The 8 Best Travel Yoga Mats, Tested and Reviewed

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

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Travel + Leisure

Finding the right yoga mat is a must for making your yoga sessions the best they can be. 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 40 different mats during multiple yoga sessions, taking careful notes and paying special attention to attributes like excellent balance of cushion and support, great grip, and portable features that made them easy to transport. Check out our favorite yoga mats for travel below.

It has a cushy and supportive feel, excellent grip, and comes with a harness for portability.

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 during testing. 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 extremely 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

It's lightweight, folds down to the size of a yoga block, and offers great grip.

Sensitive to smells? This mat has a 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

This mat has open cell construction to absorb moisture and a micro ribbed surface that provides grip for sweaty palms.

For multi-hour practice days, this thin mat may lack sufficient support.

When it comes to hot yoga, you should expect to sweat. While this may be good for helping to cool down your body, major water works also leave you open to slipping and sliding across your mat, which is a definite no-no, no matter what the position. Luckily, the Jade Yoga Travel Yoga Mat helps keep you grounded, literally, thanks to its open cell construction, which absorbs moisture, combined with its micro ribbed surface that offers a supreme grip. After testing this mat, we loved it for its exceptional grip that was suitable even with our sweaty palms. We also thought it felt lightweight, easy to carry, and we think it would stay rolled up in transit due to its grippy texture. Feel good environmental bonus: for every mat sold, the company plants a tree.

The Details: 68 x 24 x 0.125 inches | 3 pounds | Natural Rubber

It has 70 printed pictures of poses on its surface.

This mat molds to your body, leaving an imprint that doesn’t instantly go away.

Being a beginner in a room full of established yogis can feel intimidating, but newbies can practice with more confidence thanks to the NewMe Fitness Yoga Mat. Doubling as an asana crib sheet, this handy yoga mat has 70 printed pictures of poses (think crow, cow face, corpse, among others) with their corresponding names in both English and Sanskrit emblazoned across its expansive surface. So, whether you need a quick refresher mid-class or help decoding what move the teacher is asking you to perform (we’re talking about you Chaturanga Dandasana!), this mat has got your covered. We also thought this affordable mat had a great grip that kept our hands in place and felt just as grippy as mats twice the price. It was very easy to roll up and carry around as well.

The Details: 68 x 24 x 0.2 inches | 2.6 pounds | PVC

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

It feels like you're getting two mats for the price of one, thanks to its dual-hued sides.

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 keen on the lavender/fig combo), you can always count on the mat’s firm, textured surface to add stability through traction. There’s also an alignment stripe down the center of one side, which can help better guide beginner’s with hand, foot, and overall body placement.

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

At half an inch 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 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

It's lightweight and comes with an adjustable carrying strap.

While the extra cushion is great for bony joints, it does make balancing poses extra challenging.

Nothing can put the kibosh on a peaceful practice quicker or be more cumbersome than a yoga mat that constantly keeps unfurling while you’re on the way to your next class. Thankfully, the convenient, adjustable strap that comes with the Nike Training Mat 2.0 helps manage this issue, allowing us to wrap it around both ends of the neatly rolled mat and comfortably carry this cushy two-pounder without experiencing any shoulder discomfort. Even better, for yogis who do a myriad of floor workouts (think Pilates, stretching, core work, and more), this high-density foam mat stands in the gap, making it an extremely versatile and well-padded option. In fact, it was so cushioned that we thought it could double up as a sleeping pad for camping, but the downside is that it may be a challenging surface for balance exercises.

The Details: 71.26 x 24.02 x 0.32 inches | 2.08 pounds | PVB and foam

These yoga mats didn’t make our main 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-inch 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 six feet tall. 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 for travelers.

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.

Blogilates Beginner Lightweight Yoga Mat: This mat — which is lightweight, easy to roll, and comes with its own carrying case — is the perfect companion for on-the-go flows. At 4mm thick, this thinner silhouette is great for those who who may need extra stability during a superactive and balance-heavy practice (think: Power Vinyasa). As you flow from asana to asana across this 68-inch surface, you’ll be treated to a grippy, textured surface (both top and bottom) that eliminates slippage. One drawback: hair and dirt are commonplace when using this mat.

For this article, we looked over results from two different yoga mat tests, in which we tried a total of 40 yoga mats. In the first round of testing we tried 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, we assessed each yoga mat for its design, comfort, grip, and portability — all features that yoga instructor Mandy Ingber said can make or break a yoga practice. We continued putting these mats through their paces for an additional six months to collect long-term insights.

For our second test, we tried an additional 21 yoga mats during a yoga class, paying special attention to mat thickness, cushioning, support, and how easy they were to clean. After the class was over, we rolled and packed up the yoga mats, walking around the building, and going up and down stairs to take notes on how portable they were, if they stayed rolled up during transit, how lightweight or heavy they felt to carry, and how easy (or difficult) it was to reroll the mats and pack them up.

In the end, the standout mats 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. Most of all, we felt they were portable enough to travel with.

Lugging around a heavy mat can put a damper on any yoga practice, especially if you're traveling with it — whether that means commuting with a backpack, biking, or packing it away in your suitcase. 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.

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.

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 type of luggage you are using, whether that be a backpack, a duffel bag, a tote bag, or something else.

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.

Workouts tend to take a backseat while traveling, and having to pack extra active gear can take up precious luggage real estate. These versatile items are not only great for traveling purposes but will also help take your workout to the next level.

Caraa Sport Tote: Featuring a zippered bottom compartment perfect for storing shoes, this sport tote bag has external straps to hold a yoga mat.

S'well Explorer with Flip Straw Lid 32oz: With three layers of insulation, this 32-ounce bottle is leakproof and portable enough to fit into pockets and totes, and easy to carry.

SPANX Booty Boost Active Contour Rib 7/8 Leggings: Crafted from sweat-wicking, breathable material, these compression leggings feature Spanx's signature Booty Boost contour for a flattering fit.

Under Armour Crossback Sports Bra: This budget-friendly sports bra is minimally structured while still offering reliable support for medium-impact activities like running, cycling, and weight training

T+L contributor Rozalynn S. Frazier is a 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, and Cosmopolitan, among other publications. Yoga instructor and author Mandy Ingber also contributed insights to this roundup, with all picks tested and reviewed by the team.

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