So you’ve got yourself an excellent yoga mat (like one of these cool mats, for example).
It fits you right, it grips well, and the color is just what you were looking for. But unless you are Parvati god_dess with many arms, then carrying your mat, a water bottle, changing clothes, a purse with valuables, and maybe some additional props for the class is no mean feat.
Luckily, there are a variety of yoga mat carriers on the market to make your life easier.
Read on to learn:
Meet Yogakali top pick - an eco-friendly and stylish yoga mat bag made of sustainably-harvested cork that repels moisture and bacteria. The bag is simple to use, beautifully designed, and has enough space to hold most yoga mats and a few other essentials.
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All yoga mat bags and carriers can look the same. But there are subtle differences that can make the yoga bag a great favorite of yours or leave it gathering dust in the closet.
So don't throw your money away and make sure to do the following things before buying a yoga mat bag.
Most of the yoga bags in the market will fit standard-sized yoga mats (68" L x 24" W).
That said, don't be lazy. Check the measurements of the carrier you set your eyes on so that you wouldn't sweat trying to squeeze your yoga mat into it after the class or when in a hurry.
Those who have extra thick or extra long yoga mats should be even more attentive as many bags are just not sturdy enough to carry a heavy mat, such as Manduka Pro XL. They will either break soon or simply won't fit it in.
Totes, slings, backpacks, oversized carriers - nowadays, there is no shortage of yoga bag styles. It's all a matter of preference.
Ask yourself these questions:
Figuring out what you need and narrowing down the choice to what is most convenient for you will save you hours.
Again, your choice should depend on your needs and lifestyle.
For example:
Yoga mat bags and carriers come with or without pockets. The pockets can be external, hidden inside the bag (perfect for valuables), and secured by a zip, a Velcro, or a magnetic snap.
If you want to leave your purse at home when going to a studio, choose mat carriers with zipped pockets, where you can store your keys, money or ID. Some bags come with padded pouches or a spacey compartment for your tablet or laptop if you're checking in your yoga class right after or before work.
Yoga mat carriers and bags can come with two short straps or a long shoulder- or cross-body strap. A big plus is when the straps are adjustable to fit your body size and padded to prevent them from butting against your skin when carrying a heavy mat.
Looking for the best yoga mat carrier to complement your eco-friendly cork yoga mat? Stop right here! This Yoloha Cork Premium Yoga Mat Bag is made from sustainably harvested and moisture-resistant cork that will protect your mat, rain or shine.
Plus, it’s incredibly functional. With plenty of room inside and two exterior pockets, you’ll easily fit your average-sized yoga mat, a strap, a water bottle, and a set of practice clothes.
One customer nicely summarized what they think of Yoloha carrier: “I would give the Bag Six Stars if possible.”
This no-frill yoga mat tote bag by Bean Products will carry your oversized Manduka mat and still have some wiggle room for an extra change of clothes. An exterior pouch is big enough for a cell phone and other essentials like keys, cards, and pocket money.
And the best part is that it's designed and handcrafted in the US – perfect if you care about the environment and are trying to shop locally.
Available in hemp and organic cotton, Bean Products yoga mat bag also comes in two sizes and a ton of colors to match your taste.
Eco-friendly doesn't mean flimsy. In fact, natural fibers are often highly durable and will serve you for years.
Jute, for example, is highly resistant to daily wear and tear and is one of the most earth-friendly fibers: it grows very fast, requires low maintenance, is biodegradable, and increases soil fertility (unlike cotton plants). On top of that, it has an appealingly raw and earthy look.
This stripy Hey Jute Yoga Mat Bag by Hugger Mugger is super-cute and will carry most yoga mats. And with two additional secured pockets, you're likely to fit some extra yoga goodies and daily essentials.
When buying a yoga mat bag from Open Road Goods, you can rest assured your conscience is clear. The brand works with Fair Trade Certified factories, which means people who made your bag get decent wages and work in safe conditions.
Made of certified cotton, the Open Road Goods yoga mat bag has a main compartment that fits mats up to 26" wide. In case your yoga mat is thinner, you might toss inside a pair of converse or a towel as well. Plus, there are three additional pockets for personal items and small valuables.
Keep in mind that the mat bag is not lined. So if you own a heavy-duty yoga mat or like carrying around 2 mats, you might want to look for another sturdier carrier.
Made of 100% organic cotton, this eco-friendly Lotuscrafts yoga mat bag is “great, comfy & spacious enough for other bits” (as one user put it). Unless your yoga mat is longer than 25.5”, expect to fit a yoga block, a towel, a yoga strap, and have some room for a change of clothes.
On top of being roomy, the Lotuscrafts has a soft texture and a natural feel – perfect for eco-conscious yogis on-the-go.
Bring some color into your yoga practice with these bohemian yoga mat carriers by CCcollections. Made of sturdy cotton canvas, these yoga totes are as unique as you since each item is handcrafted and embroidered by local artisans rather than mass-produced in factories.
With about 29.5” in length, yoga totes by CCcollections will fit most of the standard yoga mats and some extras: a yoga bottle, a spare change of clothes, or a yoga towel.
That said, I’d suggest avoiding loading the bag to its maximum – the carrying strap might dig into the shoulder.
Forget about toting several bags around the town. Zenifit yoga mat carrier is so roomy that it can hold almost everything you might need for your practice – a yoga mat, a yoga block, a small towel, a water bottle, and even a set of shoes or clothes. Spare the yoga accessories, and you'll easily fit a pair of notebooks or other daily essentials.
The owners of thick yoga mats will be pleased as well. Not only is it super easy to slip your mat inside, but the bag also comes with a set of free elastic straps that help keep it from unrolling.
This tote bag is strong enough to serve you for a long time. 'If your shoulder can handle it, so can the bag,' Zenifit founders assure.
Made of thick, yet soft cotton canvas, it features reinforced stitches and a comfortable wide carrying strap. And if that's not convincing enough, the company is offering a lifetime guarantee for their product.
Zenifit yoga mat bag is machine washable but, as any cotton-made products, is prone to shrinking. Wash it inside out in cold water and air dry to enjoy this stylish yoga accessory for a longer time.
Intrigued? Read the detailed review of the Zenifit yoga mat tote bag here.
Yoga Sling Bag offers an inexpensive and stylish solution for toting your yoga mat around the town. It’s made of durable canvas and is available in 6 different color schemes.
The bag is ultra lightweight and compact. It has an ample interior space for the yoga mat and a second pocket for personal items. There’s a small zippered pocket for secure storage of your phone, wallet, or glasses. As a nice addition, there’s a small leash keychain so you can always know where your keys are.
Yoga Sling Bag is multi-functional. Apart from storing your yoga mat, it can be used as a shopping bag when you pop out to a grocery store or as a beach bag.
On the downside, Yoga Sling Bag is not big enough if you have lots of yoga accessories and want to bring them to the studio. The strap is non-adjustable. It is made to hand off a shoulder and can’t be carried across the body.
Carry your yoga mat in style with this cute women's Gaiam Yoga Tote Bag featuring an embroidered Tree of Life/Mandala. The tote bag fits thick mats up to 24" wide and still leaves room for other essentials, such as changing clothes or a towel.
Three magnetic snaps on the top secure your belongings, which is extremely useful when you're in a hurry. Though mind that if you fit too many things inside of the bag, it would be challenging to close it.
There are two zipped pockets for holding smaller objects such as keys, wallet, etc. so that they wouldn't fall out from the main compartment.
The bag comes in white and brown colors and can be machine washed.
Manduka Go Move Yoga Mat Carrier is designed for minimalists who don’t typically lug around all yoga props and accessories with them to the studio.
Made of 50% recycled polyester, the sling fits most yoga mats (except PRO Travel, eKO Superlite mat) and easily doubles as a stretching yoga strap.
Keep in mind that Manduka Go Move sling doesn’t protect your yoga mat from weather conditions and dirt. So if you’re planning to take your most important yoga prop for a romantic walk under the rain, you might want to check out some other options.
Manduka Breathe Easy is a perfect hot yoga mat bag for yogis on the go. It’s super lightweight and minimalist in design.
But most importantly, it features a breathable side mesh for ventilating your soaking wet mat and towel while you’re running errands after a yoga class.
And it works! According to users, Manduka Breathe Easy just never stinks.
Biking, walking, or going on a hike - Masaya Yoga Mat Backpack will keep your mat (and you) 100% covered.
Not only the backpack fits a ton of stuff, but it also features extra pockets for valuables and side openings for water and a yoga mat spray.
On top of that, the bag is water and dirt resistant. And if you somehow managed to mess it up, simply wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
Backpack and bike fans will probably take a liking to Yoga Sak at a glance. It is designed so that the yoga mat, usually the heaviest item, is placed in the center and covered by two flaps. There are two straps inside of the bag which secure the mat and a hidden pocket at the bottom for additional mat support.
Yoga Sak holds the mat upright unline the majority of backpacks that hold the mat either horizontally or sticking out at an angle. It makes the bag comfortable to carry even if you bike to your yoga sessions.
Apart from the mat, Yoga Sak has plenty of space for additional gear. The rear compartment can fit a yoga block, a strap, changing clothes and shoes, a towel, etc. There are separate small pockets for your valuables, such as ID, keys, cell phone, iPod, wallet, and even a hidden mesh pocket for your water bottle.
Made of polyester, Yoga Sak is lightweight and pretty durable as long as you don’t use it for carrying heavy items over long distances.
This Kindfolk Yoga Mat Duffle Bag is as cute as it's functional. Designed to fit yoga mats up to 26" wide, the carrier will also easily hold your blocks, a blanket, strap, and even a set of clothes.
One user even said: "This has got to be some kind of magic bag! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, it! I can fit so much in this bag and still have a bit of room left."
The best part?
There's a full-size zipper that opens the bag completely, allowing for hassle-free packing of everything you manage to stash inside.
With this extra-large JoYnWell yoga bag, bringing all your yoga equipment to the studio has never been easier.
According to customers, “This bag is absolutely freaking huge!”
Made of sturdy canvas, the JoYnWell yoga carrier is designed to fit mats of any length/thickness, a pair of blocks, a strap, a towel/blanket, a water bottle, and a change of clothes. Plus, you’re still left with several pockets for small personal items and valuables.
Tired of carrying several bags at once or having your yoga accessories and personal items mix up in a big tote bag? Then Hotdog Yoga Rollpack is for you.
This bag-organizer is designed to conveniently hold your yoga mat, blanket, clothes, accessories, and personal items - all in separate compartments.
It has 8 storage spaces: a clothing section, a mat sling, 2 padded pouches, separate secure pockets for valuables, and a bottle holder. The bag can carry the mat of any size and thickness, even your Manduka Pro XL 82".
Your mat and clothes stored in the bag won't get stinky even after the hot yoga since the mat and clothing sections are ventilated. The clothing compartment also features a garment hanger hole where you can put the rack to prevent your clothes from creasing.
Hotdog Yoga Rollpack is made of water-repellent and stain-resistant material. It's easy to clean and has 2 short handles and an additional adjustable shoulder strap.
What style of the yoga mat bag do you prefer?
Share your opinion in the comments!
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I recently got the one from Open Road Goods and I love it. It has tons of space and I use the side straps to hold my mat.
And they are eco-friendly too!
Glad you are happy with your choice 🙂
I'd love some tips for carrying a mat on a bike rack. So far I think bungie cords will work but I'm sure I'm overlooking something.
How about buying a yoga mat bag? 😀
Yoga Sak might be exactly what you're looking for. It is a backpack-style yoga bag. Thanks to its design, a yoga mat, which is usually the heaviest item you carry for yoga, is always placed in the middle so the weight you carry around all day is not skewed to one of the sides.
I've also seen people using yoga straps instead of budgie cords. And since the strap is wide and smooth, there's a smaller chance of leaving dents or scratches on your mat.