The Top 9 Packing Cubes for Travelers

If you're anything like me, packing a roller bag for a trip usually means ensuring you have your passport, charging cables, socks, and underwear. The rest tends to get tossed in haphazardly (or rolled up if there's time). However, there’s a smarter approach to packing a suitcase: using packing cubes. It's no wonder that travelers around the globe swear by this travel accessory.

Packing cubes are compact bags that act like mini-suitcases within your luggage, allowing you to separate shirts from socks and pants. These systems vary in quality, price, and style. At their simplest, they feature a nylon or polyester body with a mesh zippered top for visibility. Higher-end models are made from more durable materials, with quality zippers and additional compartments.

Once you experience packing cubes, you'll find it hard to return to your old ways. From the numerous packing cubes that Dinogo editors have tested over the years, here are reviews of the nine best systems that are worth your investment:

Eagle Creek's Pack-It Packing Cubes

Best Overall Packing Cube System

Completely revamped in January 2021, Eagle Creek’s beloved Pack-It packing cube system is offered in a variety of colors and is often recommended by travelers as their top choice for packing solutions. The starter set includes a large garment folder and guide, along with a medium cube and a small cube, providing excellent value. The folder helps ensure that shirts and pants fit perfectly into the cubes.

The Pack-It series features three distinct styles: Pack-It Reveal cubes are crafted from recycled poly material and have transparent mesh for easy visibility of your items. Pack-It Isolate cubes are constructed from ultra-light ripstop material with anti-microbial odor control, making them perfect for dirty laundry or shoes. Pack-It Gear cubes are the most robust and water-resistant option in the Eagle Creek lineup, ideal for campers or those carrying sensitive tech that requires extra protection.

Bonus: Eagle Creek products are PVC-free, come with a lifetime warranty, and are designed to minimize their environmental impact.

Thule Compression Packing Cubes

Best Compression Packing Cubes

Starting at $20 for a single small cube, these Thule compression cubes are among the more expensive options on this list. However, after several years of use, Lyndsey Matthews, Dinogo’s senior commerce editor, can attest to their exceptional durability.

Crafted from bluesign-approved ripstop nylon, these packing cubes are semi-transparent, water-resistant, and produced with minimal environmental impact. Like other compression cubes, they feature dual zippers—one for closing the cube and another for tightening it further to expel excess air and reduce bulk.

“I’ve had zippers on other compression cubes get caught on fabric or break when overstuffed,” Matthews noted. “But the YKK zippers on the Thule cubes are incredibly sturdy and glide shut effortlessly—even when I stuffed three bulky sweaters into the medium-sized one.”

You can purchase them individually or as a set that includes one medium and one small cube. A standard carry-on can accommodate either one medium and two small cubes or four small cubes on each side.

Zoid Cubes from Mystery Ranch

Best Extra-Durable Packing Cubes

Offered individually and in small, medium, and large sizes, Mystery Ranch’s Zoid packing cubes feature tough YKK zippers and 210D Hitra Robic nylon, which is significantly more tear- and abrasion-resistant than standard nylon. Not only are they nearly indestructible, but this lightweight yet thick nylon can stand upright, making it easier to pack clothing without battling sagging sides. (Despite their sturdiness, the material is pliable enough to fit into the nooks and crannies of a duffel once filled with clothes.) These cubes also include handles on both sides and the top for convenient transport.

While we haven't put these cubes to the test in heavy-duty camping scenarios, you can trust they’ll handle whatever you throw at them. One reviewer on backcountry.com shared, “I woke up in the middle of the night to scratching sounds in my tent vestibule, then heard something being dragged away. It was a cacophony of squealing as two raccoons fought over my food-filled Zoid cube. When the victor started to check his prize, I cautiously emerged to find a raccoon wrestling with the lid of my Zoid. Ultimately, the raccoon got none of my food, and the damage to my cube was minimal.”

Just remember, don’t keep food in your tent, alright?

Cubos Travel Cubes – Del Dia by Cotopaxi

Best Sustainable Packing Cubes

We’ve always admired Cotopaxi’s Del Dia collection, which utilizes repurposed materials and ethical labor practices. The Cubos Travel Cubes are a fantastic addition to this lineup. The Del Dia set includes three packing cubes—large (10 liters), medium (3 liters), and small (2 liters). Each cube features a side handle for easy removal from your bag and mesh siding for quick visibility.

Although no two sets are identical in design due to the use of leftover fabric, they are consistently vibrant and colorful, making them one of the most fun options available. “Surprisingly, the sizes of the cubes are what I loved most,” noted Jessie Beck, Dinogo’s associate director of video and SEO. “The medium measures 6 x 11.5 inches, slightly longer than the 9 x 6-inch cubes I previously used, making it much better for rolled-up pants. The small, at 7 x 8 inches, is just right for a week’s worth of underwear or four to five small T-shirts and tank tops.”

The Insider Packing Cubes by Away

Best Stylish Packing Cubes

Sometimes, the best travel accessories are those tailored to fit your existing luggage. A perfect example is Away’s Insider Packing Cubes, designed specifically to fit in their Bigger Carry-On luggage. Available as a set of four, these lightweight cubes are crafted from water-resistant nylon to safeguard your items and feature a mesh panel on top for easy visibility. Each set includes a small wide cube, along with medium wide, medium slim, and large wide cubes, ensuring your socks stay organized and separated from bulkier items like sweaters. True to Away's style, these packing cubes come in a variety of colors.

Do you own Away’s checked luggage? The brand also offers packing cubes in sets of six designed to fit perfectly in their large and medium suitcases.

“BluffCube Pro” Compression Packing Cubes by Bluffworks

Best Packing Cubes for Business Travelers

Established in 2012, Bluffworks has developed a dedicated following for its travel-friendly pants, blazers, and dresses crafted from wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, and machine-washable materials. Now, this travel clothing brand also offers “BluffCube” compression packing cubes.

These packing cubes feature a side-access zipper and can also be filled from the elastic top opening, compressing securely with a strap that has an adjustable buckle. The “Pro” fabric is a structured brushed ripstop nylon designed specifically for business travelers. (A “Sport” version is available, made from ultra-light ripstop nylon.) Both styles come in two sizes—large (10.5 liters) and small (3.9 liters). The small is perfect for short trips, fitting one T-shirt, two pairs of shorts, three pairs of underwear, and two pairs of socks, while the large can accommodate up to six shirts, two pairs of pants, two pairs of shorts, three sets of underwear, and two pairs of socks.

Packing Cube Set by Matador

Best Packing Cubes for Clamshell-Opening Backpacks or Duffle Bags

True to Matador’s travel-friendly aesthetic, the Packing Cube Set boasts a sleek, modern design. Made from recycled nylon with a waterproof finish, these cubes are built to endure the challenges of travel.

Offered in a set of three varying sizes—small (2.5 liters), medium (5 liters), and large (7.5 liters)—these cubes are tailored to fit snugly inside the Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack or any similar clamshell-opening backpacks.

The true highlights of these cubes lie in their thoughtful design. With handles on two sides, travelers can easily pull their packing cubes from a snug backpack or duffle. Additionally, each cube features two zippers, perfect for securing an overstuffed cube.

PackStacks by Hillsound

Best Packing Cubes for Top-Loading Backpacks

Unlike typical packing cubes that are square and suited for suitcases, the PackStack from Canadian brand Hillsound features a unique semicircular design tailored for traditional outdoor backpacks. Its top handle allows for easy retrieval from top-loading packs, and the weather-resistant fabric ensures your belongings are protected from the elements. While we haven’t tested them extensively yet, these cubes have proven durable and intact after multiple trips, from camping in California to backpacking in Borneo, making them a great choice for your rucksack.

The PackStack system offers four sizes, with short and tall options specifically designed for 60L and 40L backpacks. The 40L short PackStack accommodates 5.6 liters, while the 40L tall offers 9.8 liters of space. For the 60L versions, the short holds 6.4 liters and the tall provides 11.1 liters.

“I tried the 40L tall version, but I would have preferred two 40L shorts—the tall was very roomy and I managed to fit all my clothes for Asia (which, to be fair, was a rather minimalist packing) with extra space left over,” shared Beck.

Packing Cubes by Shacke Pak

Best budget-friendly packing cubes

The Shacke Pak set includes four packing cubes equipped with zippers from the well-known YKK brand, crafted from durable nylon with a mesh exterior. It even comes with a laundry bag. While the design is straightforward, it effectively meets the needs of travelers. Travel blogger Sophie Anderson shares her enthusiasm for Shacke, stating, “Having separate cubes for my shirts, pants, undergarments, and other items really streamlines the packing experience. Nobody wants to rummage through everything just to find a single shirt or pair of socks!”

Using Packing Cubes Effectively

While there are no strict rules for using packing cubes, here are some helpful tips to effectively organize and pack your luggage:

1. Choose packing cubes that fit your luggage. Maximize the space they occupy by selecting cubes that match the dimensions of your suitcase or backpack. For instance, Tortuga Backpacks offers packing cubes specifically designed to fit seamlessly in their backpacks' main compartments.
2. Use cubes to categorize your clothing or group similar items. Keep your underwear in one cube and your hiking attire in another.
3. Roll your clothes before placing them in the cube. This method makes it easier to view everything inside a packing cube without having to dig around.
4. Layer flat items, like jeans, on top. Some pieces are tricky to roll; that’s fine. Fold them and lay them on top of your rolled T-shirts and dresses before sealing the packing cube.

Can I just use Ziploc bags instead?

For those on a tight budget, Ziploc bags, including larger Ziploc storage bags and the brand’s travel “Space Bags,” offer a compression solution. While these budget alternatives might suffice for some, their lifespan is much shorter than that of proper packing cubes, making them not only the least durable choice but also the most environmentally unfriendly option.

Are packing cubes worth it?

Packing cubes are definitely beneficial for keeping your luggage organized, separating dirty and clean clothes, or gathering small items—like electronics and cords—in one spot. Generally, packing cubes won't save space (unless you previously packed using the “shove everything in” technique). However, a compression cube can condense bulky items like sweaters and jackets into more manageable sizes. For frequent travelers, investing a little more in durable packing cubes is certainly worthwhile.

This story also features contributions from Lyndsey Matthews and Jessie Beck.

Originally published online in 2018, this article was refreshed on April 12, 2024, to incorporate the latest information.