Travel yoga mat: How to choose?

August 19, 2020

Yoga

Going on a trip or traveling can make practicing yoga difficult. It is not always easy to take your yoga mat with you, as it is usually heavy and it can be difficult to fold. To travel light, however, there are travel yoga mats, specially designed to be transported without difficulty. Let’s discover together the peculiarities of these rugs.

Why buy a yoga mat for travel?

Continuing your yoga practice while on vacation abroad may be the key to surviving long flights and endless bus and car journeys. After standing still for 8 hours, your muscles are contracted, your eyes red with jet lag and dehydration, a yoga session can save you!

Pursuing your yoga practice while on vacation can really make all the difference, but to make chaturangas more enjoyable in your hotel room, you need a yoga mat.

The yoga accessory offering is so vast in the market that it’s sometimes hard to tell the good from the superfluous.

So, is a special travel yoga mat useful? Yes: whether you practice or not during your vacation!

Between two sightseeing tours, you can recharge your batteries on your mat. Lighter and easier to transport than a regular sleeping pad, the travel yoga mat could become your best friend.

You can also use it in your favorite yoga studio over the loaner mats, great, right?

There are two types of travel yoga mats: foldable yoga mats and on-mats. We will see the pros and cons of both.

What are the special features of a travel yoga mat?
This is an ultra-thin yoga mat that takes up minimal space. The travel yoga mat is easily foldable and most importantly, it is a lightweight yoga mat. He can easily accompany us wherever we go and without too much burden.
It is thus possible to continue practicing Yoga in a Yoga center or at the hotel depending on our habits. Be careful, its particularly thin thickness can make it uncomfortable to perform certain postures, it is better to be vigilant and adapt your yoga practice.

How to choose the right travel yoga mattress?

Before choosing the perfect travel yoga mat, it’s important to know what to look for. Here are some of the most important features that you should keep in mind when purchasing your carpet.

What materials are used for travel yoga mattresses?

As with a classic yoga mat, the material of our travel yoga mat is of particular importance for the comfort of the practice, but also for the life and maintenance of the mat.

The organic cotton yoga mat is very popular because it is an easy-to-fold material, which is generally quite thin. It also offers good sweat absorption capacity, but has far less than a rubber mat.

The rubber yoga mat has excellent non-slip properties and good cushioning. It can easily be folded lengthwise in half or third depending on the size of your suitcase, or simply rolled up on itself.
Finally, microfiber is a popular material for the design of travel yoga mats. It provides better grip than cotton and it absorbs perspiration very well.

The grip of the mat

We just touched on it, the grip of the carpet is very important. Better to be sure to choose a mat with good slip resistance, especially if you are practicing dynamic yoga.

The weight

Contrary to popular belief, cotton yoga mats are not necessarily the lightest to carry around and their weight can easily vary. The same goes for the rubber mats. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the weight of the rug, especially when shopping online.

Brand ethics

When we practice Yoga, the question of ethics can influence our purchase. Some companies donate part of the funds to animal welfare associations or others contribute to reforestation, for example. If you pay particular attention to this point, it is better to inquire directly on the brand’s website to buy responsibly.

Durability

Yoga is more than a workout, it is a way of life. One of the main proponents of this philosophy is the concept of ahisma: the practice of a non-harmful lifestyle.
Be careful when buying your yoga mat and think about durability.

Some mats are more technical, with markings to help with alignment. You will be spending a lot of time on your mat, so make sure you find one that you like.

You will be spending a lot of time on your mat, so make sure you find one that you like.

How to maintain your travel yoga mat?

There are several cleaning methods to maintain your yoga mat regularly and prevent it from getting damaged:

• Washing machine: whether the mat is cotton, natural rubber, or even microfiber, it is quite possible to machine it. We favor a short cycle and a cold wash without exceeding 30 °. Let your carpet dry in the open air and away from direct sunlight to avoid fading the colors.
• Homemade spray: it is very easy to make a spray yourself to clean and disinfect your carpet. Just mix 2/3 mineral water with 1/3 alcohol white wine vinegar, and add a few drops of essential oil of your choice to flavor it, such as lavender or tee trea .
• Specialized spray: You just need to sprinkle the mat and wipe it with a rag at the end of each practice.

Here are some travel yoga mats

eKO SuperLite

Manduka is a brand that makes great yoga mats, today we’re going to talk about their travel size, the eKO SuperLite, which is no exception.
These dimensions make it a very thin yoga mat, and an excellent companion for your travels: it weighs 1.5 kg and is only 1.5 mm thick.

Regarding its material, the so-called “orange peel” surface is very sticky, which allows it to adhere to all surfaces even when the part is a little wet. It is made from biodegradable tree rubber that will not chip or fade. Its system does not absorb bacteria.

This mat can be easily folded or rolled up to fit in your bag or even in your suitcase.

YOGO Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat

The YOGO Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat is a great choice when you want to treat yourself to a travel yoga mat because unlike other brands, it comes with a carry strap that helps keep the yoga mat in the shape of a newspaper. .

In terms of material, the YOGO Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat is made of natural rubber, light and economical.

Another highlight of the YOGO Ultralight Travel Mat yoga mat is that it has been designed for more than easy cleaning. This rug was made to be washed in the shower, thanks to the material that does not absorb skin, so just rinse and hang out to dry. The mat even has built-in loops for easy spreading, YOGO has you covered!

Known for being exceptionally tacky and grippy, the texture of this rug has been compared to that of kitchen drawer coverings! You won’t slip on this mat during your asana workout, no matter what hot and humid country you are in!

The Jade Voyager

At 3mm thick, the easy-to-fold Jade Voyager Rug is a sleek, lightweight option perfect for travel. It is very adherent thanks to its natural rubber materials. We like it for its high level of grip and tack, which makes yoga classes enjoyable wherever you are.

Jade Yoga pays special attention to sustainability, in the construction of the mats and through a partnership with the organization Trees for the Future. The mats are made of natural rubber obtained from trees without the addition of PVC or other synthetic materials. For each carpet purchased, the brand guarantees that a new tree will be planted.

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The Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat

The Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat is a low cost travel yoga mat (under $ 20)
This mat will be ideal for occasional travelers who don’t necessarily want to spend over $ 40 for minimal use.
This mat is even lighter than Manduka’s eKO Superlite, but is slightly thicker which is 2mm. The entire mat folds into a rectangle for easy transport in a carry-on or travel bag.