11 Best Travel Yoga Mat 2024, Importance, Things To Know, Brands & FAQ’s

Packing for your trip, fitting all your items in that limited space is an art in itself. This art must not go unsung ever. For all the things to get their deserving space in the suitcase, it must be flexible enough to adjust with other things around it. A yoga mat is, unfortunately, one of the things that are stubborn, and disagrees to adjust with the space.

Maintaining personal yoga practice is very effective in balancing other things while you are on vacation, like jet lag, tense muscle, long flights, bus rides, walking or standing for hours. Maintaining the yoga practice in your hotel room or any outdoor space becomes a lot easier with a handy travel yoga mat. A travel yoga mat is like any other yoga mat but much more flexible, foldable and lightweight. This makes the packing business less dreadful.

So, come with us as we guide you to the 11 best travel yoga mats for you.

Why is Yoga Mat important?

I don’t think there is anyone who is not acquainted with the benefits of yoga. Yoga practitioners often recommend yoga mats as an essential item both indoors and outdoors. A yoga mat is usually made of PVC, or rubber, or breathable cotton. 

Yoga masters recommend yoga mats due to various advantages:

• Support- while practicing different kinds of yoga, like vinyasa yoga, kundalini yoga, you must have come across certain positions that make you feel uncomfortable on the sensitive knees or ankles. This means you do not have an appropriate yoga mat with enough support. A quality yoga mat must be able to provide comfort at every pose. If required go for an extra cushioning yoga mat.
• Stability- Stability is another very important reason to buy a yoga mat. It is very important to keep your hold strong; a yoga mat has an anti-slipping property that helps you with keeping your hold strong on the surface.
• Thermo-insulation- Like any other form of exercise, yoga techniques like Kundalini (activation of the dormant source of energy at the base of the spine), and pranayama (breathing technique) causes a rise in energy levels and metabolic activities inside the body. A yoga mat prevents the energy from getting washed out by the grounding effect of the earth.

5 Things To Know Before Buying Travel Yoga Mat

Before moving onto the list of best yoga mats, let us first learn some important points to consider before buying a yoga mat.

1. Durability: The first thing to consider when you are looking for a yoga mat is how durable it is. Because you do not want to spend again and again on the same thing throughout your life when you can get other options with great durability. 
2. Portability: When it comes to travel yoga mats, portability is a very important factor you must keep in mind. The weight of the mat is very important along with other factors like foldability etc. The mat must be very easily portable, ultra-light, easy to fold, flexible, but this should not mean compromising on quality or durability. Durability and portability both must be kept in mind. 
3. Raw materials used: We must always check what we are leaving back for the environment as remnants. If not in a positive way, the least we can do is not to leave back something that would cause a negative impact on nature and the environment. Check if the raw materials used are eco-friendly. As a yoga enthusiast, you must be conscious of the impacts you cause on the planet and on people and animals living on it.
4. Mat comfort: As travel yoga mats are lightweight, they tend to be a bit uncomfortable compared to regular mats. So, look for mats with comfortable texture, proper cushioning, that will not slip easily, especially if you practice hot yoga.
5. Impact on the community: Eco-friendly raw materials is not enough, one must also look into how the manufacturer encourages the communities and yoga world.

Top 5 Travel Yoga Mat Brands

Here’s a list of top Travel Yoga Mat brands for you:

1. Manduka: Manduka was established in the year 1997. If you are into travel yoga mats, then this name is not new to you. Anyone who is into the yoga world, knows Manduka. Not just yoga mats, they have many other yoga accessories. Trusted by yoga teachers worldwide.
2. Gaiam: Gaiam is another very popular yoga mat brand. Founded in 1988. They claim to be the “ #1 innovator of premium yoga mats, yoga props, yoga clothing, and yoga accessories, inspiring fitness and yoga DVDs”. 
3. Jade Yoga: Jade is a brand that believes in sustainability. Their yoga mats are non-toxic and made of natural rubber, no PVC, EVA, or any synthetic rubber. And a very noble approach by Jade is that they plant a tree for every mat sold since 2006, and till now they have planted more than a million trees in partnership with Trees for the Future. Jade also keeps in mind to support the communities, and people who need support.
4. Yogo: Yogo yoga mats bring the perfect mix of quality, cleanliness, sustainability, and simplicity. They use the best eco-friendly, natural materials for manufacturing their mat. Yogo plants a tree for each mat that is sold.
5. Yoga Design Lab: Yoga design lab yoga mats are manufactured in Bali with bio-renewable materials. They also give back $1 from every purchase to support the Urban Youth Yoga Programs in need. 

11 Best Travel Yoga Mats

Now, let’s come into the 11 best travel yoga mats for you. Choose the best-suited Travel yoga mat for you.

1. Jade Voyager ( 0.7 kg (1.5 lb); 1.5 mm thick)

Jade voyager is the best portable yoga mat. This is the most preferred mat for frequent travellers for its ultralight weight. But also keep in mind this might affect durability as we have talked about earlier, so do not use this as your regular yoga mat. And also, the thickness is very less so for extra cushioning you can always use a yoga towel or hotel room towel. Jade mats contain no PVC, EVA or other synthetic rubber, it is made of natural rubber.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/Jade-Yoga-Voyager-Color-Purple/dp/B01AGVD05Y” ][i2pros] Lightweight,
Very easy to fold into small packaging,
Made of eco-friendly materials,
Nice grip.
[/i2pros][i2cons]As the mat is ultrathin,
It might hurt if you have sensitive knees.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

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2. Manduka eko® Superlite travel yoga mat ( 1.0 kg (2.2 lb); 1.5 mm thick)

Manduka eko® Superlite travel yoga mat is a superior quality travel yoga mat that provides excellent grip, perfect for hot Vinyasa yoga. Tear or stretch resistant. The mat comes with zero PVC, no toxic plasticizers, or harmful chemicals. The mat is not washable in machine or in soap water, you can use apple cider for cleansing purposes, or use Manduka’s Mat Restore Spray.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/Manduka-eKO-Superlite-Yoga-Travel/dp/B078SKH21G” ][i2pros] Excellent grip,
Lightweight,
Flexible
[/i2pros][i2cons]Not thick enough.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

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3. KUYOU Yoga Mat Foldable Non-Slip Travel Yoga Mat ( 1 kg (2.1 lb); 1.5 mm thick)

If you are looking for something that is odor-resistant and extremely skin-friendly, then Kuyuo is one of the best options out there. It has a double-layer structure, the upper layer is made of suede material and the bottom layer is made of natural rubber, which makes it non-slip. The mat is super easy to fold and hence is ideal as a travel mat.

It also features body alignment lines as a guide, it will help you to maintain the correct posture and position. The mats are washable, all you need is a quick water wash and you are good to go.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/Foldable-Non-Slip-Absorbent-Lightweight-Exercise/dp/B07VVNNYNV” ][i2pros] Lightweight,
Foldable,
Washable,
Non-slip material,
Features body alignment lines.
[/i2pros][i2cons]Flat and not enough cushioning.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

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4. Primasole Folding Yoga Travel Pilates Mat (0.95 kg (2 lb); 6.3 mm thick)

Primasole pilates mat is extremely lightweight and is very portable. It folds up into a tiny rectangle. You can rinse it off with water and let it air dry, so if you are a hot yoga person then you don’t have to worry about the odor that is left behind.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/Primasole-%E3%80%90Amazon-Limited-Folding-PSS91NH025A/dp/B0869R723H” ][i2pros] Easy to clean,
Foldable,
Grippy,
Lightweight.
[/i2pros][i2cons]Gets slippery as you sweat[/i2cons][/i2pc]

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5. Manduka eko® lite mats (2 kg (4.4 lb); 4 mm thick)

Manduka eko® lite mats is the second name from Manduka after the Superlite version. This one is thicker and a heavier version of the previous one, hence ensuring better comfort and padding. This is a non-slip yoga mat. The mat is made out of natural rubber and no toxic chemicals are used in the manufacturing process. 

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/Manduka-eKOlite-Yoga-Mat-Cushioning/dp/B07SZ9NCNK/” ][i2pros] Extra cushioning
Nice grip,
Eco-friendly and sustainable.
[/i2pros][i2cons]Heavier and non-foldable.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

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6. Gaiam foldable travel yoga mat (0.9kg (2 lb); 2mm thick)

Gaiam foldable travel yoga mat is ultralight, super thin and super cute. It comes with Gaiam’s lifetime guarantee. The mat is sticky and holds strong on the ground. Washable with soap water and a cloth. 

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/Gaiam-Yoga-Mat-Built-Exercises/dp/B019DKV5MY” ][i2pros] Lightweight,
Foldable,
Cute designs to choose from,
No-slippage,
Lifetime guarantee.
[/i2pros][i2cons]Made of PVC,
Not eco-friendly,
Might cause discomfort to sensitive knees[/i2cons][/i2pc]

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7. Jade yoga travel mat (1.4 kg (3 lb), 3 mm thick)

Jade yoga Travel mat wins over Voyager in comfort. Jade yoga mats are made sustainably with natural rubber and are free from PVC, synthetic rubber or toxic dyes. Jade has one of the best giving back policy, which gives back to different programs in need. The mat is very durable. It is available in two sizes 68” and 74”.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/Jade-Yoga-Travel-Mat/dp/B001AOJZXI” ][i2pros] High-quality material,
Thick,
Environmental mission.
[/i2pros][i2cons]Difficult to fold,
Heavy to carry in a backpack,
Cannot be exposed to the sun.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

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8. Liforme travel yoga mat (1.6 kg (3.5 lb), 2 mm thick)

Liforme travel yoga mat is best for alignment, it has AlignForMe markers for you to improve the alignment of your hand and foot position. The mat feels very soft and has a nice grip. The mat is a little too heavy for frequent travellers, but if the weight and thickness doesn’t bother, then go for it. The mat is made of natural tree rubber.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/Liforme-Travel-Light-Portable-Alignment/dp/B01CI6SJCO” ][i2pros] Soft texture,
High-quality mat,
Alignment markers,
PVC free.
[/i2pros][i2cons]Heavy,
Not foldable,
Quite expensive.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

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9. Rywell foldable eco-friendly travel yoga mat

Rywell foldable yoga mat is an excellent option if you are looking for some premium yoga mat for your vacation. You can easily fold it into a small box, and it is also very lightweight for it’s quality. You can practice hot yoga easily on this mat. It provides just the right amount of cushioning. Another unique feature of this mat is that it has anti-slip desig on both the sides of the mat, because it gets real slippery once you start sweating.

The mat is made of non-toxic and eco-friendly materials and a special type of PVC, free of latex, phthalate, and heavy metals.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/Rywell-Foldable-Non-Slip-Exercise-Eco-Friendly/dp/B08ZJG9MGR” ][i2pros] Lightweight,
Foldable,
Eco-friendly,
Anti-slip design on both sides,
Perfect support and cushion.
[/i2pros][i2cons]Takes up space in bag.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

10. June and Jupiter foldable travel yoga mat (1.3 kg (2.8 lb), 1.5 mm thick)

June and Jupiter foldable travel yoga mat come with extra accessories like knee pad which is a bonus because the mat itself is very thin. So it is thin, foldable, and also comfortable for sensitive knees. The mat comes with 3 different prints. The mat is of porous highly absorbent microfiber which dries quickly. The fast-wicking property of this yoga mat keeps mold away.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/June-Juniper-Travel-Foldable-Lightweight/dp/B07W8M7DTZ” ][i2pros] Comes with carrying straps,
Foldable,
Knee pads,
Machine washable.
[/i2pros][i2cons]Thin,
Needs to be washed frequently.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

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11. Yoga design lab foldable yoga towel mat (1.6 kg (3.5 lb); 1.5 mm thick)

Yogaer travel yoga mat is a foldable yoga mat that comes with an extra cushion, which can be used as knee support or wherever required. So, you don’t have to compromise on support for weight and foldability. The mat is grippy, but if you feel it’s not enough you can spray a little water over the mat for enhanced grip. The mat is made of non-amazonian natural rubber.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” link_text=”Buy it here from Amazon” link=”https://www.amazon.com/YOGA-DESIGN-LAB-Commuter-Lightweight/dp/B07KZPLSBX/” ][i2pros] Removable cushion for extra support,
Foldable,
Lightweight,
Non-toxic
[/i2pros][i2cons]Thin,
Grip is not great[/i2cons][/i2pc]

Best Foldable travel yoga mats

• Jade Voyager
• Manduka eko® Superlite travel yoga mat
• Kuyou yoga mat
• Gaiam foldable travel yoga mat
• Rywell foldable eco-friendly travel yoga mat
• June and Jupiter foldable travel yoga mat
• Yogaer travel yoga towel mat

 Best Lightweight travel yoga mats

• Jade Voyager
• Manduka eko® Superlite travel yoga mat
• Yoga Design Lab travel yoga mat
• Yogo ultralight folding travel yoga mat 
• Gaiam foldable travel yoga mat
• Yogaer travel yoga towel mat

Best travel yoga mats under $40 

• Jade Voyager
• Gaiam foldable travel yoga mat
• Clever Yoga Travel Mat

Read more: Best Heated Gloves

Conclusion For Best Travel Yoga Mat 2024

In this article, we introduced the best travel yoga mats. Our favorite travel yoga mat on the list is Jade Voyager and Manduka eko® Superlite travel yoga mat. Choose your favorite travel yoga mats from the list keeping in mind what suits you.

Like if you are a frequent traveler then do not choose a heavyweight mat, go through the lightweight travel yoga mat list. I hope this helps. Let us know in the comment section below about your experiences with travel yoga mats, and what’s your favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) For Best Travel Yoga Mat 2024