Travel tip: how I learned to love packing cubes

I started a sceptic – after all, they’re not even ‘cubes’ in the first place – but now I'm a convert.

By David Flynn, May 21 2024
Travel tip: how I learned to love packing cubes

Like most frequent flyers, packing and unpacking is something I do almost on auto-pilot.

Yes, I derive unusual pleasure from writing my packing list ahead of each trip, and even a sense of smugness in putting together the separate wardrobe list with mix-and-match items to suit the itinerary.

So very early on in my career, I figured I had The Art of Packing pretty much nailed.

Write and refine my list, put on some music and get packing. Not too fast – rushed packing is how I left my warmest jacket at home when I was headed to Japan in the middle of winter – just steadily working my way through the list and actually enjoying the process.

Even if you're already an efficient and proficient packer, cubes will ace your game.
Even if you're already an efficient and proficient packer, cubes will ace your game.

Then a colleague and fellow frequent flyer mentioned packing cubes.

The name threw me: how can cubes make for more efficient packing, unless everything fits into that strict cube shape and those cubes in turn fit into your luggage?

Of course, packing cubes – sometimes also called compression cubes – are rarely actual cubes with all sides of equal length. They come in a variety of shapes, to slot neatly into your bag and let you justify all those hours spent playing Tetris.

And as it turned out, these zippered pouches are a game-changer.

A new level of organisation

Let’s start with the obvious: packing cubes make organising your stuff (mainly clothes) a breeze.

I’ll generally designate one cube for tops, one for pants and perhaps jackets, another for smalls. Sometimes another slim cube will contain my running or gym gear (including shoes in their own bag).

Start with a set of packing cubes in various sizes.
Start with a set of packing cubes in various sizes.

On a recent trip from hot Singapore to chilly Europe, I packed a cube with warmer clothing including a scarf, gloves and cap, then left this sitting at the top of my cabin bag so I could easily change into it on arrival without rummaging around in my bag.

You might also want to dedicate a small cube to assorted tech accessories such as power boards, adaptors and cables.

And if you’re an aficionado of capsule wardrobes, then packing cubes are a match made in heaven.

There's a better way to pack...
There's a better way to pack...

Unpacking made easy

The flip side of the coin is that packing cubes make unpacking easy, too.

When I arrive at my hotel room I just transfer some cubes – such as smalls and T-shirts - from suitcase to drawer, while everything that needs to be hung in the closet is also ready to grab.

And as an added bonus, packing cubes help keep items secure within your bag, minimising movement which can see creases and folds settle in.

Do packing cubes save space?

One thing I didn’t expect packing cubes would do was save space within my bag – and as I’m almost always in carry-on only mode, space is always at a premium.

But because cubes keep things folded and together, they have the side effect of making the best use of space compared to everything just floating around loose.

Packing cubes help you keep everything organised.
Packing cubes help you keep everything organised.

Maybe some of this is psychological, from seeing everything in neatly ordained compartments. All I know is that I can actually get more stuff into my cabin bag when I use packing cubes.

If you’re not already using packing cubes, they’re really worth a shot. And you don’t need to spend up on brand-name packing cubes. You can find them at most department stores, while Amazon includes packing cubes in its value-oriented Amazon Basics line.

Don’t go overboard: just start with a set of four or six cubes, in different shapes, and see if they don’t make life on the road just that little bit easier.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Sep 2013

Total posts 188

I'm a roll it fan.  That way I can see every item at a glance, and they are usually grouped together, with items such as jocks and socks squeezed into the sides or the second pair of shoes that sit at the bottom end of the case.  Nothing comes out creased, I mostly wear shorts with polo shirts, and the only dress shirts I take hang well with no creases.  I have long avoided European winters and travel during the shoulder season with a puffer jacket and some thermals.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

30 Apr 2014

Total posts 10

As a lover of packing cubes here are my recommendations that no one asked for. I have had Kathmandu basic packing cubes for over 10 years now and not one has broken or ripped. I am now using them to store winter/summer clothing very efficiently. Last year i purchased ‘Travel Dude’ Compression Packing Cubes off Amazon (I live in the UK) and cannot recommended them enough.

Unfortunately last year I foolishly lost my Silver status with Qantas which gave me extra luggage allowance and on my yearly trip to Aus was confined to one 23kg bag. This was a sad day for me as I usually arrive with empty bags and leave with full ones. But using the Travel Dude packing cubes my bag weighed over 23kg, I had to keep taking things out to be within the weight limit but it was great to not be sitting on my bag trying to shut it. 

And for those dedicated to a great pack ‘The folding lady’ on instagram has a series of how she folds and packs using packing cubes. 

Thanks David for a good article and Frank and wamula for their contribution of additional handy tips.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

06 Oct 2016

Total posts 174

My biggest reason for liking of packing cube's is 2 fold, sorting clean and dirty, and categories, as you have said. Don’t worry Frank, somethings you can combine roll and cubes ;) I don’t think I get more in, but it is definitely a present my daughter got right!


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