travel yoga mat manduka

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The Best Lightweight Travel Yoga Mats for Easy Storage

By Madison Flager

For some travelers, the thought of exercising on vacation —beyond walking around a new city—seems ridiculous. To others, taking time to stretch , do a few downward dogs, or head to a local class is a necessity after spending hours on a plane. For those who fall in the latter camp, we've got you covered. While your standard mat is likely a bit too heavy to make the cut, these travel yoga mats are designed with portability in mind.

When deciding which ones fit the bill, there were a few factors to consider: for one, is it lightweight? If you're going to be packing it in a suitcase , a weekender bag , or backpack, you don't want it weighing you down. With that said, though, you want there to be some cushion and support, especially given that the more lightweight mats won't have the same thickness as regular mats. We managed to find a few that are still fairly supportive (for added comfort, try placing a yoga towel on top) and also looked at grip and packability—like whether it can only be rolled, or if you can fold it up flat. Below, our top choices for travel yoga mats, plus a few more accessories to help keep you zen on the road.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat

Weight: 2.2 pounds Thickness: 1.5mm Traveler editors tried out both Manduka's eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat and the Pro Travel Mat and preferred the eKO version—while still fairly thin, the Superlite offered a bit more cushion, despite weighing less (every ounce matters in a checked bag). It doesn't bunch up or move on the floor, and held up well, grip-wise, in a hot yoga class. It also rolls up to be super slim, so we recommend packing it that way; if you're putting it in a tote or backpack, though, fold it flat into a square for less height. As a bonus, it comes in 10 colors, catering to yogis who like a neutral mat as well as ones who prefer a pattern, and is made out of sustainably harvested tree rubber and synthetic polyester.

Buy Now: $44, manduka.com

Hugger Mugger Tapas Ultra

Weight: 2.5 pounds Thickness: 6mm We asked a New York-based yoga instructor for her mat suggestions, and this Hugger Mugger model stood out as being both lightweight and cushiony. It comes in two lengths, depending on your height (68 inches or 74 inches; the longer one adds .2 pounds). It's thicker than the Manduka mat, but just a few ounces heavier, so if you like a bit more support under you, or are staying somewhere with hard floors, this mat is a solid choice. The stickiness will help you stay in place mid-pose, too.

Buy Now: $40-64, amazon.com

Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat

Weight: 1 pound Thickness: 2mm Another instructor-recommended brand: Gaiam. While their traditional mats offer much more cushioning, this foldable mat is great if you're really tight on space or travel frequently. At just a pound, it's the most lightweight option we found, and folds easily into a 12" by 10" rectangle after use. It has a sticky texture on top for stability, and works just as well at the beach or the park. Reviewers note it is great to use in hotel rooms and is thin enough to slide into the outer compartment of carry-on suitcases.

By Arati Menon

By Audrey Phoon

By Steph Koyfman

Buy Now: $18, amazon.com

Yogo Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat

Weight: 2.1 pounds Thickness: 1.5mm Yogo's Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat makes taking a yoga mat wherever you go a no brainer—it's designed to easily fold up into its attached clips, which keep it secure and roughly the size of a rolled newspaper when not in use. The straps can also be used to hang the mat to dry after rinsing it off, or to secure it to a bicycle if you're really taking it on the go. Like the other mats, it has a sticky top layer to aid with grip; it's also made of eco-friendly materials (natural rubber and cotton). While on the thinner side, it gets points for its packability, and is flight attendant-approved, per reviews.

Buy Now: $62, amazon.com

More accessories to consider

For those serious enough about their practice to bring a yoga mat on vacation, these tack-on products will find a good home in your suitcase, too:

While yoga blocks aren't the most compact items, they are extremely lightweight (Gaiam's weighs a pound and a half). And for road trips, they're a no brainer: Toss one in the back of the car, then pull it out in your hotel room or Airbnb for help stretching out and getting into poses, even when your muscles are especially tight.

Buy Now: $11, yogaoutlet.com

Carrying case

If you plan on taking your yoga mat outside the place you're staying—say, to a yoga class in town or a local park—a mat carrier will come in handy (and functions just as well back home). Manduka's rolls up to about the size of a belt, and loops around your rolled yoga mat to form a shoulder or cross-body strap, with a padded strap for extra comfort. Alo's version—the Duality Yoga Strap —is meant to be used during your practice, too, to help with stretch and support.

Buy Now: $16, manduka.com Buy Now: $38, aloyoga.com

Cleaning spray

Before you roll your mat back up after a class or sequence, give it a spritz of cleaning spray, like this ASUTRA Natural Yoga Mat Cleaner, which comes in soothing scents like peaceful lavender, calming citrus, and energizing peppermint. Then, wipe it down with a damp cloth to get rid of the gunk and towel it dry to keep your mat from getting slippery. While it doesn't come in a TSA-friendly size, the four-ounce spray can go in checked bags or on road trips.

Buy Now: $12, amazon.com

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Why the Manduka Travel Mat is the Best Travel Yoga Mat

After months of searching for the perfect travel yoga mat, I decided on the Manduka travel mat. Here’s my experience.

About every month I travel to a different country with a carry-on suitcase. Since I can’t depend on hotels to have proper yoga mats and my suitcase isn’t big enough to fit my regular mat, practicing yoga tends to fall off my vacation to-do list.

That is, until I researched a handful of travel yoga mats to find one that has become one of my travel must haves. It checks off all the necessary features for the best travel yoga mat, which will enable me to continue my yoga practice each and every trip!

Keep on reading to see why this is the best travel yoga mat, or if you’re already convinced, head to the Manduka website to grab a SuperLite mat of your own!

What Features I Researched for the Best Travel Yoga Mat

The most important feature I wanted in a travel yoga mat was portability. The best travel yoga mat would be:

• lightweight,
• and packable.

Despite all of the above features, the best travel yoga mat would NOT compromise in usability. Thus, it would have to be sticky for a good grip, even through sweaty sessions.

After sifting through reviews and comparing various travel yoga mats, the Manduka travel mat had all the features I was looking for in a great travel mat.

As a very awesome bonus, the yoga mat is made from sustainably harvested tree rubber and no toxic chemicals are used to soften the rubber according to their website.

Get the same mat I have here.

Pros of the Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat

As mentioned above, I researched a few travel yoga mats looking for one that was specifically foldable, lightweight, portable, and durable.

Foldable / The Manduka travel mat folds up nearly as small as an A4 size piece of paper. This makes it easy to throw into a backpack, large purse, and of course, your travel suitcase!

Lightweight and Portable / The Manduka travel mat weights only 2.2 lbs making it quite lightweight and portable for luggage of any size.

Durable / After reading reviews of people who used this travel mat for years, the Manduka brand seemed like the best bet when it came to durable yoga mats.

Price / Of course, there cheaper travel yoga mats out there, but considering this one is $50 (as of April 2021) and uses sustainable rubber, it doesn’t seem to pay to go any cheaper.

Cons of the Manduka Travel Mat

Although the thinness of this travel yoga mat is what makes it so portable and lightweight, at only 1.5 mm thick , it might not be enough cushion for you. If this is the case for you, you could always put a towel underneath it to add cushion as other eKO yogis recommend.

Also, this yoga mat is quite sticky! Usually that’s a great thing, especially for when you’re super sweaty, but it may make some yoga transitions less ideal such as any that involves shifting your feet.

Sustainability Factors this Travel Yoga Mat

How sustainable the eKO superlite travel yoga mat is it’s the best travel yoga mat. Here’s what the sustainability section of the product page says:

“The eKO Mat is a natural yoga mat made from sustainably harvested tree rubber. Unlike other rubber mats available today, the foaming agents used to create the eKO are non-toxic. What this means is that no toxic chemicals have gone into the manufacturing process to soften the rubber. Additionally, instead of using synthetic polyester for reinforcement, we have chosen to use a blend of polyester and natural cotton. According to both customer feedback and published yoga mat reviews, the eKO Mat is a high performance mat that is also good for the environment.”

Thanks for making it all the way down to the end of the post. I hope this helped you in considering getting the Manduka travel mat for your next trip.

By the way, I’d love to connect. Come say hi to me my Instagram @sarchetrit, especially if you found any part of this post to be helpful. Till then, thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! xo, Sarah

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your perfect travel companion

The shala yoga rug.

Hand woven to perfection

The Shala Yoga Rug is handmade by artisan weavers using recycled cotton materials.

This artisanal process requires extra time for manufacturing and is completely worth the wait.

reclaimed fabric

Made using pre-consumer cotton apparel scraps, which reduces waste and upcycles existing materials instead of sending them to the landfill.

Handloomed by an Indian community of traditional artisans dedicated to preserving time-honored techniques passed down through generations.

ease of care

This rug is meant to get dirty and to be used outside, anywhere your flow takes you. Machine washable for easy cleaning.

travel ready

Your perfect travel companion. Practice on the beach, the mountain, or on top of your Manduka mat for extra grip and cushion.

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GRP® Adapt Yoga Mat 5mm

€90.00 - €110.00

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€18.00 - €20.00

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Harper's Bazaar

The 15 Best Yoga Mats for Ultimate Style and Support

Posted: January 4, 2024 | Last updated: January 8, 2024

Though the best yoga mats are a common fitness staple, you need to find the right style of mat for the way you practice. "We suggest selecting a mat based on what features are most important to the individual, as each person’s practice is so personal and can vary widely," certified yoga teacher and Manduka expert Shawna Barr tells Bazaar .

If you've been on the hunt for a new mat for a while, there's a good chance you're wondering what their individual measurements stand for. According to yoga expert and Alo Moves instructor Christa Janine , the lower a mat's millimeter number, the thinner it is, and vice versa.

"Thinner mats that are 1.5 to 2 millimeters are typically best for travel, since they're lighter and more compact," she says. "5 or 6 millimeter mats are thicker, and more ideal for regular use, especially for those needed a little more cushion to protect their knees." Janine also notes to look for mats with built-in slip resistance, since they're designed to become grippier and more sturdy as you sweat.

For the best yoga mats editors, experts, and shoppers are giving gold stars, read on for our short list of favorites worthy of any type of flow.

Related: The Best Meditation Cushions to Ground Your Practice

Warrior Mat

Janine counts the Alo Warrior Mat as her favorite for regular practice, which also comes in extra long for taller enthusiasts. "It has the perfect amount of grip and non-slippage in the design," she explains. "I don’t need the extra long version of it, but I know people who do and they love it as well, so this one is my go-to."

Dry-Grip Yoga Mat

This 5 millimeter-thick option from Gaiam has a top coat that's made to stay dry, providing consistent traction for even the most difficult poses.

One satisfied customer writes: "Bought this mat to use at hot yoga and it is amazing!! The mat has a great amount of cushion for yoga and the design is so cute! The mat rolls out and rolls up very easily and it’s easy to transport. Highly recommend this mat for yoga of any sort!" — A.T.

The (Big) Mat

Lululemon's Big Mat is made extra long and wide to accommodate any yoga lover. It's also reversible—featuring a smooth side and a cushioned rubber one—and coated with a special antimicrobial additive to prevent mold and mildew.

One satisfied customer writes: "Love the big mat! Lots of space to explore movement." — Michi

Yoga Mat (68-inches)

Not only can you enhance your practice with this popular 3/16-inch thick mat, but you can help the environment too. As part of Jade Yoga's ongoing initiative with nonprofit Trees for the Future , the brand plants one tree for every mat sold.

One satisfied customer writes: "I've had this mat for three years of regular use and the grip is unparalleled, it's very portable (which is amazing because I have to bike around with it every day), it doesn't get stinky, it's super durable and still seems like new, and it has way more cushioning than you'd expect for a light, thin mat." — Katya

Pro Yoga Mat (71 x 26-inch)

Barr says that Manduka yoga mats are built to last, since they're guaranteed for a lifetime of practice. "The Manduka Pro features ultra-dense cushioning and a supportive grip that gets better with time," she explains. "It also adapts to your body over time."

Bazaar editors consider this mat from Prada one of the best fitness gifts worth giving (or receiving). Not only is the mat itself supremely stylish, but it also nicely includes a branded harness carrier and detachable shoulder strap.

Rubber Yoga Mat

Here's a versatile mat that works for yoga, pilates, and more. Since it's designed with a lightweight rubber, the mat is easy to carry from home to the studio, and has a sturdy base to prevent it from sliding.

eKO Lite 4mm Yoga Mat

This lighter version of Manduka's best-selling eKO mat is ideal for daily use, and has a natural rubber top layer to keep you grounded. "The eKO mat features a naturally grippy surface combined with a springy, cushioned core for superior joint protection and easy transitions," Barr adds.

Solana Yoga Mat

Here's a cushy mat pick to keep you feeling supported through sun salutations and cat-cow pose. Plus, the mat's one-inch thick foam design helps minimize stress on your joints, hips, and hands as you use it.

One satisfied customer writes: "This is the perfect amount of cushion to protect the knees while still allowing the support to exercise and not get off balance. Super easy to roll up with a durable strap to hold it together for storage. For the parts of the body that need more cushion, this is definitely a great option." — Rachelle D.

SSENSE Exclusive Taupe Yoga Mat

Make your yoga mat as stylish as your outfit with this exclusive rubber mat created by Sporty and Rich for SSENSE. Its minimal, classic design won't stick out like a sore thumb.

Combo Yoga Mat

Hot yoga enthusiasts, this mat's for you: This pick combines the absorption of a microfiber towel with the stability of a traditional mat, making it perfect for your next class.

One satisfied customer writes: "Beautiful color and design. Comfortable with a lovely texture so no slipping. This was exactly what I wanted as I can use it both at home or in the studio." — MicaelaDonnelly

Supergrip Align Yoga Mat

This versatile mat makes it easy to hold your form, and wipes clean with a damp cloth and a little soap. And as an added bonus, it even features pattern points that align to different yoga poses.

One satisfied customer writes: "One of the very very best out there. I have sweaty balms and I don't ever slip." — Sybil888

Extra Thick Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap

Whether you deal with frequent knee pain or are just looking for maximum support for your flow, this.5-inch foam mat from Amazon is a must-have. Over 12,000 shoppers are raving about its cushy support for their practices.

One satisfied customer writes: "This yoga mat is very comfortable and helps you keep stable with out slipping." — Anonymous

Verde Standard Yoga Mat

This mat from the yoga experts at Prana contains a cotton scrim that helps it retain its shape and prevent overstretching. It also features a woodgrain texture and grippy surface that prevents you from slipping in downward dog pose.

One satisfied customer writes: "I love this mat and so do my yoga students! It has the right amount of cushion and doesn't slip on the floor or on my hands." — Leah T.

Level One Yoga Mat

If you're new to yoga, we recommend trying out this mat from Jade Yoga. At 4 millimeters thick, it's thick enough to provide great support without feeling cumbersome, and made from renewable rubber trees.

One satisfied customer writes: "I really love my mat level one. It's perfect for my yoga; it has super grip, and great cushion for my joints! Love the price, and it does not smell as strong as I read in other reviews... so buy it!:)" — Gaia

What's the best way to clean your yoga mat?

"There are solutions available from brands like Alo and Lululemon, but you can also just mix lemon water and a tad of vinegar in a bottle and spray down your mat," Janine says. "Then wipe it down thoroughly to get rid of any lingering smells, germs, or bacteria."

She adds that using harsh ingredients may lead to removing your mat's coating, which is designed to prevent slippage while you sweat. Once your mat is clean, allow it to air dry before rolling it up, so now moisture remains, which can interfere with your mat's overall grip.

How should a yoga mat be stored?

Barr says once your yoga mat is clean and dry, roll it together with the top surface facing out, and store the mat in a cool, dry area. She advises not to leave rubber mats exposed to excessive amounts of sunlight, as it may cause them to oxidize and fade.

Meet the Experts

• Christa Janine is an Alo Moves instructor and yoga expert with more than a decade of training, specializing in HIIT flows.
• Shawna Barr is a certified yoga teacher and Manduka expert.

Why trust Harper's Bazaar?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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Collection: eKO Series Yoga Mats

eKO 5mm : natural rubber mat featuring a grippy top layer and ultra-cushioned ride.

eKO Lite 4mm : lighter for on-the-go flow.

eKO SuperLite Travel : foldable, travel-ready size.

eKO® Yoga Mat 5mm

Our 100% natural rubber mat features a grippy top layer and ultra-cushioned ride.

Black Clay Marble

Charcoal (Grey)

eKO® Lite Yoga Mat 4mm

A lighter eKO mat with the same grippy natural rubber top layer and cushioned ride.

Passion Berry

Matcha Marble

Acai Midnight

eKO® Superlite Travel Yoga Mat 1.5mm

Naturally grippy mat made from sustainably harvested tree rubber, in a foldable, travel-ready size.

Gerry Lopez Beetle

Gerry Lopez Sprout

Midnight (Blue)

Acai (Purple)

eKO Series Yoga Mats

Do good while you feel good. Our EKO Series yoga mat collection is responsibly sourced, all-natural rubber with a responsive ride, that leaves a sustainable footprint that feels as secure as your warrior pose. Explore our selection of eco-friendly and biodegradable mats that are designed with your comfort and security in mind. From our EKO 5MM to our EKO Lite 4MM , to our EKO SUPERLITE 1.55MM, you'll find mats that not only fit exactly what you are looking for but are designed with Mother Nature in mind. While you are focusing on your poses, we are focusing on making sure that we are doing our best to protect the earth with every move on our durable and natural rubber mats. Namaste, naturally. Always.

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