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The Best Yoga Mats for Travel

Planning to travel and don’t want to give up your yoga practice? Then this review of the best yoga mat for travel is going to help you to choose the best travel yoga mat to take with you, wherever you are traveling to.

With so many travel yoga mats out there, it is hard to decide which one to buy! But never fear, I’ve got you covered! As a travel-obsessed yogi myself I never leave home or go to my favorite yoga retreats in Europe without my travel yoga mat. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that I’m more attached to my travel yoga mat than I am to the entire contents of my backpack!

In this post, I have chosen the best yoga mats for travel to review so you can decide which one is right for you. I’ve compared them by size, weight, and portability, as well as a few other things that you will find useful. Personally, I use this Lulu Lemon travel yoga mat, it is on the thin side, but I just buy a cheap yoga mat wherever I am and pop it underneath for some extra comfort. Of course, if you don’t want the fuss of this and need a thicker yoga mat then I’d recommend this one, but it is heavy and it doesn’t fold up, so keep that in mind.

If I’m on the road a towel works. well as well. I love it so much this is actually my 3rd! The first I lost in Guatemala, and the second my kittens destroyed in Mexico haha. I even bought one for my husband to travel with, that’s how much I love this mat.

What makes a best yoga mat for travel?

The Best Yoga Mats for Travel

Before we go any further here are some things to think about before choosing a travel yoga mat.

Do you just want a travel yoga mat, or will this become your main yoga mat?

If it is going to be your main yoga mat, that’s fine. I actually only use my thin travel yoga mat and I just put a cheap yoga mat from Amazon under it to add a bit more cushioning as mine is a thin yoga mat.

Folding yoga mat?

This is a big one, having a fold-up yoga mat can be a game-changer for travel. I recommend looking for a yoga mat that you can fold and roll. That way you have the option of folding it up in your suitcase. It is also really useful for me to have a foldable yoga mat so I can put it in the basket of my bike.

Lightweight yoga mat?

Just because it’s a travel yoga mat doesn’t necessarily mean it is a lightweight yoga mat! So if you do need something thin and light then be sure to check the weight. Even thin ones can be on the heavy side.

The Best Travel Yoga Mats

NameSizeThicknessWeightPrice
Lululemon 5mm Reversible66cm X 180cm (26" X 71")5mm5.24 lbCheck Price
Gaiam Dry-Grip foldable61cm X 173cm (24" X 68")2mm1lbCheck Price
Jade Travel Mat68” x 24” or 74” x 24”3.5mm3.3 lbCheck Price
Manduka eKo SuperLite61cm X 180cm (24" X 68")1.5mm2lbCheck Price
Gaiam Dry-Grip Yoga Mat68"L x 24"W x 0.19"Th5mm4.8lbCheck Price

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?

The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing

Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.

Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

My favorite yoga mats for travel

The Best Yoga Mats for Travel

Lululemon 5mm Reversible

I’m now on my third Lulu Lemon travel yoga mat, and I personally wouldn’t use anything else for practicing yoga. I lost my first one in Guatemala on my way to do my Yoga Teacher Training and I was gutted! I tried a few other travel yoga mats (reviewed below) but not of them did for me what this thin yoga mat does, so I sucked it up and spent an extra $60 on a second one! Lulu lemon does have a thinner mat for travel, the (UN)Mat and they also have a folding yoga mat, but I still prefer this one and it will fold up to put into your suitcase if you need it to.

I personally haven’t used their other 2 travel yoga mats as they are just a bit thin for me and the reviews aren’t as good. For me, the 5mm Lulu Lemon yoga mat is perfect as when I’m practicing at a studio, at a yoga retreat, or just at home, I can place the travel yoga mat on top of a studio (or cheap mat) for some extra padding.

But if I’m away from home where I don’t have access to a second yoga mat it is still thick enough for me to practice with alone. Any thinner and it would be uncomfortable, especially if I’m doing inversions.

The Best Yoga Mats for Travel

Reasons I love this travel yoga mat

The Grip! – I live in the Caribbean so every yoga class is hot yoga and I sweat a lot. This means on a normal yoga mat I slip a lot. This is the only yoga mat I don’t slip on and believe me, I have tried a lot of yoga mats!

Reversible – This mat is reversible and the other side is even better for grip, but if I’m honest I never reverse it as I don’t need to.

Foldable – Although it doesn’t say it in the product description this is a foldable yoga mat. I have folded it a lot either to put it into my backpack/ suitcase or to travel in the basket of my bike.

Antibacterial – This mat has an Antimicrobial additive that helps to prevent mold so if you live in a hot climate like me this is a real plus.

Reasons this travel yoga mat isn’t for you

Weight – So this isn’t strictly speaking a travel yoga mat it is on the heavier side. So if weight is something you need to keep down this mat may not be the best choice for you.
Cleaning and Maintenance – This yoga mat is super sticky! That means things like dust and dirt are also going to be attracted to it! You have to make sure you clean it after use and leave it to dry away from the sun.

Scuffing – It can scuff easily so you will need to take care not to damage it.

Price – At just under $80 USD it is at the top end of the pricing for travel yoga mats. Although in my opinion, you do get what you pay for and this mat is worth every penny!

Travel Yoga Mat Specs

  • Size: 66cm x 180cm (26″ x 71″)
  • Thickness: 5mm (0.12″)
  • Weight: 2.38 kg (5.24 lbs)
 
 


Gaiam Dry-Grip foldable 2mm Travel Yoga Mat

If you are on a tight budget then this lightweight yoga mat is a great buy. It is one of the lightest yoga mats on the market and for a bargain price.

yoga mats for travel,travel yoga mat

Reasons to buy this mat

Weight – This is one of the lightest travel yoga mats you are going to find as it weighs just 1lb, you won’t find a more lightweight yoga mat than this.

Price – You aren’t going to find a decent portable yoga mat for a better price than this.

Colors – There are a lot of super cool patterns and colors to choose from. So if you want a patterned yoga mat this is a great option.

Foldable – It’s a foldable yoga mat and it will easily fold into a 10”x12” square.

Sticky – It has a sticky feel to it which helps with grip.

Backpacker friendly – Taking all of the above into consideration I would say if you are a backpacker looking for a cheap travel yoga mat to take away with you that won’t take up too much space and won’t add to your weight, this is it!

Reasons this mat isn’t for you

Grip – Although it does have a sticky grip. Having tried it out in a hot and humid country, I did struggle a bit with grip. So if you are a slider like me then this may not be the right choice for you.

Thin – This is an extremely thin yoga mat and it feels almost like practicing on the ground. If you want something with more padding then choose a different mat. Alternatively, this is perfect to layer on top of another mat, or even on a towel.

Quality – As it is at the cheaper end of the spectrum it isn’t the best quality. So if you are someone who practices daily and want a mat that is going to last then this isn’t the yoga mat for you.

Travel Mat Specs

  • Size: 61cm X 173cm (24″ X 68″)
  • Thickness: 2mm
  • Weight: 1lb
Growing Your Yoga brand

Jade Travel Mat

For me, the two contenders for the best travel yoga mats are Lulu Lemon and this Jade travel yoga mat. I personally prefer Lulu Lemon as I find it easier to grip and you can use their mats right away. With Jade, you need to ‘break it in’ but they are excellent quality mats that will stand the test of time… They just take a bit of extra work.

The Jade Travel Mat is a travel mat for serious yoga practitioners who don’t mind the maintenance that goes along with looking after these mats. It is also on the larger and heavier side meaning you can’t fold it easily.

Reasons to buy this mat

Quality – If you are a yogi on the go and want a more travel-friendly version of the standard Jade yoga mat then you can’t go wrong.

Cushioning – It is thicker than other travel yoga mats so it will give you a bit more cushioning, this means you can use it comfortably on its own without a second mat.

Non-slip – Once you have broken in your Jade yoga mat the grip is fantastic thanks to its open cell natural rubber surface.

Reasons this mat isn’t for you

Weight – This is good quality and a well-cushioned portable yoga mat. The compromise is that it is on the heavy side. In fact, it is over 3 times heavier than a Gaian mat!

Bulky -Jade mats are well known for their cushioning and at 3.5 mm thick this mat may be a little too bulky for some travelers.

High Maintenance – Because of its open cell natural rubber surface your Jade mat will take a lot of maintenance if you want it to last. It will absorb EVERYTHING. So you have to clean it after each use and dry it away from the sun. If you leave the mat in the sun it can destroy is as it will totally dry out the rubber. So if you do buy this mat, be sure to read all of the maintenance instructions and follow them. If you don’t you run the risk of destroying your mat.

Travel Mat Specs

  • Size: 68” x 24” or 74” x 24”
  • Thickness: 3.5 mm
  • Weight: 2.9 or 3.3 lb

If you want a Jade mat but need a lighter alternative Jade also has a Voyager Yoga Mat which is lighter and thinner. Click here to check out prices.

 


Manduka eKo SuperLite Travel Mat

This was the mat I bought when I lost my Lulu Lemon and it really wasn’t a bad travel yoga mat. It just wasn’t the mat for me. It is ridiculously thin and very light and I personally never used it without a mat underneath as it was just too thin.

But the price is ok, it had an ok grip, and you can fold or roll it.

Reasons to buy this travel yoga mat

Thin and lightweight – It is one of the thinnest and lightest yoga mats you will find and from a well-known and trusted brand.

Price – Manduka is a well-known brand and the price sits somewhere in the middle. This was one of the deciding factors for me as I trusted the brand, but didn’t want to spend over $50 for a travel yoga mat.

Quality – despite its size the quality of this mat is very good and it will last as long as you look after it.

Colorful – It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

Backpacking – This is a great option for backpackers who are also serious about yoga. You will need to place it on top of a studio mat though if you prefer a little extra cushioning.

Latex-free – As it is an eco yoga mat it is made from all-natural materials and it is latex-free.

Reasons this mat isn’t for you

Grip – For some the grip on this mat is perfect. It has a sticky feel and this will help you to grip so long as you don’t sweat or practice in a humid place. I personally found that as soon as my hands became sweaty and the mat got a little damp it became like glass and I had no grip at all! Although this really helped with my jump thoughts!

Too Thin – It was way too thin for me to use on its own on a hard floor.

Smell – It smells and it didn’t really fade with time no matter how much lavender water I sprayed on it haha. So if you are sensitive to smells then give this one a miss!

Travel Yoga Mat Specs

  • Size: 61cm X 180cm (24″ X 68″)
  • Thickness: 1.5mm
  • Weight: 2lb

Manduka also does a Pro-lite Yoga and Pilates Mat which is a great option if you don’t mind something a little bulkier. Click here to check prices.

Gaiam Dry-Grip Yoga Mat

This is my second choice by Gaia. I just can’t get enough of their beautiful and colorful patterns. If you are thinking about traveling to a destination with hot weather, this mat is advertised to help you with that. With an absorbent towel-like microfiber topcoat that works to wick moisture, this mat is ideal for sweaty yogis. On the downside, it is a bit heavy, weighing 4.82 pounds.

yoga mats for travel,travel yoga mat

Reasons to buy this mat

Machine washable and air-dry – This mat has a towel-like topcoat and a 5mm yoga mat cushion you can easily wash

Price – It is a good price for the quality of the mat.

Cushioning – The cushioning on this mat is average meaning you can practice on it without a second mat. Although, I do prefer to use a second mat underneath when I can.

Quality – It is an excellent-quality portable yoga mat from a trusted brand.

Reasons this mat isn’t for you

Maintenance – The towel-like top is pretty nice, though also pretty necessary to wash constantly because it gets dirty very easily.

Weight – it weighs 4.82 lb so it’s not the lightest mat.

Travel Mat Specs

  • Size: 68 x 24 Inches
  • Thickness: 5mm
  • Weight: 4.82 lb

Yoga Mat Cleaner

The one common theme running through with all of these yoga mats is that you will need to keep them clean and be sure to dry them out! The key to getting the most from your yoga mat is to look after it, and it will look after you. You can easily make your own yoga mat cleaner with a little alcohol, lavender, and tea tree oil (blog post coming soon!).

But if you prefer to buy something then my two favorites are Asutra and Mind Over Lather. Both of them are 100% natural and smell amazing!

Yoga at the beach

Final Thoughts

As a traveling yoga teacher, I know how important having a good travel yoga mat is, especially as some of them are quite an investment. Although each of these mats has pros and cons you really can’t go wrong with buying any on this list. It really is just personal preference.

View my Yoga Packing List on Amazon!

Do you have a favorite travel yoga mat that I’ve missed from this list? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll be sure to try and get my hands on one to try it out!

yoga mats for travel,travel yoga mat

Nova

Thursday 10th of August 2023

This article is a treasure trove for globetrotting yogis! The insight into choosing travel-friendly mats is invaluable. Now I'm ready to roll and flow wherever my adventures take me.

Kim

Friday 20th of December 2019

I’ve read a lot of blog posts on travel mats and yours is the only one that addresses the need for a thicker travel mat that still folds! Thanks for the great reviews.