We all love a good "no equipment needed" travel workout.
And extra kudos to workouts that you can do from the comfort of your hotel room.
But, what about our trusty workout mat?
The saving grace that allows us to drop and squat whether we meet carpet, sand or trail.
The magic carpet, if you will, that gives you the perfect landing pad to squat, jump, twist and transform regardless of where you are traveling to.
Is there a perfect workout mat for our travels?
What should we be looking for when choosing a yoga or workout mat for travel?
In this article, you will find 5 of the best yoga and workout mats for you to travel with.
This is what I would consider before I buy a yoga or workout mat for traveling:
- Weight - Is it lightweight?
- Length - Is the mat long enough for you to do warrior pose, downward dog, plank, etc?
- Material - Is the mat too sticky? What is made out of?
- Cleaning - Is the material easy to clean? Can you find a suitable travel size cleaning spray for the mat?
- Color - Does the color excite you, calm you or make you feel motivated to workout regardless of your location?
I have lugged many a yoga mat thru an airport, so let me tell you that weight of the mat is VERY important, especially for extended travels.
The other thing that can be really frustrating is when a mat is too sticky and your hands stick to the material while you're trying to bend and flow. This makes it very challenging to do a smooth vinyasa flow, jumping jacks, mountain climbers or any type of plank exercise.
Now, the color of your mat may not be a dealbreaker for you, but personally I like to find fun or appealing colors that will add an extra incentive for me to unfurl the magic carpet and drop into an effortless downward dog.
When we are exercising while we travel, we already encounter a number of logistical challenges compared to when are we at home.
Therefore, we want our workout mat to be the thing that we can rely on to provide an excellent foundation for our travel workouts.
Here are 5 mats that you can choose from that are great options to take with you on vacation!
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Travel Yoga Mat #1 - Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat:
I feel like Manduka is the HOLY GRAIL of yoga mats. I personally LOVE all things Manduka - their yoga mat PRO, the yoga mat cleaning spray and now the superlite travel yoga mat!
Superior grip, plush cushioning and eco-friendly.
Coming in at only 2 lbs and made from biodegradable natural tree rubber, the Manduka superlite travel yoga mat is a TOP choice.
99% latex-free and foldable, non-creasing material - you can fold this baby up and pop it in your suitcase for your next wellness vacation!
Retail Price: $52.00
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR MANDUKA TRAVEL YOGA MAT ON AMAZON!
And in case you needed some tips on doing yoga at the airport, here's Lihi on the Manduka Yoga channel showing "Yoga for when you're stuck at a busy airport"!
Travel Yoga Mat #2 - Liforme Travel Yoga Mat:
Liforme is definitely a winner when it comes to VIBRANT colors AND their one-of-a-kind alignment system.
Plus, the mats have exceptional grip without being uncomfortably sticky.
This mat is designed to keep you centered and balanced during your practice, with its unique "GripForMe" surface technology.
Plus, it has the alignment guide literally etched onto the mat so that you can really focus on your postures and pose alignments.
This is something that you don't see on a lot of other mats, let alone travel yoga mats!
The mats are made from sustainable natural rubber AND come with a convenient travel bag.
The bonus travel bag is a huge PLUS!
Retail Price: Starting at $124.95
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR LIFORME TRAVEL YOGA MAT ON AMAZON!
Travel Yoga Mat #3 -YOGO Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat:
The feature that I think is so cool about the YOGO travel mat is that it's a full-size mat that folds up to the size of a newspaper!
The other thing that makes the YOGO mat particularly incredible for travel and adventure - is that it is actually designed to go in the shower for easy cleaning. And then you just hang it up by the straps to dry!
The straps and label are made from 100% recycled water bottles, which I think is just the coolest thing ever.
And it's super lightweight coming in at just 2.3 lbs made out of certified-responsible tree rubber.
If you're an avid wellness travel enthusiast with a certain love for saving the planet, THIS is the mat for you!
Bonus: YOGO plants a tree for every mat sold, so you can help grow new forests while you grow in life - which we LOVE!
Retail Price: $74.00
CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE YOGO STORE TODAY
Image courtesy of YOGO
Image courtesy of YOGO
Travel Yoga Mat #4 - JadeYoga Voyager Mat:
The biggest PRO for the JadeYoga Voyager mat is it's weight - like INSANELY light.
Coming in at an airy 1.5 lbs in weight, you might actually think you've forgotten to pack it! ahahah!
It folds up easily, making it perfect for slipping into your suitcase or backpack. And when it's all said and done it folds up to about the same size as a standard yoga block.
So, you can fit it in your backpack or even a carry-on luggage!
Another incredible initiative for the planet, every time you buy a yoga mat from Jade Yoga - a tree is planted.
Which I just honestly love so much because who doesn't want more nature on this stunning playground of a planet that we live on!
Retail Price: Starting at $75 (Amazon often has these mats on sale from time to time!)
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR JADEYOGA VOYAGER MAT ON AMAZON!
Travel Yoga Mat #5 - Gaiam Foldable Fitness Mat:
GAIAM products are great when you're looking for a simple no-fluff option!
I've actually linked one more Gaiam mat below, that I found at Walmart that was actually a yoga mat towel.
And it was so good I even used it as a blanket on an airplane once lol!
Gaiam as a brand is great, simple and their products pretty much fit any budget.
This mat is designed for all types of workouts, offering good cushioning and stability.
Its foldable design and lightweight construction make it incredibly portable and the convenient handles allow for easy carrying.
Whether you're flowing through yoga poses or engaging in high-intensity workouts, the Gaiam Foldable Fitness Mat is an incredible option for you!
Retail Price: Starting at $24.98
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR GAIAM TRAVEL YOGA MAT ON AMAZON!
BONUS: Gaiam Yoga Mat Towel - Available for purchase at Walmart
This is the bonus one for you because I just thought of it as I was typing out this article!
This one I LOVED! It's technically a yoga mat towel to put over your yoga mat when you go to a hot yoga class to absorb the sweat.
But I actually used it as a travel yoga mat and even did yoga on it in the vortexes of Sedona - specifically airport vortex and Cathedral Rock!
I also used it once or twice even as a BLANKET during a flight! ahahaha!
There are variations of this on Amazon, but the exact match I can only find it at Walmart! That's where I got mine from!
Retail Price: $19.95
CLICK HERE TO ORDER IT FROM WALMART!
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Travel Size + Travel Friendly - Yoga and Workout Mat Cleaners
Now that we have covered the best yoga and workout travel mats, here's a couple of options for keeping them clean and sanitized while you travel.
Remember, option #3 the YOGO Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat has the option to actually throw it in the shower and hang up by the strap for easy drying.
But for the others, you will want to consider ordering one of these sprays or set of wipes for that extra level of organization!
Travel size spray - Bondi Wash - Made in Australia from Australian plants!
CLICK HERE FOR US & CANADA SITE!
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Refillable option - Another option is to order this 32 fl oz Manduka mat wash and refresh. Which I personally LOVE this mat cleaner.
And then order some travel size spray bottles and fill them!
CLICK HERE TO ORDER 32 FL OZ MANDUKA YOGA MAT CLEANER ON AMAZON!
CLICK HERE TO ORDER TRAVEL SIZE SPRAY BOTTLES!
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Yoga mat cleaning wipes for travel - CLICK HERE TO ORDER ON AMAZON!
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Travel size yoga mat cleaner that I found on Etsy - CLICK HERE
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TSA Airline Guidelines for Flying with a Yoga Mat:
A big factor to pay attention to are the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) guidelines for flying with your yoga mat.
Now, I've flown plenty of times with a large yoga mat and never had any issues.
One airline that was particularly incredible with transporting my yoga mat was Delta Airlines.
They actually checked it in for me - COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
This meant that I didn't have to pay additional baggage fees PLUS I also didn't have to lug it onto the plane and hoist it up into an overhead cabin.
And! This was before I discovered the magic of yoga mats for travel.
The mat that they let me check in complimentary was actually SEVEN POUNDS in weight hahah, so you can imagine was SUCH a relief when they took it off my hands!
What are the TSA guidelines for flying with a yoga mat?
According to TSA regulations, yoga mats are allowed both in carry-on bags and checked luggage.
If you decide to carry your mat in your carry-on bag, it may need to undergo additional screening during the security check.
To expedite the process, we recommend placing your mat in a separate bin for easy inspection.
DISCLAIMER: However, it's always a good idea to check with your specific airline for any additional guidelines or restrictions they may have regarding yoga mats.
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Alright my friends, there we have it!
The best yoga and workout mats for your next travel adventure!
Whether you're traversing through a tranquil beach destination or exploring a hustling, bustling city, your mat will be your trusty companion, giving you with a familiar space to practice your downward dog and mountain climbers!
Let me know any questions that you have in the comments!
And let's get you booked for your next adventure!
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Always remember: I create once-in-a-lifetime wellness vacations for clients.
So if you are craving a reset and recharge type of trip - pop on over and schedule your free consult with me to start planning your wellness getaway!
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Always remember LIFE IS TO BE LIVED.
YOU ARE LIMITLESS!
Until next time,
Nikki
Xo