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Are Packing Cubes Worth it? What About Compression Ones?

ByTina Riegelnegg Updated on
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When my boyfriend introduced me to packing cubes back in 2018, my first thought was, “Why would anyone need these?” I thought they’re unnecessary and a bit lame. But he kept raving about them so eventually I gave them a try… now I love them!

While packing cubes won’t magically create more space in your bag (spoiler alert!), they’ve completely changed how I pack and travel. My bag stays organized, and packing and unpacking is super easy.

In this post, I’ll break down the pros and cons of packing cubes, share my favorite ways to use them, and help you decide if they’re worth adding to your travel essentials, because it does depend on a few factors, like the type of luggage you use.

Packing Cubes Pros and Cons

Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if packing cubes are worth buying for you:

Pros

  • Keeps Your Bag Organized: Packing cubes simplify packing by grouping similar items together, so you can easily find what you need without digging through your entire bag.
  • Eliminates Packing Guesswork: Packing cubes make it easy to bring the right amount. I pack whatever fits in my clothes cube, plus a pouch for electronics and toiletries. Once they all fit in my backpack, I’m good to go, no endless repacking to make things fit.
  • Efficient Space Utilization: Packing cubes help you maximize your bag’s layout by keeping clothes compact and preventing them from shifting during travel.
  • Minimizes Wrinkles: People say rolling clothes reduces wrinkles, but I’ve found it depends on the fabric. Some clothes wrinkle no matter what, while others stay smooth either way. Either way, rolling is great for saving space regardless.
  • Adapts to Different Packing Needs: Whether you pack minimally with one cube for all your clothes or you use multiple cubes in a suitcase, it’s a great way to organize your bag.
  • Simplifies Security Checks: At airport security, packing cubes keep your items private and organized. No more spreading out your underwear just to find something else!
  • Helps with Travel Planning: Organizing cubes by clothing type, weather, or activity makes it easy to plan outfits, especially for multi-destination trips.
  • Lightweight and Durable: Most quality packing cubes are lightweight yet durable, withstanding frequent use without adding unnecessary bulk to your luggage.
  • Useful for Carrying Stuff Around: Packing cubes are handy beyond packing. Heading to a laundrette? Just toss your dirty laundry into a cube instead of hauling your whole bag. You can also repurpose a cube mid-trip as a dirty laundry bag to keep things separate.
Side-by-side comparison of two packing cubes filled with clothes, displayed on a wooden floor. The left packing cube with a mesh cover shows folded clothes, including a red and black plaid shirt. The right packing cube, labeled 'Zout,' is fully zipped open, revealing neatly packed items like sweaters, shirts, and pants, emphasizing the organization and capacity of each cube.

Cons

  • Adds Slight Weight: Even lightweight packing cubes add some weight.
  • Extra Cost: Quality packing cubes can be expensive, and budget-friendly options often lack durability or useful features like handles.
  • Limited Space-Saving: While packing cubes help organize your clothes, they don’t significantly reduce the volume of your items unless you use compression cubes, and even then, the savings are minimal.
  • Not Ideal for All Items: Bulky items like sweaters or oddly shaped accessories don’t fit well in packing cubes. I also found small cubes don’t work well for electronics, as items tumbled around, so I switched to a special pouch for better organization and protection.
  • Wasted Space in Some Bags: In certain backpacks, packing cubes can result in wasted space. If the cube isn’t the right size for your bag, it might leave small gaps around it that aren’t big enough to fit anything else.
  • Sets Include Unnecessary Sizes: Packing cubes are often sold in sets, which may include sizes you’ll never use. This can be wasteful and frustrating if you only need one or two specific sizes.

Packing Cube with clothes in it
Use packing cubes to be more organised

How to Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a game-changer for organizing clothes, that’s all I use them for. Electronics and toiletries go in special pouches to keep everything organised in my backpack.

To get the most out of packing cubes for clothes, here are some tips:

  • Roll, Don’t Fold: Rolling clothes saves space and prevents wrinkles. First, fold your clothes to match the length of the packing cube, then roll them tightly.
  • Even Out the Rolls: Make sure your rolls are uniform in thickness. For example, when rolling pants, avoid one side being too thick or uneven, it makes packing less efficient.
  • Use Smaller Items as Space Fillers: Tuck smaller items like socks, underwear, or tank tops into gaps between rolled clothes to utilize every inch of space in the cube.
  • Layer Strategically: Place a larger, flatter item (like a shirt or scarf) on top of the rolled clothes to compress the contents and ensure the cube is fully packed.
  • Group by Category: As a minimalist, I use a single packing cube for all my clothes. However, if you’re traveling with more, try organizing by type (e.g., tops in one, bottoms in another) or by occasion (e.g., warm and cold weather clothes in separate cubes).
  • Test Fit Before Traveling: Once packed, place your cubes into your bag to ensure everything fits as planned. Adjust as needed to avoid last-minute frustration.
Close-up of a white compressible packing cube labeled 'Zout' with a black zipper and a blue tag reading 'Bluesign Product.' The cube is placed on a wooden surface, highlighting its sleek design and compact functionality for organized travel packing.
A compression packing cube has a double zipper

Are Compression Packing Cubes Worth It?

Curious about compression packing cubes, I decided to give them a try. The concept seemed like a step up: not only organizing your clothes but also saving space with a clever double-zipper system.

To test them out, I packed identical clothes into both regular and compression cubes. After compressing, I noticed that while the edges of the compression cube appeared smaller, the middle remained nearly the same size. In the end, the space savings were minimal.

If you already own regular packing cubes, upgrading isn’t necessary. However, if you’re new to packing cubes, choosing compressible ones might make sense, especially since many top travel brands now only focus on these designs.

Packing Cubes vs. Compression Packing Cubes: Are They Worth it?

How to Choose the Right Packing Cube?

Choosing the right packing cube can make all the difference in how well they work for you. After years of experimenting, I’ve learned that theses key features are most important:

  • Lightweight Design: Look for packing cubes made from lightweight materials. The last thing you want is to add extra weight to your luggage.
  • Durable Zippers: A sturdy zipper can make or break your packing experience. Check reviews to ensure the zippers are high-quality and won’t rip after a few uses.
  • Handles for Easy Access: If you’re a backpack traveler like me, handles are a must. They make it so much easier to grab your packing cube and slide it out of your bag.
  • Size Compatibility: Be sure to measure your bag you want to travel with and choose cubes that fit well within its dimensions to make the most of your available space.
  • Breathable Materials: Some prefer waterproof cubes, but I find breathable materials more practical. They keep clothes fresh and avoid the stuffy plastic feel.
  • Mesh Windows for Visibility: If you travel with multiple packing cubes, consider ones with a mesh window. These let you see what’s inside without having to open each cube.

Final Thoughts: Are Packing Cubes Really Worth It?

Using packing cubes won’t create extra space in your bag, but they can make packing and staying organized much easier. Whether you’re a minimalist fitting everything into one cube or someone who loves to organize with multiple cubes, they’re a practical tool for any trip.

Want more ideas for staying organized on the road? Check out my blog post about all the travel organization bags I use for clothes, electronics, toiletries, and more!

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Collage featuring packed clothing inside two packing cubes laid open on a wooden floor. The top image shows a partially filled mesh-sided cube with folded clothes, including a red and black plaid shirt. The bottom image displays a fully packed white cube labeled 'Zout,' neatly organizing clothing, including sweaters and shirts. Text overlay reads 'Worth it? Packing Cubes' with the website 'veganderlust.com' at the bottom.
Do Packing Cubes Save Space? And Are Packing Cubes Worth It?

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Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Veganderlust. She's a vegan with wanderlust, who shares tips and stories from her travels to 31 countries as a vegan minimalist. After 2.5 years of full-time travel with just a personal item-sized bag, she’s now based in Vienna, helping fellow travelers explore the world with ease and compassion.

Tina Riegelnegg

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Veganderlust. She's a vegan with wanderlust, who shares tips and stories from her travels to 31 countries as a vegan minimalist. After 2.5 years of full-time travel with just a personal item-sized bag, she’s now based in Vienna, helping fellow travelers explore the world with ease and compassion.