Bagsmart Packing Cubes Review: Worth It for Minimalists?

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When you travel with just a carry-on backpack, every centimeter matters. I’ve been packing in a personal item sized bag since 2018, so I’m very selective about what I bring.

I received the Bagsmart packing cubes for free from Bagsmart, and I’ve tested them on several trips since then. And honestly, I liked them much more than I expected to.

They’re not perfect though. You can only buy them as a full set, and as a minimalist traveler, I don’t use most pieces.

In this Bagsmart packing cubes review, I’ll break down each size, compare them to other brands I’ve used, and help you decide if they’re actually worth it for one bag travel.

Table of Contents

Bagsmart Packing Cube Sizes (And What I Actually Use)

Medium Packing Cube (x2): My Favorite Size

The medium size is my absolutely favourite and it’s the one I use most often.

One medium cube easily fits one week of clothes for me. Even on longer trips, I only pack for one week and do laundry. That means one medium cube is usually enough for my entire wardrobe.

Sometimes I can even fit my underwear inside it as well. If not, I use one of the small cubes.

If I had the option to buy just one size, I would buy the medium. It’s the perfect balance between compact and spacious.

🎒 Get 10% off your Bagsmart packing cubes with code TinaPC20 and test the medium size for yourself.

Small Packing Cubes (x2): Great For a Short Trip

For some longer trips, I pack my clothes in the medium cube and my underwear in one small cube.

For a weekend trip, I can even get away with bringing just one small cube.

Large Packing Cube (x1): Too Big For Me

Side view of a teal compression packing cube with dual white zipper tracks running around the middle. The mesh panel and zipper pulls are visible along the top edge. This angle shows how the cube expands and compresses for adjustable packing space.

For me, the large packing cube is simply too big.

I tested it and can fit the same clothes from two medium cubes into the large one. But realistically, I never bring that many clothes. It actually feels bigger than some of the backpacks I travel with.

Since I usually travel with a personal item backpack, I never reach for this one. If you travel with a bigger backpack or a suitcase, it might make sense. But for strict one bag minimalist travel, it’s too bulky.

Shoe Bag (x1):

The shoe bag is surprisingly bulky. It honestly looks more like a small gym bag. For minimalist backpack travel, it takes up too much space.

In most backpacks, I prefer using a lightweight dust bag instead. In other bags, like my Tom Bihn backpack, I have a separate shoe compartment. So, I never use this bag.

🎒 Get your own packing cubes here and save 10% with the Bagsmart discount code TinaPC20

Weight Overview: How Heavy Are They?

Since I travel with a personal item backpack, weight always matters to me. So, I’ve weight all the cubes:

Medium cube: 116 g
Small cube: 93 g
Large cube: 149 g
Shoe bag: 87 g

Comparison With Other Packing Cubes

Compression Test: Bagsmart vs Thule

Side by side comparison of two packed travel cubes placed on a wooden floor. The teal cube holds its structured rectangular shape while the light gray cube appears puffier and less compact. This visual highlights differences in compression and overall bulk when packed.

I did a direct comparison: I packed the exact same clothes into the medium Bagsmart cube and into my Thule packing cube, which used to be my favorite. Then I compressed both.

Surprisingly, the Bagsmart cube compressed the clothes a bit more. After zipping it down, it looked noticeably flatter than the Thule cube with the same items inside. I honestly didn’t expect that. The two different packing cubes also had the same weight.

Structure Comparison: Bagsmart vs Cotopaxi

I also compared the small Bagsmart cube to a similar small cube I own from Cotopaxi. To be fair, the Cotopaxi one is not compressible. Again, I preferred the Bagsmart one.

The Cotopaxi cube feels a bit floppy and less structured. The Bagsmart cube holds its shape better and looks more put together, even when it’s not fully packed.

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Durability and Design Details

Overall, the Bagsmart packing cubes feel sturdy. So far, they’ve held up well on multiple trips. No loose threads, no broken seams.

When you really fill them and compress them, you can see some strain on the stitching. The threads are slightly visible where the fabric is pulled tight. But honestly, I’ve never seen a compression cube where that doesn’t happen.

The zippers feel strong. That’s important because compression cubes put a lot of pressure on the zipper.

I also really like that each cube has a handle. When you travel with a backpack, being able to quickly pull a cube out makes a big difference.

Extreme close up of the teal fabric and zipper stitching on a packing cube. The image highlights the white zipper track, green zipper tape, and reinforced seams. This detail emphasizes construction quality and material texture. — You can see the strain on the stitching

Close up of a black plastic buckle strap attached to the teal packing cube. The strap runs vertically across the center and secures the compressed contents inside. This feature demonstrates how the cube tightens down to save space. — You can see the strain on the stitching

Extra Compression Latch on the Large Cube

The large packing cube has a small latch system. It’s designed to help compress the bag further and reduce strain on the seams. I’ll be honest, when testing I didn’t notice a huge difference when using it.

However, it likely helps with durability over time by taking some pressure off the zipper and seams. But since I don’t really use the big packing cube, I probably won’t notice if it helps.

The Waterproof Fabric and Mesh Window

The fabric is advertised as waterproof. At first, I wasn’t sure why that was necessary, since there’s a mesh window on each cube anyway. Obviously, the mesh part isn’t waterproof.

But thinking about it more, it actually makes sense. If your backpack gets slightly damp from rain or a wet floor, the solid fabric helps protect your clothes. At the same time, the mesh panel allows a bit of airflow, so everything doesn’t feel completely sealed in.

It’s not fully waterproof storage. But it offers a bit more protection.

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Are Bagsmart Packing Cubes Worth It?

Personally, I really like the medium cube. I also like the small one. The compression works well and they keep my backpack very organized.

But here’s the honest part.

Out of the 6 pieces in the set, I regularly use only 2. The medium cube and sometimes one small cube. The large cube and the shoe bag are too bulky for my personal item travel style.

Because of that, I’m not sure I would recommend the full set to a strict minimalist traveler who only uses a small backpack.

However, if you travel with more luggage, or you know someone who’d take the sizes you don’t need, then it’s a clear yes from me. The quality is good and the compression works well.

How I Use Them in My 22L Personal Item Backpack

I currently travel with the Bagsmart Blast Elite 22L as my only bag.

It’s quickly become one of my favorite personal item backpacks because it actually fits into the measurement box of European budget airlines.

Inside that 22L backpack, I use one medium Bagsmart packing cube for my clothes. Sometimes I add one small cube for underwear. That’s it.

If you want to know more about the backpack, check out my Blast Elite 22L review.

🎒 Get your packing cubes here and save 10% with the discount code TinaPC20

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Honest review graphic for Bagsmart packing cubes featuring a collage of product photos. The layout includes close ups of zippers and stitching, mesh topped cubes, a fully packed cube with neatly folded clothing, and visible text reading honest review Bagsmart packing cubes and veganderlust dot com. This image serves as a blog header highlighting a detailed product review of Bagsmart packing cubes. — Are Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes Worth It?