The 6 Best Packing Cubes for Organized Travel
These compressible organizers will save you space (and headaches).
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Staying organized while traveling is easier than you think. Packing cubes may seem like just another bag to keep track of, but they actually keep things tidy when unpacking, so you don’t have to grab from a pile of clothes sitting in an open suitcase.
They keep their structure and compress smaller to help save a ton of space in your luggage—and they also save you from rummaging through a large duffel bag when looking for that specific rain jacket or pair of pants. Smaller packing cubes also double as a good toiletry bag, or a place to keep your dirty socks separate from tomorrow’s outfit.
Packing cubes are generally inexpensive, practical, and take next to no space to store—just leave them in your empty suitcase between trips. There’s not much risk in buying a set, but the reward is a heck of a lot less stress when you’re on the road. Below are six of the best packing cubes we’ve found—both through hands-on experience and researching the market—plus some advice on what to look for when shopping for one.
Best Packing Cubes
- Best Overall: Away Insider Packing Cubes
- Best Budget: Amazon Basics Travel Packing Cubes Set
- Best Roll-Top: Patagonia Black Hole MLC Cube
- Best Expandable: Yeti Crossroads Packing Cube
- Most Durable: Topo Designs Pack Bag 10L
What to Consider
Compression
There are two types of packing cubes: those that act as small organizers for your packed items, and cubes that compress, squeezing your clothing to create more space in your bag. All packing cubes have some degree of compression, but some have features like secondary zippers to shrink your packed gear as much as possible.
Size
Consider the size of your suitcase in relation to which cubes you buy. A cube nearly as large as your suitcase likely won’t do much to organize your gear, but you don’t want only tiny cubes if you’re packing something like bulky winter jackets or multiple pairs of jeans. Packing cube sets generally come with small, medium, and large cubes, and you can always buy a single of whichever size you need most.
Materials
If you’re keen on cubes that create as much extra space in your bag as possible, you’ll likely want a very thin compression sack. However, thinner bags may be more prone to tearing, and the zippers may not be as durable as those on a thicker bag.
If you’re going for durability, look for a cube made with ripstop materials, or consider an option like the Topo Designs Pack Bag, which uses 400-denier ripstop nylon—great for travelers who are tough on their gear. The materials are a little too thick for significant compression, but with a handle and large zippers, it'a likely to last a long time even when regularly overstuffed.
How We Selected
We’ve used probably a dozen different packing cubes, both compression and not, and have narrowed down what features we believe travelers benefit from most. These includes cubes that open almost all the way to make packing easier, secondary zippers to add another layer of compression, and mesh panels so you can see what’s inside without having to unpack.
Suzie Dundas, the original author of this guide, used her extensive experience with travel (and overpacking) to find the best packing cubes. We also got our hands on several options to try out, looking for important factors like weatherproofing and abrasion-resistance. We recommend packing cubes that come in useful sizes, rather than only extra-large or extra-small, and highlight both sets and individual cubes. We noted special features and made sure to include different price-points so you can find the best packing cubes for your next trip.
Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
Originally from the East Coast, Suzie Dundas is a Lake Tahoe-based freelance writer and editor who now splits her time between enjoying the outdoors and writing about them—she's the senior outdoor editor at Matador Network and a regular adventure and travel contributor at TripSavvy.com. She has written feature stories for publications like Outside Magazine, SkyLife Magazine, Playboy, Frommers, INSIDER, and more, and contributes couples travel and honeymoon content for TheKnot.com. Suzie co-authored Lonely Planet Sustainable Travel Guide and is the author of 2021's "Hiking Lake Tahoe." She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in media and political communication from George Washington University. Follow her on Instagram at @HikeUpYourSkirt or find more of her work at suziedundas.com.
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