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Best yoga mat strap for you is decided by one measurement almost nobody takes: the diameter of your mat when it is rolled. This guide explains exactly how to measure that diameter, what length and webbing width it implies for your build, and which six straps fit which mats without slipping loose halfway to class.
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![A AZURELIFE [MAT NOT Included] Yoga Mat Sling, Yoga Mat Straps for Carrying, Easy-Cinch Yoga Mat Holder Strap](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61o2FkDyzML._AC_UL320_.jpg)
By Chris Parker
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Start 30-Day Prime Free Trial →See Today’s Amazon DealsHow to Size a Yoga Mat Strap Correctly
The best yoga mat strap gets returned for one reason above all others: it will not hold the mat securely. That is a sizing problem rather than a quality problem, and it is entirely avoidable with two minutes and a tape measure. The criteria below work through sizing first, then comfort, then everything else.
Measure Your Rolled Mat Before Anything Else
Before shortlisting any strap, roll your mat as tightly as you normally would and measure straight across the rolled end. A 3 mm travel mat lands near 3.5 in (9 cm), a standard 4-5 mm mat sits around 4.5 in (11 cm), and a cushioned 6-8 mm mat reaches 5-6 in (13-15 cm) or more when rolled loosely.
That single number tells you whether a strap will work. The best yoga mat strap for a 3 mm mat has loops that cinch down small; the same strap on a 6 mm mat may not close at all. Manufacturers list a capacity range, and it is worth taking seriously.
Length: Shoulder Carry or Cross-Body
For the best yoga mat strap, a total length between 60 and 72 in (152-183 cm) covers almost all adults, but the split between the two matters. Shoulder carry works from about 60 in upward; cross-body carry needs closer to 72 in, and a strap too short for cross-body will ride up and press against your neck.
Adjustable straps remove that decision entirely and cost very little more than a fixed one. If more than one person in the household will use it, or if you switch between walking and cycling to class, adjustability is worth prioritising over any other single feature.
Webbing Width and Mat Weight
Webbing runs 1-1.5 in (25-38 mm) wide. That difference is barely noticeable with a 2 lb (0.9 kg) PVC mat and very noticeable with a 6-7 lb (2.7-3.2 kg) natural rubber one, where narrow webbing cuts into a bare shoulder within a few hundred metres.
Weigh your mat, or at the very least lift it, before deciding on webbing width. If it is a heavy rubber mat, the best yoga mat strap is the widest webbing you can find, and a padded shoulder section is worth paying for rather than treating as an unnecessary extra.
Footprint and Whether the Strap Lives on the Mat
A plain sling weighs only 2-4 oz (57-113 g) and folds into a jacket pocket, so it can simply stay attached to the rolled mat between sessions without taking any storage space. That removes the most common failure mode, which is leaving the strap at home and carrying the mat awkwardly under one arm.
If you leave it attached, check the mat surface after a few months. Some open-cell foams take a permanent crease where a tight loop has been sitting, which is purely cosmetic but entirely irreversible. Loosening the loops between uses avoids it entirely at no cost.
Top Picks: Best Yoga Mat Strap Options by Mat Thickness
The six straps below are grouped by the mat thickness each holds best rather than by brand, so you can match your own measurement straight to a product without guessing. Each write-up gives the fit range and a genuine drawback of that particular design.
| Strap | Design | Best mat thickness | Webbing | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaiam Easy-Cinch Sling | Cinch sling | 3-6 mm | Around 1 in | Budget |
| YogaRat Mat Strap | Dual-loop | 3-6 mm | Around 1.25 in | Budget |
| Clever Yoga Mat Strap | Dual-loop | 4-6 mm | Around 1.5 in | Budget |
| Hugger Mugger Mat Strap | Cinch sling | 4-8 mm | Around 1.5 in | Mid |
| Manduka The Commuter | Cinch carrier | 5-8 mm | Wide, padded | Mid |
| Aurorae Yoga Mat Sling | Sling with pocket | 4-8 mm | Around 1.5 in | Budget to mid |
Gaiam Easy-Cinch Yoga Mat Sling
The safe default for a mat rolling to 4-5 in across. The loops cinch quickly, the cotton webbing is kind to a bare shoulder, and the whole strap disappears into a bag when you are not using it, which suits people who alternate between mats.
On very smooth closed-cell PVC surfaces the cinch grip creeps loose over the course of a longer walk and needs retightening once or twice on the way. There is no pocket either, so keys and a phone go elsewhere rather than travelling with the mat as one item.
YogaRat Yoga Mat Strap
Simple dual-loop construction with slightly wider webbing than the cheapest options, which shows up as real comfort on the shoulder. It is the strap to buy when you simply want something that works and has no mechanism capable of failing on you.
The loops here are fixed rather than adjustable, so the fit depends entirely on your own mat matching the diameter the strap was designed around. Measure first, because a mat outside that range will either slip out or refuse to go in at all.
Clever Yoga Mat Strap
Wider webbing and generous loops make this comfortable under a standard 4-6 mm mat, and the plain cotton construction means it doubles as a stretching strap during practice. Two functions from one purchase is a reasonable argument at this price.
Those generous loops are the problem on thin travel mats, where the strap cannot cinch small enough to hold a 3 mm roll securely. If your mat is at the thin end, one of the adjustable cinch designs is the safer choice.
Hugger Mugger Yoga Mat Strap
Longer and heavier gauge than budget slings, which makes it the pick for cross-body carry and for thicker mats up to around 8 mm. The webbing holds its shape rather than twisting into a cord, which is a common annoyance with lighter cotton straps.
It costs several times what a basic sling does, for what remains webbing and two loops. The extra length also leaves excess to manage if you only ever carry over one shoulder at a shorter setting.
Manduka The Commuter Mat Carrier
The answer for a heavy natural rubber mat, where narrow cotton webbing genuinely hurts after a few hundred metres. Wide, padded construction distributes the load across the shoulder and holds thick mats without the slow creep that cinch slings suffer.
It is expensive relative to the job it does, and clear overkill for a light PVC mat that any budget sling would carry perfectly comfortably. Stored, it is closer to a small bag than a strap, so it needs a hook rather than a drawer.
Aurorae Yoga Mat Sling
Adds a small pocket for keys, a card and a phone, which turns the mat and your essentials into one thing to remember. It handles mats up to about 8 mm, so it suits cushioned mats as well as standard ones without needing a separate carrier.
The pocket swings against the body while walking, and a fair number of people end up finding that more irritating than convenient. It also no longer folds into a jacket pocket, which removes the main appeal of a minimal sling.
Frequently Asked Questions
These four questions cover the practical details of choosing the best yoga mat strap for one particular mat — measuring, whether one strap suits several mats, using it for stretching, and what to do if your mat sits outside the usual range.
How do I measure my mat for a strap?
Roll it as tightly as you normally carry it, then measure across the circular end with a tape. That diameter, usually between 3.5 and 6 in, is the number to check against a strap’s stated capacity. Rolling loosely adds an inch and changes the answer.
Will one strap work for two different mats?
Only if both roll to a similar diameter or the strap is fully adjustable. A cinch design with a wide adjustment range handles a 3 mm and a 6 mm mat; a fixed dual-loop strap sized for one will not hold the other securely.
Can I use the best yoga mat strap for stretching too?
Plain cotton dual-loop straps work well for stretching because there is no hardware in the way. Cinch mechanisms, buckles and clips make a strap unsuitable for that, so decide which job matters more before choosing between the two designs.
What if my mat is thicker than 8 mm?
Most straps stop around 8 mm, so a thick cushioned mat usually needs a full carrier or a bag rather than a sling. Check the stated capacity carefully, and if no figure is given, assume the strap was designed for a standard 4-6 mm mat.
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Final Thoughts
The best yoga mat strap is the one sized for your rolled mat diameter, with enough length for how you carry and enough webbing width for how much the mat weighs. Measure across the rolled end before ordering, choose an adjustable design if the strap will be shared, and loosen the loops between uses to avoid creasing the mat surface permanently.
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