Consultette

I typically travel with a TRX, however I'd like to start traveling with a yoga mat on alternate weeks.

Does anyone know how I can make this work? Are there any products that allow me to "attach" it to my luggage and carry it on? If you know of an alternative to the traditional "rolled" yoga mat that works too. Do you think they'll even count it as a personal item?

Hotel yoga mats are a no-go. They are generally disgusting if they have them at all. Classes are hard to find in random cities when you are working variable hours. I tried to clean a hotel's yoga mat and that led to a nightmare which is actually a funny story (long story short - don't do it unless you want the hassle of an employee giving you the 3rd degree about what you are doing as you try to explain your airline-safe unmarked bottle of fluid is actually cleaner).

I'm not going to start checking my luggage just to bring the thing, but am very interested to know if there is a way to bring one along.

Thank you so much for your help!

aBroadAbroad

I've seen bags that have a sort of a pass through pocket for long narrow items, usually people with document tubes in tow (drawings, plans, etc.). The only example I was able to find quickly was this B&R Verb Kickback Tote:

http://www.briggs-riley.com/category...ack-Tote_VB203

But it's not really the same as the ones I've specifically seen in use... not sure how to search for such a feature. Good luck!

aabrock2187

Look for a bag with external compression straps...my wife is currently traveling with an eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible Junior (whew!) and she is strapping the yoga mat on one side using the external compression straps. She is using a travel yoga mat though, which is thinner than your regular yoga mat. Note, the travel yoga mats are thinner and can actually be folded square...so if you clear enough room in your luggage you could pack it with everything else.

Consultette

Thank you! I did not know those existed! I did some research online and ran right out to REI when it opened. My new Manduka travel mat is sitting next to me and about to drive home :-). This will be perfect and also might solve the problem that my regular mat on my carpet at home is a bit too squishy.

animalj7

This is the travel mat that I have. I was fortunate enough to be a Kickstarter backer during its campaign.

It looks to be more costly after the fact and a bit more pricey than the one you've found. However, it has many color customizations and its built-in straps allow for easy hanging to aid cleaning/drying.

mg10461

You could try a yoga mat bag or a mat strap
I go to conferences where I have to bring posters and those or what I use to bring the posters and they always let me take them on

http://athleta.gap.com/browse/produc...ccessories.jsp


http://athleta.gap.com/browse/produc...VTB0wG7m2kuTnQ

I am not sure if that is what you are looking for, but they are actually pretty helpful for at home use also

Pinned

I travel with a foam roller often, it's 18" long and 6" diameter. My backpack has waist straps with clips, but they hang down below the bag - I'm looking for some straps that have corresponding clips so I can hang it below my backpack. As of now, I just carry it on with my backpack and rollaboard. Haven't been hassled yet even though it is technically a third piece.

wwu123

My wife has the Gaiam travel mat; it's basically a thin towel with a grippy surface. Seems like it does the job aequately. It does fold up pretty small, though it is somewhat heavier than just a regular terrycloth towel.
http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...theyogoftra-20

voodoogirl

When I was tote shopping I came across this bag.

http://www.zappos.com/haiku-weekender-black

SpartanTraveler

People have been doing yoga for thousands of years without a mat. If you think you need a mat or any other commercial products to do yoga it means you don't know what yoga is.

Pinned

Or it means you like to be a bit more comfortable than you otherwise would by being on a hard surface...

Zeeb

And that hotel carpets are pretty gross.

aabrock2187

You are in a forum where people discuss the best $100 quick-drying t-shirts and $1000 rolling suitcases..."need" does not exist in this dojo. There are a number of reasons why people want to use yoga mats. And I am pretty sure those that say "you don't know what yoga is" are missing a big piece of what yoga is.

elizadoo

I have an eBags Kayla Town Square tote that has a bottom with 2 adjustable straps (which can be zipped up and hidden away) made specifically to accommodate a yoga mat....or any other large object that can be rolled/folded/squished, such as a snow parka.http://http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/kalya-town-square/57682?productid=10019411 which also comes in black and a lighter red called Chili, but both of those colors appear to be temporarily sold out...

mstraveler

Sorry that I don't remember where I got it anymore, but I have a "travel" yoga mat that is thin and maybe a little less wide that packs well and works pretty well enough given hotel carpets etc. You might try looking for one of those.