9 Best Yoga Bags for Every Type of Practice in 2024 | SELF

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For an activity as physically and mentally restorative as yoga, it can raise some stressful questions—namely, how are you supposed to lug all your gear (not only your mat but potentially a towel, water bottle, and change of clothes) to the studio? Before you shove everything into an old tote bag and hope for the best, consider investing in a dedicated yoga mat bag. There are tons on the market that are protective, spacious, cute, and make hauling your stuff less of a strain on your body. Check out our favorites here, and save the energy you would have spent Tetris-ing all your things in a regular bag on cleaning your mat regularly.

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Like any good gym bag, a high-quality yoga mat holder should be easy to carry over your shoulder or wear across your body without digging in or causing chaffing. It should also be roomy enough to hold all of your belongings (bonus points if it has pockets or internal compartments to organize everything). And if you regularly attend hot yoga classes, you should look for one that’s made with water-resistant materials, so you can keep your sweaty gear contained post-practice. If you’re a minimalist who prefers a humble yoga mat strap, look for one that won’t loosen at a moment’s notice. An adjustable length, buckles, and other types of fasteners will help the strap fit securely around your mat for your whole commute.

Below, we’ve selected some of the best yoga bags you can purchase now, whether you’re looking for one that will do double-duty as your main gym bag, or just something that can hold your mat plus your phone and keys.

Manduka

Amazon

Zappos

Manduka

Dick's

Best Overall

Naturally, Manduka, the maker of our favorite yoga mat, also makes a top-notch mat bag. The water-resistant Go Steady 3.0 carrier fits a standard yoga mat in its main compartment, which is perforated to encourage airflow (a major plus when you’re heading home from a sweaty practice). It also has a few internal pockets for your towel, extra clothes, and other essentials. And, thanks to its adjustable shoulder strap, you can wear it like a crossbody or tote bag.

Yogiii

Amazon

Best Budget

Whether you’re a beginner who doesn’t want to commit to a pricey bag right away or just someone who prefers a simple mat carrier, this yoga tote is a great choice. The main compartment is deep, the outer pocket can fit a water bottle or towel, and the thick strap is comfortable and easy to sling over your shoulder. One thing to note is the Yogiii bag doesn’t have any zippers, snaps, or clasps, so be mindful of where you put any valuables.

Lululemon

Lululemon

Best Strap

A yoga strap keeps your pre- and post-flow pack-up nice and simple: Just loop it around the ends of your mat, throw it over your shoulder, and go. Of course, lower-quality straps can make this process less than seamless—maybe they come loose or they aren’t long enough to wear comfortably. Lululemon’s mat strap dodges those little annoyances with an adjustable length and sturdy buckles to secure the loops around your mat.

Aurorae

Amazon

Best Backpack

With this sling style backpack’s level of organization, you can keep your most important personal items easily accessible, and avoid fumbling through a shapeless main compartment. It has a phone pocket that’s built into the main strap, a side pocket for your water bottle, a lined compartment for wet clothes, and, of course, a larger side pocket and strap to hold your mat.

Hugger Mugger

Hugger Mugger

Paragon Sports

Amazon

Scheels

Best for Hot Yoga

If you’re bringing home a pile of sweaty gear, ventilation is key. That’s why the highly breathable Uinta bag from Hugger Mugger caught our eye: It was designed with hot yoga in mind, so it’s primarily made of moisture-wicking material, and its bottom is made of mesh. The external cargo pocket is a great spot for your wallet and phone, and there’s a dedicated ring for your keys on the outside, too.

Manduka

REI

Manduka

Best for the Light Packer

There’s lugging a ton of stuff in a heavy-duty mat bag, there’s traveling ultra-light with just a strap, and then there’s packing a few non-negotiable items alongside your mat.

For anyone who likes the idea of that third approach, there’s the Go Play carrier from Manduka. It’s shaped like a mat strap (complete with buckle-equipped loops), but has a spacious zipper pocket for your must-haves. Think of it as a fanny pack for your yoga mat.

Hugger Mugger

Hugger Mugger

Best for Yoga Accessories

We love yoga accessories like blocks, towels, and bolsters, but they can take up a lot of space. Luckily, the Journey Yoga Mat Bag from Hugger Mugger has room to spare: The main compartment is large enough to hold your props of choice, while the zippered pocket at the base of the bag holds a standard-sized yoga mat. Reviewers report fitting multiple blocks, blankets, a change of clothes, and more yoga must-haves without having to squeeze them in. It also has smaller pockets for your keys, phone, and other valuables.

Kuak

Amazon

Best for Large Mats

Made with double shoulder straps and a large main compartment, this sturdy canvas bag is perfect if your mat is wider, thicker, longer, or some combination thereof compared to a standard-sized yoga mat. It has a zippered opening, features five pockets and pouches (including one for your water bottle), and can go straight in the washer if you notice things are starting to get a little funky.

Lululemon

Lululemon

Best Gym Bag Combo

If you’re pairing your yoga practice with a run, lifting session, or even a quick trip, Lululemon’s Wunderlust weekender is just the right size. It looks like a regular duffel bag and has all the features you’d expect from one (including handles and a crossbody strap; interior and exterior pockets; and a roomy main compartment), but it also has a pair of adjustable external straps to fasten around your yoga mat. So, you can have your mat, sneakers, workout clothes, and everything else you need for a day spent bopping from the studio to the gym—without feeling like a pack mule.

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