How to choose yoga mat for travel
Whether you're a novice or a yoga expert who likes traveling, practicing yoga and mindfulness can be quite challenging. Sooner or later, you're bound to spend endless hours at airports and bus stations carrying your huge bag filled with Yoga essentials. To keep your practice every day, you have to choose which yoga mat to pack. That's why it's necessary to find the right yoga mat for travel. This article will give you some tips on choosing the right travel yoga mat and the different types of materials. Read on.
How to Choose Yoga Mat for Travel
How exactly do you choose a yoga mat for travel? Before you decide that you need to purchase one, here are some considerations that should help you find a successful yoga mat investment:
Portable
It's a no-brainer to buy a portable yoga mat that is lightweight and practical for travel. It may seem a little daunting, but yoga mats are easy to carry and offer various sizes. You may want to go for a compact and easy to pack travel mat that fits in your backpack.
Easy to Clean
The great thing about travel yoga mats is you can easily bring them on your treks and adventures. That means your travel mat can get grimy, filthy, and dirty. You should find a mat that you can clean easily or spray a cleaner. Choose a mat that is also easy to dry, making it much less hassle to pack in.
Durable
Keep in mind that you will take your yoga mat throughout your explorations and trips. Consider the durability of your yoga mat over convenience. Pick a yoga mat made of natural rubber that is comfortable and durable.
Stickiness
You will be using your travel mat on different terrains, so buy a mat that can comfort you even on hard floors. A mat with enough stickiness will allow you to perform any yoga poses and postures. Look for a yoga mat that will hold your feet on the ground properly. You may consider a PVC mat with a higher safety rating.
Lightweight
You may want a yoga mat that is light to carry since you'll be taking it with you to airports and hotels. Find a product that weighs about 1kg. Most yoga mats for travel weighs 450g to 1.6kgs.
Style
Though finding a yoga mat that suits your style is more personal, the color and size should fit your taste. Plus, it also helps you stay calm, focused, and energized, having a bright, vibrant pattern. You can find a specific color that suits your yoga practice to help keep your mind on your postures. Since you'll be spending hours of practice on your mat, make sure to find the one that you love.
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The Benefits of Yoga Mat for Travel
Easy to Carry
Yogis and backpackers know that bringing an overfilled bag can result in a lot of back pain and joint stress. You don't need to put another weight on your backpack only to bring a heavy yoga mat. Be wise enough to pick a yoga mat that is easy to carry around.
Packability
If you're only taking one backpack, consider a travel yoga mat that is easy to pack and isn't bulky when folded. That means you can accommodate your yoga outfit and mat simultaneously without having trouble packing your other personal things.
Budget Saver
I recommend buying a travel yoga mat instead of regular yoga since you'll be traveling a lot. That way, so can save some extra bucks and spend it on other yoga equipment. There are foldable yoga mats that are budget-friendly. Make sure that you can easily fit or affixed your yoga mat to your bag.
What Are the Different Materials Yoga Mats Are Made?
There are different yoga mats; the regular mat you use at home, the lightweight and easy to pack travel yoga mat, and large size yoga mat/towel.
When considering what yoga mat for travel you should buy, it's worth considering your mat's materials:
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber features a strong grip, contains no contaminants, and is robust and biodegradable.
Microfiber
Microfiber yoga mats are super absorbent. Through an intensive Hot Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga class, it acts as a slip-resistant layer to keep your feet from slipping.
Cork
Cork is made of natural material that the more it gets wet, it gets stickier. It comes with antibacterial qualities to keep your yoga mat clean. However, if you sweat a lot, the fabric becomes brittle and can easily tear the seams. It also absorbs the scent of sweat, so after a while, it may start to stink.
Cotton
A yoga mat made of cotton is popular among yogis because cotton has high absorbency. It also has a strong grip. However, these mats are not thick enough, meaning it may not have enough stability when performing your yoga poses.
PVC
PVC yoga mats are affordable and durable, but they tend to get slippery when you wet them excessively. They are usually made of synthetic plastic polymer, which is tough to tear.
Conclusion
Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or a yogi-on-the-go, it's important to know a travel yoga mat's features. Choosing what you can carry for travel should be lightweight, compact, and protects you from humidity or rough terrain. Hopefully, this article helped you decide to choose the right yoga mat for travel.
