Getting a yoga mat bag is kind of like getting pockets on your pants for the first time. You’ll wonder why you haven’t had it all along. When searching for the right yoga bag, it’s easy to assume its a simple style choice. But, unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Some bags only fit the thinnest yoga mats and others are made from heavy, non washable fabric that smells because you can’t clean it. The ideal yoga bag is easy to clean, fits your mat, looks stylish and makes it easy to carry your mat (ergonomic). In this post we review 5 of the best bags for conveniently transporting your yoga gear and give our recommendation.
The Best Yoga Mat Bags:
- Yogii Yoga Mat Bag
- Aurorae Yoga Multi-Purpose Sling Bag
- Yoga Sak
- Hotdog Yoga Rollpack
- Manduka Go Play Yoga Mat Bag
Quick Answer:
Our favorite is the Hotdog Rollpack. Your mat goes in the center of the bag keeping the weight balanced and accommodating even large / heavy mats. It has a full sized pocket to hold your clothing without getting wrinkled, can be carried like a duffel bag or worn over the shoulder using the long detachable strap. Another great feature is that it has multiple pockets for your other gear and features a water bottle pocket with a bungee to keep it in place. Its an overall durable and convenient way to carry your things to and from class.
Choosing the Best Yoga Bag
A yoga bag can be one of the most convenient items you purchase. Rather than using a mat strap and then carrying your purse and other items separately, you can carry everything all in one tight little pack. But before rushing out and buying one, you may want to consider a few things:
Style
You have your own unique style. Whether it’s your clothes, accessories, the car you drive or the yoga bag you carry. There’s so many options that you don’t have to compromise your style for functionality; You can get both.
Your Mat
Think about the type of mat you have. If you use a heavy mat, such as the Manduka pro, you’ll want a bag that’s built to hold a heavy and thick mat. You’ll also want something that keeps the weight in the center rather than off to the side because a heavy mat can make your bag lopsided and cumbersome to carry.
Material
Ideally, the fabric of your yoga mat carrier is breathable, durable and easy to clean. It should also be able to handle many washes without breaking down at the seams.
Build
Your yoga tote should be built so that it can easily hold your mat (whether you have a thin or thick mat). It should also be ergonomic and easy to carry. There’s yoga mat backpacks that are super easy to carry and yoga tote bags that resemble a purse and may not be so easy. Whichever style you choose, the strap should be reinforced (they can get heavy), fit comfortably on your shoulder, and be versatile enough to fit your water bottle, towel, change of clothes and anything else you might need.
Price
Price is usually a consideration when buying any product. You don’t want to break the bank but you also don’t want a bag that’s going to break on you. We get it. We consider price with everything we review but don’t make it the determining factor. If something’s expensive (relative to comparable products), this can be okay as long as the quality, style and durability make sense. However, if it’s unjustifiably expensive, we’ll make sure you know why (but it probably won’t be on our list in the first place).
The Best Yoga Mat Bags
Hotdog Yoga Rollpack
Our Rating
The Rollpack is a very cool concept for a yoga bag. Its built like a duffel bag with two short straps to carry in hand and one long strap which can be worn over the shoulder. It has a water bottle pocket on the outside and 8 different compartments for storing everything from your clothes to your cell phone. Your yoga mat fits into the center making this a balanced weight pack which can support yoga mats of any weight.
One of the best features about this bag is that it has a large compartment to keep your change of clothes clean and wrinkle free (see video below). The only downside of the compartment is that you have to unclip and unroll the bag to get your clothes but it takes about 4 seconds to unroll so it’s not a deal breaker.
Pros
- Your yoga mat goes in the center making this very easy to carry and able to hold any mat
- Full size pocket holds your clothing with minimal folding so it doesn’t get wrinkled
- Two shorter handles mean you can carry it like a duffel bag and it has a long strap which you can wear over your shoulder
- Water bottle pouch can hold a 32 oz water bottle easily and has a bungee to keep it in place
- Multiple pockets on the outside for cell phone, makeup, yoga straps, etc.
- Sturdy plastic clips keep your bag closed tightly
- Long strap is detachable
Cons
- The compartments are not large enough for yoga blocks
- You have to unroll the pack to get your clothes out
- Currently only 2 colors available
Yogiii Yoga Mat Bag
Our Rating
The Yogiii bag is a simple, minimalist styled shoulder bag which can easily fit your mat, water bottle, a towel and keys/wallet. The material itself is a durable and soft cotton canvas which is double stitched at the seams to prevent tearing. The main pouch is large to include your yoga mat and water bottle. On the side there’s a large pocket for your yoga towel (or water bottle) and inside of this pocket is a smaller zippered pocket for your keys / wallet / phone.
The only thing we dislike about this tote is that the outside pocket is positioned on the side so you have to wear it over your left shoulder. If you were to wear it on the right side, your towel pocket would be against your body. It’s also much shorter than it looks in the picture. It’s 30″ long which may be too short for taller women.
Pros
- Durable Cotton Fabric
- Fits your water bottle and towel easily
- Zippered pocket on the inside for keys & wallet
- Currently offered in 5 colors
- Machine washable (must hang dry or risk shrinking)
- Easily fit mats up to 1/2″ thick
Cons
- 30″ length may be too short for some women
- Pocket positioned on the outer left side
Aurorae Yoga Multi-purpose Cross Body Sling Bag
Our Rating
The Aurorae yoga bag works as a backpack and yoga bag all in one. The pack has several large pockets which can be used to hold a laptop, books, a towel, yoga block and anything else you might need. The side has a water bottle holder and there are multiple zippered pockets for your wallet, keys, cell phone, etc. I like how the strap can be easily extended to be worn over your shou