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These luggage lifesavers are the perfect companions for your next trip
It’s official – we’re stuffing more into our suitcases than ever before, and the right packing cube can make this process significantly easier, which is why we’ve tracked down the ones worthy of a spot in your luggage.
Let’s face it – nobody likes packing, and, in an age when airlines are imposing increasingly strict restrictions relating to baggage, we’re all for anything that can make the process a little less daunting. This is where the best packing cubes come in.
These zippered cubes are used to segregate different items, putting you on the fast track to packing perfection. Their growing popularity has pushed manufacturers to produce versions designed with a range of requirements in mind.
Looking for a cube in which to store your favourite shirt? Consider one with an internal pocket in which you can place the jewellery you’ll wear with it. Travelling through several countries (and climates) that require everything from hiking gear to smarter outfits? Opt for cubes that have generous areas of transparent mesh, which makes accessing different items quick and easy.
If you’re a packing cube obsessive like us, you can’t go wrong with colour-coordinated sets of multiple cubes. Another factor is sustainability, as a growing number of brands are using recycled materials or ones that have Bluesign certification – a global seal of approval for environment, health and production safety.
As keen travellers, we put a variety of travel cubes through their paces. We considered all aspects, whether it was the construction (we’re particularly keen on double and compression-style zips), rigidity (useful when it comes to more delicate items), and internal features, such as inner pockets. Only the best of the best made the cut, thanks to a review process that focused firmly on travellers’ wants and needs.
Many packing cubes are simply fabric holdalls with a zip to help compartmentalise your things, while compression packing cubes work by compressing the air around your clothes to help save even more space. Exactly how they do this will depend on the cube.
For some packing cubes, you may need to remove the air manually with a vacuum cleaner. Then there are cubes that don’t require a vacuum cleaner and can instead be compressed with a very strong zip, or by rolling them out, which in turn expells the air inside.
It may seem like overkill, but knowing exactly what you’re taking before you start can help you stay organised. Make a list of everything you really need, too, so you’re less likely to forget something important.
To save on space, only bring full outfits for each day or activity, so you won’t bring anything you won’t actually wear. You may also find that rolling your clothes up instead of folding them saves even more space. That said, try to avoid rolling up any stiff or delicate pieces of clothing – anything made of cotton or linen would be a prime example of clothes that should be folded instead.
You may want to avoid bringing anything that will get wrinkled easily unless you’re bringing a portable iron or garment steamer. Speaking of which, your suitcase should be full enough that the contents can’t fall around and crease inside. Make sure to fill every empty space if you can.
Start by deciding how you would like to categorise each packing cube – will you have a different cube for tops and trousers, say, or for each day or member of the family? You may find smaller cubes more useful for weekend trips, while fewer, larger packing cubes may be better suited to longer excursions.
The heaviest and widest packing cubes ought to be at the bottom of the suitcase, leaving room for smaller cubes to be arranged around and on top. This will make the suitcase more stable and you won’t need to remove the biggest cube to reach items at the bottom.
Finally, make sure you set aside valuable and fragile items, which will be best kept in their own packing cube –something like Tropicfeel’s tech pouch would be a great option for packing things such as phone cables and electric toothbrushes. Pop this at the top of your suitcase too, to prevent it from being damaged.
When shopping for packing cubes, consider the size of your suitcase and how long you’re travelling for. Compression bags, for example, are better for longer-term storage as opposed to short trips, as you can vacuum pack in a lot more clothes – they effectively compress the air out of your clothes, helping to create additional space within your luggage.
Pay attention to quality, too, making sure the packing cubes have clean lines of stitching that hold the materials tightly together, as well as no loose stitching or fraying ends.
Thule’s compression cube set is stylish, practical and (almost) fits everything but the kitchen sink – we loved the cubes’ stylish look, too. Lowe Alpine’s packing cube is a masterclass in sleek simplicity – it’s a product with the rugged practicality the brand’s backpacks are famous for. Finally, there’s Patagonia’s black hole cube, which is both rugged and stylish. Put it this way, if there was ever a packing cube which could double as a tote bag, it’s this one.
Tamara Hinson is a freelance travel writer who is a keen explorer, making her the perfect candidate for testing the best packing cubes. She most recently visited the Maldives, India’s Bandhavgarh National Park, and has even explored the most exciting new train journeys in Europe, putting each packing cube to the test. While she’s not busy traversing the globe, she also tests everything from the best travel pillows to cabin bags, so her research and recommendations are well worth trusting.
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