Travel Yoga Mat: How to Pick the Perfect Yoga Mat for Your Trip

Whether we travel for business or pleasure, a little break can keep things moving more smoothly. While you are out, it is often hard to maintain your exercise routine. That is when a small yoga session can be your healthy time.

However, you may not always find smooth hotel floors to do yoga. So, it is better to travel with a yoga mat. If you have a long day ahead, it is a good idea to wake up in the morning, practice yoga, and keep your body in sync with your health needs. If you are traveling by plane, choose the easy-to-carry and portable yoga mat. Travel mats are quite thin and light and come with an easy-to-fit design. It can be fit in small spaces of your luggage. But you might need to sacrifice some cushioning.

Now, if you are wondering what type of travel yoga mat you must choose for traveling, our guide is composed of all you need to know about it.
Let’s start!

Why Travel With a Yoga Mat?

But why do you even need a yoga travel mat? When traveling, you are already missing a lot. Your diet is out of order. Water intake may be reduced too, or a change of water can hugely impact health too. Meanwhile, leaving exercise at all will only bring more trouble. So, if you want your body to fulfill its health needs, yoga is your survival. So, yes, you need a travel yoga mat. It is hard to stay active, especially if you are on backpacking trips. 

And we all know a healthy, active routine is essential for both body and mental health.

Besides, you probably do not have access to a gym or pool. In this case, unhealthy patterns are likely to influence our bodies and minds more.

Of course, if you’re going away for a couple of weeks, it’s okay to have a break from your exercise routine, but much beyond this period, your body and mind begin to suffer from a lack of routine and exercise.

Not eating and being as healthy as you would be at home is also a typical issue when traveling, and it can cause you to gain weight as well as feel tired and down.

As a result, exercise is much more necessary when traveling!
And one important approach to start exercising is to start traveling with a yoga mat.

Types of Travel Yoga Mats

The purpose of a travel yoga mat is to be sleek and portable in design. So, the types that fit into this are two yoga mats: folding and rolling.

Some folding yoga mats can be rolled, but just because it goes one way doesn’t mean it will go the other. When selecting a yoga mat, consider how much space you have in your backpack.

As for the thickness of the travel yoga mat thickness, most are between 1.5 and 2mm. However, you might find some exceptions that can be the best option. A simple yoga mat is approximately 3 to 5mm thick. So, you should expect to feel more through the surface than usual. However, this doesn’t mean you should feel uneasy.

Tips for Shopping for the Best Travel Yoga Mat

When picking the perfect yoga mat for your trip, you must consider the following tips for the best results.

• Consider Thickness and Weight: 

Yoga mats come in different ranges. You can find choices from thin to compact designs that may weigh from 2 lbs. to cushy quarter-inch beasts, which weigh up to 7 lbs. If your plans are air travel, you need to look for small sizes of yoga mats. You can search for portable designs. The thin and lightweight mat is easy to pack in your luggage.

• Look for Textured Surfaces: 

Travel yoga mats with rough surfaces give a more secure feel than flat, foamy surfaces. Several experts choose a non-slip textured surface as the quality of a travel-friendly yoga mat. In short, a textured surface is a must-have element in a travel yoga mat to ensure a safe and comfortable practice.

• Choose the Right Material: 

When it comes to yoga mat materials, you can pick everything from low-cost PVC to environmentally friendly natural rubber. The material you select will affect the mat’s price, weight, grip, and durability. Thicker types of mats typically outlast thinner mats. However, mat durability is also affected by the material used to make the mat.

• Consider Portability and Performance: 

Travel yoga mat is mostly defined by one thing: its portability and performance. These are the most important things you need to consider. Remember that it should easily fold or roll up so it is easier to fit in the small spaces than carrying a large yoga block. So, if you fit it in a night case, it will be fine, with no serious damages like creases. So, keep the packing quality, size, and durability in mind.

• Read Reviews: 

In the end, the one thing that will help you the most is reviews. You can either ask directly from first-hand users or always read the reviews online. Yogis and travelers can provide better insight into the overall quality of the travel yoga mat you may choose. Besides, always remember that from many options, it’s the difference that makes you better understand the quality of each mat.

Pros and Cons of a Foldable Travel Yoga Mat

As we discussed, there are two main types of travel yoga mats, and foldable is one of the finest. Before you pick the perfect yoga mat for your trip, check the pros and cons of it.

Pros:

• Foldable travel yoga mats are lightweight and compact, making them ideal for transporting in a bag or suitcase.
• They are perfect for travel because they take up less space than standard rolled-up yoga mats.
• As you are the only one using the mat, it is more sanitary than using a mat that has been used previously.
• Many businesses sell eco-friendly travel yoga mats made of long-lasting natural materials.

Cons

• As foldable travel yoga mats are thinner than typical yoga mats, they may not provide as much cushioning for your joints.
• Some foldable travel yoga mats may not provide as much traction as standard yoga mats. So, it can be an issue if you’re performing more difficult poses.
• Travel yoga mats that fold up can be more expensive than standard yoga mats.

Pros and Cons of Rolling Travel Yoga Mat 

In the process of picking the perfect yoga mat for your trip, check the pros and cons of rolling travel mats, too.

Pros:

• Rolling travel yoga mats are lightweight and portable, making them great for traveling.
• They are often quite durable, making them ideal for outdoor courses at the beach or park.
• Rolling travel yoga mats are thicker than foldable, so they may provide greater cushioning for your joints.
• Rolling travel yoga mats have more traction than foldable ones, which may be useful if you attempt more difficult postures.

Cons:

• Rolling travel yoga mats take up more space than foldable travel yoga mats and are, therefore, less easily transported.
• They can be heavier than folding travel yoga mats, which can be an issue when packing small.
• Traveling with a rolling yoga mat can be more expensive than a folded one.

Bottom Line

So, there you have it!
A full and comprehensive guide for the best travel yoga mat. We have done our best to cover all the significant information. All you need is a thorough homework. However, if you want only the best, go for Made By Tory. We have an amazing selection; filter out travel yoga mats and purchase the one that suits your description of comfort.