DIVEIN’s guide to the
12 Best Packing Cubes in 2022
Our experts at work
We gave our Gear lovers one job:
Test multiple Packing Cubes and write reviews of the best.
The result is 12 of the best Packing Cubes on the market today.
Mart-Mari Jansen van Vuren
Writer
Based out of South Africa Mart-Mari enjoys hiking, snorkeling, and surfing.
Bradley Axmith
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Vikingship building gear enthusiast and waterworld fanatic.
The best packing cubes will be those items that make packing better and traveling easier. Get the right ones and you’ll never not use them.
In this guide, we will review the best packing cubes by material, durability, and packability. Needs and preferences differ, so we will take a look at the best ultralight, compression, and budget packing cubes.
Find the option that works with your luggage, activity and type of gear you plan on packing.
Best Ultralight Packing Cubes
These waterproof cubes are ideal for any outdoor adventure. They are lightweight, water-resistant, and will bring order to your bag and protect your belongings from any travel mishap. The durable material is made with 30D Nylon and comes in 4 different colors to choose from. These three ultra-light cubes will save you space while keeping your clothes organized. These eBags packing cubes come with not one, not two, but 5 ultralight cubes for all your belongings. The mesh tops allow your clothes to breathe and prevent mold but it also helps you see your items to find things easier. They come in 3 fun colors you can choose from and works wonders to keep you organized without adding extra weight to your backpack. These Osprey Ultralight packing cubes come in a set of three. S, M, and L. The different sizes are perfect to keep underwear, shirts, and pants separate inside your luggage. The PU material is extremely durable and stands out from other cubes by adding a touch of luxury. Use these packing cubes to keep your clothes separate or use them as a bag to carry small items to the beach. Your options are limitless. These premium cubes are definitely made for a rugged outdoor adventure. They are completely waterproof making them ideal for protecting gear or items that could get wet when camping. Their round shape fits surprisingly a lot of items and leaves no inch unused. The clamshell opening also makes it easier to pack and find items you need.
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Best Compression Packing Cubes
Peak Design Packing Cubes are compressible and easy to access. Not only are they functional but, the 70D nylon/poly blend shell is aesthetically pleasing. These cubes also feature an internal divider to separate clean and dirty clothes that we haven’t seen in other cubes yet. These cubes are ideal for business trips or weekends away. These could be the best compression packing cubes for camping based on the sturdy, water-resistant material (DWR) and the compatible design that works well with all kinds of bags. Not strictly compression models, all 3 cubes in this organizer shrink to ⅔ their size, making them smart when transferring clothes from the clean cube into the laundry cube when sullied. If you are looking for packing cubes that allow you to travel light and maximize the space inside your luggage look no further. Simply pack all the items you need and then use the durable second zipper to compress your clothes down into a small compact bundle. The antimicrobial treated material makes these cubes ideal to store wet or dirty clothes keeping the moisture and odors locked away from the rest of your belongings. These organizers are probably the most popular Walmart compression cubes sold. Probably because, as far as the best compression cubes go, these ones have features that count. Included in the 6 mesh bags is a hidden pocket to throw off would-be thieves or the prying eyes of your partner. Pack your clothes, stash your toiletries in the included 4 ziplock bags and keep your laundry separate too.
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Best Budget Packing Cubes
Amazon basic is a brand we have come to love. Not only are their packing cubes durable, but they are also really cheap. This makes them more accessible to the average traveler that has a limited budget they are working with. These four cubes come in 6 fun colors to choose from and are designed with a mesh top lid to easier see items you would like to access and to provide ventilation to your items. This set of 6 packing cubes are more like rectangular boxes made of fairly sturdy nylon. For traveling with a suitcase or even relying on the compression capacity of a duffel bag, these budget organizers come in different sizes for different items. An amazon packing cube favorite doesn’t mean that they are horrible products, it just means they’re cheap. These Ikea packing cubes are smaller than their competitors making them multifunctional. Use them on an overnight trip to store an extra set of clothes or, use them to keep your accessories, make-up, and jewelry organized in your closet. Your options are limitless. The fun colors stand out in your bag making it easy to find them. They are budget-friendly and made with recycled material bringing us one step closer to a cleaner environment. When we think of packing cubes, we don’t necessarily think of ziplock bags, but these plastic bags left me pleasantly surprised. You won’t be taking these on your business trip but, they are perfect for any camping or outdoor hiking trips where your items. You don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain or falling out of a canoe with your backpack. These ziplock bags are completely waterproof keeping clothes, food, and accessories perfectly dry. Not only do they keep the water out, but they also keep it in. Separate your smelly wet clothes from the rest of your items, keeping all odors and water safely locked inside. We also love that it’s completely see-through so you instantly know where all your items are.
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Guide to Finding the Best Packing Cubes
To cube or not to cube? Cubes mean organization and easier travel, making it essential to all travelers. A quick recap: you can organize items in your bag for easier access. Cut down on weight with ultralight packing cubes, save space with compression cubes, or get budget cubes to suit your limited budget.
A lot of people do a combination that suits their duffel bag or travel bag. No matter what they’re not really that expensive but it pays to know a little more about them.
Ultralight Packing Cubes
Ultralight packing cubes are exactly what the name suggests. They are minimalistic and the lightest cubes on the market. These cubes allow you to stay organized without adding additional weight to your bag.
This makes it ideal to use with a hiking backpack where your back has to support the extra weight.
Materials
The weight of a packing cube is directly correlated to the material used. There are no rules however, there are a few standards you should look out for. Ultralight packing cubes are usually made with 30D or 40D Nylon that is lightweight, durable, and tear-resistant.
While some brands use low denier polyester we suggest sticking to Nylon since it’s stronger. Ultra-light packing cubes are reinforced with ripstop to prevent tears from forming or expanding.
Durability
There is a common misconception that thin materials aren’t that durable, but it all depends on the stitching. No matter how thick and durable the material is if you have bad stitching your packing cube won’t last.
Keep an eye out for clean lines and thorough stitching. This may be hard when you are shopping online so it’s important to read the respected reviews and do research on the brand before you make your purchase.
Packability
Ultralight Packing Cubes’ minimalistic style and lightweight feature ensure that they won’t take up to much space or add weight to your bag. This makes them extremely easy to pack and ideal for any bags you carry around like a duffle or a backpack.
Compression Packing Cubes
Compression packing cubes save you space by compressing your items twice as much as a regular packing cube would.
These packing cubes feature an extra zipper around the outside that can be zipped up to compress the space inside similar to a vacuum sealer. It’s incredible to see the difference these cubes make when you have a small bag and a lot of clothes!
Materials
Compression packing cubes come in a variety of materials. The material however needs to be flexible since it needs to stretch and compress. That’s why most brands tend to use a low denier Nylon or polyester.
Keep in mind that Nylon is much stronger than polyester and when it comes to compressing you need the extra strength and durability. Some compression cube fabrics can go as low as 30D or 40D, making them an ultralight and compression cube.
Most compression cubes make use of some form of ripstop, to reinforce the stitching. If you’re unsure if your packing cubes have Ripstop lookout for small hexagonal or cubed lines in the material.
Durability
The craftsmanship for compression cubes is extremely important. When you compress your cube you put the stitching under a lot of strain so one loose strand can affect your cube significantly. It’s also important to double-check that the zipper is from a high-quality brand.
Packability
When it comes to space, compression packing cubes take up the least! (It’s kinda the whole point.) This makes packing easier than ever. However, these packs are slightly rounded making them hard to stack on one another while compressing your clothes this much may cause wrinkles.
This won’t be an issue if you are packing for a beach vacation where your clothes consist of bikinis and board shorts. We don’t however recommend using it for your collared shirts when you are going on a business trip.
Budget Packing Cubes
Budget packing cubes are great simply for the fact that they are really cheap and you can get them anywhere usually sold in sets for around $20. These cubes are great if you are on a limited budget or you’re only traveling for a month and don’t need cubes that will last a lifetime.
Brands like IKEA and Target are now making their own budget packing cubes making them easy and convenient to find. Not even to mention the millions of packing cubes on Amazon. Budget items aren’t necessarily bad as long as you’re mindful of what you’re buying and you’re careful with how you use them.
Materials
The low price tag on budget packing cubes all comes down to the low-quality material they use. After all, a packing cube is just a small container for your clothes, it doesn’t have to be indestructible, but it should still work.
Budget packing cubes are typically made with polyester, it’s lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and semi-durable. On the plus side, it’s abrasion-resistant and quicker dry than Nylon. Ripstop technology isn’t common in budget cubes so if a rip does appear it will inevitably get larger.
Durability
Budget packing cubes aren’t the most durable packing cubes you can get, but it also doesn’t mean they will break within a week. By handling them with care and not overpacking them they can definitely last you throughout your travels.
Keep in mind that when something does go wrong with your budget cubes they rarely come with guarantees like more technical brands would.
Packability
Budget packing cubes usually come in a basic rectangular shape that holds their form and structure well. This makes it easy to stack while your packing. However, they do take up more space and weigh more than compression or ultra-light cubes would.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Packing Cubes
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How useful are packing cubes?
Packing cubes is a must-have if you need to keep your clothes organized in your bag. If your bag is a duffle bag it will come in handy since duffle bags are known for their minimal organization pockets.
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Do packing cubes really save space?
Yes! Packing cubes ensure that your clothes stay organized in separate cubes. To save more space opt for compression packing cubes to maximize the space you have available. Compression cubes have two zippers that compress and flatten your clothes.
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Do packing cubes wrinkle clothes?
Clothes come out of your suitcase wrinkled because they shifted during your trip. It also may occur when you dig around your bag to find a specific item and you end up crumbling your clothes. Packing cubes keep your clothes still, so it’s less likely to wrinkle. Keep in mind that some fabrics like linen will wrinkle no matter what.
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What to Look for in Packing Cubes?
When purchasing packing cubes try to look out for the following:
- Weight – opt for lighter cubes to keep you organized without adding weight to your luggage.
- Material – Nylon is durable, washable, and lightweight. This is your best option.
- Breathability – mesh is your friend. You need air to prevent dampness causing mold on your clothes
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How to Use Packing Cubes
It’s pretty simple, put your clothes in and zip them up. Most sets come with different-sized cubes. Small cubes for your underwear and larger cubes for shirts and pants. Rolling your clothes before packing them in your cubes will help them wrinkle less.
Do you have a favorite Packing Cubes?
What do you love about it?
Let us know in the comments below what you think makes the perfect Packing Cubes.
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