6 Best Travel Yoga Mats in 2023
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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.
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
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
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
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
- Thickness: 1.5 mm
- Unrolled size: 72" long x 26" wide
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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
- Thickness: 1.5 mm
- Unrolled size: 68" long x 24" wide
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
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