Keep Your Luggage Lean with These Packing Cubes

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

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.

The Insider Packing Cubes

These cubes will keep you organized on trips and covers multiple sizes all in one set. The nylon construction is water resistant and the mesh panel lets you see what you neatly packed without having to pull everything out. The double zippers give you convenient access to your gear and compress for portability and easy storage; you may not need all six going to your destination but you can throw the empties in for bringing back dirty clothes or souvenirs picked up on the way.

The water-resistant nylon is helpful but the mesh panel won't protect from any big spills that happen in your bag so you'll want to get a separate dopp kit or dry bag. Still, the sturdy construction, large double zippers, and varying sizes included in this set make them ideal for travel.

Travel Packing Cubes Set

This set of packing cubes has four different sizes including a slim cube thats perfect for underwear, socks, and tees. The mesh tops lets you see the contents and the nylon web handles make them easy to pull out of your bags. The double-zippers with large pull tabs allow for convenient access and customers are impressed by their durability. Reviews say the zippers don't snag and aren't finicky.

These aren't compressible but you can still fold them to save some space in your suitcase.

Black Hole MLC Packing Cube

Patagonia's Black Hole series uses recycled materials to make bags and packs that are highly durable and weather resistant. Couple that with the unique roll-top closure and you have the MLC cube. The roll-top closure compresses down to whatever it's holding and the buckle closure serves as a handle for easy carrying. The zip compartment at the bottom lets you stay organized on an even smaller scale and gives you easy access to necessities. It's composed of 300D nylon polyester and therefore one of the most durable packing cubes on our list. There's no mesh panel to see what you've packed but it also means this cube is more water resistant.

The roll stop buckle lets you pack this with as much—or as little—as you want. I rolled up three pairs of Baggies and two pairs of casual shorts on a trip and liked how the volume adjusts to what I packed and could roll down as I used more clothing. The fabric feels incredibly sturdy that borders on stiff but easily rolls down. The separate zipper compartment is spacious enough to stash in socks, underwear, or rolled up dirty clothes. The absence of a mesh panel may bother some since you have to completely open the bag to see what's inside but this wasn't a personal deal breaker.

Crossroads Packing Cube

These packing cubes have a wrap-around expansion zipper like you'd see on a suitcase so you can jam them full of stuff and then compress them down to better fit in your bag. An interior mesh pocket keeps things further organized and a top handle makes them easy to grab and go. The small mesh panel at the bottom lets you see what's inside. These are available in three sizes but are sold separately.

The smallest size I use for electronics and the compression aspect keeps it tidy when trying to pack oddly-shaped chargers and wires. The ripstop fabric is durable but has no water-resistant coating, those these are machine washable. The expansion zipper and interior mesh pockets are the standout features of the Crossroads packing cubes; I like the added organization of the interior pocket and the expansion zipper really compresses contents down with ease, not just to pack them when empty.

Pack Bag 10L Packing Cube

This mid-size packing cube has a durable, ripstop nylon construction with a U-shaped opening for easy packing and unpacking. Topo Designs uses their signature paracord pull tabs on the double zippers and a nylon handle for toting it alone and making it easier to grab and go. It's water resistant and there's no mesh panels so it'll handle any toiletry spills while in transit.

The generous capacity makes this great for button ups and light outerwear. I didn't realize how much the U-shaped opening would make a difference v.s. the C-shaped packing cubes commonly have—it's easier to take full advantage of the spaces in this cube. I've had Topo Designs bags for years and they've held up great. The ripstop nylon they use is abrasion-resistant and the hefty zippers don't snag; the paracord pull-tabs are also a convenient touch.

Black Hole Packing Cube 6L

These packing cubes have a clamshell opening so you can see everything at a glance. The interior has a mesh zipper on each half that secures your contents which is especially helpful if you like to roll your clothes and pack them as tight as possible. A top handle makes it easy to grab out of a duffel. An external daisy chain and side loop gives you the option of attaching it to a backpack and any other gear.

The divided main compartment is helpful in keeping your belongings further organized instead of having just one big space. Like the roll-top pick above, this is from the Black Hole series which uses recycled nylon ripstop that's water-resistant and durable. I packed over a week's worth of socks and underwear in the 6-liter size and will sometimes use this as a dopp kit.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?