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Packing Cubes: Your Secret to Packing Light When You Travel

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Packing cubes are a huge space saver and make it super easy to get organized and they’ll save you tons of time when unpacking and repacking. Read on to find out more.

Packing cubes come in several different shapes and sizes. They are a lifeline for those travelers that hate packing and those messy packers out there. Packing cubes help clothes separate even with limited space. Besides keeping everything neat and organized, they have a few other nifty uses that won’t leave you disappointed.

packing cubes for travelling

Check out our recommendations:

Best for Quality Packing Cubes
Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube Set

Eagle Creek's designs are so stylish, I just love them! They are designed to be durable, lightweight, and water-repellent. This makes it perfect if you'll be traveling during a wet season or want to protect your clothes against messy shampoo spills. 

Features:

  • They come with a great warranty
  • Stylish yet functional and durable
  • Great for all seasons
Buy on Amazon
Best for Quality Packing Cubes
Osprey UL Packing Cube Set

Osprey is my cube of choice. You won't be let down by their quality goods. These cubes come in small, medium, and large which are convenient if you travel with carry-on luggage. They are even great for backpacks and can be a great companion when on the road as they are perfect for organizing everything. I just love all my cube of travel essentials organized and secured.

Features:

  • These also have a great grab handle which makes them convenient to use on their own.
  • They come in different sized
  • Super light but tough material
Buy on Amazon
Best for Quality Packing Cubes
Well Traveled Packing Cubes

You are in for a treat with Well Traveled! This set includes two large sized cubes, one medium compression cube, two small compression cubes, two accessory bags, one laundry/shoe bag, and 50 luggage tag cards. These are a must for full-time travelers trust me, I travel all the time so I think I count as an expert traveler. They free up so much extra space!

 Features: 

  •  These come with luggage tags 
  • Made with extra strong twill fabric
  • Water-resistant packing cubes

 

Buy on Amazon
Best for Mid Priced Packing Cubes
Samsonite 3 Piece Packing Cube Set

These packing cubes by good old trust Samsonite makes packing, unpacking, and finding stuff quickly so much easier! Made with 100% Nylon, these are sure to keep all your small and bulkier items in place and secured while saving some luggage space.

Features:

  • You can see through the mesh top for visibility and breathability
  • They come in three main sizes: small, medium, and large.
  • They have handles for easy carrying convenience
Buy on Amazon
Best for Mid Priced Packing Cubes
Thule Compression Packing Cube

Thule's durable compression zippers eliminate extra air between clothes to maximize storage space. While the semi-transparent fabric allows you to see the inside without unpacking anything.

Features:

  •  It has a limited warranty
  • Unzip the expandable side panel for more space
  • The extra stitching around the bag makes these durable than most
Buy on Amazon
Best for Mid Priced Packing Cubes
SUITEDNOMAD Compression Packing Cubes Set

SuitedNomad combines sleek materials with odor control for sweaty and smelly clothes to provide peace of mind. Expect no cross-contamination with other clothing with this packing cube set. This is perfect for the active adventure traveler.

Features:

  • Made of 100% ripstop nylon and is water-resistant
  • The unique double zipper compression system removes air to make it compact
  • The reinforced seams provide extra durability 
Buy on Amazon
Best for Value Packing Cubes
Amazon Basics 4 Piece Packing Travel Organizer Cubes Set

Amazon Basics has a few great options when it comes to packing cubes. This specific one comes in some great colors and has a variety of sizes you would typically need.

Features:

  • The cubes have a double zipper feature to make opening and closing easier.
  • There is also a mesh top panel which makes it easier to see what's inside.
  • They all have handles making them super convenient to use on their own.
Buy on Amazon
Best for Value Packing Cubes
eBags Classic Packing Cubes 3pc Set

eBags is one of the most recommended lightweight packing cube brands. And it's no wonder. They are made with good quality, lightweight cubes made with nylon and even the zips are high quality and are sure to last you a long, long time.

Features:

  • These cubes also have mesh tops and are designed to be delicate on your clothes.
  • They come in three main sizes: small, medium, and large.
  • They even have a limited warranty which is definitely worth looking into.
Buy on Amazon
Best for Value Packing Cubes
Shacke Pak Five-Piece Set Packing Cubes

These are probably the highest-rated packing cubes that you can find. These Shacke Pak cubes are super stylish, come in great sizes and are great quality.

Features:

  • Less traditional mesh front with handles.
  • This set even comes with a separate laundry bag.
  • They are water-resistant and can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear on your travels.
Buy on Amazon

Related Reading: Best Hiking Backpacks For Every Budget


What are Packing Cubes? 

Let’s tackle the basics.

A packing cube is a smaller zip-up case that you can use to pack your clothing and essentials into. Essentially, packing cubes are organizational tools for your luggage. These smaller cases come in different-sized cubes which can be easily packed into your suitcase. I love the fact that they keep my clothes wrinkles-free too!

They can be used for everything from clothing, underwear, socks, cables, toiletries, and even your shoes. They make your luggage so much easier to navigate that once you’ve tried them, you won’t want to pack any other way. Plus, they’re available in a variety of colors for whatever aesthetic you’re going for.

So now that you know what a packing cube is, you’re one step closer to asking the more essential question:

Should you invest in packing cubes?

Before you make up your mind, here are a few other things that might help you decide.

Do Packing Cubes Really Help? 

Are you a messy packer? Packing cubes are the solution you have been looking for.

For a lot of travelers packing cubes is a must-have for every trip. Whether you are packing for a long vacation, or just taking a carry-on, packing cubes are perfect for organizing your luggage. I personally prefer these travel packing cubes since I’m a neat freak! I always want to make sure all my clean clothes don’t touch my dirty gear.

Don’t you hate when while on vacation and can’t find one thing and the result is having to unpack and re-pack everything again?

Well, packing cubes help you avoid this situation. With packing cubes, you can choose how to organize your clothing and other travel essentials so that it is easier for you to reach what you need.

This saves you time and effort. And if you are like most travel-lovers out there, re-packing your suitcase is not how you would want to spend your time.

The fact that they help you organize everything (and I mean everything), makes packing cubes an essential in my travels. If you’re a messy packer, which admittedly most of us are, then rest assured that these nifty little bags can make all the difference.

And there’s more…

There are some other great reasons why you should’ve integrated packing cubes into your packing essentials already. Add your toiletry bag into a cube and you have a double layer protecting your clothes from nasty spills during your travels. There are some great waterproof packing cubes on the market that will do the job.

Using cubes also helps keep wrinkles at bay. Since you won’t be constantly rummaging through your clothes, you’ll save yourself quite a bit of ironing. Budget packing cubes are also available that are made of quality materials. 

They also keep your things from moving around in your bag. Different size packing cubes are available for all your needs. From clothing items to shoes and delicates. These travel cubes are just amazing.

Quality cubes can also double as laundry bags. They are great for keeping your dirty clothes in, and you won’t have to use those pesky plastic laundry bags which the hotel supplies. It is a more eco-friendly option and you can also throw it in the washing machine when it too gets dirty. Packing cubes are just perfect for all kinds of travelers.

And now for the pièce de résistance: They are incredibly space-saving! They really do help fit everything you need into your bag with less fuss. If you love packing a little extra on your travels, or only have minimal space then packing cubes are the perfect addition to your luggage. You might even find yourself with a little more space.

Packing cubes keep everything neat and organised

Related Reading: Best Travel Backpacks: Our Top Picks For Every Budget

Which are the best Packing Cubes 

Okay, so now that you know what packing cubes do… How do you choose the perfect cubes for your travel needs? It’s a lot simpler than you think. There are a few main things that you should always look for.

Firstly, make sure that they are made of good quality fabric. Most cubes on the market are made of nylon which is great as it is malleable and won’t damage your delicate clothing. When looking at the quality of fabric you should also note whether it is water-resistant which comes in handy if you travel in a wet climate.

Secondly, make sure that your cubes have a handle. If they have handles you can conveniently use them on their own if the situation calls for it. I find that using a packing cube for a change of clothes on long-distance flights always comes in handy. No need to take the whole carry-on, you can just take your packing cube.

Finally, consider whether you would like to look into the packing cube to find something without having to open it. This comes in handy if you are packing more items and in several packing cubes. The mesh viewing panel makes it easier to find things, especially if you roll your clothes when packing the cube. But, the mesh panel is not always a necessity, so this depends entirely on you.

Related Reading: How to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Plane Travel

How do you use Packing Cubes 

Now that you know what you should be looking for, let’s get to the easy part. How to best use them. You should know that packing cubes aren’t expressly for clothing. You can use them for almost anything, if not everything. They are great for packing shoes, toiletries, charger cables and even jewelry. They keep everything where it’s supposed to be, so you won’t lose that pair of socks amongst all the other stuff.

Use the different sizes to help you differentiate between everything. For instance, you could use a larger cube for your pants, a medium for your shirts, and a small cube for your underwear and socks. You could choose what works for you in this case, but you get the gist of it.

The most asked question, and probably the most important one, is how to pack your clothes in the cube. Do I roll or fold? Well, the general consensus is that rolling is the most efficient way to go. By rolling you can eliminate wrinkles more effectively and in a mesh-topped cube, you can see what you’re looking for without having to pull everything out.

There are also other nifty uses for packing cubes. You could pack for you and your significant other in one bag, just use the packing cubes to separate your things. This works perfectly for quick weekends away, especially if you want to lug around fewer bags. You can also re-purpose your cubes. Store your travel essentials in them when you aren’t traveling. It is the perfect way to keep everything ready to go and you won’t have to search for things the next time you’re getting ready for your vacation.

Related Reading: How to Travel More – Even If You’re on a Budget

Where can I buy Packing cubes

You can buy packing cubes almost anywhere. The most convenient place to buy them is Amazon. It is the most easily accessed and you can order from anywhere. You would also find packing cubes at your local luggage store. I have found cubes at my local outdoor and camping store too, so make sure to check out stores like REI if it is easier for you.


Packing cubes are great for organizing your things for any travel or adventure. They also make a perfect gift for avid outdoor adventurers. Go check them out for yourself!

packing cubes for your next trip
This post has been updated and republished.