What Is A Travel Yoga Mat
No matter where your trips and travels take you, yoga's daily practice shouldn't be compromised. Even just a day off the mat can affect them mentally or physically for the most dedicated yogis. But worry not, dear yogis, because tons of yoga mats are available in the market, and they are perfect for traveling so that no matter where you go, you can always do your yoga practice. If you are not sure what to get and what suits you, check out things you need to consider in getting the best travel yoga mat.
Do You Need a Travel Yoga Mat?
If you've reached this post, chances are, you already feel that you need to have the best travel yoga mat. But what is a travel yoga mat? With so many yoga stuff available in the market, it can be quite challenging to weed out the essential from the luxurious. Before we proceed, let us first establish the difference between a normal yoga mat from a travel yoga mat. It all comes down to these two things:
- Weight
- Packability
A travel yoga mat is more tailored for traveling, which means that it is lighter and easier to pack than the standard yoga mat. While no one stops you from buying a normal yoga mat for your trips and adventures, investing in the best travel yoga mat will save you luggage space, especially money from paying more baggage fees.
Benefits of a Travel Yoga Mat
Lighter
A backpacker knows that there's nothing worse than back pain that results from a heavy and overfilled backpack. Let's be honest. We're all guilty of this sometimes. Never let a heavy yoga mat be the thing to weigh you down. Lighter ones are convenient.
Easier to Pack
What if you decided to bring only one backpack. Time is precious. The easier and quicker you pack your yoga mat, the happier you'll become.
Money Saver
Almost all rollable mats won't fit in your backpack, so you will have to carry it separately or affixed to your backpack. Plus, if your airline won't allow rollable mats on your carry on luggage, chances are, they will charge for your extra baggage.
Limitations of a Travel Yoga Mat
Initial Outlay
Most yoga mats are an expense and will cost you. But, if you are keen on making yoga a regular part of your backpacking, you will be glad to have the investment.
Thickness
As these travel yoga mats are required to be foldable and lighter, there's a little compromise on thickness. This can sometimes lead you to experience some discomfort during your practice, especially on your sensitive knees. But this can be rectified easily with some padding (like your travel towel).
Creases
If you have invested in a folding mat or a travel yoga mat, expect to have creases on the mat. At times, these can be a pain when you are on your mat and doing the practice. But, once you have worn in the mat, the creases are unlikely to be a problem and will flatten over time. If you want to avoid this issue, you can roll out the mat instead of folding it.
What to Look for in the Best Travel Yoga Mat
Portability
This may be a no-brainer, but searching for a practical travel yoga mat may be more challenging than it seems. All yoga mats may be created to be portable, but not all yoga mats can be easily carried on a backpacking trip. You need to go for a compact and thin travel mat that can fit in most of your luggage.
Packability
Yes, it may surprise you, but not all travel yoga mats are foldable. However, if you invest in foldable mats, you will see the effect of packing up easier. The best travel yoga mats are lightweight and slim enough to be folded in a perfect compact size for your backpacks.
Easy to Clean
The main purpose of travel yoga mats is that you can bring them along for your treks and adventures. This means that your mat can get pretty dirty after some uses on sand and dirt. Get a mat that can be easily cleaned and airdried in the sun.
Durability
The best travel yoga mat should be able to last your backpacking trip and beyond. Never sacrifice durability for convenience. But, you can have both in one best travel yoga mat. The Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat is the perfect choice for this.
Conclusion
Now that you have an idea of what to look for in the best travel yoga mat, it's time to invest in one. Keep in mind the features of a travel yoga mat to have the best yoga experience wherever, whenever. Don't let your trip or travel be an excuse for you not to do your yoga practice. The choice is yours and listen to your heart and mind on what best travel yoga mat suits you.