Whether you are going on that much-needed vacation or putting in the hours on a work trip, packing can feel like an overwhelming task. Like most travelers, I often find myself struggling to fit everything I need into my suitcase, duffle bag, or backpack. On my most recent travels—a 10-day cruise to the Mediterranean—I decided to put the latest packing trend to the test: packing cubes. Here’s what I learned.
What are packing cubes?
While packing cubes are nothing new to the travel scene, they’ve recently grown in popularity among everyday travelers thanks to travel influencers across social media platforms.
Packing cubes themselves are not a particularly complex concept. In their most basic form, packing cubes are lightweight cubes, usually made of mesh or fabric, with a zipper-sealed lid. Some packing cubes include more flair with various depths, extra pockets, or decorative patterns. Usually, they come in packs of various-sized (most commonly small, medium, and large) cubes, stored all together in a Russian-nesting-doll.
Packing cubes are priced from anywhere between $20 to $50. The price range solely depends on the quality and quantity of the cubes.
Putting packing cubes to the test
For my trip, I used two sets of packing cubes. Each included a small, medium, and large size.
Since I was packing for a long trip to a hot climate, I had to fit a lot of lightweight yet bulky clothing into my suitcase. My first impression was that the cubes themselves might be too shallow (with a depth of only 3 inches) for my needs, so I was a little skeptical. I quickly discovered that rolling my clothes instead of folding them was key to maximizing space in the cubes. Once I figured out how best to pack my clothes, I developed a strategy for how to use each cube most efficiently.
My packing strategy
I used the smallest cube for socks and delicates since they don’t require folding and take up the least space. Two medium-size cubes held my six shorts and skirts, which I alternated between folding and rolling to maximize space while minimizing wrinkles. I packed all 8-10 of my shirts, which was the majority of my clothing, into the largest cube. As a chronic over-packer, I opted to roll every shirt, which allowed them to fit snugly in the cube.
The benefits of packing cubes through airport security
Packing cubes are designed to simplify packing by keeping items neatly separated and organized within your luggage. Another advantage of using packing cubes is that it also reduces stress associated with TSA inspections at airport security checkpoints.
If your bag is selected for search in the security line, TSA agents can quickly inspect your belongings by opening the packing cubes without scattering your items. Keeping your luggage organized and streamlining security checks is a win-win for everyone.
The payoff of packing cubes
Overall, I was impressed with how well the packing cubes worked. They allowed me to pack large quantities of clothes without having to worry about the space in my luggage. The cubes allowed me to create Tetris-like organization in my luggage, which left room in my suitcase for other essentials such as shoes, toiletries, and my bulkier clothes like dresses and sweatshirts.
The packing cubes also helped me easily separate my dirty clothes from the rest of my clothes. This made unpacking after the trip especially easy because I was able to take the cubes of dirty clothes and throw them right in the wash.
What stood out the most was the organization the packing cubes provided throughout the trip. On any other 10-day trip, my clothes would have ended up scattered throughout my suitcase and hotel room. But with packing cubes, everything had its place. I could easily find what I needed without rummaging through a pile of clothes.
The cubes also allowed for an easy repacking process. Usually, my suitcase feels more cramped at the end of a trip, but the packing cubes kept everything compact and tidy, just like when I first packed.
The bottom line
After trying packing cubes for the first time, I can confidently say they transformed the way I pack and travel. They made it easier for me to organize my suitcase, locate items throughout the trip, and repack without hassle. What impressed me the most was how much space they saved without sacrificing order. I will be using packing cubes on all future trips and recommend them to anyone looking for a more effective, cost-efficient, and stress-free packing experience.