What to Look for When Buying Packing Cubes
Many luggage brands are getting on the packing cube hype train, producing a huge range of options for all types of travel, and our travel-savvy senior commerce writer, Owen Gough, has been testing as many as he can to ensure you, too, pick up the best packing cubes for your upcoming trip. He has taken them on multiple journeys, both short and long-haul trips to test out the space-saving on offer for each. In all cases, he used all sizes available from each brand, testing out how durable they are, how easy they are to pack and fill, and any other additional features they have. Aside from his findings below, here are a few key things to think about before you buy.
Number of packing cubes: In most cases, a set of packing cubes will include at least two bags, but pricier options will include three cubes or more. If you’re heading out on longer journeys that last longer than a week, you might want to invest a little more and go for four to keep all your clothes organized and then have one left over for dirty clothes on the way back.
Size: Most sets will have various sizes to organize your various clothes, so you’ll want at least one larger one for t-shirts and one smaller one for other clothes. Some will also come with one or two much smaller half-sized cubes to fit into carry-on luggage or for packing your toiletries, so think about the suitcase you’re packing and how many clothes you’ll be taking.
Material: You want your packing cubes to be breathable, made of durable materials, expandable, and flexible to squash down your clothes into tight bags for the optimum space-saving solution. The best compression options will squash your clothes down neatly without mashing them together. Most will be made of either polyester, nylon, or a mixture of the two, with a mesh panel on one side to allow air to circulate around your clothes. Some may come with a divider to separate clean and worn clothes.
Zip type: Top-spec options will have compression zips that put pressure on top of the clothes when closed to squash them down as much as possible, providing more room for extra stuff on top. You’ll want to ensure your choice has expandable storage too in case you’re overzealous with packing too many shirts for your trip.
Packing Cube FAQ
We’re always looking for ways to make travel smarter, easier and more comfortable, but one of the most vital travel accessories we’ve used so far is a great packing cube set. They essentially act like smaller bags with additional functionality that can be organized strategically inside your main suitcase or luggage, compressing your clothes into manageable groups in breathable bags of different sizes. The best way to use packing cubes is to collect your clothes into the same category and store them all in the same bag.
For instance, most come in a range of sizes, so use the large packing cube organizer to roll all your t-shirts and extra-large clothes, a medium cube to roll up shorts or your underwear, and then the small packing cubes for socks or toiletries bag. Once your clothes are neatly organized, you can place them in the base of your suitcase like a jigsaw puzzle, taking advantage of all the space available and squashing everything down with the compression zipper to allow more room for the bigger stuff like shoes, towels or jumpers to go on top.
Once your trip is over, you can then use them as a bag for dirty laundry, separating them from your other clean clothes to make it easier to do your washing once you’re home.
Can compression packing cubes also reduce wrinkles in clothes?
While packing cubes for travel are excellent space savers in your suitcase, they can also go some way to keeping wrinkles at bay thanks to their compressive powers. Few things are as frustrating as unravelling a creased t-shirt and jeans as soon as you unpack at the hotel, and no one is saving space for an iron or air steamer, are they? However, the best compression packing cubes crunch the space down to stop clothes wriggling around inside your bag and therefore reduce the risk of wrinkles, so long as you pack the clothes in properly. As our mother always said, fold your clothes well, keep them packed tight, and then instantly unpack them and hang them up as soon as you arrive at your destination. That’s the three-step plan to combat travel wrinkles.
What are the most durable packing cubes for backpackers?
As all long-distance backpackers and travelers will know, capacity and durability come at a premium in your backpack. Trekking with only one bag and a selection of clothes means you’ve got to take gentle care of what you pack, and how you pack it—and you should keep in mind that replacements for broken gear can quickly spiral into a headache. Therefore you’ll want to grab some packing cubes that will save space in your pack and will last the distance, so you don’t have to hunt for a bag on your trip. Thankfully, many packing cubes are made of hardy, durable nylon or polyester that hold up well against the rigors of long-haul travel.
Are packing cubes worth it?
In our eyes, packing cubes are an essential part of preparing for any trip, and we are fully onboard the hype train of these useful travel hacks. Suppose you travel frequently or struggle to stay organized when packing for any sort of journey. In that case, they are exceptional for organizing your clothes, reducing space waste in your bag and keeping check of where specific items of clothes are so you don’t have to go rummaging round the bag to find a spare pair of socks. Our travel editors swear by them to smooth out the packing process, regardless of the length of your journey.
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