The Best Travel Yoga Mats, Tested and Reviewed

This mat is laser thin, but doesn’t feel bad on the knees. The cushion is supportive enough to do light workouts on. The slimness is the selling point, it makes the mat one of the lightest on the markets and easy enough to pack in a tote bag or duffel comfortably. Truthfully, it was so easy to travel with I didn’t even need to bring it in a tote, but needed one to carry my book. After a session of hot yoga I was definitely slipping and sliding, but that’s just because of the nature of the workout. —Charlie Hobbs, associate editor

Weight: 1.5 pounds

Thickness: 1.5 mm

What could be improved: No complaints—it’s the best travel yoga mat I’ve tried!

This is a travel-friendly version of Alo’s popular Warrior Mat. The grip is fantastic, even in a hot yoga class. I prefer this mat for standing poses, quicker-paced vinyasa classes, or pilates mat workouts. I’ve also used it during 90-minute Hatha yoga classes, which require holding poses for longer periods of time. It’s easily packable for air travel—I’ll be taking it with me on my next flight. Plus, the all black design is super sleek. —Hannah Towey, associate editor, transportation and travel news

Weight: 3.5 pounds

Thickness: 2 mm

What could be improved: It’s slightly too thin for comfortable headstands and can be tough on the knees. I suggest doubling up the mat underneath you when holding longer poses.

I’ve always loved yoga on-the-go, but always have way too much to carry. The Gaiam yoga mat folds up into a square making it easy to pack—a real game changer for travel. It has a stabilizing grip so I’ve used it on my hardwood floor and balcony at home. I’ve also swiftly packed it with me for beach days, and used it for prime time: coastal sunrise and sunset meditation. It fit in my beach bag and tote perfectly—the mat’s foldability, flatness, and lightness all catered to its ease for travel. It surely will fit in any checked luggage, carry-on, and standard-sized backpack, too. At home, the mat is super easy store and to spot clean with a damp cloth, cold water, and mild detergent. Just make sure to dry it flat. —Jessica Chapel, editorial assistant

Weight: 1.8 pounds

Thickness: 2 mm

What can be improved: Given its thinness, it doesn’t offer the best support for those who might need more cushion.

One of my favorite things about the eKO Superlite is that it’s made from harvested natural rubber so it doesn’t slide on tile or wood floors. I used the mat at home, took it with me in a tote to the gym, and traveled with it packed in a carry-on for a road trip upstate. The Superlite doesn’t come with any traveling accessories, but since you have the option of carrying it in a roll or folding it, it’s a cinch to pack. I used the mat during a 30-minute strength training routine, planks, and to do a few yoga stretches like downward dog. I especially like the feel of the Superlite’s thickness, which seems substantial despite this being a lightweight mat. —Alexandra Sanidad, research director

Weight: 2 pounds

Thickness: 1.5 mm

What could be improved: The mat’s grippiness—which I liked—makes it a little hard to clean and the texture diminishes once you sweat.

Stakt designed a full system here—if you’re buying the mat, you’ll want to buy the bundle, which comes with a lovely carrying case sized to fit the folded up mat, but also anything else you might need for a class. There’s an elastic water bottle pocket, an exterior zip pocket for keys and a small wallet, and enough interior room to store a change of clothes if you’re coming from work or another activity. I’ve taken it to yoga classes via the subway and on foot, and it’s very convenient to carry when you have the right bag. Stakt’s texture is its defining quality—rather than rolling up, like a traditional yoga mat, it folds up like an accordion, meaning it’s a stiffer material than you may be used to. This gives it a nice thickness, though, that I appreciate when using it on a hard yoga studio floor and in my own non-carpeted apartment. —Madison Flager, senior commerce editor

Weight: 2 pounds

Thickness: 12 mm

What could be improved: It’s not super practical when purchased without the bag.

This was my first cork mat and I have to say, I’m never going back to rubber after this. I need a mat that is grippy for balance poses and moderately cushioned for my knees. During sweaty sessions, the cork’s grip actually improves with moisture (the opposite of rubber mats, which get slippery with sweat). Cork has natural antimicrobial properties, so it resists mold, mildew, and bad smells. It’s super easy to clean—just spray it down and wipe it occasionally, the same way you would any other mat. Plus, 42 Birds sustainably harvests the cork from oak trees in the Mediterranean, meaning the mat’s material is eco-friendly and the texture feels much less synthetic underneath your feet. While this mat isn’t necessarily packable in a suitcase, I’ve carried it all over New York City in a tote bag and love how lightweight it is compared to heavier rubber mats I’ve owned in the past. It’s easy to throw in the car for road trips and take with you on the train, and it comes with a cotton strap, making it easy to sling over your shoulder. —H.T.

Weight: 1.9 pounds

Thickness: 5 mm

What could be improved: This is a perfect lightweight mat for daily use, but if you’re looking for a packable mat to fold up into a suitcase then you’ll have to sacrifice more cushion.

While testing, I mostly did yoga and core workouts with this mat. I have a really flat wood floor, so it works great for yoga, but it didn’t have a ton of grip when I was doing harder exercises that required quick movements. It’s pretty thin and light, but not too thin that you will feel the ground under you. I love the carrying accessories—a bag and a strap—that make it convenient to carry to and from classes. For out of town travel, it’s large enough to fit in a checked bag but it’d be pretty squished in a tote, weekender, or a carry-on. —Jamie Spain, travel bookings editor

Weight: 2.6 pounds

Thickness: 6 mm

What could be improved: It doesn’t have a ton of grip; intense workouts are out of the question.

The Lululemon Travel Mat accompanied contributor Kaitlyn McInnis on a trip to India. While the mat is much thinner than the average yoga mat, the FSC certified rubber gives it a stronger grip and leaves the mat crease-free after being folded into a carry-on. It was the perfect start to McInnis’s morning: “Being able to pull it out and do a quick stretch session really sets me up for a more limber, less painful day.” The mat alone is made for low-impact workouts and yoga, but can be paired with The Towel for more support in intense classes.

Weight: 2.87 pounds

Thickness: 1.5 mm

What could be improved: It’s one of the heaviest on the list