Choosing a Yoga Mat for Travel
Written and reviewed by The Kriya Yogi · Updated 29 September 2026
The short answer
Travel mats are usually thin and light so they roll small and sit easily in luggage. Our cork, rubber and linen mats are all 5 mm thick with a rubber base, which gives good grip and cushioning at home but makes them heavier and bulkier than a dedicated folding travel mat. If packed weight is your main concern, that trade-off is worth knowing before you buy.
What matters for this
- Our mat thickness
- 5 mm (all three mat options)
- Base
- Natural rubber (adds weight and grip)
- Typical travel mat thickness
- 1–1.5 mm, foldable
- Rolled size
- Full-length roll, not a folding mat
- Latex note
- Natural rubber base contains latex
- Carry strap
- Included with cork and linen mats
Why our mats are not built as travel mats
A travel mat's whole job is to be small and light enough to disappear into a suitcase, usually by sacrificing thickness and the density of the base layer. Our cork, rubber and linen mats are built the other way around: a substantial 5 mm rubber base for grounding and cushioning during daily classical yoga practice. That base is exactly what makes them heavier and bulkier to roll than a 1–1.5 mm folding travel mat, so if you are flying with carry-on limits, expect to notice the difference in your bag.
When bringing one anyway makes sense
If you are driving rather than flying, or staying somewhere for weeks rather than days, a 5 mm mat with a carry strap is manageable to bring along and gives you the same surface and feel you practise on at home. The included strap on the cork and linen mats makes a rolled mat easier to carry over a shoulder for short distances, even if it will not compress down to backpack size.
What to look for in a dedicated travel mat elsewhere
If packed size is the priority, look specifically for mats marketed as foldable or travel-weight, usually under 2 mm thick and designed to fold rather than roll. These typically trade some cushioning and durability for portability, which is a reasonable swap for occasional travel use but not something we currently offer, since our range is built for a stable home or studio practice rather than packing light.
A practical middle ground
Some practitioners keep a dedicated travel mat for trips and reserve the heavier 5 mm mat for home, rather than expecting one mat to do both jobs well. If you practise daily and travel only occasionally, that split is often more satisfying than compromising on either front — a thin travel mat for the suitcase, and the fuller-feeling 5 mm mat for the rest of the year.
Choose something else if…
- Anyone flying with strict carry-on weight or size limits.
- Practitioners who want a mat that folds flat rather than rolls.