Being both an affordable price point and compact, the Gaiam mat checks many traveling yogi’s boxes. The 2-millimeter ultra-lightweight mat folds flat into a 10 x 12-inch square and weighs just 2 pounds. The foldable mat will pack easily into your carry-on next to your clothing and shoe bag and won’t tip the scales in making your bag overweight. The polyvinyl chloride mat is made with a sticky texture to help you hold your poses longer and comes in bright, cheery colors like purple, paisley, and blue.

Folded Dimensions: 10 x 12 inches | Unfolded Dimensions: 24 x 68 inches, 2 millimeters | Weight: 2 pounds

Best Eco-Friendly

Manduka eko superlite yoga travel mat.

Wicks moisture

Responsibly sourced materials

Could be thicker

For those environmentally conscious yogis, there is a mat for you. Maduka’s eKO Mat is a natural yoga mat made from sustainably harvested tree rubber. Comprised of cotton and polyester materials, the 2.2-pound travel mat is lightweight and gives you the strong grip you need when performing even the most advanced yoga poses. The sweat dripping down will not impede your routine as the mat is made with a closed-cell surface technology that repels sweat.

Folded Dimensions: Not listed | Unfolded Dimensions: 24 x 71 inches x 1.5 millimeters | Weight: 2.2 pounds

Best Printed Design

Pendleton fire legend yoga mat.

Free from phthalates, latex, and heavy metal

Unique design

Not foldable

Weighing only 2.5 pounds, the Pendleton Fire Legend Mat will fit comfortably under your arm or tucked inside your checked luggage. Although known for their sweaters and blankets, Pendleton partnered with the Yeti brand to collaborate on this exclusive fire legend pattern, which features bright and dynamic colors. The materials are also high quality, using a PVC textured top with a rubber bottom.

Folded Dimensions: Not listed | Unfolded Dimensions: 24 x 72 inches | Weight: 2.5 pounds

Best Folding Mat

Yogo ultralight folding yoga mat.

Features carrying straps

Philanthropic program

Hands may slip when sweaty

For those constantly on the go, you need a yoga mat that can roll with your hectic travel plans. The folding ingenuity of the YoGo Ultralight Folding Yoga Mat allows you to pack this 2-pound mat into a newspaper size. The attached straps make it easy to carry around if you aren’t tucking it into your carry-on luggage. Even with the small size, the grip is super sticky to prevent sliding when posing. The brand also gives back: for every mat purchased; one tree is planted in Africa.

Folded Dimensions: 12 x 5 x 3 inches | Unfolded Dimensions: 24 x 68 inches, 1.5 millimeters | Weight: 2 pounds

Best for Advanced Yogis

Manduka pro travel yoga mat.

Good thickness/weight balance

Easy to disinfect

Only available in one color

Similar to the brand’s 1.5-millimeter eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat, this one is just a bit thicker with extra padding. The mat is made with the brand’s Performance Grip technology which uses hygienic, closed-cell construction and helps you hold that flying pigeon pose even longer. Sanitizing the mat is sometimes the tough part of a yogi’s job, but the Pro Travel Yoga Mat makes cleaning much easier with the closed-cell construction.

Folded Dimensions: Not listed | Unfolded Dimensions: 24 x 71 inches x 2.5 millimeters | Weight: 2.4 pounds

Best For Hot Yoga

Lululemon the reversible mat.

Plenty of padding

Antimicrobial treatment

If you’re looking to go deeper into your warrior poses and downward-facing dogs, you need a yoga mat with more cushion for your yoga pushing. This mat was designed with a natural rubber base, has a polyurethane top layer that helps to absorb sweat, and is resistant to mold and mildew. You should clean it and leave it to air dry after every session to keep the mat fresh.

Folded Dimensions: Not listed | Unfolded Dimensions: 26 x 71 inches x 5 millimeters | Weight: 5.24 pounds

What to Look for in a Travel Yoga Mat

The ideal material for a travel yoga mat is easy to clean and lightweight. A rubber bottom layer with a microfiber top is a common combination, as well as polyurethane, PVC, and even cotton. Look for top layers that wick moisture or improve grip when wet.

A standard yoga mat is 24 x 68 inches. This size is generally practical for adults up to 5 feet, 8 inches tall. However, many brands offer variations, mainly in the form of long or extra-long options. When selecting a travel mat, also take note of the folded dimensions, as this will give you an idea of how much space you'll need in your luggage.

Intended Use

There is a trade-off with travel yoga mats—padding for weight. Since you'll be taking your mat with you either on a trip to visit family or to attend a traditional yoga course in India , a lightweight, compact option serves best. Therefore, these picks tend to be on the thinner end of the padding spectrum. If you intend to flow on softer surfaces such as sand or grass, you may not even notice. But, if you'll be on harder hotel room floors, opt for a mat with adequate cushion.

Whether you have a closed- or open-cell mat, wiping it down after every practice with a store-bought or DIY cleaner is a good idea. Once a month, you should deep clean your mat to remove buildup.

For routine cleaning, spray the cleaner on your towel and wipe the entire mat surface in circular motions—clean both sides before rolling or folding up your mat. Before selecting a cleaner, check the care instructions for your mat.

Typically, a thickness of 4 to 5 millimeters is ideal for most practices. As mentioned above, travel mats tend to be very thin, so they can be folded down to fit in bags. You can layer a blanket or towel under your mat if your joints want more padding.

If you are carrying a backpack, look for one with external straps to carry walking poles or a tent. A tightly rolled mat can be vertically stored here, saving precious space inside your pack. A foldable mat is ideal if you take a checked bag or carry-on. In both cases, a dedicated mat bag will keep dirt and debris at bay.

Adrienne Jordan  has been practicing yoga for over seven years, and her favorite place to flow is outdoors in tropical climates. Therefore, when bringing her yoga mats on planes and trains, she has experimented with several lightweight and foldable options to keep her suitcase weight down.

The Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking and Camping

The 8 Best Portable High Chairs of 2024

The 9 Best Travel Strollers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 8 Best Travelpro Luggage Items of 2024

The 9 Best Beach Chairs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 12 Best Comfortable Women’s Boots, Tested and Reviewed

The 12 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 8 Best Duffel Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 10 Best Delsey Luggage Items of 2024

The 8 Best Air Mattresses for Camping of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 7 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

The 9 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The Best Daypacks for Hiking of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 9 Best Carry-on Luggage for Men of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 9 Best Rolling Duffels of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 11 Best Carry-on Backpacks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

  • Conditionally
  • Newsletter Signup

6 Best Travel Yoga Mats in 2023

professional travel yoga mat

By Mary Beth Skylis

6 Best Travel Yoga Mats in 2023

As someone who exercises frequently and is always on the move, I’ve discovered that not all workout equipment is well suited for travel, especially when it comes to yoga mats . Over the years, I’ve tested out a lot of travel mats during trips across the world—and the ones that stood out all shared similar features (such as a compact design, easy-to-clean surfaces, and lightweight structure).

But don’t just take my word for it: To help you identify a great travel yoga mat for your next trip, SELF consulted experts and pulled together a list of the best options available. Whether you want to keep up with your practice on vacation or stretch it all out while on the road, one of these mats can help you achieve those goals.

How to choose a travel yoga mat

First things first: If you’ll be bringing it on the go, it has to be easy to haul: “When it comes to a travel mat, it has to be grippy, lightweight, and portable enough to fit in my carry-on bag,” Jake Panasevich , a registered yoga instructor based in Philadelphia, tells SELF.

As for yoga mat material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a popular choice for travelers because of its grip—but many yogis prefer natural rubber, which offers a bit more cushion. And for an easier-to-clean mat (a major plus when you’re on a trip), look for a closed-cell design , meaning the material is nonporous, Sarah Larson Levey , a registered yoga instructor and cofounder of Y7 Studio in NYC, previously told SELF.

Though standard yoga mats are generally at least three millimeters thick, something thinner is ideal for folding, rolling, and squeezing into travel bags, Morgan Rodríguez, a registered yoga instructor and founder of Grounding Down , tells SELF. You should also consider overall weight: Most options range from two to seven pounds, but an ideal travel mat will come in a little lighter—say, between two and four pounds. That said, minimalist mats may not be well-suited for all yogis: A thicker mat with more cushion might feel way more comfortable for people with sensitive knees or joint pain, Annie Moves , a registered yoga instructor at Alo Moves, previously told SELF.

Other features can help keep your mat ultraportable too. For instance, strap bands keep it folded or rolled up during expeditions, replacing bulky mat bags.

Below, you’ll find yogi- and expert-recommended picks, as well as some of my favorite mats. All of these options are under four pounds, less than two millimeters thick, and super easy to pack.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat

Best Overall: eKO Manduka Superlite Travel Mat

The Manduka Superlite Travel Mat is one of Panasevich’s favorite travel yoga mats. It has a closed-cell structure, which helps prevent moisture from seeping into the fibers, so it doesn’t get too stinky with regular use. When it’s time to pack, you can easily fold this mat down to the size of a laptop.

  • Weight : 2 lb
  • Thickness : 1.5 mm
  • Unrolled size : 71" long x 24" wide

Liforme Travel Mat

Best for Form: The Liforme Travel Yoga Mat

The Liforme Travel mat comes with alignment markings, which show you where to position your body to maintain proper form. Its thin design helps keep it portable for travel, and the rubber surface is grippy enough for sweaty workouts. One customer wrote: “This is the absolute best mat for hot yoga or for any yoga where you’re going to sweat. It’s tiny and so easy to take with you on the road.” That said, at over three pounds, this Liforme Travel Yoga Mat is the heaviest option on our list.

  • Weight : 3.5 lb
  • Thickness : 2.2 mm
  • Unrolled size : 71" long x 26" wide

Lululemon The  Mat

Best for Hot Yoga: Lululemon (Un) Mat

Hot yoga lovers know how difficult it can be to find a mat that stays sticky even after it gets drenched in sweat. This is one area where Lululemon’s (Un) Mat excels: It features Lulu’s famous grippy layer, which helps minimize slipping and sliding, even as the class warms up. Plus I love that it’s substantially lighter than most Lululemon mats, which makes it easier to transport during my travels.

  • Weight: 2.32 lb
  • Thickness: 1.5 mm
  • Unrolled Size: 71" long x 26" wide

Yoloha Nomad Air Cork Yoga Mat

Best Cork Option: Yoloha Yoga Nomad Cork Yoga Mat

The combination of cork and natural rubber means this mat is flexible and easy to fold or roll. I’ve personally taken the Yoloha Nomad mat on so many adventures, and I’ve found it has phenomenal durability and non-slip grip. Plus, I can easily tuck it away into most baggage compartments.

  • Weight : 2.5 lb
  • Unrolled size : 72" long x 26" wide

These Hair Loss Treatments Actually Work, According to Dermatologists

By Krissy Brady

3 Simple Ways to Make Daylight Saving Time Feel Less Awful

By Korin Miller

3 COVID Experts on Why the CDC’s New Isolation Guidelines Are Bad for Public Health

By Reina Sultan

JadeYoga Jade Voyager Mat

Best Grip: Jade Yoga Voyager Mat

The Voyager comes with the same reliable grip that Jade mats are famous for, which allows yogis to keep their hands and feet firmly planted—even during an ultra-sweaty flow. This model in particular can pack down to a third of the size of a standard yoga mat. “I bring my trusty Jade mat everywhere. I even flew it to Nepal. I’m not willing to sacrifice the right amount of padding or non-slip grip,” Amy Burgart, a yoga instructor in Colorado, tells SELF.

  • Weight : 1.5 lb
  • Unrolled size : 68" long x 24" wide

Gaiam Folding Travel Exercise Mat

Best Budget Mat: Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat

Finding ways to budget can help you get the most out of your travels, which is just one reason why this Gaiam mat is a great pick for adventurous yogis. Not only is it the least expensive one on our list, but the mat also folds into a 10-inch-by-12-inch square, which makes it easier to tuck away in your suitcase.

One reviewer called it a “must for flight attendants or frequent travelers.” Whereas, another customer loved that it’s “lightweight, folds up easily and compactly, and fits in a suitcase. It has a nice sticky surface to help you hold poses.” It even comes with a lifetime guarantee!

  • Weight: 3 lb
  • Thickness: 2 mm
  • Unrolled size: 68" long x 24" wide

professional travel yoga mat

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

The Best Folding Treadmills, According to Experts

  • Health and fitness

The Best Yoga Mats

An assortment of rolled up yoga mats.

A yoga mat should be comfortable and supportive, provide sufficient grip to keep you from slipping, and be no-fuss enough to clean and carry.

Our hatha and hot-yoga instructors Downward-Dogged, Ashtanga vinyasa-flowed, and Savasanaed on 38 top-rated yoga mats (and one mat alternative), and the one that came out on top is Lululemon’s The Mat 5mm . Its dual-textured sides, firm-yet-cushiony rubber construction, and ample size will have you covered, no matter what style of yoga you practice.

You don’t need to invest so much to get started with yoga: Our budget pick (for more than seven years running) costs well under half what our other picks do and has held up surprisingly well in long-term testing. We have recommendations for all-rubber and non-rubber, latex-free mats, too. Our travel mat pick folds to fit neatly in a suitcase.

Everything we recommend

professional travel yoga mat

Lululemon The Mat 5mm

The best yoga mat.

Your hands and feet won’t budge, and the 5 millimeters of natural rubber provide plenty of padding for knees. It’s available in a massive Big size too.

Buying Options

professional travel yoga mat

JadeYoga Harmony Mat

A natural rubber option.

Made of natural rubber, this mat feels like it suctions to your fingers and toes, and is especially good for hot yoga. But being rubber, it has that telltale odor, especially when new.

professional travel yoga mat

Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip Yoga Mat

A rubber-free mat.

This PVC mat offers comparable stickiness, support, and cushioning to our two top picks, but without the latex.

(select colors)

Budget pick

professional travel yoga mat

Yoga Accessories 1/4″ Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat

A bargain mat that holds up.

This squishy ¼-inch (6.2 millimeters) PVC mat is a bargain—because it lasts. It’s 4 inches longer than your average cheapie, too.

professional travel yoga mat

JadeYoga Voyager

A foldable mat for travel.

This rubber mat folds small but still provides excellent traction. Expect to sacrifice some cushioning for that portability, though.

What to consider

Most yoga mats are made of rubber, PVC, or TPE. Some are made of cork or other materials. All vary in thickness and surface texture.

Regular wipe-downs and occasional deep cleans will extend the life of your yoga mat.

Lululemon’s The Mat 5mm scored high marks on all nine attributes our professional testers rated, including stickiness, weight, thickness, durability, and overall feel. Lululemon’s mat has two sides: a smooth, “sticky” polyurethane side that makes your hands and feet adhere to the mat, and a spongy, synthetic and natural rubber “grippy” side that instead provides traction via a textured surface. This lets you dial in how much traction you need, whether you are doing hot yoga or restorative yoga, or are just someone who might sweat a lot. The 5-millimeter-thick natural rubber is supportive, so sensitive knees and elbows won’t sink through to the floor. It’s slightly oversize—3 inches longer and 2 inches wider than a standard mat—which gives you some breathing room but doesn’t take up tons of space in a cramped class or smaller room. If you need even more real estate, the (Big) Mat is literally the size of a door. These mats are on the heavy side, and the surface tends to show dust, dirt, and smudges that are hard to clean.

The JadeYoga Harmony Mat is made from 100% rubber, and this offers some advantages, because it absorbs a lot of moisture and helps maintain traction in sweaty situations—possibly too much for some people, as it can be hard to pivot your feet or slide your hands when flowing from one pose to another. It’s slightly thinner than our top pick at 3/16 inch (4¾ millimeters) thick, but it still provides a spongy-yet-supportive feel under hand, foot, and knee. It comes in four sizes, including the XW (extra-wide) line , but know that the bigger size you choose, the heavier it gets—and rubber isn’t light to start with. This mat has a strong rubber smell, at least for a while, which not everyone loves, and rubber also contains latex. If you have a latex allergy, try our rubber-free recommendation below.

If you have an allergy to latex or dislike the smell of rubber, consider the 5-millimeter-thick Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip Yoga Mat . It is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and has ample cushioning and firm support that pleased our joints and grounded our standing poses. The smooth top layer, meant to wick away moisture, kept our hands and feet locked in place while allowing freedom for transitions during a flow. The mat is relatively light at 4¼ pounds, roughly a pound lighter than our top pick—a consideration if you carry your mat often.

You don’t have to spend $50-plus for a quality mat. In a world where PVC foam mats are a dime a dozen, YogaAccessories has produced a low-cost option of value. Its PVC foam is a lofty ¼-inch (6.2 millimeters) thick, plus the mat is generously cut, extending 4 inches longer than the standard size, and available in more than a dozen vivid colors.

The thin, lightweight JadeYoga Voyager is the only travel mat we tested that folded compactly for packing, provided excellent traction during practice, and didn’t slip or shift on the floor. We found the traction of this rubber mat to be as good as that offered by our runner-up pick, also made by JadeYoga. This mat does have less cushioning than our other picks. But if you prefer a plusher feel, our yoga instructor testers found that the Voyager stayed as secure when used on carpet or atop another mat as it did on the floor.

The research

Why you should trust us, how we picked and tested, how our picks compare, our pick: lululemon the mat 5mm, runner-up: jadeyoga harmony mat, runner-up: gaiam performance dry-grip yoga mat, budget pick: yogaaccessories 1/4″ extra thick deluxe yoga mat, also great: jadeyoga voyager, care and maintenance, environmental and end-of-life issues, other good yoga mats, the competition.

To learn all we could about how to choose and care for a yoga mat, we interviewed yoga instructors, a sustainable manufacturing expert, a dermatologist, and a professor of microbiology and environmental sciences. We then recruited two accomplished yoga instructors, hatha/vinyasa specialist Juan Pablo Gomez and hot-yoga practitioner Arden Goll , to practice on and carefully evaluate yoga mats.

Our yoga mat picks in a group.

To narrow the enormous field (seriously: searching “yoga mats” on Amazon yields more than 2,000 results), we spent hours reading customer reviews. We also talked to the big-name manufacturers to learn what was new in their lines and to the founder of the online yoga platform YouAligned (formerly YogiApproved), to get a sense of both trendy and tried-and-true in yoga mat designs. In addition to testing mats that customers had reviewed well, we also aimed to find a wide variety of options in price, size, and material. (For this guide, we did not test mats designed specifically for Pilates or other exercise. These tend to be larger and, often, thicker than the yoga mats we review here.)

large group of yoga mats of various colors rolled and stacked on a wooden floor

Next, our intrepid yoga instructors practiced on each mat, evaluating overall experience while carefully weighing each of the following nine attributes:

  • size (rolled and unrolled)
  • portability and weight (for carrying to and from class)
  • stickiness (with dry versus sweaty hands and feet)
  • thickness, squishiness, and support (adequate, too much, or too little?)
  • surface texture and feel (on your skin and under hand and foot)
  • ease of unrolling (and staying flat)
  • odor (if one exists or goes away)
  • attractiveness

Finally, after our pro yogis turned in their extensive notes, we practiced on each of the top picks to get a personal feel for what attributes made each mat worthy of our recommendation.

a partially unrolled black yoga mat on a light wood floor.

Lululemon The Mat 5mm aced our test for its impressive versatility. The mat has two sides—a “sticky” side and “grippy” side. Sticky means it actually sticks; grippy refers to traction, created by a texture. We’d love to tell you which to choose, but this is an eternal debate in yoga, and is based on how you practice—hot or not, sweaty or dry—and what feels best against your body.

The sticky side is made of smooth polyurethane and has a lot of traction, even in the very sweaty conditions of a hot-yoga class; our instructor said it was one of the only mats that didn’t require her to put down a towel once things got really drippy. The opposite “grippy” side is made of rubber and provided just as much traction, no matter the moisture conditions.

Getting the right padding in a yoga mat is a tricky balance. If it’s too squishy, pointy joints may sink too deep into it, and balancing on the surface becomes challenging because too much support is lost to the compression. Then again, if it’s too firm, you might as well practice directly on the floor. With a few exceptions, 5 millimeters (about ¼ inch) is fairly standard for yoga mats, and that’s exactly how padded the Lululemon mat is. The dual-material makeup does the job well, though we found the rubber side to be even kinder to the knees.

Our top pick, the Lululemon Reversible 5mm Mat, rolled up.

The Lululemon mat also comes in two sizes to accommodate different body types and preferences. Most people will be more than satisfied with the regular 71-by-26-inch mat, which is 3 inches longer and 2 inches wider than a standard mat. It has ample space to keep you in its confines during a vigorous flow. The Big version is a monster: It measures 84 inches (that’s 7 feet) long and 28 inches wide, which prompted one of Amy’s trainer friends—a 6-foot-2, 350-pound bodybuilder—to light up with glee and remark, “That’s the size of a door!”

Lululemon makes two lighter-weight versions of The Mat: The Mat 3mm and The Lightweight Mat (5 mm) for travel, both of which have the same extra-grippy surface area and dimensions (71 by 26 inches) as the regular mat. Both are lighter to carry, rolled up, to class—the trade-off being reduced cushioning.

One long-term tester, who has owned the mat for three years, appreciates its cushiony texture, which is still dense enough to help her feel “rooted.” Its surfaces earn praise, too: “Grip is my main priority, as I sweat a lot, and this mat stays grippy even as I drip sweat from my forehead.”

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Lululemon mats aren’t light to carry around—an issue if you’re walking or biking to class but less so if you practice at home. The regular size weighs just under 5¼ pounds, and the Big mat is over 7 pounds.

Being more than half rubber in composition, this mat had a faint smell, though not nearly as strong as that of the JadeYoga mat or the odiferous Hugger Mugger . In fact, by the time we got to practice on the Lululemon mat (after the yoga instructors had tested it), the scent had basically disappeared. One long-term tester enjoys the smell (“It makes the room feel more gymlike”) and loves the mat overall but has one quibble: She bought the mat in a light color and notes that “sweat really shows up on it.”

“The first time I used it, I thought something on my clothes must have stained it,” she says. Sweat outlines do fade completely as they dry, but she recommends buying a darker color if this is a concern. Note, though, that even a dark blue version we own tends to show sweat marks, which also eventually fade. (Even a wet ponytail left a stamp.)

A company spokesperson told us the mat should never be rolled up when wet—this can cause the mat’s layers to peel or separate. Proper care, including cleaning and allowing the mat to fully dry between uses (which may mean unrolling it at home after a class) is essential for its longevity.

A partially unrolled green JadeYoga Harmony mat on a wood floor

For those who prefer a mat with only natural rubber, consider the grippy  JadeYoga Harmony Mat . The surface texture feels like a million tiny suction cups that glue to your skin at every contact point, which is particularly useful when attempting to hold any sort of balance-heavy pose—you definitely aren’t going to lose it because your foot or hand slipped. In fact, we sometimes found pivoting movements, say, from a high lunge to a Warrior 2, a bit of a challenge because of all the friction.

It also comes in four sizes. Just keep in mind that the bigger you go in area, the heavier the mat is to carry: The smallest is a reasonable 4½ pounds, and the largest is a getting-awkward 6½ pounds.

A green JadeHarmony yoga mat rolled up on a wood floor

At 3/16 inch (4¾ millimeters) thick, the Harmony Mat has just enough cushion to pad, though it doesn’t feel quite as plush as the slightly thicker dual-material Lululemon mat. That said, with its durable material, the JadeYoga can be given a bath or even cleaned in a front-loader washer on gentle—just be prepared for a long drying time, as this puppy really sucks up water. In fact, it did nearly as good a job at absorbing sweat and wicking it away as the Lululemon, making it a great pick for heated classes, too. If you’d like additional cushioning (and don’t mind the heft it adds) and prefer an all-rubber mat, our testers liked JadeYoga’s 5/16-inch-thick (about 8 millimeters)  Fusion Mat .

As with any natural rubber product, there’s that smell; it was more pungent than the Lululemon’s but less than the Hugger Mugger’s , which really reeked. Because it’s a rubber mat, it also contains latex, so it’s not good for those with a latex allergy. (If you’re looking for a latex-free rubber mat, consider the Clever Yoga LiquidBalance Mat , which we also reviewed .)

Some people may find that the Harmony mat’s texture provides too much grip, hindering pivots and some sliding movements. In that case, we recommend the rubber Manduka eKO Mat 5mm .

Following our initial testing, several people (including a Wirecutter staffer) have noted that certain JadeYoga mats they purchased from late 2016 through 2017 wore out much more quickly than expected. Upon our inquiry, JadeYoga’s president, Dean Jerrehian, indicated that the company had experienced an uptick in premature wear complaints (from an estimated 1 in 2,500 mats to around 1 in 1,000) regarding mats manufactured between October 2016 and August 2017, during which time it had changed the mats’ fabrication in an effort to make them lighter (for the sake of portability). Since August 2017, the company has returned to its original formula, Jerrehian said. He pointed to the company’s one-year warranty , which covers premature wear. How long any all-rubber yoga mat will last depends on how you use (and clean ) it. “The average lifespan for our mats is about two to three years, but some people have them much longer and some replace them more frequently,” Jerrehian said. We’ve noticed some reviewers on the JadeYoga site reporting that their Harmony Mat has lasted for five, seven, even 11 years.

A Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip yoga mat partially unrolled on a hardwood floor

If you dislike the smell of rubber or are allergic to latex, look to a rubber-free mat. The Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip Yoga Mat , constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and free of latex, delivers a supportive, cushioned experience that rivals those of our top rubber picks.

The Performance Dry-Grip is nearly identical to our former latex-free runner-up pick, Gaiam’s Athletic Duramat, which is now discontinued. The Performance Dry-Grip has a glossy flower print on its surface and is slightly smaller than its predecessor—a standard 68 by 24 inches versus 78 by 26 inches. The mat is 3 inches shorter and 2 inches narrower than our top pick, though we didn’t feel cramped on it at all.

An rolled up Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip yoga mat standing on a hardwood floor

At 5 millimeters thick (the same as our top pick), the mat offers ample cushioning and firm support; our knees and elbows remained content even during prolonged planks and kneeling. We felt pleasantly grounded in standing poses, the mat providing enough cushion to root into, but adequate support to avoid a sinking feeling. Its smooth surface is built for a slip-less experience. The top layer, meant to wick away moisture, kept our hands and feet firmly in place, while allowing for freedom during transitions. We did not test the mat in a hot-yoga class, but we did spritz our hands with water to approximate a seriously sweaty session and didn’t slide.

The mat emits an odor in the beginning, which was noticeable on nose-to-mat postures like Child’s Pose and on our hands after use. The odor faded after a few days but didn’t disappear completely, particularly on the underside. The surface has a tendency to pick up lint and dust (rug fuzz from a shedding wool carpet glommed on to ours), but a quick wipe with a towel took care of it. We also noticed visible handprints and streaks after use, which waned eventually.

The mat is relatively light at 4¼ pounds—roughly a pound lighter than our top pick, the Lululemon The Mat 5mm. This might not seem like much. But if you plan to tote your mat from place to place, overall heft can make a difference.

The Performance Dry-Grip also comes in an “XL” size that’s 78 inches long and 26 inches wide.

The Yoga Accessories Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat.

The Yoga Accessories ¼″ Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat 's PVC foam is uncommonly lofty for its price, providing ¼ inch (6.2 millimeters) of material to support your body in any pose, and is made without those widely dreaded phthalates. Like many inexpensive mats, it compresses more than its denser, pricier cousins, but most people will find the support adequate.

More than adequate is its generous 74-inch length, a full 6 inches longer than some competitors, yet not so long that you’re taking up more than your fair share of floor space in class. Even with the extra size, it weighs an extremely portable 3.6 pounds.

An orange yoga mat rolled up on a hardwood floor

The stickiness is fine under dry hands and feet, though particularly wobbly or sweaty yogis will definitely appreciate the sweat absorption of the rubber picks from Lululemon and JadeYoga. Our pro yogis also expressed concern about how durable this mat would be over time; being PVC, it shouldn’t be thrown away but instead recycled or upcycled .

One long-term tester, who chose a light color of this mat, has found that it can show dirt even after cleaning.

The JadeYoga Voyager mat folded to show the top and bottom sides.

Unlike other folding travel mats we tested, the JadeYoga Voyager offers excellent traction. It didn’t slip or shift on the floor during our practice. At just 1/16 inch (about 1.6 millimeters) thick, the Voyager doesn’t offer much padding compared with our cushier picks. But that lack of cushioning also makes it easy to fold up and stash in either a backpack or carry-on suitcase.

Unfurled, the Voyager provides a full 68-by-24-inch natural-rubber practice area—the same as a standard mat (though smaller than the Lululemon The Mat). It’s as grippy under hand and foot as the Harmony , also made by JadeYoga (though not as grippy as our top pick from Lululemon ). It also didn’t shift, slide, or bunch up on the floor during our testing, unlike several of its competitors. At just 1½ pound, it’s also among the lightest mats we tested and is significantly lighter than all of our other picks. If you want more squish, you can place it on a carpet or atop a rental mat at the studio; we found that it didn’t slip on those surfaces any more than on a hard floor.

The Voyager shown folded down all the way.

Both of our yoga instructors praised the Voyager highly for its portability and traction, selecting it as either their favorite or second-favorite travel mat. Depending on the style of yoga you practice or your preferences, though, you may need to make a few adjustments. Our hot yoga instructor noted that the rubber felt almost too grippy and somewhat coarse on her skin and she had to put down a towel to absorb sweat near the end of class. Still, she preferred it over most of the travel competitors, which could become slippery during a heated session.

How you clean and store your yoga mat will keep it in usable shape longer. All mats come with care instructions specific to the materials they’re made of, but generally you should wipe your mat clean after every few uses with a water-dampened cloth, a homemade diluted vinegar solution or a gentle mat wash, and then allow it to fully dry before storing.

In real-world terms, that means wiping and rolling up your mat after class, then laying it out to dry at home, possibly with another wipe-down on a second rollout. For spot cleaning stubborn stains and grime, try a mixture of dish soap and water. For deeper cleaning, consider soaking your mat in the bathtub.

Although you can wash most yoga mats in a machine, the stretching and tumbling can easily tear a PVC or non-rubber mat. Rubber mats typically fare better in the washer, but they suck up a ton of moisture and can take forever to dry.

Natural rubber and many plastic foams degrade when exposed to UV light. That means no drying wet mats in the sun or leaving them in a hot car, and possibly no al fresco classes; of our picks, JadeYoga and Gaiam specifically caution against prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Yoga mat materials can create a thicket of concerns for many yogis, and many companies that make yoga mats try to appeal to the environmentally sensitive nature of their audience. JadeYoga says it does not source the rubber for its mats from Amazon trees. Manduka previously accepted old mats (for a $10 fee on top of a new mat purchase) for downcycling.

As we note in our guide to foam rollers , purchasing a quality item that suits your goals and expectations is key to securing a tool you’ll ostensibly use (and enjoy) for a long time. Yoga mats follow suit.

Eric Wilmanns, principal and founder of Brown and Wilmanns Environmental, views the use of a product from a life-cycle perspective. “Yes, the majority of yoga mats, especially the ones made from a variety of materials, are not going to be composted, reused, or recycled,” he said. “But if they last significantly longer, they may end up having a lower impact.”

It can also be tricky to know exactly what you’re getting when it comes to a mat’s material. Wilmanns pointed out that chemicals added to polymers that are meant to add specific physical or cosmetic properties can be viewed as a supplier’s trade secrets and aren’t always revealed. “So even if a brand is told that the primary material is something that is okay, many of the additives are not disclosed and might have profound environmental or health implications,” he said. “I always use the analogy of adding bacon to a veggie burger.” ( Our runner-up rubber-free mat is considered 6P free, meaning it does not contain the six most-studied phthalates.)

Maintaining a sense of personal responsibility and sustainability in light of so many complicated factors can be hard, so if you want to use one of these mats but worry about the impact, focus on what happens to the mat when you’re done using it . Generally, that means finding a second use for it after it’s too worn out for yoga—perhaps as furniture cushioning, an anti-slip surface, or as portable seating, padding, or lining material.

The Clever Yoga LiquidBalance Mat is a generously sized (72.8 by 26.8 inches), latex-free rubber mat. Our hands and feet never slipped on its smooth, sticky, eco-polyurethane surface, and it doesn’t show sweat stains quite as much as our rubber-free pick does. (We tried the LiquidBalance in black; lighter colors may tell a different story.) It comes with a carrying bag, which is helpful considering it weighs a hefty 6½ pounds (1¼ pounds heavier than our top pick and 2 pounds heftier than our natural-rubber pick, the JadeYoga Harmony ). It typically costs around $45 more than the Harmony, and it might be worth that investment if an oversize, latex-free mat is what you’re after.

The rubber Manduka eKO Mat 5mm is plush and grippy with a subtly striped surface texture (reminiscent of tree bark) that performed well damp or dry in our tests. It also just felt good. The mat weighs 7 pounds—2½ pounds more than the JadeYoga Harmony Mat, our runner-up natural-rubber pick —and its 5-millimeter thickness (the Harmony Mat is about 4¾ millimeters) cushioned comfortably. The Manduka eKO Mat’s surface is smoother than that of the Harmony Mat, which is finely textured, so we didn’t get quite the locked-down feel the Harmony Mat provides. But it is confidently grippy and grounding. Made of non-Amazon harvested rubber , the mat gave off a fairly pungent odor in the beginning, and a week after opening it still smelled faintly. Manduka mats have displayed solid durability before: Ingrid owned the eKO Lite Yoga Mat 4mm for about four years; it held up well, save for some fraying at the edges and ultimately succumbing to her cat’s decision to use it as a litter box.

This is not a comprehensive list of all the mats we’ve considered. It includes models we’ve tested that are still available.

The Aurorae Yoga Classic Thick Yoga Mat , made of polymer environmental resin (PER) foam, had divided results. The hatha instructor was generally impressed with its cushiony padding and stickiness and particularly liked the included rosin bag, which helped him get his grip when his hands got sweaty. Our hot-yoga instructor agreed that the rosin helped, but only to a point—toward the end of class, she resorted to layering up with her yoga towel.

The rubber B Mat Everyday 4mm (no longer widely available) we tested had a grippy surface with a subtle texture that felt nice and locked our hands and feet in place, but it was almost too much of a good thing: Pivoting between poses (such as a high lunge to Warrior 2) proved tricky because our feet stuck. The company now offers 10mm and 2mm versions of this mat, which we haven’t tested.

The Clever Yoga Starter Mat is made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) foam and is a cushy ¼ inch thick and 72 by 25¼ inches. Though spacious and lightweight, it lacks a satisfying heft. We slipped a bit on the surface, particularly when it was damp, and despite the rippled texture on the back of the mat, it didn’t stay in place on the floor quite as well as others we tried. It also curled at the ends a bit when unrolled and had the same tendency as the Toplus Yoga Mat Classic ¼-Inch to unspool when rolled up and stored standing or flat.

Gaiam’s Premium 2-Color Yoga Mat and Reversible Yoga Mat are similar: Both are 6 millimeters thick and more squishy and soft than supportive. Each has a textured, softly nubby surface that lets fingers and toes grip easily. The stickiness is there, though at times it feels like literal stickiness—as if a faint coating of something were on the mat (though it’s most likely just the PVC material). These mats are fine for the price, particularly if you prefer a softer, textured surface to a slick, no-slip top layer.

HalfMoon Yoga’s Mighty Mat had fans among readers who commented on a previous version of this guide, so we gave it a go. Both yoga instructors were only mildly impressed by it, finding the mat difficult to unroll and the surface just okay for practice.

We tested the Hugger Mugger Para Mat , which did well in a previous review, when we learned that a new XLXW version measuring 28 inches wide and 78 inches long was launching. Though our yogis enjoyed practicing on the extremely grippy, luxuriously thick (¼ inch or 6.2 millimeters) natural-rubber mat, they found it very heavy to haul around (nearly 10 pounds) and extremely pungent (our hot-yoga instructor described it as smelling like a tire factory, which even bothered her neighbor in class).

The Kulae tpECOmat Ultra mat is made of a TPE material with an extra-plush 8-millimeter (5/16-inch) thickness. The hatha instructor and Amy were big fans of the lightweight yet densely cushioned material, which Amy particularly enjoyed in restorative yoga practice during long-held floor poses. Our hot yoga instructor found it slippery and commented that the material stretched a bit underfoot. Its thickness makes this mat a bit unwieldy to carry when rolled up, despite its 4-pound weight.

The Liforme Yoga Mat has a dual-layered polyurethane and rubber makeup and helpful alignment markings (so you know where to place hands and feet)—and a high price. (The Liforme’s price is almost double that of our similarly fabricated top pick .) Both of our yoga-instructor testers really liked the mat for its stickiness in both hatha and hot yoga, its relatively lightweight construction, and the handy bag it comes in. They really had no complaints, though they pointed out that its thickness of less than 4.8 millimeters (3/16 inch) might not offer enough cushion for some people. Still, for all its “great presentation,” neither tester said they would pay the sticker price.

The Maiya Yoga Mat is generously sized (73 by 25½ inches) and latex free with a slightly textured surface. At 5 millimeters thick, it feels plush and supportive, but in our testing it was slippery. On one of our first days of use, we weren’t able to hold a downward dog without our hands sliding distractingly. (Damp hands slid even more.) The company’s website says grip will improve over time, which may be true—we just haven’t gotten there yet. The mat comes in three pretty prints, and Maiya mats are, according to the company’s website, “the only Indian-American created luxury, designer performance yoga mats.” At $148, they are meant to be a long-term investment, and the company is focused on ethical and environmentally friendly business practices.

The Manduka Pro and the thinner ProLite polyurethane mats have legions of fans who praise them for their durability, which the company backs with a lifetime guarantee. The lingering problem in our testers’ minds: The surface requires extensive breaking in before it’s sticky. The company recognizes this issue and suggests giving these mats a scrub with salt and water “to speed things up a little” while breaking them in.

Nuprava’s The Unity Mat , a reversible, dual-layer mat, is natural rubber on one side and microfiber suede on the other. Meant to absorb sweat during hot yoga practices, the microfiber suede is soft, and it held our hands and feet pretty well. When we reversed the mat, the rubber felt fine, but the mat slid and shifted. At 2 millimeters thick, it’s a hair thicker (0.4 millimeters) than our travel choice; it also weighs 3.3 pounds and is machine washable.

The natural rubber Rumi Sun Yoga Mat takes an interesting approach to grip: The mat has a cotton-fiber-blend fabric mesh set into its surface, which provides some texture. We ultimately found the mat to be almost too rough. Its surface provided a decent amount of grip during both dry and sweaty conditions, but this is not a sticky mat (we experienced some slipping). The Sun Yoga Mat is noticeably dense and at 4.3 mm thick (0.7 mm and 1.9 mm thinner than the Lululemon and Yoga Accessories mats we recommend, respectively) it feels less cushioned than our picks. There was a strong rubber odor when we first unrolled this mat, which stuck around for several days.

Our testers found the Sugamat , made of recycled wetsuits, too coarse for comfort.

The Toplus Yoga Mat Classic ¼-Inch is another cushiony ¼-incher made of a TPE material. Though cushiony and comfortable for floor poses, it didn’t roll out quite flat for us and felt like it stretched a bit during certain poses like Warrior 2. It has an almost sueded texture and a fairly grippy surface, and though it’s exceptionally light, it doesn’t feel substantial. In our experience, when we rolled it for storage, it tended to unspool just enough to be bothersome.

The dual-layer Yoga Design Lab Combo Yoga Mat is a towel-fused rubber mat that’s designed specifically for hot yoga—you can even machine-wash it. However, both yoga instructors struggled with its lack of stickiness when dry and wet.

Yoga Hustle’s The Mat , made of natural rubber with a polyurethane top layer similar to that of our top pick , is 2 inches longer and 3 inches wider. But it’s slightly thinner (4.5 millimeters) and about $40 more expensive. It didn’t stand out as markedly better, though the oversize dimensions gave us a bit more room.

Travel mats

Gaiam makes two nearly identical versions of its PVC travel mat, the Foldable 2mm and the On-The-Go (currently unavailable), the latter of which has integrated carrying straps. Both fold down nicely, and the straps seemed like a good idea—until we realized they were affixed to the mat and got in the way of practice. Our hot yoga instructor complained about the PVC being very slick and “actually had to stop using [the mat] 20 minutes in.”

Lululemon’s The Lightweight Mat 5mm  has the same smooth but grippy texture that our yoga instructors loved on the brand’s The Mat 5mm . At just 1.5 millimeters it’s significantly thinner, which makes it much lighter to carry but also far less cushioned. Unfortunately, it can’t be folded easily—its rolled length of 26 inches is too long to fit inside most backpacks or carry-on suitcases.

The Khataland YoFoMat is bulky (it takes up twice the space of similar mats), cheap feeling (even though it isn’t cheap), and slick to the touch. Neither yoga instructor wanted to test it, and Amy agreed it wasn’t worth their time.

The natural rubber Manduka eKO SuperLite got great reviews from our instructors for its portability. Weighing just 2 pounds, it’s nearly as light as the JadeYoga Voyager, but it doesn’t fold down quite as compactly. Unfortunately, our yogis didn’t agree on the quality of its traction—it satisfied our hatha instructor but had the hot-yoga instructor complaining about slippage from the get-go.

The microfiber top surface of the Toplus 1/16 Inch Travel Yoga Mat has a nice feel, and the mat comes in a tidy plastic sleeve for storage. But our hatha instructor was not impressed with the traction; and though our hot yoga instructor thought it was decent on her trial run, she preferred the JadeYoga Voyager.

We also considered YogaPaws , a set of padded gloves and socks that could easily be the most portable mat-replacement option for traveling yogis. Unfortunately, neither yoga instructor nor Amy much liked practicing in them. Even the thinner version feels thick under your hands and feet, and the socks have a tendency to shift around as you practice.

This article was edited by Tacy Vence and Kalee Thompson.

Meet your guides

professional travel yoga mat

Ingrid Skjong

Ingrid Skjong is a supervising editor on the appliance team, focusing on the likes of ranges, refrigerators, dryers, and dishwashers. She previously covered fitness for Wirecutter and has been an editor and writer at various lifestyle magazines. She is an avid runner and lives in New York City.

professional travel yoga mat

Amy Roberts

Amy Roberts is a certified personal trainer (NASM-CPT), a running coach (USATF Level 1), and a regionally competitive runner. She also served as a staff writer for the Good Housekeeping Institute for nearly five years, working closely with the engineers and other scientists to interpret product test results.

Further reading

Illustration with the words: 100 Most Popular Picks 2021

Wirecutter’s 100 Most Popular Picks of 2021

by Wirecutter Staff

These useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in 2021.

The JadeYoga Harmony Mat rolled up.

How to Breathe New Life Into Your Old Yoga Mat

by Amy Roberts

Yoga mats are rarely recycled. Repurposing an old mat is one way to keep it out of the waste stream for longer.

Different cleaning products with a microfiber cloth on top of a yoga mat.

How to Clean a Yoga Mat

by Ingrid Skjong

Here’s how to keep your mat fresh, clean, and primed for your practice.

Three stacks of cork and foam yoga blocks alongside a rolled gray yoga mat.

After a Mat, These Cork Blocks Are the Yoga Props Worth Investing In

by Sri Rain Stewart

After testing nine sets of top-rated yoga blocks in all manner of poses, we’ve determined that Manduka Cork Yoga Blocks are the ones to get.

  • >", "name": "top-nav-watch", "type": "link"}}' href="https://watch.outsideonline.com">Watch
  • >", "name": "top-nav-learn", "type": "link"}}' href="https://learn.outsideonline.com">Learn
  • >", "name": "top-nav-podcasts", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/podcast-directory/">Podcasts
  • >", "name": "top-nav-maps", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.gaiagps.com">Maps
  • >", "name": "top-nav-events", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.athletereg.com/events">Events
  • >", "name": "top-nav-shop", "type": "link"}}' href="https://shop.outsideonline.com">Shop
  • >", "name": "top-nav-buysell", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell">BuySell
  • >", "name": "top-nav-outside", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/outsideplus">Outside+

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? >", "name": "mega-signin", "type": "link"}}' class="u-color--red-dark u-font--xs u-text-transform--upper u-font-weight--bold">Sign In

Outside watch, outside learn.

  • >", "name": "mega-backpacker-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.backpacker.com/">Backpacker
  • >", "name": "mega-climbing-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.climbing.com/">Climbing
  • >", "name": "mega-flyfilmtour-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://flyfilmtour.com/">Fly Fishing Film Tour
  • >", "name": "mega-gaiagps-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.gaiagps.com/">Gaia GPS
  • >", "name": "mega-npt-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nationalparktrips.com/">National Park Trips
  • >", "name": "mega-outsideonline-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/">Outside
  • >", "name": "mega-outsideio-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outside.io/">Outside.io
  • >", "name": "mega-outsidetv-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://watch.outsideonline.com">Outside Watch
  • >", "name": "mega-ski-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.skimag.com/">Ski
  • >", "name": "mega-warrenmiller-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://warrenmiller.com/">Warren Miller Entertainment

Healthy Living

  • >", "name": "mega-ce-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/">Clean Eating
  • >", "name": "mega-oxy-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.oxygenmag.com/">Oxygen
  • >", "name": "mega-vt-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.vegetariantimes.com/">Vegetarian Times
  • >", "name": "mega-yj-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.yogajournal.com/">Yoga Journal
  • >", "name": "mega-beta-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.betamtb.com/">Beta
  • >", "name": "mega-pinkbike-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.pinkbike.com/">Pinkbike
  • >", "name": "mega-roll-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.rollmassif.com/">Roll Massif
  • >", "name": "mega-trailforks-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.trailforks.com/">Trailforks
  • >", "name": "mega-trail-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://trailrunnermag.com/">Trail Runner
  • >", "name": "mega-tri-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.triathlete.com/">Triathlete
  • >", "name": "mega-vn-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://velo.outsideonline.com/">Velo
  • >", "name": "mega-wr-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.womensrunning.com/">Women's Running
  • >", "name": "mega-athletereg-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.athletereg.com/">athleteReg
  • >", "name": "mega-bicycleretailer-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.bicycleretailer.com/">Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
  • >", "name": "mega-cairn-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.getcairn.com/">Cairn
  • >", "name": "mega-finisherpix-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.finisherpix.com/">FinisherPix
  • >", "name": "mega-idea-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.ideafit.com/">Idea
  • >", "name": "mega-nastar-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nastar.com/">NASTAR
  • >", "name": "mega-shop-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideinc.com/outside-books/">Outside Books
  • >", "name": "mega-veloswap-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.veloswap.com/">VeloSwap
  • >", "name": "mega-backpacker-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.backpacker.com/">Backpacker
  • >", "name": "mega-climbing-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.climbing.com/">Climbing
  • >", "name": "mega-flyfilmtour-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://flyfilmtour.com/">Fly Fishing Film Tour
  • >", "name": "mega-gaiagps-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.gaiagps.com/">Gaia GPS
  • >", "name": "mega-npt-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nationalparktrips.com/">National Park Trips
  • >", "name": "mega-outsideonline-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/">Outside
  • >", "name": "mega-outsidetv-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://watch.outsideonline.com">Watch
  • >", "name": "mega-ski-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.skimag.com/">Ski
  • >", "name": "mega-warrenmiller-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://warrenmiller.com/">Warren Miller Entertainment
  • >", "name": "mega-ce-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/">Clean Eating
  • >", "name": "mega-oxy-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.oxygenmag.com/">Oxygen
  • >", "name": "mega-vt-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.vegetariantimes.com/">Vegetarian Times
  • >", "name": "mega-yj-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.yogajournal.com/">Yoga Journal
  • >", "name": "mega-beta-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.betamtb.com/">Beta
  • >", "name": "mega-roll-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.rollmassif.com/">Roll Massif
  • >", "name": "mega-trail-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://trailrunnermag.com/">Trail Runner
  • >", "name": "mega-tri-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.triathlete.com/">Triathlete
  • >", "name": "mega-vn-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://velo.outsideonline.com/">Velo
  • >", "name": "mega-wr-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.womensrunning.com/">Women's Running
  • >", "name": "mega-athletereg-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.athletereg.com/">athleteReg
  • >", "name": "mega-bicycleretailer-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.bicycleretailer.com/">Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
  • >", "name": "mega-finisherpix-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.finisherpix.com/">FinisherPix
  • >", "name": "mega-idea-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.ideafit.com/">Idea
  • >", "name": "mega-nastar-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nastar.com/">NASTAR
  • >", "name": "mega-shop-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://shop.outsideonline.com/">Outside Shop
  • >", "name": "mega-vp-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.velopress.com/">VeloPress
  • >", "name": "mega-veloswap-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.veloswap.com/">VeloSwap

2-FOR-1 GA TICKETS WITH OUTSIDE+

Don’t miss Thundercat, Fleet Foxes, and more at the Outside Festival.

GET TICKETS NOW

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Outside Festival feat. Thundercat, Fleet Foxes, and more.

GET EARLY-BIRD DEALS

The 6 Best Travel Yoga Mats to Practice Anytime, Anywhere

Get ready to flow wherever your go..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Taking your practice on the go doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re flying to the other side of the world or just heading to your neighborhood park, don’t let a bulky yoga mat weigh you down. These days, you can find travel yoga mats that are light, easy to carry, and functional. You may even find that you prefer them to your regular mat. Practicing anywhere—at anytime–just got a whole lot easier.

See also: The 7 Best Yoga Mats of 2021

The 6 best travel yoga mats for practicing on-the-go

Manduka Pro Travel Mat 2.5MM

Manduka Pro Travel Yoga Mat 2.5 mm

This mat does it all—truly. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, foldable, and has enough cushion to sustain even the toughest practice. At just over two pounds, you’ll be able to carry this mat around all day. It’s textured top allows you to flow through a sequence with ease (and without any fear of slipping). You’ll find yourself gravitating toward this mat even when you’re not traveling. Pro Travel Yoga Mat 2.5 mm, $75

Lululemon Carry Onwards Travel Yoga Mat

Lululemon Carry Onwards Travel Yoga Mat

Need a yoga mat that will fit in a backpack? Lululemon’s. version of a travel yoga mat does just that. Packable and easy to fold, you can add this mat to any suitcase or bag. The wraparound strap ensures that it will stay folded in your bag and not splay out. Plus, Lululemon made this mat with sustainably sourced rubber materials—you know we love it. Carry Onwards Travel Yoga Mat, $88

Jade Travel Yoga Mat

Jade Yoga Travel Mat

Say goodbye to bulky, thick mats that weight you down. At just over 3 mm thick, this travel yoga mat balances cushion with lightness. Available in a variety of earthy colors and made sustainability, this travel mat benefits you, the aesthetics of your space—and the environment, as Jade Yoga plants a tree for every mat they sell.  Travel Mat, $59.90–$64.70

Hugger Mugger Tapas Travel Yoga Mat

Hugger Mugger Tapas Travel Yoga Mat

Looking for a portable yoga mat that won’t break the bank? Consider this one from Hugger Mugger. At just over a pound (yes, really), you’ll be able to transport this mat anywhere. Its sticky top will give you fantastic grip, even though it’s a thinner mat, while the bottom tracts to the floor, ensuring that you won’t have to worry about unforeseen slips. Plus, you can’t beat the price. Tapas Travel Yoga Mat, $21.95

2nd Wind Free Bird Yoga Mat

2nd Wind Free Bird Yoga Mat

Do you love a sweaty practice? With 2nd Wind’s Free Bird mat, you’ll no longer need to lug both a mat and a towel to your favorite hot yoga class—the towel is built right in to the top layer, providing a great grip, especially when you sweat. Low-maintenance, easy to care for (you can toss it in the washing machine), and thin, this yoga mat will ensure you’re able to keep up with your practice while on the move. (Heck, you probably won’t even notice a difference.) Free Bird Yoga Mat, $80

 Roll over image to zoom in B YOGA Traveller 2mm

The B Mat Traveller 2 mm

Looking for a yoga mat that you can fold into your suitcase? This is the on-the-go mat for you. Made with 100 percent rubber, this mat has tons of grip, offering you a stable foundation for the duration of your practice. It’s also durable and easy to clean. This mat will quickly become your most important luggage, accompanying you on all of your future trips. Traveller 2mm, $60

See also: Yoga Journal’s Best Yoga Retreats and Travel Spots Around the World

Popular on Yoga Journal

professional travel yoga mat

Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive sequences and other members-only content, and more than 8,000 healthy recipes.

  • Clean Eating
  • Vegetarian Times
  • Yoga Journal
  • Fly Fishing Film Tour
  • National Park Trips
  • Warren Miller
  • Fastest Known Time
  • Trail Runner
  • Women's Running
  • Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
  • FinisherPix
  • Outside Events Cycling Series
  • Outside Shop

© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc

  • Best overall
  • Best budget
  • Best cushioned
  • Best reversible

The best travel yoga mats of 2023

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Flexible, travel yoga mats are specifically designed to pack down small and not take up too much room (or weight) in your suitcase or backpack. They're often thinner than your standard yoga mat and made from a more flexible material, both of which allow them to be stashed in small places but still provide you some cushioning as you move through asanas.

Our top pick is the Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat ; this mat weighs just 2.2 pounds and is extremely flexible, allowing it to be easily packed while traveling. For a budget mat, we recommend the Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat ; it's compact enough to fit into a suitcase or carry-on, features a grippy texture, and costs less than $20. 

With any yoga mat, the thinner it becomes, the less reliable it is, so it's important to look for a travel yoga mat that still has a good grip, is made of durable material to withstand folding and transportation, and is easy to clean. We've vetted the world of foldable, travel yoga mats to narrow in on the four best for every type of yogi and traveler.

If you're looking for a standard yoga mat, check out our guide on the best yoga mats, from yoga instructors .

Top picks for the best travel yoga mats

Best overall: Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat - See at Amazon The Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat weighs only 2.2 pounds and is highly flexible for travel, without sacrificing the quality of the materials.

Best budget: Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat - See at Amazon The Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat is a compact and grippy option with an under-$20 price tag.

Best cushioned: JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat - See at Amazon The JadeYoga Travel Mat comes from one of the most reliable brands on the market, is 3mm thick, and comes in two lengths to accommodate taller people.

Best reversible mat: The Reversible Mat - See at Lululemon The cleverly named Reversible Mat from Lululemon is like having two lightweight yoga mats for the price of one.

Best overall: Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat

professional travel yoga mat

Pros: Folds down very small, lightweight, tear-resistant, natural rubber, sticky surface

Cons: Expensive, not a lot of padding

Long-time yogi and Hatha yoga teacher Christabel Lobo and Kasia Gondek, DPT, CSCS, a physical therapist in Southern California, both point to the Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat as your best choice for keeping up with your practice while traveling.

At 2.2 pounds and 1.5 mm thick, it's extremely lightweight and flexible, making it easy to fold up tightly and toss in a suitcase. Despite being so thin, the mat is made of a woven scrim so it won't tear or stretch in your suitcase.

It has Manduka's signature closed-cell design which helps keep the surface dry, as well, and creates a strong grip for sweaty hands, so you can even pop into a hot yoga class on your travels. All Manduka mats are made without PVC or potentially toxic plasticizers. --Rachael Schultz

Best budget: Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat

professional travel yoga mat

Pros: Affordable, very lightweight, meant to be folded

Cons: PVC material

If you only travel a couple of times a year, you don't want to drop too much on a mat. Infrequent travelers will love the Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat .

This one-pound mat is even more lightweight than Manduka's eKO Superlite but it's slightly thicker at 2mm thick. The whole mat folds down to a 10-inch-wide and 12-inch-long rectangle for easy transportation in a carry-on or overnight duffel bag. It's one of the most affordable options available, too.

I have a full-sized Gaiam yoga mat that's lasted me for several years with regular use, so I can attest to the quality of the brand's goods.

Best cushioned: JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat

professional travel yoga mat

Pros: Natural materials, purchase benefits Trees for the Future, more cushioning

Cons: Heavier than many other travel mats, doesn't pack down as small as others

Nearly all travel yoga mats are pretty thin, which is frustrating if you have knee of joint issues. This 3mm-thick mat from JadeYoga is the best you can get for a mat that'll still roll up tight. What's more, the JadeYoga Travel Mat is available in 68-inch and 74-inch lengths, which offers taller people adequate space on the mat.

JadeYoga puts special attention on sustainability, and its mats are made of natural rubber sourced from trees with no PVC or other synthetic materials added. For each one purchased, the brand ensures a new tree will be planted.

A no-slip, open-cell (more absorbent) surface gives you a solid grip, and it features much more cushioning compared to other travel mats. At approximately 3 pounds, it's a bit heavier than others on this list, but that's a small price for more support. 

One downside is that, unlike most travel yoga mats, JadeYoga's rolls instead of folds, so it may be harder to fit in your luggage. On the other hand, the quality makes it a great multi-use pick for home practice as well as travel.

JadeYoga makes one of our favorite yoga mats for sweaty yogis , too.

Best reversible: The Reversible (Un)Mat

professional travel yoga mat

Pros: Reversible with a grippier side for when you sweat, very thin and light, antimicrobial

Cons: Not much cushion

One of the downsides of taking your yoga practice on the road is decreased access to the props and extras that make classes and at-home vinyasa sessions more enjoyable.

The Reversible Mat from Lululemon helps solve that problem with a moisture-absorbing polyurethane-coated layer on one side, and natural rubber on the other.

If you get super sweaty during vigorous practice, use the grippier side to keep yourself from slip-sliding off the mat. For more chill sessions, you can use the rubberized side. The mat also has an antimicrobial additive to help prevent mold and mildew, which makes for more peace of mind while traveling.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

professional travel yoga mat

  • Main content

The Best Lightweight Travel Yoga Mats for Easy Storage

By Madison Flager

Travel Yoga Accessories

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

For some travelers, the thought of exercising on vacation —beyond walking around a new city—seems ridiculous. To others, taking time to stretch , do a few downward dogs, or head to a local class is a necessity after spending hours on a plane. For those who fall in the latter camp, we've got you covered. While your standard mat is likely a bit too heavy to make the cut, these travel yoga mats are designed with portability in mind.

When deciding which ones fit the bill, there were a few factors to consider: for one, is it lightweight? If you're going to be packing it in a suitcase , a weekender bag , or backpack, you don't want it weighing you down. With that said, though, you want there to be some cushion and support, especially given that the more lightweight mats won't have the same thickness as regular mats. We managed to find a few that are still fairly supportive (for added comfort, try placing a yoga towel on top) and also looked at grip and packability—like whether it can only be rolled, or if you can fold it up flat. Below, our top choices for travel yoga mats, plus a few more accessories to help keep you zen on the road.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Image may contain Accessories Tie and Accessory

Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat

Weight: 2.2 pounds Thickness: 1.5mm Traveler editors tried out both Manduka's eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat and the Pro Travel Mat and preferred the eKO version—while still fairly thin, the Superlite offered a bit more cushion, despite weighing less (every ounce matters in a checked bag). It doesn't bunch up or move on the floor, and held up well, grip-wise, in a hot yoga class. It also rolls up to be super slim, so we recommend packing it that way; if you're putting it in a tote or backpack, though, fold it flat into a square for less height. As a bonus, it comes in 10 colors, catering to yogis who like a neutral mat as well as ones who prefer a pattern, and is made out of sustainably harvested tree rubber and synthetic polyester.

Buy Now: $44, manduka.com

Image may contain Mat

Hugger Mugger Tapas Ultra

Weight: 2.5 pounds Thickness: 6mm We asked a New York-based yoga instructor for her mat suggestions, and this Hugger Mugger model stood out as being both lightweight and cushiony. It comes in two lengths, depending on your height (68 inches or 74 inches; the longer one adds .2 pounds). It's thicker than the Manduka mat, but just a few ounces heavier, so if you like a bit more support under you, or are staying somewhere with hard floors, this mat is a solid choice. The stickiness will help you stay in place mid-pose, too.

Buy Now: $40-64, amazon.com

Image may contain File Binder

Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat

Weight: 1 pound Thickness: 2mm Another instructor-recommended brand: Gaiam. While their traditional mats offer much more cushioning, this foldable mat is great if you're really tight on space or travel frequently. At just a pound, it's the most lightweight option we found, and folds easily into a 12" by 10" rectangle after use. It has a sticky texture on top for stability, and works just as well at the beach or the park. Reviewers note it is great to use in hotel rooms and is thin enough to slide into the outer compartment of carry-on suitcases.

United Airlines Is Launching New Nonstop Routes to Morocco, the Philippines, and Colombia

Hannah Towey

The 11 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024

Janice Wald Henderson

The 15 Best Spas in New York City

Gabby Shacknai

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Athens

Anastasia Miari

Buy Now: $18, amazon.com

Image may contain First Aid

Yogo Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat

Weight: 2.1 pounds Thickness: 1.5mm Yogo's Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat makes taking a yoga mat wherever you go a no brainer—it's designed to easily fold up into its attached clips, which keep it secure and roughly the size of a rolled newspaper when not in use. The straps can also be used to hang the mat to dry after rinsing it off, or to secure it to a bicycle if you're really taking it on the go. Like the other mats, it has a sticky top layer to aid with grip; it's also made of eco-friendly materials (natural rubber and cotton). While on the thinner side, it gets points for its packability, and is flight attendant-approved, per reviews.

Buy Now: $62, amazon.com

More accessories to consider

For those serious enough about their practice to bring a yoga mat on vacation, these tack-on products will find a good home in your suitcase, too:

The Best Lightweight Travel Yoga Mat for Easy Storage

While yoga blocks aren't the most compact items, they are extremely lightweight (Gaiam's weighs a pound and a half). And for road trips, they're a no brainer: Toss one in the back of the car, then pull it out in your hotel room or Airbnb for help stretching out and getting into poses, even when your muscles are especially tight.

Buy Now: $11, yogaoutlet.com

Image may contain Outdoors Nature and Land

Carrying case

If you plan on taking your yoga mat outside the place you're staying—say, to a yoga class in town or a local park—a mat carrier will come in handy (and functions just as well back home). Manduka's rolls up to about the size of a belt, and loops around your rolled yoga mat to form a shoulder or cross-body strap, with a padded strap for extra comfort. Alo's version—the Duality Yoga Strap —is meant to be used during your practice, too, to help with stretch and support.

Buy Now: $16, manduka.com Buy Now: $38, aloyoga.com

Image may contain Aluminium Tin Can and Cosmetics

Cleaning spray

Before you roll your mat back up after a class or sequence, give it a spritz of cleaning spray, like this ASUTRA Natural Yoga Mat Cleaner, which comes in soothing scents like peaceful lavender, calming citrus, and energizing peppermint. Then, wipe it down with a damp cloth to get rid of the gunk and towel it dry to keep your mat from getting slippery. While it doesn't come in a TSA-friendly size, the four-ounce spray can go in checked bags or on road trips.

Buy Now: $12, amazon.com

Want more shopping recommendations from our editors? Sign up for our Packing List newsletter .

USA Trippers

10 Best Travel Yoga Mats to Carry While Traveling

Travel Yoga Mats

Whether you practice yoga daily or feel sore at the end of long travel days, having a yoga mat in your carry-on can help you unwind and unwind once you arrive at your hotel or campsite. But chances are your at-home yoga mat isn’t exactly small.

Flexible, Travel Yoga Mats are specially designed to pack small and don’t take up a lot of space (or weight!) in your suitcase or backpack. They are often thinner than your standard yoga mat and made of a more flexible material, both of which allow them to be placed in small spaces but still provide you with some cushioning through posture.

But, of course, the thinner a mat becomes, the less reliable it becomes, so it’s important to look for a travel yoga mat that still has a good grip, made of durable materials that can withstand folding and transportation. Can, and one that’s easy to clean. We’ve scoured the world of the best foldable, travel yoga mats for every type of yogi and traveler.

Table of Contents

things to consider when buying A Travel Yoga Mat

Travel Yoga Mats

  • The thickness of the mat A thickness ranging from half to one inch is considered ideal for yoga mats. However, if you are looking for more comfort, you can go for thicker mats but not more than 1.5 inches otherwise you will lose the essence of a yoga mat.
  • Material From the above-mentioned types of yoga mats, you can consider the one that suits your needs in a perfect manner.
  • Texture It is important that you choose the texture wisely. It should be coarse otherwise you will have difficulty in holding your yoga poses for a long time. Also, it should not be an extremely smooth one otherwise you might slip off.
  • Your budget Set a budget in your mind in advance so that you do not go beyond it. Deciding an estimated figure in advance will help you in making a better buying decision.
  • Ease of carrying If you are one of those fitness freaks who have to travel every now and then or do your yoga sessions in a nearby park, you should buy a yoga mat that comes with a carry bag so that you do not face any difficulty in carrying your mat.

Types of travel yoga mats

Gaiam Yoga Mat Folding Travel Fitness & Exercise Mat | Foldable Yoga Mat...

  • Sticky yoga mats These are anti-skid yoga mats that are good for beginners who do not have too much control over their body while performing yoga asanas. They are even good for those who sweat a lot so that they do not slip.
  • Travel yoga mats These are light in weight and easy in folding so that you can carry them with you wherever you travel. However, they are not good to be used daily.
  • Natural rubber yoga mats For those who want to reduce their contribution to environmental pollution, these yoga mats are perfect. Since they are made of natural ingredients, these mats are safe for people who have sensitive skin.
  • Jute yoga mat The traditional yoga mats used to be made of jute because of the natural primary component. They are not so durable but will be a good choice if you are looking for a cost-effective option.
  • Cotton yoga mat These are made of thick cotton fabric and good for those who like to wash their belongings every now and then. It is also a cost-effective option to consider.

Travel Yoga Mat for Travelling

Be it a tough day after work or traveling for long hours, the best travel yoga mat at home or hotel can come in handy. Yoga is a great way to keep yourself physically fit and mentally healthy. Check out our list of the top 10 travel yoga mats for all yoga and fitness enthusiasts!

1. Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat

The Manduka EKO Superlight Yoga Travel Mat is made of natural rubber. It has dense cushioning to support the knees and elbows. This yoga mat is foldable, ultra-lightweight, and does not contain PVC and harmful plasticizers.

It can be used by people with latex sensitivity. This mat has a tightly woven scrim and orange peel texture that provides a firm grip. It is easy to clean and prevents sweat, dirt and bacteria from being absorbed into the mat.

Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat – Premium 1.5mm Thick Travel Mat,...

  • Your favorite pose is never far from reach when you've got the eKO...
  • The Manduka eKO SuperLite Yoga Mat will leave a lasting impression on all...
  • Features Manduka's proprietary natural closed-cell rubber and comfortable...
  • Superior grip to perform in the sweatiest conditions.
  • Made from non-Amazon harvested natural tree rubber.

2. Travel Yoga Mat Eco Friendly Fitness Exercise Mat

The TOPLUS Travel Yoga Mat is foldable and 1/16” thick. It is made of natural rubber and does not have harmful colors and odors.

The dot texture and anti-tearing mesh upper side make this yoga mat stable and slip-resistant. Provides strong grip and friction on underside surfaces. This lightweight yoga mat can be easily cleaned with a machine wash or wiped down with a damp cloth.

Travel Yoga Mat Eco Friendly Fitness Exercise Mat Sweat Absorbent Anti...

  • YOGA MAT FOR TRAVEL: 1/16 in thick yoga mat can easily folds up, making it...
  • TWO IN ONE: This thin yoga mat can be used alone, can also cover the public...
  • ANTI-SLIP & MACHINE-WASH: Made by natural suede, the more sweat is...
  • SKIN-FRIENDLY: Suede material above, non-toxic rubber down, both sides are...
  • SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: ONE-YEAR warranty for free replacement or full...

3. Jade Travel Yoga Mat

The Jade Travel Yoga Mat is made of natural rubber with strong grip and dense cushioning that provides superior traction.

It provides close contact with the ground for stability and standing posture and comfortable cushioning for elbows and sensitive knees. This travel yoga mat is foldable, lightweight, easy to clean and non-slip. It is also free of PVC, PER, TPE and EVA.

JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat - Packable, Lightweight, and Portable Yoga Mat -...

  • LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE: The JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat is a lightweight and...
  • EXCEPTIONAL GRIP AND STABILITY: Crafted from natural rubber, this mat...
  • NATURAL AND SUSTAINABLE: At JadeYoga, we prioritize environmental...
  • MADE IN THE USA: Our yoga mats are manufactured in the USA, with imported...
  • BE THE CHANGE: Join us in our mission to make a positive impact on the...

4. Gaiam Yoga Mat – Folding Travel Fitness & Exercise Mat

Gaiam Yoga Mat is made of non-toxic PVC material. It has a compact design and weighs just over a pound.

This yoga mat has chiseled lines for easy folding and body alignment, and positioning during practice. Sticky texture and unique digital print design ensures stable feet.

Gaiam Yoga Mat - Folding Travel Fitness & Exercise Mat - Foldable Yoga Mat...

  • YOGA MAT FOR TRAVEL: This 2mm thick non toxic PVC yoga mat easily folds...
  • FITS IN CARRY-ON BAG: This foldable yoga mat easily fits in your carry-on...
  • FOLDING YOGA MAT: Mat folds up nicely, making it perfect for weekend...
  • STICKY TEXTURE: Features a sticky texture that provide stable footing on...
  • DIMENSIONS: 68"L x 24"W x 2mm Thick / Weight = 1lb

5. SKL Travel Yoga Mat

The SKL Travel Yoga Mat is made of natural suede and non-toxic rubber. It does not slip and absorbs sweat. This yoga mat is great for various fitness routines like hot yoga, pilates and other floor exercises.

It’s foldable, easy to clean, and comes with a carry pouch. It is tear resistant and prevents sweat from soaking in, causing odor and bacteria.

SKL Travel Yoga Mat - Foldable 1/16 Inch Thin Hot Yoga Mat Non Slip Sweat...

  • FOLDABLE YOGA MAT - Our thin yoga mat can easily folds up, making it the...
  • ANTI-SLIP - Made by natural suede, the more sweat is absorbed, the more...
  • NON-TOXIC & ODORLESS - Suede material above, non-toxic natural rubber down,...
  • MACHINE WASHABLE - Made from moisture resistant natural rubber, our folding...
  • SATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE - Decorate your life with yoga! Any quality...

6. June & Juniper Travel Yoga Mat

The June & Juniper Travel Yoga Mat is foldable and made of moisture-wicking microfiber that’s perfect for stretching or meditation.

The porous and highly absorbent microfiber dries quickly and doesn’t bunch. This yoga mat is reversible, and the black rubber side provides superior grip, perfect for poses requiring high traction.

June & Juniper Travel Yoga Mat Foldable Lightweight - Thin Light Non-Slip...

7. Liforme Travel Yoga mat

The Liforme Travel Yoga Mat is made of soft fabric that provides superior grip for hands and feet without clumping.

The “AlignForMe” system ensures a great yoga session without hurting the yogis. It is a biodegradable and PVC free mat which is safe for the environment.

It does not peel, flake or fade like plastic. It also comes with a yoga bag, which makes it perfect for travel.

Liforme Printed Travel Yoga mat – Free Yoga Bag, Patented Alignment...

  • TRANSFORM YOUR PRACTICE - A new travel edition rainbow inked pattern...
  • ULTIMATE GRIP - This premium mat benefits from the ground breaking Liforme...
  • REVOLUTIONARY ALIGNMENT SYSTEM - Our intelligently designed unique...
  • TRULY PLANET FRIENDLY - Printed using our ‘body kind’ materials, new...
  • MADE BY YOGIS, FOR YOGIS - Liforme Yoga Mats are loved and adored by...

8. YOGA DESIGN LAB Travel Yoga Mat

Yoga Design Lab’s Travel Yoga Mat is perfect for hot yoga, pilates, Bikram yoga, barre and other floor exercises. It is made from natural tree rubber and microfiber.

Dense cushioning provide support and stability. This product has a reactive grip that prevents injuries. The extra absorbent microfiber top layer provides a firm grip even when it’s sweaty.

YOGA DESIGN LAB | Travel Yoga Mat | 2-in-1 Mat+Towel | Lightweight,...

  • THE TRAVEL MAT: For those of you who like to sweat - this is your yoga mat!...
  • DISCOUNT YOGA SET / KIT OFFER: Buy two or more YDL products and get 10% or...
  • ECO FRIENDLY: Recycled PET microfiber top layer is made using 15 plastic...
  • EASY TO CLEAN: We recommend hand-washing to extend the life of your mat. If...
  • PRO TIP: For optimal grip, wet your hands or spritz a little water on your...

9. KUYOU Yoga Mat Foldable Travel Yoga Mat

The KUYOU Yoga Mat is made of high quality, odorless natural rubber and suede material, which absorbs sweat quickly.

It features a double-layer structure with an anti-slip rubber layer, and a textured surface that provides optimum grip without sacrificing comfort.

Sprinkle some water on the mat to make it more stable. This product is foldable, lightweight, durable and easy to wash.

No products found.

10. Suede Yoga Travel Mat

The Sugarmat Travel Yoga Mat is reversible and made of non-toxic, emission-free materials. High density cushion provides joint protection and handgrip.

Water based ink doesn’t get wiped off by yoga practice and sweating. Rubber base provides stability and better grip. Ultra-absorbent synthetic suede surface provides superior grip when wet due to sweat.

Suede Yoga Mat | 1MM Professional Yoga Mats – Easy to Fold, Lightweight &...

  • 🅐 Improve your Fitness: Perfect for yoga and fitness classes-and...
  • 🅑 Premium Design: Sugarmat foldable yoga mats are great for professional...
  • 🅒 Safe and Versatile: With eco-friendly, non-allergenic, non-toxic...
  • 🅓 Designed in Montreal: Stand out from the crowd with this eco-friendly...
  • 🅔 Perfect Gift for Yogis: Great yoga gift for birthday, graduation,...

This above given list of Travel Yoga Mats for Travelers will fulfill your requirement of best Travel Yoga Mat. However, if you are looking for more options you can click here and check out amazon.com for some more Yoga Mat for Traveling.

This is all from our side regarding Yoga Mats for Travelling . Let us know your thoughts in the comment section about these Travel Yoga Mats.

FAQ about Travel Yoga Mat for Travelers

How do you carry a yoga mat while traveling.

Choose a light and thin bag that can hold your mat rolled tightly so that it fits within the walking pole or tent straps on the outside of your backpack. Also try to limit any grips, clips or fastenings on the yoga mat bag or case that might get caught when your bag is in transit.

What is the lightest yoga mat?

At just a pound, it’s the most lightweight option we found, and folds easily into a 12″ by 10″ rectangle after use.

What is the best thickness for a yoga mat in MM?

If you’re not sure where to start, choose a mat that’s about 1/8-in. thick (or 3.175 mm), a pretty standard thickness. These mats are excellent for those in a strong, flowing practice. They allow solid contact with the floor, which helps with stability during a variety of poses.

Do you need a travel yoga mat?

You don’t have to ditch the idea of bringing a mat during your travels. While there is no rule against traveling with a normal yoga mat, you might benefit more from having a compact, lightweight, foldable material that will save you baggage space and fees.

How much does a travel yoga mat weigh?

In general, yoga mat weight ranges from just under 1kg (2lbs) to just over 3kg (7.5lbs). The factors that determine this are the thickness and the material of the yoga mat. Travel yoga mats weigh around 1kg, while some premium PVC and cork mats are the heaviest, at 3.4kg and 4.3kg respectively.

Last update on 2023-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

professional travel yoga mat

Usatrippers

We are dedicated to offering a professional service to our clients at USA Trippers. Assuring that clients benefit from our expertise, as well as our distinct style and passion. We want to make a contribution in everything we do as a highly visible, entrepreneurial, and innovative travel company.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Collection: Folding Yoga Mats for Travel

Don't let travelling disrupt your yoga flow. Our collection of travel mats are lightweight, easily transported, and perfect for travelling to and from yoga classes and retreats. Our curated collection is hand-picked by our wellness experts to offer a selection of beautiful and convenient mats with both rolling and foldable options. For those who seek adventure and new experiences, a folding yoga mat is a practical choice. Taking up minimal space and weight in your luggage, a folding travel mat can be the perfect companion when exploring new areas as you'll be ready to practice your asanas anywhere, anytime.

Get ready to see the world with no need to reduce your practise, whether it be a morning flow to start your day or a meditation session to unwind, your travel yoga mat will be with you whenever you need it. Available in a wide range of colours and patterns to suit your preferences, discover eco-conscious travel yoga mats from brands such as Jade Yoga, Yoga Design Lab, & more.

Folding Yoga Mats for Travel

Three rolled yoga mats in yellow and blue colors with visible brand logo YOGAMATTERS, textured design, photographed from above on a white background

A foldable yoga mat is a travel essential for any yoga practitioner. Wherever your adventures take you, be ready to practise whenever you need it. Whether it be a mindful meditation session listening to the sounds of the rainforest, or a hot yoga session by sunnier shores, our convenient travel yoga mats are designed to support you on your journey. Our collection features mats that can be rolled or folded into a compact size, pair with a carry case or strap to make transporting it even easier. For more travel essentials and to keep your mat protected, discover our extensive range of mat accessories includin g  yoga kit carry ba gs &  mat cleaner s. Available in a variety of colourways and styles so that you can curate a kit that is perfect for you.

What to use as a yoga mat when travelling? A travel yoga mat is the best thing to use when travelling. With a wide range of both lightweight and foldable mats available, you can keep up with your practice even whilst on the road. Yoga travel mats are compact enough to fit in your luggage, but durable and sturdy to keep you supported during your yoga flow.

How to fold a travel yoga mat? Traditionally, yoga mats are rolled up. This can cause inconvenience when travelling, instead you could opt for a folding yoga mat which can be folded into a more compact shape. To do this, fold your mat in halves until you reach a size that will fit into your suitcase or bag, this works best with thinner mats.

How to clean a travel yoga mat? To clean a travel yoga mat, we recommend using a gentle cleansing spray and wiping down with a damp cloth. For tough stains you can use a soft and gentle brush in circular motions. Some yoga travel mats are more like mat towels, and can be placed into the washing machine on a gentle cycle. However, you should always check the care instructions of your mat before placing in the washing machine. Additionally, you should ensure that your mat is laid flat to dry before rolling it up, and store it out of direct sunlight.

Is a lightweight yoga mat best for travel? A lightweight mat is great for travelling. If space is not an issue, you may wish to choose a lightweight mat over a foldable mat, as they may offer further support. Many yoga practitioners prefer a lightweight yoga mat when travelling rather than a standard mat, as this allows the mat to be taken to outdoor locations more easily, such as the beach or forest. Lightweight mats can be more easily carried, and some are also foldable so can be tucked away in a backpack or tote bag for convenience.

What is better, a rubber or PVC yoga mat? Which material is best depends on both your personal preference and the type of yoga you practice. For example, PVC mats are more sticky and have a good grip but only when they are dry. For hot yoga, they would need to be supplemented with a yoga towel mat or replaced with a rubber or jute mat may be best. However, rubber mats are usually heavier than other types of material so if you are planning to transport your mat, you might wish to opt for a lighter material.

Free Delivery

Free UK mainland delivery available on all orders over £75*

Simple Returns

No-quibble 30 days refund policy.

5-Star Service

Independently rated as 'Excellent' by customers worldwide

Worldwide Delivery

Great value delivery around the world

  • Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
  • Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.

Enjoy 10% off your first order, wellbeing content and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox.

Love Yoga Love Travel

5 Best Travel Yoga Mats for 2024: Lightweight, Portable & Sustainable

' data-src=

I remember years ago when I was travelling around Europe and would have to lug my heavy and cumbersome yoga mat from city to city. 

Luckily nowadays, this is no longer an inconvenience! There are many ultra-lightweight yoga mats available, which can be folded up into the size of a book or yoga block. 

But how do you know what the best travel yoga mats are and what to consider when buying one?

Read on to learn what to consider when choosing a lightweight yoga mat and discover my five personal favourite mats for practising yoga while travelling.

Pin this image!

Pin Me! The Best Yoga Mats for Travel - Lightweight, Portable and Sustainable

How To Choose The Best Yoga Mat For Travel

Just like with standard yoga mats, there are various things you should consider when choosing one. Here are four essential considerations for portable yoga mats.

  • Weight – Standard yoga mats typically weigh between 3 and 7 pounds, while travel mats are between 1.5 and 3 lbs. Go for the former if airline weight restrictions are a concern. 
  • Foldability – Many travel mats can either be folded or rolled, others are only foldable, and others cannot be folded. If you plan to carry your mat around in a handbag or rucksack, ensure your travel mat is foldable. 
  • Material – Travel yoga mats can be made from rubber, PVC and TPE. I highly recommend natural rubber as it’s sustainable and offers the best grip. However, rubber mats are more expensive than PVC or TPE ones and may have an aroma.
  • Thickness – Most travel yoga mats are very thin, around 1.5 to 2 mm. However, you can still find some lightweight ones with 3mm thickness or more if you don’t want to entirely sacrifice padding for portability.

The 5 Best Travel Yoga Mats in 2024

Best all-round travel yoga mat – manduka eko® superlite travel yoga mat, best premium travel yoga mat – mikkoa travel yoga mat.

  • Most Lightweight Travel Yoga Mat – Jade Voyager Mat

Best Affordable Travel Yoga Mat – Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat

  • Most Comfortable Travel Yoga Mat – Jade Travel Yoga Mat

*As Amazon Associates we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this website, at no extra cost to you.

Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Mat for Travel

The Manduka eKO Superlite ticks all the right boxes for a lightweight, portable yoga mat. It can be either rolled or folded to fit in any type of luggage, which helps makes it one of the most popular travel yoga mats for frequent travellers and digital nomads. It features:

  • An ultra-grippy surface texture that prevents slipping, even under sweater conditions
  • Open-cell fabric design to wick away sweat and prevent bacteria build-up
  • An all-natural manufacturing process using sustainably harvested tree rubber and zero toxic chemicals

This popular lightweight yoga mat is 1.5mm thick, weighs 2.2 lbs (1 kg), and comes in three colours/designs: Acai, Lapis, Orchid Marble, and Cayo.

Choose your favourite shade here on Amazon or on the Maduka website .

Mikkoa travel yoga mat (ginger)

Mikkoa’s incredibly compact and lightweight foldable yoga mat has a premium look and feel, being constructed from eco-friendly microfibre and eco-friendly natural rubber.

Highlights of their yoga mat collection include:

  • Natural tree rubber base that grips the mat in place
  • Simple folding design, making it quick and easy to pack
  • Easy to clean (machine washable in cold water)
  • Suitable for use outside, on the beach, and in the home.

The Mikkoa travel yoga mats come in a variety of lush natural colors as well as beautiful, unique patterns. They fold up into a tiny 24x14x7cm and weigh just over 1kg.

The sweat absorbent surface ensures that you stay in your pose without fear of sliding about, and is surprisingly comfortable given that the mat is just 1.5mm thick.

Take a look at their range of premium lightweight yoga mats on Amazon , or get 10% discount at the Mikkoa website using the code: LOVEYOGALOVETRAVEL

Most Lightweight Travel Yoga Mat – JadeYoga Voyager Mat

JadeYoga Voyager Yoga Mat

The Voyager mat by JadeYoga is, by far, one of the most popular yoga mats for travel as it folds up to the size of a yoga block and weighs just 1.5 pounds (680 grams). It’s the lightest travel mat on our list, so if you want to travel as light as possible, this is the one for you.

  • Made from renewable natural rubber
  • Contains no toxic materials
  • Can be rolled or folded

The Voyager mat is 1.5mm thick and 68 inches long. Four shades are available: midnight blue, purple, olive green, and black. Jade also has a similar initiative to Yogo , planting a tree for every yoga mat sold.

See it for yourself here on Amazon or on the JadeYoga website .

Gaiam Folding Travel Yoga Mat

If you want a high-quality but purse-friendly portable yoga mat, look no further than Gaiam. Their 2mm foldable mat is available in four stylish designs, such as the ‘Midnight Blue Mandala’. Its highlights include:

  • Folds into a compact, almost flat 10″ x 12″ square, fitting in any average-sized rucksack or handbag
  • Super sticky texture to minimise slipping
  • Weighs just 2 pounds (900 grams) 

The Gaiam foldable mat has a lifetime guarantee, so you’ll never need to buy another. However, note that, unlike the other best travel yoga mats on this list, this one is made from PVC, not natural rubber, hence the lower price tag. 

Take a look here on Amazon or on the Gaiam website .

Most Comfortable Travel Yoga Mat – JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat

JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat

Most yoga mats for travel are super thin, around 1.5mm. This is what makes them so compact, foldable, and lightweight, but the downside of this is there is minimal padding. The Jade 3mm travel yoga mat is a top choice if you prefer a thicker but still light and portable mat. 

  • 3mm thickness yet still lightweight, weighing 3 pounds (1.36kg)
  • Made from renewable natural rubber and a chemical-free manufacturing process
  • Four colour options
  • Top-notch grip thanks to the open-cell design

Unlike the other best travel yoga mats on this list, the Jade travel mat is not foldable, so it is one for your suitcase or backpack rather than your day bag. 

Check out this comfy travel mat here on Amazon or via the JadeYoga website .

Pros and Cons of Travel Yoga Mats

The best yoga travel mats can be used in outdoor settings.

Travel mats certainly make yoga while travelling much easier! But are they really as good as they sound? Here are the pros and cons of yoga mats specially designed for travel.

  • They are much smaller and lighter than standard size yoga mats
  • They can be folded (unlike traditional yoga mats)
  • They are super versatile 
  • They are very grippy
  • Most are easy to clean

In my opinion, there is only one significant con with a travel yoga mat;

  • They are very thin.

You’ll immediately notice the difference if you’re used to standard yoga mats. They have minimal padding, if any at all, so you may feel like your joints are unprotected, especially when practising on hard surfaces. If it feels uncomfortable you could get some little knee cushions or pads which are small enough to pop in your bag too to give you a bit more padding where you need it the most.

So should you buy a travel yoga mat?

Investing in a portable yoga mat is a no-brainer if you travel often. But foldable mats are not just for travel. You can use them when practising yoga in the park, as a topper to give additional padding on your standard mat, or even as a yoga block when folded up.

Related articles:

  • The best yoga travel destinations in the world
  • The essential yoga teacher training packing list
  • Must-read books for yoga teacher training courses
  • 5 ways to practice yoga while traveling
  • 10 Perfect Gifts for Yoga Lovers Under $100

* This post may contain affiliate links. When you make a purchase through links on our site we may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products that we love and genuinely use ourselves. All prices stated are correct on the date of publishing, but can be subject to change.

© loveyogalovetravel.com 2022-2024. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to loveyogalovetravel.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

' data-src=

Gemma Clarke is a professional content writer and certified yoga and mindfulness teacher.

She is passionate about sharing her expertise of yoga and wellness through the power of words to guide others along the path of spiritual and personal development.

Aside from helping others find more peace and stillness, Gemma currently lives in Thailand and rescues street kittens.

Similar Posts

The Ultimate Guide To Yoga Teacher Training Abroad in 2024

The Ultimate Guide To Yoga Teacher Training Abroad in 2024

' data-src=

Doing yoga teacher training abroad is a life changing experience, you can explore an exciting new destination and come home a certified yoga teacher!

Sanskrit Yoga Words & Phrases To Know Before Your First Retreat 

Sanskrit Yoga Words & Phrases To Know Before Your First Retreat 

' data-src=

You can prepare for your first yoga retreat in many ways, from researching the location to increasing the regularity…

How to Plan a Life-Changing Yoga Vacation: The Ultimate Guide

How to Plan a Life-Changing Yoga Vacation: The Ultimate Guide

Yoga retreats are unique opportunities for personal growth and transformation. Find out why and learn how to plan a life changing yoga vacation!

How To Know If You’re Ready For Yoga Teacher Training 

How To Know If You’re Ready For Yoga Teacher Training 

If you’re wondering whether to take the next step in your yoga journey, here’s 6 signs that you are ready for yoga teacher training.

5 Reasons You Should Go On A Solo Retreat

5 Reasons You Should Go On A Solo Retreat

Some trips are incredible to do with friends or loved ones, such as partying in Ibiza, road-tripping across the…

8 Tips For New Yoga Teachers (What To Do After Yoga Teacher Training)

8 Tips For New Yoga Teachers (What To Do After Yoga Teacher Training)

So you just graduated from your 200-hour yoga teacher training, you’re now a fully certified yoga instructor and feel…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

6 Best Travel Yoga Mats To Practice Yoga On The Go

Finding the right yoga mat as a frequent traveler or digital nomad is no easy task. It's not just about comfort and grip; it's about portability, durability, and ease of care on the move.

That’s where we come in. We’ve personally researched and reviewed the top 6 travel yoga mats , ensuring each pick stands up to the demands of life on the road.

In this guide, we’re also sharing our firsthand tips on how to choose the perfect mat for your travel style and needs, plus our own advice on how to travel with a mat , from packing to cleaning, all learned from our own experiences as yogis on the go.

Dive in to find your next travel companion and keep your practice strong wherever your adventures take you!

  • Image: /content/images/size/w600/2024/03/yogo-ultralight-folding-mat.webp
  • Title: Yogo Ultralight 4.0 Folding Travel Yoga Mat
  • Description: Best Overall Travel Yoga Mat
  • Target: 1-yogo-ultralight-40-folding-travel-yoga-mat-best-overall-travel-yoga-mat
  • Price: 74.00
  • Link: https://yogo.net/collections/gear/products/ultralight-folding-travel-yoga-mat?rfsn=7889906.61c0df1
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/10/MIKKOA-travel-yoga-mat-1.webp
  • Title: MIKKOA Travel Yoga Mat
  • Description: Best for Hot Yoga
  • Target: 6-mikkoa-travel-yoga-mat-best-for-hot-yoga
  • Price: 89.00
  • Link: https://alnk.to/1XVlOMn
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/10/gaiam-travel-mat.webp
  • Title: Gaiam Travel Yoga Mat
  • Description: Best Budget Mat
  • Target: 2-gaiam-travel-mat-best-budget-mat
  • Price: 21.06
  • Link: https://amzn.to/3Q4cndt
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/10/manduka-eKO-superlite.webp
  • Title: Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat
  • Description: Best Eco-Friendly Mat
  • Target: 3-manduka-eko-superlite-best-eco-friendly-mat
  • Price: 52.00
  • Link: https://amzn.to/46Fn25x
  • Image: /content/images/2023/10/SNAKUGA-travel-yoga-mat.webp
  • Title: SNAKUGA Travel Yoga Mat
  • Description: Best for Versatility
  • Target: 4-snakuga-travel-yoga-mat-best-for-versatility
  • Price: 33.99
  • Link: https://amzn.to/3s9Yp1A
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/10/yogamatters-eco-travel-yoga-mat.webp
  • Title: Yogamatters Eco Travel Yoga Mat
  • Description: Best Mat for Barefoot Feel
  • Target: 7-yogamatters-eco-travel-yoga-mat-best-mat-for-barefoot-feel
  • Price: 39.99
  • Link: https://www.yogamatters.com/products/yogamatters-eco-travel-yoga-mat

Top 6 Travel Yoga Mats

We’ve conducted thorough research to present you with the best 6 travel yoga mats out there, including:

  • 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

We’ll delve into the specifics of each yoga mat, examining their features, advantages, and disadvantages.

1. Yogo Ultralight 4.0 Folding Travel Yoga Mat : Best Overall Travel Yoga Mat

Yogo Ultralight 4.0 Folding Travel Yoga Mat

The Yogo Ultralight 4.0 Folding Travel Yoga Mat reigns supreme among the best yoga mats for travelers, thanks to its distinctive combination of compactness, lightweight design, and versatility. Weighing hardly more than a bag of apples at 1.8 lbs and boasting a slender profile at just 1.7 mm thick, this mat is a dream to transport. It folds up small enough to slip into any travel bag yet unfolds to provide ample space for yoga poses on a variety of surfaces. Whether stretching on the sandy beach, finding your Zen in a grassy park, or perfecting your balance on a wooden deck, the Yogo Ultralight has you covered.

What we love about this mat: One standout feature we love is its unique folding design that ensures the surface you practice on never comes into contact with the underside that touches the ground. This practicality maintains the cleanliness and hygiene of your mat, reducing your worries about where to lay it down. Yogo also prioritizes sustainability with FSC-Certified natural rubber, protecting rainforests and ensuring fair wages, and straps made from recycled water bottles to help keep oceans clean.

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

Pros and Cons:

Price: $74.00, 2. mikkoa travel yoga mat : best for hot yoga.

MIKKOA Travel Yoga Mat

For those who often practice hot yoga while traveling, the MIKKOA Travel Yoga Mat is the obvious choice. This travel yoga mat is our go-to for intense, sweaty, hot yoga sessions. Its surface is made of microfiber, providing a smooth feel under your hands and feet. But here's the kicker - the grip of this mat actually improves as your practice gets sweatier, ensuring stability throughout your session!

What we love about this mat: This mat stands out for its phenomenal grip, especially during hot yoga sessions. It's also lightweight, foldable, and slips effortlessly into your luggage.

  • 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

Price: $89.00

3. gaiam travel mat : best budget mat.

Gaiam Travel Mat

The Gaiam Travel Yoga Mat is a match made in heaven for yogis on a budget. Despite its lean price tag, it delivers a top-notch performance that rivals its more expensive counterparts. With a thickness of just 2mm, it folds into a compact 10" x 12" square, making it a cinch to stow away in various bags. From Vinyasa Flow to Yin Yoga, this mat caters to different styles and floor exercises with ease.

What we love about this mat: It is incredibly lightweight, making it an excellent option for those who prioritize minimalism in their travel gear. Plus, its price point makes it accessible to all yogis, regardless of budget constraints.

  • Weight: 1.8 lbs / 0.8 kg
  • Thickness: 0.08" / 2.00 mm
  • Material: PVC

Price: $21.06

4. manduka eko superlite : best eco-friendly mat.

Manduka's eKO Superlite

The Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat is a top-tier choice for the environmentally conscious yogi on the move. With its lightweight design and impressive sustainability credentials, this mat can accompany you on your travels without leaving a carbon footprint. Although its thinness (1.5mm) might require an additional towel for hot yoga sessions, it's a small price to pay for the convenience and sustainability it offers. Crafted from sustainably harvested tree rubber, it folds neatly into your luggage, making it a breeze to transport.

What we love about this mat: We appreciate the eco-conscious design of this mat and how it can withstand frequent use without deteriorating. Its lightness also makes it easy to bring anywhere without contributing to your luggage's overall weight.

  • 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

Price: $52.00

5. snakuga travel yoga mat : best for versatility.

SNAKUGA Travel Yoga Mat

For yogis who value adaptability, the SNAKUGA Travel Yoga Mat is your go-to option. Designed with the traveling yogi in mind, this mat is foldable, lightweight, and eco-friendly. Crafted from a mix of natural rubber and suede, it delivers a soft yet non-slip surface that's perfect for any yoga session. Moreover, it includes a convenient carrying bag for easy storage and portability.

What we love about this mat: We like how this mat can be used for various types of yoga, from gentle flows to intense hot yoga sessions. Its non-slip surface provides stability and support, making it a perfect travel companion.

  • Weight: 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg
  • Size: 72"L x 26"W / 183 (L) x 66 (W) cm
  • Material: Natural rubber and suede

Price: $33.99

6. yogamatters eco travel yoga mat : best mat for barefoot feel.

Yogamatters Eco Travel Yoga Mat

The Yogamatters Eco Travel Yoga Mat is our favorite for those sessions where you want to feel grounded and closely connected to the earth beneath you. Imagine practicing on the soft beaches of the Canary Islands and still being able to feel the nuances of the sand under your feet - this mat allows just that! Weighing just 700g and being only 1mm thick, it provides a protective layer between you and the ground while still allowing you to feel connected to your practice environment.

What we love about this mat: We're completely taken by the way this mat allows you to feel grounded and attuned to your surroundings. The thin layer provides adequate defense against the ground yet retains the organic feel of the earth under your feet. Simply awesome.

  • 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

Price: $58.32

How to pick your yoga mat.

Digital nomads practicing yoga at the beach

Choosing the right yoga mat will make a big difference in your yoga practice and travels.

Below are then some key features to consider when shopping for the best yoga mat for your needs:

You'll be carrying your mats through airports and to remote locations, so you will learn quickly that while light mats are easier to travel with, they must still offer the necessary comfort and support on different surfaces.

Texture & Grip

From humid beaches to cool mountains, the texture and grip of your mats are crucial for stability during yoga practices. We prefer mats made from materials like corkwood and jute, which naturally provide a good grip, keeping you stable in all your poses.

We’ve used mats made from PVC to natural rubber. While PVC mats are often affordable and have good initial stickiness, we prefer natural rubber and other eco-friendly materials for their grip and sustainability.

Making sure your mat is at least six inches taller than you is key to providing enough space during practices. The width and length of your mats must accommodate your body and the different types of yoga you will practice during your travels.

While functionality is always our top priority, choosing mats with unique colors or designs will bring a personal touch to your practice, even if it sometimes means paying a bit more.

How to Travel With Your Yoga Mat (Our Tips)

ELENTURE Yoga Mat Bag

Traveling with a yoga mat has become second nature to us, even with the hustle of remote work and ever-changing locations.

Here’s how we’ve managed to keep our mats rolled out, no matter where our work and wanderlust took us:

  • Packing Your Mat: We’ve always leaned towards a yoga mat bag or a carrying strap for easy transport. Some of our bags even have extra pockets, which have been perfect for stashing small essentials like our wallets or passports.
  • Air Travel with a Yoga Mat: We’ve found that most airlines are pretty accommodating when it comes to bringing our yoga mats as carry-on items. We usually attach our mats to our backpacks using compression straps or elastic bands , which frees up our hands for other luggage and keeps things compact.
  • Maintaining Your Mat: We make it a point to unroll our mats whenever possible, avoiding keeping them compressed for too long. When we’ve settled in one spot for a while, we always carve out a dedicated space for our yoga practice to maintain consistency.
  • Cleaning Your Mat: Our go-to mat cleaner is a simple mix of water and a few drops of mild soap or essential oils. After our sessions, a quick spritz and wipe down with a cloth keep our mats fresh. And we always ensure they’re completely dry before rolling them up to avoid mold or funky smells developing.

You may also be interested in:

professional travel yoga mat

How to Fold a Yoga Mat for Travel

Over the years, we’ve folded and packed our yoga mats more times than we can count, ensuring they always have a spot in our luggage.

Here’s our tried-and-true method for folding and packing a yoga mat for travel, honed from our experiences on the road:

  • Lay it Flat: We always start by laying our mat flat on a clean surface, ensuring the side we practice faces inward. This helps protect it from any dirt and debris during our travels.
  • Fold or Roll: Depending on our mat and its flexibility, we either fold it into a compact square or roll it tightly.
  • Place in Luggage: Once folded or rolled, we place our mat in our luggage, ensuring it lays flat against the bottom or sides to avoid unnecessary space and prevent creases. If we use a backpack or tote bag, we always find a spot where the mat can remain flat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you bring a yoga mat on a plane.

Yes, you can bring a yoga mat on a plane. Most airlines allow yoga mats as carry-on items. You can attach the mat to your backpack using compression straps or elastic bands to save space and keep your hands free for other luggage.

Does travel yoga mat thickness matter?

Yes, the thickness of a travel yoga mat does matter, as it affects comfort and portability. Thicker mats provide more cushioning but may be bulkier to transport, while thinner mats are more compact and lightweight but offer less cushioning.

Are travel yoga mats toxic?

Some yoga mats can contain PVC, a material that has been criticized for its environmental impact and potential health risks. However, many travel yoga mats like the Manduka's eKO Superlite are made from eco-friendly, non-toxic materials like natural rubber or TPE.

Are travel yoga mats recyclable?

Yes, some travel yoga mats are recyclable, especially those made from natural rubber or TPE. Mats like the Manduka's eKO Superlite are recyclable yoga mats, and some brands even have recycling programs for their products.

Do travel yoga mats float?

While yoga mats are not designed as flotation devices, some lightweight and porous mats may float temporarily when placed on water. However, this is not a universal feature and can depend on the material and construction of the mat.

Do travel yoga mats absorb water?

Some yoga mats, especially those designed for hot yoga, are made to be absorbent to prevent slipping during sweaty sessions. However, typical PVC mats do not absorb water and can become slippery when wet.

Do travel yoga mats work on carpets?

Yes, most travel yoga mats can work on carpets, though the stability and grip might be affected by the soft and uneven surface. Thicker mats or those with a more rigid structure may perform better on carpeted surfaces.

Are travel yoga mats vegan?

Many travel yoga mats are vegan and do not use any animal products in their construction. However, it’s always best to check with the manufacturer or look for certifications to ensure the mat adheres to vegan principles.

Ready To Practice Yoga On The Go?

If you want more digital nomad guides like these, sign up for our free newsletter and get upcoming articles straight to your inbox!

professional travel yoga mat

Sign up for our Newsletter

Receive nomad stories, tips, news, and resources every week!

100% free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

You can also follow us on Instagram and join our Facebook Group if you want to get in touch with other members of our growing digital nomad community!

We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!

Disclosure: Hey, just a heads up that some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that, if you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission that helps us create helpful content for the community. We only recommend products if we think they will add value, so thanks for supporting us!

Wise Travel Debit Card Review: Fees, Exchange Rates, Limits and How to Use It

How to set up and manage an esim on iphone, best wi-fi options to get reliable internet anywhere.

Shopping | ES Best Home | Health & Fitness | Yoga

Best travel yoga mats for flows on the go

The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

professional travel yoga mat

The ancient art of yoga has endured since its origins in India approximately 5,000 years ago, becoming a widely taught and practised activity in contemporary society and wellness-orientated groups to this day.

With its three main tenets focusing on breathing, flexibility and strength, the movement elicited by yogic practices simultaneously allows us to pause and reflect, while flowing through core-engaging movements assisted by the power of our own breath. In teaching us to harness the power of our body’s natural movements and the basic functions which help us to survive, students of yoga learn to be at one with the natural world.

Yoga provides a firm, solid foothold to help boost us into a wellness-focused life, which prioritises mental health and positive movement above all else – it just takes a little bit of practice. Yet despite yoga’s unwavering popularity over the centuries, many beginners find that the activity is often at odds with their modern, fast-paced life.

Rather than waking up extra early to get a sun salutation in, it suits the vast majority of 9-to-5ers far more to run to the office instead. Similarly, many office-dwellers would prefer to take a speedy 20-minute gym break during lunch, during which they’ll likely burn far more calories than they would in a 90-minute yoga class.

However, attempting to turn yoga into a means to lose weight or putting your physical endurance to the test is missing the point entirely. Yoga is all about intuitive movement, so much so that flows and salutations can be learned and rehearsed like dance routines, so they’ll come as naturally as breathing.

As such, you don’t need a studio or instructor to flow while you’re away from home. After a few classes and a little bit of practice, you’ll feel mightily confident on your own – and if you’re still not quite there, you can of course pop on a gentle guiding YouTube video from one of your favourite online instructors (ours is Adrienne, of course).

Whether you’re camping, hiking, travelling or enjoying a relaxing beach holiday, you’ll be surprised by how incomplete your day starts to feel without even a few minutes of stretching, breathing and movement. When you’re on the move, it’s therefore always a brilliant idea to take a portable, travel yoga mat with you.

We’ve rounded up a selection of the best travel yoga mats to help elevate your practice even when you’re not on home soil.

12 best self massage tools to relieve stress from your back, shoulders, neck and more

12 best self massage tools to relieve stress from your back, shoulders, neck and more

Best products for back pain relief, from body pillows to acupressure mats

Best products for back pain relief, from body pillows to acupressure mats

Best posture correctors to support and straighten your back

Best posture correctors to support and straighten your back

Mikkoa Travel Yoga Mat – Finding Nirvana

professional travel yoga mat

Foldable, compact and lightweight, Mikkoa’s travel yoga mat is one of the best on the market for a myriad of reasons. Not only will you gain access to free online yoga classes once you make your purchase, but you’ll also be able to use this durable yoga mat on the go for years to come without the need for a replacement.

When unfolded, the sweat-absorbent and supportive microfibre mat measures 183 x 66cm and folds neatly into a 24 x 14cm rectangle – thereby taking up approximately one-third of the space of a regular yoga mat. The best part? This yoga mat is entirely machine washable. That’s right, no more wiping down with cloths and disinfectant after every single use.

Sustainable Non-Slip Jute Travel Yoga Mat

professional travel yoga mat

Another brilliantly compact option, this jute travel yoga mat from Complete Unity Yoga is just 2mm thick. Despite its incredibly grippy surface, yogis will be pleased to discover that the mat itself has been crafted solely from durable, non-toxic and eco-friendly materials.

The manufacturing process itself is also proudly zero-waste, and your mat will be delivered in zero-plastic FSC-certified packaging. Suitable for whatever type of yoga you go for – even in the hottest environments – Complete Yoga Unity stands by its grip guarantee, making this portable mat perfect for yoga retreats abroad.

Viavito Travel Yoga Mat

professional travel yoga mat

Designed to fit in even the smallest of tote bags, this grippy non-stick yoga mat has been fabricated from a durable and waterproof PVC which is nevertheless free from phthalates and horrible chemical odours. Thanks to the handy slightly perforated design, this yoga mat folds easily from a 61 x 173cm mat into a 31 x 25cm rectangle for the utmost portability.

Liforme Cosmic Moon Travel Yoga Mat

professional travel yoga mat

Though on the more expensive side, this luxurious and beautifully designed yoga mat from Liforme is not likely to leave your side any time soon. While lightweight and wonderfully portable thanks to the inclusion of a bag strap with your order, this yoga mat also functions as a top-of-the-range piece of kit to use during practices and classes at home as well as abroad. Made from PVC-free and biodegradable materials, you can be sure you’re protecting the planet as well as your mind by purchasing a mat from this B-Corp-certified yoga brand.

Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga Mat

professional travel yoga mat

Available in a plethora of calming gradients and solid hues, Manduka’s SuperLite travel yoga mat is a no-nonsense piece of apparatus to add to your yoga arsenal, especially if you travel a lot. With two options for size – standard and large – you’ll find that both are able to fold neatly into a tote, travel bag or suitcase. Plus, you can use it on top of your regular mat during normal practices for extra support and grip, whether you tend to move on hardwood floors or ultra-plush carpets.

Foldable Cork Non-Slip Yoga Mat

professional travel yoga mat

Eco-friendly and entirely slip-proof thanks to its cork surface, this yoga mat by Eke features a beautiful lotus design in the centre of the mat and a line down the middle to help focus your practice while improving your balance with every session. We also love the fact that this value-for-money option comes with a yoga mat for extra portability.

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Best in Class

  • The 10 Very Best Mom Jeans The 10 Very Best Mom Jeans
  • The 9 Very Best Products for Preventing and Fading Melasma The 9 Very Best Products for Preventing…
  • The 10 Very Best Men’s Dopp Kits The 10 Very Best Men’s Dopp Kits
  • The Very Best Gym Shorts for Men The Very Best Gym Shorts for Men
  • The 20 Very Best Sunscreens for Your Face The 20 Very Best Sunscreens for Your Fac…
  • The Very Best Area Rugs The Very Best Area Rugs
  • The Very Best Moisturizers for Combination Skin The Very Best Moisturizers for Combinati…
  • The 9 Very Best Umbrellas The 9 Very Best Umbrellas
  • The 14 Very Best Bras for Small Breasts The 14 Very Best Bras for Small Breasts
  • The 13 Very Best Food-Storage Containers The 13 Very Best Food-Storage Containers
  • The 12 Very Best Pregnancy Pillows The 12 Very Best Pregnancy Pillows
  • The 8 Very Best Shampoos for Fine Hair The 8 Very Best Shampoos for Fine Hair
  • The 10 Very Best Face Exfoliators The 10 Very Best Face Exfoliators
  • The 11 Very Best Skillets The 11 Very Best Skillets
  • The Very Best Toiletry Bottles The Very Best Toiletry Bottles
  • The 18 Very Best Dining Chairs The 18 Very Best Dining Chairs
  • 15 of the Very Best Chef’s Knives 15 of the Very Best Chef’s Knives
  • The 11 Very Best Self-Tanners The 11 Very Best Self-Tanners
  • 14 of the Very Best Olive Oils 14 of the Very Best Olive Oils
  • The 14 Very Best Beach Towels The 14 Very Best Beach Towels
  • The 14 Very Best High-Waisted Jeans The 14 Very Best High-Waisted Jeans
  • The 12 Best Pieces of Bakeware The 12 Best Pieces of Bakeware
  • The 9 Very Best Nail Clippers The 9 Very Best Nail Clippers
  • The 10 Very Best Menstrual Cups The 10 Very Best Menstrual Cups
  • The Very Best Men’s Underwear The Very Best Men’s Underwear
  • The 12 Very Best Pillows for Neck Pain The 12 Very Best Pillows for Neck Pain
  • The Best Women’s Long Underwear for Women The Best Women’s Long Underwear for Wome…
  • The 15 Very Best Eye Creams The 15 Very Best Eye Creams
  • The Very Best Boxer Briefs The Very Best Boxer Briefs
  • The 11 Very Best Jeans for Tall Women The 11 Very Best Jeans for Tall Women
  • The 7 Very Best Dutch Ovens The 7 Very Best Dutch Ovens
  • The 10 Very Best Mattress Protectors The 10 Very Best Mattress Protectors
  • 13 of the Very Best Air Fryers 13 of the Very Best Air Fryers
  • The 8 Very Best Hair Towels The 8 Very Best Hair Towels
  • The 13 Very Best Mattress Toppers The 13 Very Best Mattress Toppers
  • 20 of the Very Best Men’s Socks 20 of the Very Best Men’s Socks
  • The 12 Very Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin The 12 Very Best Moisturizers for Dry Sk…
  • The 13 Very Best Air-Suction Sex Toys The 13 Very Best Air-Suction Sex Toys
  • The 13 Very Best Cashmere Sweaters The 13 Very Best Cashmere Sweaters
  • The 12 Very Best Travel Mugs The 12 Very Best Travel Mugs
  • The 29 Very Best Mascaras The 29 Very Best Mascaras
  • The 14 Best Women’s Raincoats The 14 Best Women’s Raincoats
  • The Very Best Retinol Products for Every Skin Type The Very Best Retinol Products for Every…
  • 18 of the Very Best Water Bottles 18 of the Very Best Water Bottles
  • The 11 Very Best Vitamin-C Serums The 11 Very Best Vitamin-C Serums
  • The 12 Best Cruiser Bikes The 12 Best Cruiser Bikes
  • The 9 Very Best Drugstore Eye Creams The 9 Very Best Drugstore Eye Creams
  • The 17 Very Best Floor Lamps The 17 Very Best Floor Lamps
  • The 6 Very Best Wine Coolers and Fridges The 6 Very Best Wine Coolers and Fridges
  • The 10 Very Best White T-shirts for Women The 10 Very Best White T-shirts for Wome…

The 11 Very Best Yoga Mats

For every type of yoga enthusiast..

Portrait of Jeremy Rellosa

In this article

  • Best overall
  • Best (less-expensive) overall
  • Best extra-grippy mats
  • Best lightweight
  • Best double-sided
  • Best cushioned
  • Best sustainable

Whether you’re back at your local yoga studio or have gotten into the habit of practicing at home with a virtual class , you’ll need a reliable mat on hand. For the past seven years, I’ve been using a yoga mat for all of my at-home workouts , including body-weight exercises, light kettlebell workouts (though I recommend dedicated gym mats for heavier weight lifting sessions), and stretching or rolling out on a foam roller . But not all yoga mats are the same. Too slippery, and your downward dogs will feel hazardous; too grippy, and you might find your mat coming with you when you jump forward during sun salutations.

To help you find the Goldilocksian ideal of yoga mats — along with some specific options for those in search of, say, a cushiony mat that’s especially supportive to joints or one that’s especially lightweight — I tested many options during at-home yoga sessions or doing bodyweight exercise. I also reached out to yogis, studio owners, and fitness experts to hear about their favorites. Check out our table of contents above to jump right to the type of mat you’re looking for, or read on to learn more about how to pick the best one for you.

What we’re looking for

Most yoga mats are 24 inches wide and between 68 and 72 inches long. If you get a mat in this range it should fit neatly in the rows in your studio. If you’re tall, it might be worth looking for a mat on the higher end of this range, or even above it, to make sure you have enough space. Wider mats give you a little more room from side to side, but just be aware that some yoga studios discourage these mats because they can alter the number of people who can fit in each row of the classroom. A few mats on our list come in different sizes, which we’ve indicated for each one below. (All measurements below are listed in the order of length by width.)

Yoga mats range from pancake thin to extra thick and cushy. Thinner mats give you more ground contact, which some yogis like feeling underneath their feet (especially in standing poses when you want a firm foundation). Thicker ones tend to feel more plush and supportive. If you have any sensitivities in your joints or your back, you may prefer the softness of a thicker mat.

The weight of your mat might not matter much if you’re practicing at home, but if you’re lugging it back and forth from the yoga studio in your bag or on your back, you’ll feel the difference a few ounces make. Thicker mats tend to weigh more, so keep that in mind when balancing your needs for cushioning versus portability.

Most yoga mats are made from either rubber, cork, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a synthetic plastic polymer. (It’s less common, but some yoga mats are made from fabrics like cotton.) Rubber mats are more sustainable as they’re made from naturally sourced and biodegradable material, but they may be irritating if you’re allergic to latex (latex proteins are found in rubber). PVC tends to be lighter and less expensive. Rubber is grippier, while PVC is smoother and can feel more slippery. Cork mats are sustainable, too, because they’re made from tree bark that is harvested without deforestation. Cork mat surfaces are smooth and soft to the touch, and since cork is hydrophobic, it doesn’t get slippery when wet. They also are easy to clean since cork is naturally antimicrobial.

Best yoga mat overall

Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat

Dimensions: Standard: 71” x 24”, Long: 79” x 24” | Thickness: 4.7 mm | Weight: Standard: 4 lbs, Long: 4.5 lbs | Material: PVC

I’ve used the PROlite for both yoga sessions and at-home bodyweight exercises, and I like how its surface feels slightly tacky when dry, which helps with grip. When I started to sweat, I noticed that it lost its grip a little, but not so much that I slipped or became unstable. Three of the yogis we talked to named Manduka’s PROlite mat as their go-to for daily practice. “The Manduka mat is indulgent — it’s grippy, soft, and breaks in very well,” says yoga instructor Kyle Miller . And while the mat certainly isn’t the least expensive of the ones on this list, Miller told us it holds up well over time. Kristen Nichols, an instructor at Y7 Studio , agrees that Manduka is a quality brand and that its lightweight mats are durable. She also notes that the mat “can get slippery, but it’s meant to — it’s designed to make you engage more.” Alexandria Brzenk , a private yoga instructor, is a fan of Manduka’s PROlite mat as well and says she uses it both for home practice and for teaching at her studio. “I prefer the texture of this mat over rubber mats because it makes flowing through transitions smoother while also offering enough traction so that my hands don’t slip in down dog,” she says. According to Brzenk, the mat also offers comfortable, full-body support: “It provides cushioning for the joints without sacrificing stability in standing postures.” And if you’re carrying it to the studio, Nichols notes this one is easy to take on the go.

Best (less-expensive) overall yoga mat

Jade Level 1 Yoga Mat

Dimensions: 68” x 24” | Thickness: 4 mm | Weight: 4 lbs | Material: Rubber

If you’re not ready to drop nearly $100 on a yoga mat, I recommend Jade’s Level 1 mat, which is only about half the cost of our best overall pick. “It has the best traction for your hands and feet, so no slipping,” says Krissy Jones , a co-founder of New York’s Sky Ting yoga studio. All Jade mats are made from all-natural rubber so they’ll feel grippier than PVC alternatives. The mat is also lightweight and rolls up easily, making it particularly storable if you’re using it to practice at home (and ideal for carrying it to the studio). At four millimeters thick, it won’t feel as plush as our top choice, but it’s far from threadbare.

Best extra-grippy yoga mat

Jade Yoga Harmony Yoga Mat

Length: Available in three: 68” x 24”, 71” x 24”, and 74” x 24” | Thickness: 4.7 mm | Weight: 4.5 lbs | Material: Rubber

If you’re looking for a mat that’ll make you feel a bit more secure (especially for those engaging in sweatier workouts ), Jade’s Harmony yoga mat is a grippy, stable option that helps with planting your hands and feet during poses. I’ve used the Harmony since 2019 and like how the mat lies flat, unlike some lighter-weight PVC models I’ve tested. Its edges don’t curl up and get in the way of poses that use the ends of the mat. It’s also a favorite of the yoga instructors we talked to (as well as Pilates instructors and senior vice-president and publisher at Pantheon & Schocken Books Lisa Lucas ) when it comes to grip. “They’re sticky, so your hands and feet don’t slide, and they’re durable, so you can put them in washing machines,” says Liz Wexler , a yoga instructor and former group-fitness manager at Equinox. Patrick Foley , a manager and teacher at Sky Ting, says that they “stock all of our studios with Jade mats” and that he uses one for his home practice as well. “The natural rubber is ecofriendly and provides great grip even when you get a little bit sweaty, and it’s thick enough to provide a little cushion,” he says. If the price seems somewhat high, Wexler assures us that it’s worth the investment: “They’ll also last for a really long time, several years.” Jade’s Harmony model is made from the same grippy natural rubber as its less-expensive Level 1 mat but is thicker for more plushness and comes in three different length options.

Best less-expensive extra-grippy yoga mat

Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip Yoga Mat

Length: Available in two: 68” x 24” and 78” x 26” | Thickness: 5mm | Weight: 4.25 lbs | Material: PVC

If you’re looking to create a hot-yoga experience at home , you need a mat that can maintain its grip when you sweat it out. This 5-mm.-thick mat from Gaiam comes recommended by Bethany Lyons, the founder of  Lyons Den Power Yoga . “I just love the feel and grip of this mat,” she says. Fashion designer Eileen Fisher , who’s done yoga for over 40 years and practiced daily for over 17 years, is also a big fan of this Gaiam mat. Fisher says its five-millimeter thickness offers just the right amount of cushioning and adds that it isn’t slippery. The grippy top coating that keeps its stickiness when damp, which helps your hands and feet stay grounded.

Best lightweight yoga mat

Jade Travel Yoga Mat

Length: Available in two: 68” x 24” and 74” x 24” | Thickness: 3 mm | Weight: 3.5 lbs | Material: Rubber

Jade Yoga’s travel mat is a versatile option if you plan on using just one mat for classes, for travel, and at home. It’s lightweight (at just over three pounds), easy to clean, and great for practicing both outdoors and indoors. Plus, it has the same nonstick textured rubber surface as the Jade Harmony mat above, so it’s also very grippy. Sharron Lynn, founder of the wellness community Breathe Flow Be , heard about the mat from a fellow yogi who thought it would give her better traction in practice. “I was taking a ton of hot-yoga classes and had issues with my hands slipping due to sweat and moisture from the heated room. She recommended Jade’s mats about three years ago, and I’ve been using them ever since.” This travel style is one of the thinnest mats on our list so it’s not the one to choose if you like a lot of support. It will give you the sensation of stability in standing poses, though, and its thinness keeps the weight very low, so it’s easy to tote around.

Best double-sided yoga mat

Lululemon The Mat 3mm Made With FSC™ Certified Rubber

Length: 71” x 26” | Thickness: 3 mm | Weight: 3.87 lbs | Material: Rubber and polyurethane

If you’re torn between the feel of textured rubber and smooth synthetic, try this reversible mat that’s basically two mats in one. One side is made from polyurethane (a plastic similar to PVC) while the other is lined with natural rubber for a softer, grippier feel. “I use the smooth side up during a Vinyasa flow, allowing easy transitions,” says yoga teacher Hannah Gardner , and then for hot yoga, “having the grip side up keeps me from sliding around.” At three millimeters it’s a very thin mat (and almost as lightweight as the Jade Travel model) so it won’t provide a ton of cushioning. Yoga instructor Tochi Anueyiagu says it feels “ springy ” and likes that the natural rubber surface is easy to clean. Outdoor-gear writer Joe Jackson likes the squishier five-millimeter version for doing body-weight exercises on his back deck (though he recommends even thicker mats for any workouts involving weights). At 26 inches wide, it gives you a hair more room to move side to side than a standard 24-inch mat.

Best yoga mat for form

Omala Aurora Color-Changing Yoga Mat

Length: 70” x 24” | Thickness: 5 mm | Weight: 4.96 lbs | Material: PVC

If you’re looking for a little more help with your form, consider this plush mat from Omala, which changes color. Former senior editor Chelsea Peng has been using it for the past two months, and says “it’s truly such a helpful tool if you’re practicing yoga at home by yourself because the mat is a visual alignment guide.” The Omala changes color based on heat and pressure, so “you can leave foot and handprints and see how well they line up when you change poses,” she says. Peng doesn’t have a mirror in her yoga space, so she found the color-changing feature more helpful to her than just relying on feel. According to Peng, the Omala has a few slight downsides to look out for. The smell when you first unbox it is “quite strongly floral (not unpleasant, just a lot, but it doesn’t smell very much at all after you leave it out),” she says, and adds that you have to be careful with rolling and with storage because the coating that does the color-changing can scratch off.

Best cushioned yoga mat

Manduka PRO Yoga Mat

Length: Standard: 71” x 26”, Extra Long: 85” x 26” | Thickness: 6 mm | Weight: Standard: 7.5 lbs, Extra Long: 9.5 lbs | Material: PVC

Our best overall yoga mat is actually the lighter version of this super-cushy mat. While the “lite” mat is a crowd pleaser with its middle-of-the-road thickness and commute-friendly weight, the PRO is for those seeking a truly plush feel. At six millimeters thick, it’s the most cushioned mat on our list, but at seven and a half to nine and a half pounds (depending on the length) it’s also the heaviest — so it’s maybe not the best pick if you’re carrying it from home, to work, to the studio, and back. Sarah Neufeld , co-founder of Modo Yoga , tells us that she always uses Manduka mats and that the PRO is her go-to for at-home practice. “When you get the PRO, at first it feels slippery, but then a couple of weeks into using it, it starts to get perfect,” she says. “Five to ten years later, it gets even better and stays grippy.” Neufeld notes that the Manduka PRO mat is “really heavy,” but that it gives “a lot of support.” Heather Lilleston and Katelin Sisson, the founders of Yoga for Bad People , agree: “For home practice, a bit more cushion and density are sometimes nice,” they told us. “For that, we love the Manduka PRO.” And though it’s a bit more expensive, Neufeld says it’s a worthy investment: “It’s thicker and will last forever, so I’m willing to spend more on it,” she says.

Best sustainable yoga mat

SugaMat Recycled Wetsuit Yoga Mat

Length: Regular: 72” x 25,” Extra Large: 74” x 26” | Thickness: 5 mm | Weight: 5 lbs | Material: Recycled wetsuits

While several of the mats on this list come from brands with a focus on sustainability (Jade’s mats are made from ecofriendly natural rubber, and the brand plants a tree for every mat sold), SugaMat’s offerings take that commitment a bit further: Each mat is made entirely from recycled wetsuits. Miller told us the mats are a favorite at the Love Yoga studio in Los Angeles: “They’re comfy, very cool looking, and nonslip,” she says. SugaMats are a little longer and wider than most, too, if that’s something you’re looking for.

Best cork yoga mat

B Yoga Natural Non Slip Cork

Length: 72” x 24” | Thickness: 4 mm | Weight: 5.1 lbs | Material: Cork (top), rubber (bottom)

Cork yoga mats are unique because they feel soft on the skin when they’re dry, but become grippy when wet. That combo makes it a great option for sweaty sessions, or for yoga enthusiasts who want a look that’s “distinctly non-engineered,” as writer Maggie Lange put it. In her review for the Cut, Lange says this B Yoga mat changed her summer workouts because of cork’s sweat-management capabilities. “Cork’s impermeability is often called hydrophobic: It resists liquid,” she writes. “I don’t know if it was absorbing sweat or wicking it to some unknown locations, but my workout surface was desiccated.”

Best non-rubber yoga mat

Öko Living Herbal Yoga Mat

Length: Typically 72” x 25,” may vary based on handloomed process | Thickness: 3 to 7 mm | Weight: 3.4 lbs | Material: Organic cotton

Choosing the right yoga mat ultimately comes down to preference, and if you don’t like the feel of rubber, PVC, or cork, this cloth mat from Öko Living is a unique option that makes it feel as if you’re doing a session on your carpet. It comes recommended by actress Sarah Hyland , who says she likes that “it’s sustainable, because most yoga mats aren’t. I use it while watching TV or for just a nice stretch.” Although it’s made from 100-percent organic cotton and won’t be naturally as grippy as the rubber or PVC models on this list, it still provides traction: “It has rib lines, almost like a stopper or gripper, at the end of either end, so if I’m doing a plank, I don’t slide,” Hyland says. Its bottom is also coated with natural tree rubber, which helps provide extra grip. It comes in muted and subtle tones, which makes it a great option if you’re looking for a less colorful mat with a more natural look.

Some more yoga mats we’ve written about

CAMBIVO Large Yoga Mat

Our experts

• Tochi Anueyiagu , yoga instructor • Alexandria Brzenk , private yoga instructor • Eileen Fisher , fashion designer • Patrick Foley , manager and yoga instructor at Sky Ting • Hannah Gardner , yoga instructor • Sarah Hyland , actress • Joe Jackson , Outside  magazine columnist and home-gym expert • Krissy Jones , Sky Ting co-founder • Maggie Lange , writer • Heather Lilleston,  Yoga for Bad People  co-founder • Sharron Lynn,  Breathe Flow Be  founder • Bethany Lyons, founder of  Lyons Den Power Yoga •  Kyle Miller , yoga instructor •  Sarah Neufeld ,  Modo Yoga  co-founder • Kristen Nichols, yoga instructor at  Y7 Studio • Chelsea Peng , former Strategist senior editor • Katelin Sisson,  Yoga for Bad People  co-founder •  Liz Wexler , yoga instructor and former group-fitness manager at Equinox

Additional reporting by  Karen Iorio Adelson ,  Chloe Anello ,  Lauren Levy , and  Hilary Reid .

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments , rolling luggage , pillows for side sleepers , natural anxiety remedies , and bath towels . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

  • the strategist
  • health and fitness
  • sporting goods
  • best in class

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Deal of the Day

Micro sales, greatest hits, most viewed stories.

  • 10 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Compression Boots to Citrusy Candles
  • All the Best Walking Shoes We’ve Ever Written About
  • The 14 Very Best Protein Powders
  • The 11 Very Best Vitamin-C Serums
  • The 10 Very Best Mom Jeans
  • 61 Easter-Basket Ideas for Every Type of Kid

Popular Products From Athleta

Athleta

professional travel yoga mat

CREEES Professional Resources Forum

Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

Study Abroad: Intensive Theatre in Moscow (ASU/MATS)

Deadline for applications: february 25, 2019.

The University of Arizona is pleased to announce a new study abroad opportunity at the Moscow Art Theatre School (MATS), scheduled for May 11-31, 2019 . The first two weeks of the program will take place in Moscow, where students will engage in rigorous coursework at MATS; the third week of the program will consist of online learning activities and writing assignments (to be completed remotely). Students have the option of enrolling in one of the following two courses to receive 3 units of credit from the University of Arizona:

TAR 496A/596A: Russian Theatre and Performance (Stanislavsky Acting Technique) Focus: Intensive acting, movement, and voice training Instructors: Moscow Art Theatre Faculty and Professor Greg Pierotti (UA Faculty, School of Theatre, Film and Television)

This course examines, through both applied practice and theoretical study, how the actor’s craft has been practiced and taught in Russia. Students will complete two-weeks of intensive acting training, stage movement, and voice technique with Moscow Art Theatre professors. Through practical studio classes, we will learn aspects of Stanislavsky’s acting method. Our lectures and discussions will analyze how his techniques are translated into contemporary American actor training and professional practice in television, film, and theatre. The program includes cultural outings (museum tours, four theatre performances, a trip to Chekhov’s Estate, Melikovo), lodging, and tuition.

RSS 415/515: The History of Russian Theatre Focus: Cultural immersion Instructors: Moscow Art Theatre Faculty and Dr. Colleen Lucey (UA Faculty, Department of Russian and Slavic Studies)

This course covers the history of Russian theatre and performance from its beginnings to the present day. Housed at the world-renowned Moscow Art Theatre, lectures and discussions will address such questions as: Why do Russian artists and performers utilize the stage for political protest? What made Moscow the hotbed for theatre innovation in the 20th century? How do contemporary Russian theatre-makers address social, political, and generational conflicts? To better answer these questions, students will visit Moscow’s famous museums and theatres—both traditional and avant-garde—with an eye to the ever-changing landscape of Russian theatre. Participants will also have two meetings with contemporary Russian directors and playwrights to discuss their perspective on these topics. The program includes cultural outings (museum tours, four theatre performances, a trip to Chekhov’s Estate, Melikovo), lodging, and tuition.

Additional Program Details: Acting, movement, and voice classes will be taught by MATS faculty. No knowledge of Russian is required to participate in this program. This study abroad opportunity is open both to UA and non-UA undergraduate and graduate students, assuming they meet the necessary criteria.

More information on the program (including application and budget details) can be viewed at:  https://global.arizona.edu/study-abroad/program/russian-theatre-and-performance

IMAGES

  1. Manduka PRO Travel Yoga Mat

    professional travel yoga mat

  2. Manduka PRO TRAVEL Yoga Mat

    professional travel yoga mat

  3. Travel Yoga Mat

    professional travel yoga mat

  4. Yomad Pro 3mm Natural Rubber Travel Yoga Mat by AVIVA YOGA

    professional travel yoga mat

  5. Yomad Pro 3mm Natural Rubber Travel Yoga Mat by AVIVA YOGA

    professional travel yoga mat

  6. Manduka Begin and Pro Travel Yoga Mat: 2020 Review

    professional travel yoga mat

VIDEO

  1. Best Yoga Mat and I will tell you why?

  2. Travel Yoga Mat UGC #ugc #ugcnet #ugccreator

  3. 6mm Vegan Suede Yoga Mat Review

  4. Foldable TPE travel Yoga Mat

  5. Alma Travel Yoga Mat Review

  6. Day 18: 35min Sweaty Power Yoga Workout

COMMENTS

  1. The 7 Best Travel Yoga Mats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

    Best Foldable: lululemon Carry Onwards Mat at Lululemon (See Price) Jump to Review. Best Grip: Gaiam Premium Reversible Lunar Wave Yoga Mat at Amazon ($32) Jump to Review. Best for Hot Yoga: Bala ...

  2. 11 BEST Travel Yoga Mats To Buy In (2024)

    Here are the best yoga mats for travel in no particular order. Yoga Mat. Features. Price. eKO Lite Travel Yoga Mat. Natural Rubber, Flexible, Lightweight, Excellent grip. $68. ( Shop) Mikkoa Travel Mat.

  3. The 7 Best Travel Yoga Mats

    What to Look for in a Travel Yoga Mat Material. The ideal material for a travel yoga mat is easy to clean and lightweight. A rubber bottom layer with a microfiber top is a common combination, as well as polyurethane, PVC, and even cotton. Look for top layers that wick moisture or improve grip when wet. Size. A standard yoga mat is 24 x 68 inches.

  4. 6 Best Travel Yoga Mats in 2023

    Best for Form: The Liforme Travel Yoga Mat. $115. Liforme. The Liforme Travel mat comes with alignment markings, which show you where to position your body to maintain proper form. Its thin design ...

  5. The 18 Best Yoga Mats of 2024, Tested by Verywell Fit

    Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. ... we recommend Manduka's EKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat. At 2.2 pounds, it was among the lightest rubber mats wet tested, which is especially impressive considering ...

  6. The 5 Best Yoga Mats of 2024

    The best yoga mat. Your hands and feet won't budge, and the 5 millimeters of natural rubber provide plenty of padding for knees. It's available in a massive Big size too. $98 from Lululemon ...

  7. The Best Travel Yoga Mats

    At just over 3 mm thick, this travel yoga mat balances cushion with lightness. Available in a variety of earthy colors and made sustainability, this travel mat benefits you, the aesthetics of your space—and the environment, as Jade Yoga plants a tree for every mat they sell. Travel Mat, $59.90-$64.70. (Photo: Hugger Mugger)

  8. The Best Travel Yoga Mats of 2023

    The Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat is a compact and grippy option with an under-$20 price tag. Best cushioned: JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat - See at Amazon. The JadeYoga Travel Mat comes from one of ...

  9. Best Travel Yoga Mats in 2024

    2 Manduka - eKO SuperLite Travel mat 68″. 3 Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Mat for Travel - Lightweight, Easy to Roll and Fold, Durable, 1.5mm... 3.1 Gaiam Reversible Travel Yoga Mat. 4 Gaiam Yoga Mat Premium Print Reversible Extra Thick Non Slip Exercise & Fitness Mat for All Types of... 4.1 Jade Travel Yoga Mat.

  10. The Best Lightweight Travel Yoga Mats for Easy Storage

    Yogo Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat. Weight: 2.1 pounds. Thickness: 1.5mm. Yogo's Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat makes taking a yoga mat wherever you go a no brainer—it's designed to easily fold up into ...

  11. 10 Best Travel Yoga Mats to Carry While Traveling 2024

    9. KUYOU Yoga Mat Foldable Travel Yoga Mat. The KUYOU Yoga Mat is made of high quality, odorless natural rubber and suede material, which absorbs sweat quickly. It features a double-layer structure with an anti-slip rubber layer, and a textured surface that provides optimum grip without sacrificing comfort.

  12. Yoga Travel Mats

    Yoga Design Lab Travel Mat 1.5mm - Celestial. Sold out. Yoga Design Lab Travel Mat 1.5mm - Mexicana. Sold out. Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Mat. Sold out. 2 colours. A foldable yoga mat is a travel essential for any yoga practitioner. Wherever your adventures take you, be ready to practise whenever you need it.

  13. 11 Best Travel Yoga Mats for 2024

    1. Best overall travel yoga mat: Manduka At just 2.5mm in density, this travel yoga mat is the ultimate for tucking into your suitcase. Whether you're headed away on a fitness retreat or just want to sneak in some yin yoga sessions during your vacation, the Manduka PRO Travel Yoga Mat is lightweight, portable, and designed for a life on the go. Best of all, this travel yoga mat was ...

  14. Best Travel Yoga Mats in 2023

    The Jade 3mm travel yoga mat is a top choice if you prefer a thicker but still light and portable mat. 3mm thickness yet still lightweight, weighing 3 pounds (1.36kg) Made from renewable natural rubber and a chemical-free manufacturing process. Four colour options. Top-notch grip thanks to the open-cell design.

  15. 6 Best Travel Yoga Mats to Practice Yoga On The Road

    3. Gaiam Travel Mat: Best Budget Mat. The Gaiam Travel Yoga Mat is a match made in heaven for yogis on a budget. Despite its lean price tag, it delivers a top-notch performance that rivals its more expensive counterparts. With a thickness of just 2mm, it folds into a compact 10" x 12" square, making it a cinch to stow away in various bags.

  16. Best travel yoga mats of 2023 tried and tested

    Viavito Travel Yoga Mat. Viavito. Designed to fit in even the smallest of tote bags, this grippy non-stick yoga mat has been fabricated from a durable and waterproof PVC which is nevertheless free ...

  17. 11 Best Yoga Mats

    Jade Travel Yoga Mat. From $119. Length: Available in two: 68" x 24" and 74" x 24" | Thickness: 3 mm | Weight: 3.5 lbs | Material: Rubber. Jade Yoga's travel mat is a versatile option if ...

  18. Best Travel Yoga Mat

    Discover the perfect travel yoga mat for your next journey at DICK's Sporting Goods. Browse our collection of durable, lightweight, and compact yoga mats for maximum convenience. ... fit pilates mat is a professional grade mat just like the ones used in pilates studios it is an absolute must for performing all the various forms exercises and ...

  19. Amazon.com: Travel Yoga Mat Foldable

    Skip to main content.us

  20. Richard Ayoade & Greg Davies in Moscow

    Richard and Greg Davies clash with army tanks and head into space in the Russian capital. To watch the full episode click here http://www.channel4.com/progra...

  21. Moscow

    Moscow is a city of contrasts where the bohemian and the glamorous merge in an idiosyncratic fusion - do not be surprised to find a golden-domed 16th-century church next to an ultra-modern glass skyscraper or a Soviet blockhouse.

  22. Study Abroad: Intensive Theatre in Moscow (ASU/MATS)

    Deadline for Applications: February 25, 2019. The University of Arizona is pleased to announce a new study abroad opportunity at the Moscow Art Theatre School (MATS), scheduled for May 11-31, 2019.The first two weeks of the program will take place in Moscow, where students will engage in rigorous coursework at MATS; the third week of the program will consist of online learning activities and ...

  23. Moscow Mouse Pads & Desk Mats

    Make your desk your unique space with a new Moscow mouse pad or desk mat from Zazzle! Choose from a wide range of designs or customize your own today!