Going on an exciting vacation trip with your friends? Traveling for a business trip? Well, good for you!

In that case, you’re probably wondering how to travel with a yoga mat.

• A yoga mat seems like small and easy yoga equipment to handle…
• But carrying it with your luggage can be VERY difficult.
• This is especially true with long walks across a terminal.

The thing is… carrying a yoga mat can turn out to be a nightmare when you’re traveling.

Don’t worry, though, because we’re here to make traveling with your yoga gear simple and hassle-free in this complete guide.

Not only will it be easy to travel with your gear, but it’ll stay in pristine condition too. This will prevent the worst-case scenario – damaging your favorite yoga mat while on the road. We’ll even provide you with some tips for taking your yoga practice with you – and staying up on it while traveling. Let’s get right into it!

Learn How To Travel With A Yoga Mat To Protect Your Investment!

Sure, traveling can be fun and adventurous, but it becomes quite a hassle when you have to protect your belongings in transit.

• Yogis find it exhausting to look after their yoga mat while they’re traveling.
• Packable mats for travel tend to be the favorites for yogis.
• Of course, the last thing you want to do is damage your mat beyond repair.
• Hence, here’s a complete guide for yoga enthusiasts who have just started out yoga or are professional trainers.

Can You Travel With A Yoga Mat On Airplanes?

The simple answer is yes.

No matter what airline you have chosen for your vacation trip or business meeting, they allow passengers to bring a yoga mat along.

Passengers can bring a yoga mat either in their checked baggage or as a carry-on item.

• This means that the officer standing at the airport security checkpoint will not give you a serious look when you try to take your yoga mat with you.
• And if your travels aren’t by air – rather, by bus, train, or even boat – you should have no issue bringing your yoga mat along for the journey.
• But how to travel with a yoga mat? Let’s discuss it.

How To Travel With A Yoga Mat

At times, even yoga experts wonder how to travel with a standard yoga mat. Honestly, how will you do it?

Well, one thing’s for sure: you can’t leave it at home. How else will you lose the calories when you enjoy delicious foreign delicacies on your trip? Lucky for you, there is still hope.

Travel With A Lightweight Yoga Mat

The most challenging part of traveling with a yoga mat is that it can be heavy and bulky.

We know what you’re thinking – a yoga mat isn’t that heavy, right? Well, when it’s just one of the many things you’re carrying around – every pound counts!

• No one wants to carry heavy stuff on their back or in their luggage while traveling.
• This makes it difficult to manage the baggage weight limit.
• So, look for lightweight and thin yoga mats that don’t weigh any more than 2 pounds.
• This is the best advice we can offer in making your travel plans a breeze.

We know that most yoga mats fall between 4 to 6 pounds weight, but the best yoga mats of 2023 can make traveling super easy and convenient for you – as we cover in those reviews.

• This also means you won’t need help from friends or fellow travelers to carry your luggage when you’re struggling with a heavy mat.
• With mats under 2 pounds, you can roll up your yoga mat and carry it on your back with ease! You won’t even feel it there.
• Remember – some yoga mats cannot fold. They must be rolled-up to preserve all its glory!

Look for a Durable Yoga Mat

Even if you practice all the tips on how to travel with a standard yoga mat,…

It’s inevitable that your yoga mat will experience some damage.

If you will bring a mat as a carry-on, it will have to endure the wear from rubbing against other passengers’ luggage as you cram everything into the overhead storage.

• Only a durable and well-designed yoga mat with extremely good construction can endure the hazards of traveling.
• But whatever yoga mat you choose, make sure to check its material type.
• You want a material that can withstand the wear and tear of traveling.

Use A Yoga Mat Bag To Protect Your Purchase

Yoga mats are delicate and easily sustain damage in transit – especially if you are planning to take them in your checked bag.

It’s important to protect your mat to prevent the risk of tears or other damage.

• For this, invest in a lightweight, durable, and cost-effective yoga mat bag.
• The bag will protect your mat from the outside environment and make it easier for you to carry your mat through the airport and along your journey.
• Choose a bag that features a strap so you can carry it on your shoulders.

Most yoga bags are the perfect length to carry different types of yoga mats of different sizes.

Since the idea of the bag is to secure your mat, make ensure it actually fits in the bag (without you folding or brutally stuffing the mat in the bag). This especially applies when carrying your mat to the gym.

Additional Tips For Doing Yoga While Traveling

As a yogi, you know how important it is to stay healthy and active.

So, make a plan before leaving your house and think about what yoga mat will be perfect for you and how you will carry out your yoga while traveling.

Remember to create a schedule for your travel – set times to practice yoga, complete any work (if necessary), and then fun time so that you don’t miss out on practicing yoga while on the road.

Choose The Right Yoga Mat

Choosing the right yoga mat is the most important thing you need to do. Carrying a heavy, long mat without any protection put your investment at risk. There is a higher chance that you will not be able to use it when you finally reach your destination.

So, invest in a high-quality and reliable mat that is lightweight and easy to carry. Purchase a bag with it to store your mat while traveling.

Avoid Clips Or Fastenings

In case you were planning to roll up your mat with clips or fastenings, forget about it.

• These can damage your bag if you put pressure on them.
• They can cause scratches and holes on your mat without you knowing.
• Or, they can lead to fold marks on your mat, making it difficult to practice yoga.

Unroll Your Mat Upon Arrival

Once you arrive at your destination, unroll your yoga mat.

Keeping your yoga mat rolled up for several hours can cause wrinkles and deterioration of the mat.

• It’s vital to unfold it as soon as you arrive to prevent wrinkles from permanently forming on your yoga mat.
• This gives your yoga mat a longer lifespan and allows you to practice yoga during the trip.
• Better yet – once you get to your hotel, resort, airbnb, or wherever it is you’re staying, take the time to do some basic stretches and poses on your mat to loosen up from your travels!

Plan A Simple Yoga Routine

Practicing yoga while traveling doesn’t mean you need to be hard on yourself.

• Remember that you are in another city or country for different purposes.
• You’re there for vacation, for work, or whatever it is you’re graveling for.
• So don’t spend hours on the mat. Instead, plan simple, less challenging yoga routines that take less of your time.

Stick to simple yoga for your trip and until you reach your destination. You can make some changes in your plan as your body settles with the new environment but keep it easy.

Don’t Make Excuses

When it does come time to practice yoga, don’t make excuses.

Of course, your long to-do list may have you feeling overwhelmed, but practicing yoga will help you find peace and relaxation. Yoga will give you the energy and focus that you need to successfully complete the objective of your trip.

• A yoga mat covered in dust will not help you find peace, happiness, or relaxation.
• In fact, if you are used to practicing yoga, you will feel more grumpy, lightheaded, inactive, and restless without your daily practice.
• To enjoy your trip to the max, practice yoga at the right time.

Practice the Same Cleaning Process

Even though you’re away from home, you need to practice the same cleaning process as you follow back home.

Use your yoga mat cleaner to clean up the mat after your practice. Also, using the yoga mat regularly will prevent it from collecting dust and debris.

Based on the material your mat is made up of, you can use a soap and water solution to wipe down your mat from top to bottom. Use a clean towel to wipe the mat and let it dry for 30 minutes. Do this at least once while on your trip.

How To Travel With A Standard Yoga Mat – Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to travel with a yoga mat, the only trouble you’ll face is finding the right yoga mat and bag to make your trip convenient.

We understands your needs. Therefore, Pureful Yoga strategically reviews yoga essentials to give yoga enthusiasts the best comfort and convenience – especially our gear and supplies.

Yoga is a practice to find peace within yourself, but if you struggle due to practicing yoga, you’re missing out. Experience yoga on the road as it was intended with the products you need most!