Why You Should be Using Packing Cubes

What Are Packing Cubes?

These little fabric boxes could be your lifesaver when you’re trying to squish your life into a suitcase. Made of nylon or polyester, these cubes come in different shapes and sizes to fit whatever you’re taking on your trip. Some are big enough for bulky items, while others are tiny for the little knick-knacks. The material is hearty but thin so they don’t take up much space when packing (which honestly was my biggest concern since I try to pack carry-on).

These travel buddies help you sort your things into their own little compartments, which is super handy. Imagine you’re on a business trip and you need to grab a clean shirt quickly – BAM! Just pull out the cube with your clean clothes. Or think about those dirty clothes. Yuck! You sure don’t want them mingling with the fresh ones, right? Just shove them in a separate cube for dirty laundry.

You know the best thing? They’re not just for clothes. You can use a cube for underwear, socks, electronic gadgets, you name it! They usually come in sets, anywhere from 3 to 10 cubes, in a variety of sizes. So, whether you’re heading out for a day trip or planning a week trip, these cubes should be in your bag. And they’re so light they won’t add extra weight to your luggage.

How is a packing cube different than a compression bag?

Compression bags are good mainly for squishing down bulky items to save space. Often, compression bags need a vacuum, so they’re not great for traveling anyway. Packing cubes don’t have to be compression bags, but some are. They’re just small nylon bags that come in different sizes to help you keep organized.

There’s this nifty thing called a compression packing cube, which is like the best of both worlds. They’ve got the neat organizing powers of regular packing cubes, but with compression zippers that let you squeeze out extra air. Mine have a second zipper that helps compress the clothes even more (no vacuum needed!) Bye-bye bulky winter gear taking up precious suitcase real estate!

What do packing cubes actually do?

• Sorting Made Simple: Imagine opening your suitcase and finding everything in neat little cubes. Shirts in one, socks in another… it’s like having drawers inside your luggage! No more digging around for that one clean T-shirt.
• Space Savers: These cubes are like puzzle pieces. They fit together just right in your bag, making the most of every inch. That means you can pack more without making a mess.
• Clothes Protector: Ever had shampoo explode all over your clothes? Packing cubes keep your stuff safe by acting as a barrier against those oops moments, helping your clothes look fresh and wrinkle-free.
• Folding Friends: If you’ve got a particular way you like to fold your clothes, packing cubes keep those folds in place. No need to refold and repack every time you unzip your bag.
• Weight Watchers: By spreading your things across different cubes, you can balance out the weight in your suitcase. This makes it way easier to manage, especially if you need to stay within airline weight limits.

How did packing cubes change my life?

Let me tell you, packing cubes have seriously changed the game for me when I travel. Before using these little wonders, I used to just roll all my clothes into my suitcase, which turned into a pile of clothes after carrying my luggage on and off the plane. But now? My bag is organized and I know where everything is – doesn’t matter if I’m using my backpack or rolling luggage.

Here’s a quick rundown of how they’ve helped me out:

• Organization: I used to pack like I was squishing everything into a tiny closet. Now, with packing cubes, I sort my clothes by type – one for shirts, one for pants, and so on. And for those tidy types, there’s even a cube for underwear!
• Stress-Free Travel: I can grab what I need without turning my suitcase into a tornado’s aftermath. (I also hate unpacking in a hotel so this saves me the stress of unpacking everything when I travel).
• Save Time: No more rummaging equals more time to explore.
• Perfect Packing: Rolling my clothes in the cubes keeps them from turning into a wrinkled mess, which is a lifesaver, really.

The Most Useful Benefits of Using Packing Cubes

1. Stellar organization

Imagine opening your suitcase after a bumpy flight and everything’s right where you left it. Pure magic, right? That’s what packing cubes do for me. They let me sort my gear like I’ve got a personal assistant for my stuff. Shirts in one cube, pants in another, and yep, even my undies get their own VIP spot. It’s like having drawers-on-the-go. No more rummaging for socks at the bottom of my bag.

2. Spot on space efficiency

Now, space is gold when you’re packing (especially in a carry on), and I don’t like to waste it. Packing cubes help me squeeze every inch out of my bags. Since I’ve started using them – and combining them with my A+ rolling skills – I’ve managed to pack more without having to sit on my suitcase to zip it shut.

3. Better gear protection

If you’ve ever opened your bag to find a shampoo explosion, you’ll get why I love packing cubes. They keep my clean clothes away from potential messes. And when it comes to delicate gadgets, stiff-sided cubes are great. They cradle my camera and headphones, keeping them snug as a bug so I don’t have heart palpitations when my bag gets tossed around.

4. Super easy access

When I get to my destination, I don’t want an unpacking project. I want to get out and do my thing. With packing cubes, it’s a breeze. I know exactly where my gear is so I’m ready to go! They really make accessing my stuff hassle-free, no matter if it’s in a giant suitcase or a compact backpack.

5. Long-lasting durability

You know that feeling when you buy something and it just lasts and lasts? That’s packing cubes for you. They’re tough little customers. I’ve been using the same set for years. They’re made from fabrics like nylon or polyester that can take a beating, and the zippers don’t bail on me either, even when I’m guilty of overstuffing them. A good set of packing cubes might just outlive your favorite travel t-shirt.

6. Contains the stink of dirty clothes

Let’s be real – dirty laundry is a fact of travel life. But with a packing cube, I can quarantine that stink away from my clean threads. I keep a packing cube for socks and underwear so I know where the clean ones are. It’s like having a mini hamper in your suitcase. When I’m ready to head home, dirty stuff in one side of a clean/dirty cube, clean on the other, and my suitcase is as fresh as day one. Then, when I get home, I can just dump that packing cube into the laundry without even thinking about it!

Cons of Using Packing Cubes

As much as I love packing cubes, there are some cons to using them. The only way to make an educated decision is to know both the good and bad.

While most packing cubs are lightweight, they still have weight. It’s something to think about if you’re trying to pack really light. If you’re an ultra-light packer or need every ounce for a backpacking trip then cubes might not be a great option.

Another downside is the cost. Packing cubes aren’t the cheapest things on the block, especially compared to other packing helpers like, say, those free plastic bags you snag from the grocery store. They’re more like an investment. You put down some cash, but they should last you a good while.

Whenever you have a lot of clothes in a small space, there will be wrinkles. This is even true with packing cubs. If you’re not packing your cubes carefully, you’re gonna end up with some creases in your clothes. Stuff ’em in too tightly, leave ’em for too long, and poof, you’ll need an iron or a steamer at your destination.

Finally, packing cubes don’t always work with limited space. They aren’t going to make extra space magically appear. Your bag still has a limited amount of space, a packing cube just helps you utilize that space better.

Main Packing Cube Features

Lightweight Fabric versus Plastic

When you’re picking out your travel packing cubes, you’ll see some are made from fabrics like nylon or polyester. These are super light, so they don’t add too much additional weight to your suitcase, and some, like the ones from Eagle Creek, are even water-resistant and won’t rip easily. Now, that’s handy.

The are also plastic packing cubes. These guys can protect your fragile stuff a bit better ’cause they’re more solid. However, they’re not as forgiving when you’re trying to pack different types of clothing and bulky items—they don’t stretch or squish around like fabric does.

So, the big takeaway? Lightweight fabric cubes are great for most of your packing, but go for the plastic ones if you need extra protection for something special. Plus, the fabric ones are a lot more eco-friendly, because they’ll last longer than those plastic bags you might use otherwise.

Compression Cubes versus Regular Cubes

Now, both regular and compression packing cubes will keep you organized, but there’s a small difference. Compression cubes have this extra zipper that squishes your clothes down even more to save space. It’s especially useful when you’ve got bulky items like thick sweaters or fluffy winter gear. But just a heads-up, if you overstuff them, your clothes could come out looking like an old, crumpled map.

Regular cubes are great for keeping things neat and finding what you need quickly on shorter trips or sustainable packing because they don’t squish your clothes. Both are cool, it just depends on what you need more—space or less wrinkly clothes.

Waterproof Versus Water-Resistant

So, deciding between waterproof and water-resistant packing cubes is all about how dry you need your stuff to stay. Waterproof means no water’s getting in, period. If you’re crossing rivers or get caught in a downpour, waterproof is your best bet to keep your electronics and clothes safe.

On the other hand, water-resistant cubes can handle a little moisture—like if your water bottle leaks or it rains a bit. They’ll keep your clothes dry, which, let’s be honest, is a pretty big deal when you’re far from home.

Companies like Eagle Creek have these Gear lines where the cubes are super water-resistant, and they’re even padded to keep fragile things like camera gear from getting bashed around. So, you’re covered either way, just pick whatever suits your type of trip the best.

My packing cubs are simply water resistant since I don’t use them to protect from water regularly.

Ventilation

Many packing cubes come with some kind of ventilation or mesh. This helps with that stale clothing smell after traveling for a while. And because of that airflow, even your dirty laundry doesn’t get all gross, which is a huge plus on any trip, whether it’s a week trip or just a day trip.

Mesh also lets you see what’s inside without opening the cube, which is super handy when you’re searching for that one specific shirt.

Carrying Handles

Handles on your packing cubes might seem like a small thing, but trust me, they’re a huge help. They make it super easy to move your stuff around. Just grab the handle, and you can lift the cube right out of your bag and into a drawer.

People really like them because they keep things organized and accessible. If you need to get something from your bag in a pinch, just pull out the cube you need using the handle—no digging required.

Plus, they’re not bulky, so they won’t cramp your style or take up valuable space. Handles are just another sweet feature that makes packing cubes a smart choice for any trip.

Are packing cubes right for you?

Unless you’re an ultra-light packer, packing cubes can help you be a more organized traveler. So absolutely

How many packing cubes do you need?

Well, it’s kinda like asking how many friends you should bring to a party – it depends!

For a single person, somewhere between four to eight cubes should do the trick for a typical trip. You could go for a set that comes with 5 to 10 cubes in different sizes, from large to itty-bitty. I like the sets that come with a few medium cubes so I have options for my bulkier items. Mine also has an additional zipper to help compress the travel bags even more.

Some folks like to throw all their clothes in one big cube, while others swear by using several small ones to keep things separate. Small packing cubes are about 30cm x 20cm x 10cm, and they’re great if you want to travel light. Plus, having a mix of sizes helps you know what’s what without even opening them. So it all depends on how you want to use these organizational tools for your travel gear.

What size packing cubes to get?

Choosing the size of your packing cubes is kinda like picking out the right shoes – it’s got to fit what you’re bringing and how you roll. The great thing is that packing cubes come in a range of sizes Some travelers stick to one large cube, but others love to split up their stuff into smaller ones. I suggest starting with a set of 3-5 to see which sizes you like to use so you can decide if you want more/less or other colors.

Are packing cubes worth it?

Absolutely. Packing cubes help organize clothes and miscellaneous items. They also help make more space which is crucial for travel.

When you’re on the go – be it a business trip, a weeklong vacation, or even just a day trip – packing cubes are your best pals. They sort your stuff so you can easily find what you need without turning your entire suitcase upside down. Got dirty clothes? No problem! Keep ’em away from the clean ones without fuss.

And for those who tend to overpack (like me sometimes), these cubes help you focus on the essentials. You’ll realize that you don’t need to bring your entire wardrobe for a short trip.

Seriously, once you try travel packing cubes, you won’t look back. Say bye to suitcase chaos and hello to smooth travels with your new organized packing buddies.

What to look for in a packing cube?

• Size: How big do you want your packing cubes?
• Compress or Not: Do you want to be able to compress clothes even further?
• Durability: Is mesh and lightweight fabric enough or do you need plastic cubes for more protection?
• Waterproof: Do you need waterproof or water-resistant bags for your gear?

Can you use ziplock bags instead of packing cubes?

Sometimes you’re looking at your pile of stuff to pack and wondering, “Do I really need special cubes or can I just use some ziplock bags?” I’ve been there. Ziplock bags are super handy. They’re lightweight, waterproof, and you can see right through them, so spotting your gear is easy-peasy. Plus, they don’t cost much and you can find them just about anywhere.

If you want to keep it simple, use different colored plastic bags. It’s like having a cheat code for organizing your suitcase. Each color can stand for something different. Blue for your jeans, red for your tops – you get the idea. But here’s the deal – while plastic bags can smush your clothes down a bit, they’re not gonna give you the same neat package you get with packing cubes.

You can even try a DIY compression packing cube by squeezing out the air from a ziplock and then zipping it shut. Sure, it’s not the real deal, but it might just do the trick if you’re in a pinch. However, beware if you’re looking for something sturdy for day-to-day trips, ziplock bags might not be your best bet. They’re just not as tough and versatile as travel packing cubes.

However, packing cubes are the more sustainable option, so a ziploc bag isn’t a great long-term option. They even make sustainable packing cubes that are made of eco-friendly materials.

Final Thoughts

When you use these nifty cubes, packing becomes way easier. Whether you’re getting ready for your business trip or that epic week-long adventure. With different sizes, you can put all sorts of things in their own cube, like a cube for underwear and another for heavier items. I love that these travel cubes keep me organized for the entire trip. Plus, they help you squeeze more into your bag and keep your clean clothes separate from dirty laundry. It’s like having tidy sections in your entire suitcase.