I’m a Travel Writer, and This Is My Secret to Packing for a Week in a Single Carry-on Bag

As a travel writer, I’ve gotten really good at packing. I take work trips nearly every month, and while some of these trips are just a weekend long, some are a week or longer. But no matter how seasoned I may tell myself I am, I often find myself trying to squeeze five nights of travel with a busy itinerary into a single carry-on bag. For that feat, I need a set of packing cubes.

You see, travel writer itineraries tend to be a hectic mix of meetings and exploration that require a few outfit options for each day. My most recent trip was on the largest cruise ship at sea, and between the three days I spent aboard the ship and the few days I spent beforehand doing research in Miami, I needed a lot of clothes. The Bagsmart Set of 6  Compression Packing Cubes saved the day, fitting a whole week’s worth of clothes neatly into my carry-on.

Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes 6 Set 

The secret? Using specially designed double zippers, these genius organizers press everything down with their almost vacuum-seal-like compression that maximizes the space in a suitcase. They kept my bag neat and organized and gave me room to pack multiple outfits a day for the weeklong trip, including seven dresses, three tops, and enough undergarments for the length of the trip in a rather compact carry-on.

The set of six includes large-sized cubes (compressed size: 15 inches by 10.5 inches by 1.8 inches), medium-sized (compressed size: 13 inches by 9 inches by 1.8 inches, and small-sized  (compressed size of 13 inches by 5 inches by 1.8 inches) as well as a shoe bag, which I ended up repurposing as a laundry bag.

I’m not the only one who loves these space-savers. With more than 6,000 five-star ratings at Amazon, the Bagsmart compression cubes appear to have a lot of fans, even from the most trusted of travelers: flight attendants. One flight attendant attested, that for “smart packing,” “These are absolutely the best… these compress which gives you a lot more room in your bag.”

Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes 6 Set

Another traveler raved that they’ve “revolutionized the way I travel, and I couldn't be happier. These cubes are an absolute must-have for anyone who loves efficiency and wants to pack smarter.” They continued to rave about the compression feature, saying, “They work like magic, allowing me to pack more clothes than I ever thought possible. The double zippers compress the contents, creating space I didn't know I had. It's like having a mini vacuum-sealed bag for each cube.” 

They come in more than 20 color options, from baby pink to sunray yellow to basics that will fit right in with your luggage, like gray and black. Plus, you can opt for fewer bags if you don’t need all 6, including this $16 2-piece set and $22 4-piece set.

Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes 6 Set

Ultimately, the Bagsmart 6 Set of Compression Packing Cubes helped me pack a few more dresses than I might have otherwise in my carry-on (I even had leftover options!), and who really wants to be re-wearing clothes when Instagram is around if they can avoid it? Plus, they helped me feel organized and put together while I was at it. If I were you, I’d go ahead and pick up a pack so you can start packing more on your next trip.

Still on the hunt for the best packing cubes for you? Read on for more highly rated options that are on sale from just $15.

Shop More Packing Compression Cubes at Amazon:

Ebags Classic Packing Cubes 3pc Set

Veken 8 Set Packing Cubes for Suitcases

Amazon Basics 4 Piece Packing Travel Organizer Cubes Set

OlarHike 8 Packing Cubes Set

At the time of publishing, the price started at $32. 

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