If you’re planning (or daydreaming) about your next big trip and asking yourself if packing cubes are worth it, you’ve won big-
As a professional traveler, I’m always looking for ways to stretch my luggage space and pack for budget flights.
Throughout my years of travel, I’ve battled with crammed suitcases, not having enough room for all my outfits, stressing out over wrinkled clothes, and wasting time looking for items that are somehow always at the very bottom of my bag.
After deciding to give packing cubes a shot, I was sold.
In this post, I will show exactly why they are worth it-
What are packing cubes?
Packing cubes are small, lightweight containers usually made from polyester, nylon, or mesh.
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and allow you to compartmentalize and organize your belongings in your luggage or backpack.
The cubes come in sets that fit inside each other, sort of like Russian Dolls.
What are the advantages of packing cubes?
Above is an actual photo of how I used to pack. Don’t do this.
Whether you’re packing for a cruise or the moody weather in Seattle, there are so many advantages to using packing cubes.
Here are the top few:
- Maximizing space. I can’t emphasize enough how amazing cubes are for pushing the number of items I can neatly fit into my luggage! It’s also much easier to weigh individual cubes with my home luggage scale instead of my entire suitcase or backpack.
- Staying organized aesthetically. When I use my cubes, my luggage stays organized throughout my trip.
- Protecting items. Packing cubes helps protect my delicate items – I no longer have to worry about my nice blazers and ridiculously lacy dresses getting crushed or wrinkled! The cubes keep them shielded and secure from other objects in the suitcase.
- Repacking is 10x easier. Repacking my bag doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Imagine packing for your return flight in 10 minutes or less because everything has its designated spot.
- Finding things fast. I used to spend way too much time searching for items in my suitcase, but packing cubes have changed the game! Since I have a designated place for everything, I no longer have to dig through endless piles of clothes, just zip open the right cube.
What are the disadvantages of packing cubes?
Now that I’ve shared some of the benefits of packing cubes, it’s important for me to note a few downsides just to give a fair and balanced perspective:
- Additional cost. Firstly, purchasing cubes is still an expense. While they’re not incredibly pricy (more on that below), they add to your travel budget.
- Extra weight. Though the weight of the cubes isn’t significant, they still add a few ounces to a couple of pounds to your overall bag weight.
- Sometimes it’s just not the right fit. Packing cubes can reduce luggage space if you’re trying to fit oddly shaped items into your cube or if the items don’t fit snugly within the dimensions of your luggage.
Overall, it’s always best to weigh all your options (luggage pun).
How many packing cubes do I need?
So, how many packing cubes do you actually need? The answer really depends on your travel style, trip length, and personal preference.
Consider a few factors:
- Clothing and other items: How many clothes or other items do you plan on bringing?
- Luggage size: What is the size of your luggage? Obviously, the larger the suitcase or backpack, the more room for cubes.
- Trip length: How long is the trip? Longer adventures could require more cubes to keep everything sorted efficiently.
In general, I use:
- Small cubes for underwear, socks, and small accessories like hats, belts, or scarves.
- Medium cubes for tops, bottoms, and light outerwear.
- Large cubes for heavier, bulkier items like coats, shoes, or keeping multiple items together.
Don’t forget about electronics, toiletries, snacks, or anything weird-shaped.
The key is to be flexible and adapt your packing cube usage to suit your needs for each trip.
Should I roll or fold my clothes?
Should you roll or fold to maximize space and make packing cubes worth it? After trying out both methods, I can say that each has pros and cons:
Rolling clothes
- Advantages: Less wrinkles, saves space, and allows you to pack in items more tightly.
- Disadvantages: Rolled clothes can sometimes unravel, causing disorganization.
- What to roll: You should roll t-shirts and tops, pants, jeans and leggings, socks and underwear.
Folding clothes
- Advantages: Folding keeps clothes neatly stacked and is a gentler method for delicate or easily wrinkled pieces.
- Disadvantages: Even when done perfectly, folding can cause creases. I always travel with this sleek portable steamer because I can’t stand wrinkles.
- What to fold: Shorts, skirts, dresses, and nicer items like formal pants or shirts.
What is the difference between a compression cube and a packing cube?
You’ve probably heard of these two traveling inventions that have transformed suitcase organization: packing cubes and compression cubes.
So, what’s the difference between packing and compression cubes? Let me break it down for you.
- Packing cubes are lightweight containers that help compartmentalize your clothes and belongings in your luggage. They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, making it easy to find a set that perfectly fits your packing needs.
- Compression cubes are designed to save space and organize. The main difference between a compression and a packing cube is that the former has an extra zipper that compresses the cube, reducing its volume.
Both types of cubes will improve your organization game. As a general rule:
If you’re looking for a simple way to organize, try packing cubes. If you also want to save space while doing so, then go for compression cubes!
What can I use instead of cubes?
There are several alternatives to packing cubes that are not only budget-friendly but brilliant:
- Ziplock bags. These handy, waterproof bags come in various sizes and effectively separate clothes, accessories, and toiletries.
- Compression bags. These are the ultimate solutions for reducing bulk. They’re especially helpful for items like jackets and sweaters.
- Laundry bags. Thin mesh bags from the dollar store will work for non-pointy or sharp items.
- Shoe boxes. Use shoe boxes for items you don’t want to get squished. Fill the boxes tightly so that no space is wasted.
- Linen bags. The next time you buy sheets, pillowcases, or mattress protectors, keep them for later.
Comment below to share if you’ve thought of something else to use instead of packing cubes.
The best packing cubes on Amazon
As a frequent traveler and Amzon’er, I’ve been around the block (cube in this case).
These are my picks for the best packing cubes on Amazon:
Best overall: Eagle Creek’s cubes are known in the travel world for having some of the best quality, thanks to their ‘ripstop’ technology. They’re also waterproof and open fully on three sides, so you can get to what you need without unpacking the entire thing. The Eagle Creek cubes are the best pick if you want quality cubes that will last years.
Best packing cubes for long trips: These cubes by Tripped compress when you need to save space and expand when you need extra space. They also come with shoe and laundry bags plus cube tubes, which are great for wet stuff like bathing suits. The Trippeds also come in adorable, travel-themed patterns like US National Parks.
Best for lightweight packing: The Gonex Compression Packing Cubes are expandable, super lightweight, and made of durable nylon. I also really like the thin design and color options.
Best cute neutral set: The BAGAIL packing cube set is an inexpensive and aesthetic choice on Amazon. Although not water repellent, they are water resistant and will survive spills and basic abuse. BAGAIL’s packing cubes come in many designs and are inexpensive, so it’s easy to mix and match sets.
Best travel-themed set: This set by Tripped has amazing quality and comes in unique, travel-themed patterns, my fav being the US National Parks.
