• Yoga mats are inherently portable but those built specifically for travel are extra pliable and lightweight in order to avoid taking up much space.
  • Since yoga is able to be done almost anywhere, it’s reasonable to want to bring a mat along with you whether you commute across the city or travel often.
  • Our top pick, Manduka’s eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat, is made of durable materials, weighs only 2.2 pounds, and is highly flexible without sacrificing quality.

Yoga is the ideal form of exercise for travel. You can do it just about anywhere and with almost no equipment. The one thing you do need for yoga, however, is a mat.

While yoga mats are somewhat portable themselves, designed to be rolled or folded so you can toss them in your car or backpack, some mats are certainly better for travel than others.

What to look for in a travel yoga mat

Travel yoga mats are usually thinner and more compact. Often the materials are more pliable and they sometimes come with additional straps or pouches for added portability. The best ones are foldable, so you can pack them in a weekender or suitcase without it taking up too much space.

Sometimes travel yoga mats have less padding than regular mats, which can be an issue for people who have sensitive knees or wrists. That said, there are plenty of them that rival the quality of typical mats while remaining travel-friendly.

For standard yoga mats, check out our guide on the best yoga mats.

The best travel yoga mats:

Updated on 8/14/2020 by Rick Stella: Updated the section on what to look for in a travel yoga mat, checked the availability of each recommended mat, and updated the price and links where necessary.

The best overall

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.

In my research, one mat popped up repeatedly as the best choice: the Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat. 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's material is built to last. It's made of sustainable, natural tree rubber that's resistant to tearing and still retains its shape even with frequent use. The surface texture creates a strong grip for sweaty hands, too. All Manduka mats are made without PVC or potentially toxic plasticizers.

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

Cons: Expensive, not a lot of padding

The best budget mat

Foto: Source: Gaiam

The Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat is a compact and grippy option with an under-$20 price tag.

I get it: No one likes the idea of spending $40 or more on a mat you only use a couple of times a year. Infrequent travelers, then, 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.

Pros: Affordable, very lightweight, meant to be folded

Cons: PVC material

The best multi-size mat

Foto: Source: Jade Yoga

The JadeYoga Travel Mat comes in two sizes to accommodate people of different heights.

People come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so why shouldn't their yoga mats? The JadeYoga Travel Mat is available in 68-inch and 74-inch lengths, allowing you to choose the right one based on your height.

JadeYoga puts special attention on sustainability, in the construction of the mats and through a partnership with the organization, Trees for the Future. The 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 a much plusher cushioning compared to other travel mats. At approximately 3 pounds, it's a bit heavier than others on this list, though. If you find yourself frequently winching during kneeling poses, you'll appreciate the additional support.

One downside is that, unlike most travel yoga mats, Jade'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.

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

Cons: Heavier than many other travel mats

The best reversible mat

Foto: Source: Lululemon

The cleverly named Reversible (Un)Mat from Lululemon is like having two lightweight yoga mats for the price of one.

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 (Un)Mat from Lululemon helps solve that problem with a moisture-absorbing polyurethane-coated layer on one side.

If you get super sweaty during a vigorous practice, use this grippier side to keep yourself from slip-sliding off the mat. For more chill sessions, you can use the rubberized side. This mat is a bit thinner than our other picks at 1.5 mm, so if you like mats with ample cushion, you may need to look elsewhere. Antimicrobial rubber means you can toss it in a suitcase without stressing about mold buildup.

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

Cons: Not much cushion

The best machine-washable mat

Foto: Source: Amazon

The Clever Yoga Travel Mat is odor-resistant and simple to clean, which is great news for practitioners of hot yoga.

Is it just me or is cleaning your yoga mat the worst chore? Most of the time they need to be wiped-down, which is time-consuming and not necessarily foolproof if you've got a sticky, grippy mat.

Thankfully, the Clever Yoga Travel Mat is machine-washable, making it a great choice for travelers who may have to pack quickly after practice. This pick is highly recommended for hot-yoga fans because of the "microfiber moisture-activated grip top layer" and nonslip rubber base.

The mat is 1-mm thick and weighs about 2.5 pounds. It's odor-resistant, thanks to a waterproof film that prevents moisture and sweat from absorbing into the materials. Like most travel mats, it folds easily to fit in a carry-on, backpack, or suitcase.

Pros: Machine washable, odor-resistant, non-slip, affordable

Cons: Very little cushioning