As I’ve mentioned, I travel with YogaPaws. While YogaPaws are ideal for me, others may prefer a travel mat. I interviewed my mother, a long-time yoga practitioner, about her favorite travel yoga mat.
What kind of travel yoga mat do you use?
I use the Gaiam Sol Thin-Grip Yoga Mat.
How did you choose the Gaiam Sol travel mat?
I was attending the Yoga Journal Conference in New York and needed a travel mat for ease of travel on the airplane. This travel mat was sold in the Yoga Marketplace at the conference.
Prior to purchasing the mat, were you familiar with Gaiam as a brand?
Yes, my original yoga mat was a Gaiam regular mat.
Would you recommend the mat to a friend?
Yes, I would recommend the mat for its travel convenience, but not for regular home practice.
Is the mat good for travel?
The mat is very light and easy to pack. It can be rolled or folded which makes it easy to fit into a carry-on bag. I easily stowed it in my carry-on bag for the trip back to Illinois. Folding it doesn’t cause it any damage or crease it in any way.
What are the mat’s pros?
The Gaiam Sol mat has excellent portability. It naturally does not provide the cushioning of a regular mat, but works very well at class over the studio’s mat if you prefer your own mat to a shared one. It also works well in a hotel room or in the park. I like to keep mine in the trunk of my car so that I can grab a mat anytime I need one.
What are the mat’s cons?
Lack of cushioning is its major drawback. Also, my hands tend to be slippery, so mat traction is important to me. The Gaiam Sol has a medium traction: it has better traction for me than my Manduka and less traction than my Jade. Also, because it is so flexible, I am more likely to kick up a corner when practicing asanas on a carpeted surface and have to readjust its position on the carpet.
Do you have favorite yoga gear for traveling? Let me know in the comments!