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By Morgan Evans, Cut Shop market editor and style and culture writer.
Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers
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Ahh, the packing process. It’s filled with so much anticipation yet so much dread; the buildup to a long-haul vacation or a short weekend trip is exciting, but it’s always a struggle to pack everything you need into a reasonably sized suitcase. And doing it efficiently is an art form that savvy frequent fliers have mastered with the help of packing cubes. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your organization game or just trying to figure out how to fit as much stuff into your suitcase as possible, read on for your guide to the best packing cubes to buy now and how to make the most of them, according to experts.
SO what do you need to know about packing cubes?
➼FAQs
➼Our top picks
➼More tried-and-true options
➼ Our experts
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Our Top Picks:
The One-Cube Wonder
$125
Colors: Black | Materials: Nylon | Dimensions: 9.8” X 14.0” X 4.5” | Weight: 0.4 pounds
Victor Sanz, the creative director at Tumi, calls this dual-component packing cube a “life-changing packing tool.” It features two sections, great for separating delicate items from everyday things, and a mesh top covering that allows you see what’s inside.“As a frequent flier myself, I‘ve found this to be a life-changing addition to my travel routine,” Sanz says. “I love how it has separate compartments so I can organize outfits, as well as a mesh top so I can easily see what’s in the cube.”
The Best for Overpackers
Colors: 5 | Materials: Nylon | Dimensions (per each cube): Large: 13” × 9.8” × 4.5”, Medium: 13” × 7.1” × 4.5”, Square Small: 10.2” × 8.3” × 4.5”, Smallest:9.8” × 4.3” × 4.5”
If you’re an overpacker like myself, add these dynamic compression cubes to your cart. Not only are they great for organization, they’re also specifically designed to give you more suitcase space. Made of tear-resistant nylon twill, the compression-cube zippers allow you to save space and compress height by up to 60 percent, making more room in your suitcase for extra items.
The Fan Favorite
Colors: 13 | Materials: Nylon | Dimensions: Small Wide: 10” x 4.1” x 8.25”, Medium Slim: 10” x 4.1” x 4.3”, Medium Wide: 13” x 4.1” x 10”, Large Slim: 13” x 4.1” x 6.9” |Weight: 0.5 pounds
If you’re on the hunt for classic, dependable, and durable packing cubes, look no further than Away’s best-selling cubes that work to compress and organize. “Away’s signature packing cubes are the Insider Packing Cubes, which come in a set of four or six, depending on how much you plan to pack. They’re made with water-resistant nylon and fit seamlessly into any Away suitcase, offering extra protection for your belongings while allowing you to quickly find what you need with ease,” says Luigi Auricchio, the company’s VP of design. Away also has the Protective Packing Cube, specially made with padded dividers to keep delicate or valuable items extra safe during travel.
More Tried-and-True Options:
The Monogrammable Option
$49
Colors: 7| Materials: Negative Nylon® | Dimensions: Large: 18” x 3.75” x 12”,Medium: 12.75” x 3.75” x 10”,Small: (x2)8.2” x. 3.75” x 6.25” |Weight: 0.56 pounds
You may already be familiar with Paravel’s sustainable suitcases, but its packing cubes, also made of ethically sourced materials, are a favorite among frequent fliers like Champalimaud design principal Courtney Brannan. “I love the coordinating packing cubes, which help me to stay organized and prepared for multiple destinations where the weather may not be the same,” Brannan told the Cut earlier this year. Made of lightweight, water-resistant nylon, this packing-cube set fits everything from undergarments and pants to larger items like light jackets and towels. It also features a transparent window so you can see what’s inside. Paravel is known for custom monogramming on its luggage and packing cubes for those who love a little personalization.
The More Affordable Compression Ones
From $33 for 6
Colors: 21 | Materials: Cotton, linen, polyester | Dimensions (per cube): Shoe bag: 21.5” x 12” x 5”, Small: 13” x 5 x 5”, Medium: 13” x 9” x 5”, Large: 15” x 10.5” x 6”
Not keen on shelling out $100 for compression cubes? We get it. That’s why we love these lightweight Bagsmart compression cubes as a great affordable option. Similar to the popular Monos ones, this six-piece set saves suitcase space with five different-size compression packing cubes (the largest able to fit a coat or sweaters) and a dynamic shoe bag with a two-way opening. The shoe bag can be used to separate shoes and socks or even clean and dirty clothes. The expandable cubes also feature a breathable mesh front, ID labels, and portable handles.
The Under-$25 Option
Colors: 6 | Materials: Polyester | Dimensions (per cube): 17.5’’ x 12.75’’ x 3.25’’, 13.75’’ x 9.75’’ x 3’’, 11’’ x 6.75’’ x 3’’, 14’’ x 5’’ x 2.8’’| Weight: 1.2pounds
If you’re looking for an option that won’t break the bank and still gets the job done, try these Amazon Basics packing cubes. Similar to other packing-cube sets, this set of four comes with different-size cubes (small, medium, large, and slim), all of which feature a mesh-top panel covering and a convenient handle. And with close to 40,000 reviews, they’re a favorite among most Amazon shoppers and travelers for their price, flexibility, and ultralightweight design.
The Sleek Six-Piece Set
Colors: 5 | Materials: Polyester | Dimensions (per cube): Large: L 13” x W 16”x H 1 - 4.7”, Small: L 6’’ x W 10” x H 4.7”,Smaller: L 8” x W 10”x H 4.7” | Weight: 1.2 pounds
These chic, colorful, and interchangeable compression cubes are the ideal packing accessory for the traveler who loves label organizers as much as Monica Geller does in Friends. (True fans recall the character’s love of label-makers). In addition to two XL packing cubes and four small ones designed to compress and maximize luggage space, this set also comes with paper labels you can slip into the clear exterior of each cube. “These are the perfect organizational tool for every kind of trip,” says Elizabeth Money, senior VP of brand and creative at Béis. “With compression technology, you can pack more into any bag. And thanks to the label windows, you can easily tell what is where, which keeps you organized on the go.”
The One That’s the Most Fun
Colors: 19| Materials: Polyester | Dimensions (per cube): Envelope: 13” x 10” x 1.5”,Small: 12” x 8.8” x 3”, Medium: 15” x 11” x 3”, Large: 17” x 12” x 3” |Weight: 1.8 pounds
Add a little pizzazz to your packing with these colorful and brightly patterned packing cubes from Calpak. This set features four cubes, ranging in different sizes, and includes one water-resistant envelope pouch — a great addition for those items that need extra protection. Like the Béis set above, these durable cubes also come with paper organization labels.
Another Fun Option
$36
Colors: 12| Materials: Recycled ripstop polyester | Dimensions (per cube): Large: 10” x 13” x 4”, Small: 6 ½” x 10” x 4”
If you weren’t able to get your hands on the limited-edition Baggu xCollina Strada horse bag, you can still add some style to your suitcase with these fun and funky packing cubes from the popular bag brand. Keep all your things together with this roomy two-cube set that comes in a variety of designs, from a sweet strawberries-and-cream Hello Kitty pattern to bright summertime oranges to the stylish Snoopy. And while this particular packing set features one small and large cube, you can also purchase the brand’s larger set, which features a medium-size cube and an extra-large cube made for your check-in luggage.
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FAQs
What’s the difference between packing cubes and compression cubes?
What’s the difference between packing cubes and compression cubes?
At the end of the day, both packing and compression cubes help organize your suitcase. But the biggest difference is that “packing cubes are great for organization and keeping items separate, while compression cubes are ideal for maximizing space and reducing bulkiness,” says Sanz. “Compression cubes are designed to release air, therefore ‘compressing’ your items down into a smaller form. Those are for the traveler who really needs to make the most out of their space. Packing cubes help keep your trip very organized by allowing the user to compartmentalize they’re packing as they see fit, whether that’s for certain types of clothes or even specific occasions.”
How should I decide which style cube to use?
How should I decide which style cube to use?
“When deciding between packing cubes and compression cubes, consider your packing style and the types of items you plan to bring,” says Auricchio. If you’re a Virgo who likes neatly folded clothes and preplanned outfits, try packing cubes. If you’re a serial overpacker who has a ten-step skin-care routine (hi, same!), try compression cubes.
“Away offers options for packing cubes and compression cubes,” Auricchio adds. “Insider Packing Cubes come in a set of four or six to organize your entire suitcase, while the Outdoor Organizational Cubes come in a range of sizes and offer a compression zipper to pack more in. Both options are extremely lightweight.”
How do I make the most out of my packing cubes?
How do I make the most out of my packing cubes?
“Packing cubes are a great tool to stay organized throughout your journey, but they’re most effective when used thoughtfully — you don’t want to just throw a bunch of items in the cubes without thinking of what you’ll be wearing,” Sanz says. “Taking time before you start packing to plan your outfits will make a big difference in staying neat on the trip.” Auricchio encourages travelers to use different-size cubes to “maximize space.” He also notes that the cubes can be used strategically to group similar items together so it’s easier to pinpoint where certain items are during your trip and unpack when you get home. “I often do not unpack my cubes during travel; they become my mobile drawers so everything stays organized during travel, which makes packing and unpacking super-easy,” he says.
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Our experts
- Victor Sanz, creative director at Tumi
- Luigi Auricchio, VP of design at Away
- Morgan Evans, Cut Shop contributor and former shopping editor at Vanity Fair
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