Other Great Packing Cubes
Photograph: Kat Merck
Shacke Pak Packing Cubes for $30 (set of 8): These were pretty good quality for an Amazon brand; there’s a sturdy handle and the material is slightly thicker than other packing cubes at this price point. I like the mix of mesh for breathability and opaque fabric for privacy. They come in nine colors, but the colors are clownishly bright (blue pictured above), and the four-paneled mesh design reminds me of a jock strap. Shacke says it uses YKK zippers on all its packing cubes, but I peeled back the covering on the zipper and could not find a YKK insignia anywhere.
Bagsmart Blast Packing Cubes for $50 (set of 5 plus a shoe bag): Bagsmart is a budget brand, but it gets the job done—I quite liked the unique Blast toiletry bag, and these packing cubes are solid as well. The compression works great, the array of sizes that come with the set is useful, and the mesh windows are great for assessing contents at a glance. Bagsmart’s original compression cubes are $10 cheaper, but the fabric on these is more breathable than the original cubes, so if you prefer that, these are worth considering.
Photograph: Kat Merck
Calpak Packing Cubes Set for $68 (set of 5): This is the first set of packing cubes I ever owned, and it’s what kicked off my obsession with travel organization. There’s just something generally satisfying about the size and layout of these lightweight polyester cubes (pictured at left) that have a mostly mesh front for visibility and breathability. There’s a little window where you can put a label for the contents (which is far more useful than you might think, especially when packing cubes are around the same size), and I love that they come in 18 different colors and prints. There’s also a zipperered compartment on the back for “extra storage,” according to Calpak, but when the cubes are full it’s hard to fit anything but flat or very small items.
Amazon Essentials for $14 (set of 4): This four-pack of cubes with sturdy-mesh windows and ripstop-like fabric was comparable in quality to brands four times the price. However, Bagsmart’s cubes, which come in a set of six, only cost about 50 cents more per cube, have compression, and are significantly sturdier, so I think they’re the better buy.
Courtesy of Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover Roma Packing Cubes from $30: When I first saw these shallow, all-mesh packing cubes with their stiff wire edging and little label windows (pictured at left), I admit I wasn’t initially impressed, given that they cost upward of $30 per cube. But then I tested them. Not only do they hold more than they initially seem to, but I ended up loving how they kept their shape, allowing me to fit more in my bag and for my clothes to arrive at their destination perfectly wrinkle-free. The mesh is also breathable yet sturdy, private, and slightly padded, so I felt safe adding even hard items like jewelry. To be sure, these aren’t space savers, but if you want to ensure your items don’t move around, get overly squished, or get wrinkled, these are a great option. They come in four stylish colors. Note that they’re currently on final sale, so if you are or were a fan of these cubes, now might be the time to stock up before they’re gone.
Cram Packing Cube Set (3) for $60: Unlike most packing cubes, Cram’s colorful collection is fully machine washable and can be tumble-dried. I was a little dubious that they’d hold up given that the mesh top felt a bit flimsy, but they came out no worse for wear in my top-loading washer and high-heat dryer. I didn’t particularly love how they looked in my suitcase (the mesh-heavy design, floppy structure, and colors were giving inside-out ’70s swim-trunk vibes), but that’s more of a personal problem. These are excellent options for camping, or trips where you know your clothes or the contents of your bag will get dirty.
Aer Packing Cube for $35: Available in regular (10L) and small (5L), this sleek ripstop cube goes perfectly with any of Aer’s signature minimalist travel bags. It’s very sturdy; it’s got decent compression; and it comes in four colors, including the unusual Safety Orange and Lunar Gray. There’s nothing that really sets these apart from the dozens of other cubes I’ve tried, but both sizes would make a great gift for any Aer bag owner.
Rux Packing System Mesh Bundle (3) for $140: These lightweight, cinchable roll-top bags are a must for any Rux bag or bin owner (including the excellent new Rux Duffel Box). Made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene gridstop fabric, they fit perfectly inside any Rux system and are made to hook onto the inside to stay secure.
Photograph: Kat Merck
Ekster Vacuum Travel Kit for $89: I was impressed with how much I could fit into this IPX7 waterproof, vacuum-powered compression bag, which comes with a portable travel pump. I also liked that it maintained its vacuum seal throughout an overnight trip. But it didn’t save as much space as I expected in my carry-on, especially compared to packing cubes, and I didn’t love that I couldn’t separate my clothing.
Away the Insider Packing Cubes for $48 (set of 4): I like that these come in 10 trendy colors, many of which match Away’s luggage. However, after testing over 20 different brands and types at various price points, these cubes just didn’t stand out. The material was very thin and indistinguishable from some of the cheaper Amazon brands, and the zippers were very small.
Antler Packing Cubes for $65 (set of 4): These lightweight, mesh-front compression cubes come in nine colors and are made to coordinate with Antler luggage (we love the carry-on). They have solid zippers with extended pulls, and the compression was solid; they just weren’t as hardy as our top picks.
Great Suitcases and Bags With Packing Cubes
Photograph: Kat Merck
Travelpro VersaPack+ Carry-On for $323: This expandable soft-sided spinner from luggage stalwart Travelpro (maker of our favorite budget carry-on) comes with two approximately 9-inch packing cubes on a divider that clips in or out. Thick straps in the main compartment can be cinched down to provide compression, and there’s also an included laundry bag and two shoe bags. I was actually quite impressed with how much I could fit into this carry-on, especially when using other compression packing cubes. Which is kind of necessary, as the included packing cubes hold little more than a few T-shirts and some underwear. Also be aware that when the bag is expanded, it’s still slightly front-heavy, even though it’s designed to be tip-resistant. A test of rolling it upright while running through the airport to catch the car rental shuttle found it does still have a tendency to tip over front-first.
FlipSide 22-Inch Carry-On for $349: This soft-sided little suitcase doesn’t contain packing cubes—it is itself a big packing cube on wheels. It opens on either side for clean and dirty clothes, clothes for you and your kid, or any other reason you might need two separate compartments. I thought it seemed a little small, but my teen son was able to pack a full week’s worth of clothes in it by using his preferred ranger rolling method. If you’re not sure, FlipSide offers a 100-day money-back guarantee if you decide it’s not your jam.
Airback Original Carry-On Backpack for $329: An impressive amount of engineering went into this otherwise simple-looking backpack. Behind the matte-black, faux leather exterior, you’ll find a pump-powered vacuum bag for compressing contents, much like the Ekster above. If that’s not enough, the pump doubles as a flashlight, the handle has a built-in scale (strange since it’s a carry-on, but OK); there are USB-C and USB-A charging ports, a TSA lock, and a padded laptop compartment; and it even comes with its own matching toiletry bag. This is essentially the Swiss Army Knife of backpacks, but you will pay for all these gizmos and gewgaws in weight. It weighs over 4 pounds by itself, and when fully packed for a trip, especially with the contents compressed, it tipped the scales at nearly 20 pounds.
Other Travel Accessories We Like
Photograph: Kat Merck
WanderFull HydroBag for $64: WIRED Reviews team members are no strangers to water bottle bags. Even though I’m a member of the Dehydrated Generation, I’ve become fully accustomed to having a water bottle nearby at all times. Unless I’m carrying a backpack, I am indeed carrying my Owala in a water bottle bag, especially when traveling. My favorite is from WanderFull, as the wide strap is comfortable enough for hikes and extra-long walks. If metallic green isn’t your jam, there are dozens of other fabrics, colors, and styles to choose from.
Lazy Double Duty Serum-Moisturizer Duo for $48: If you’re into K-beauty but don’t want to bring multiple bottles, this dual-compartment container has red camellia serum on one side and squalane moisturizer on the other. It’s not travel-sized, but a plastic lid inside the lid keeps the contents contained, and even though I tested it for travel, I loved it so much I ended up using it as part of my skincare regimen at home.
Rumpl Tech Towel for $40: This T-shirt-thin microsuede towel comes in eight outdoorsy prints and absorbs four times its weight in water. When rolled up, it fits perfectly into a water bottle holder on a backpack, so you always have a towel at the ready for impromptu beach trips or swimming hole discoveries. I carried it in my Dometic Unrestricted cooler backpack for a week in Honolulu, and even though rain negated any beach trips, it was still great for warmth and/or creating a clean, dry place to sit.
Courtesy of Calpak
Calpak Luka Zippered Passport Wallet for $39: Whether you’re traveling internationally or just neglected to update your driver’s license before the US Real ID deadline (guilty), a passport wallet is a must. This stylish, puffy number from Calpak holds not only your passport but also cash, cards, and even your phone in a front pocket. The only downside is that it is quite large, about the size of a contemporary paperback book (7.5 x 5.5 inches), and it doesn’t have a handle or loop, so it is awkward to carry if you don’t have a purse large enough to accommodate it.
Aer Street Sling for $69: Many passport wallets, like the Luka above, are quite large. Unlike a belt bag, Aer’s unisex crossbody is tall, so it fits any passport wallet up to 8 x 5.5 inches. It’s a great option for anyone who still wants to travel light but doesn’t have to keep their passport in their backpack or pocket.
Courtesy of Dosey
Dosey Pill Compact for $26: This 7 x 3-inch pastel pill compact (also available in blue and pink) features a mirror and seven labeled day compartments, finished in shiny gold. It’s very Valley of the Dolls, but I found its slim profile surprisingly practical for travel, slipping unobtrusively into even smaller toiletry bags while staying securely closed even during rough handling.
GuruNanda Ready-to-Go Disposable Mini Travel Toothbrushes for $35: Obviously, bringing your own toothbrush is the most eco-friendly choice, but this is what my family uses for camping or other trips when we don’t want to risk reusing a dirty toothbrush. They’re soft enough for even the most sensitive gums, and the handle side doubles as a toothpick.
Gorilla Grip Luggage Straps for $16 (set of 4): If you tend to travel with your hard-sided checked bag while it’s expanded, you might have noticed a somewhat alarming lack of structure. Both hard sides contain their own strapped-down loads, flopping around while connected only by a thin fabric zipper. I rely on these straps to hold my precariously packed suitcase together when it’s being launched off the scale onto the conveyor belt or thrown around on the tarmac. And as a bonus, the bright colors (the company has nine to choose from) make your bag easy to spot on the baggage claim carousel.
Kusshi Travel Jewelry Organizer for $49 (Medium): I don’t know how I lived so long just throwing jewelry willy-nilly into a toiletry bag; I don’t advise this unless you want to spend your first night on vacation untangling necklaces. For the ultimate in space-saving organization, you can’t top this hanging pocket bag that folds down to be perfectly flat. The medium size features three tiers of soft-lined, PVC-fronted zippered pockets for earrings, rings, bracelets, watches, and whatever else you might need, plus a nifty necklace holder with loops and snaps. The large size has the same, but with twice as many sections. When closed, it folds up flat to about the size of an iPad.
FAQs
How Does WIRED Test Packing Cubes?
I choose packing cubes based on luggage brands we like or what seems to be trending or popular; some are samples from the companies themselves, but many I buy myself and expense.
I inspect each cube or set of cubes for features and materials. I test how smoothly the zippers zip open and closed, and how easy it is to use any compression feature. I pack various cubes with bulky sweatshirts and sweatpants to see how many pieces I can fit in the largest cube, and see how they fit in a carry-on bag, backpack, and full-sized suitcase. When I travel, I pack a cube from each set in three suitcases and assess how easy they are to pack or unpack, and note if anything about them bothered my family or me amid the stress and unpredictability of travel.
Photograph: Kat Merck
Why Not Just Use a Ziplock Bag?
This is the question I see most from travelers suspicious of using packing cubes. Ziplock bags are inexpensive, and you can see everything inside. Why would one spend $25 or even $100 on a set of packing cubes when a box of 2.5-gallon bags costs $5? It’s a valid question, and one I set out to investigate by packing a couple of slide-lock Hefty bags along with my packing cubes for a weeklong trip. I discovered a few things.
Packing cubes are breathable. This is especially helpful on the way back home when most or all of your laundry is dirty. If your clothes smell like anything—anything at all—you will be hit in the face with that smell after they’ve been sitting in an airtight plastic bag.
Packing cubes are durable. Unlike a plastic bag, packing cubes won’t rip, burst, or develop unexpected holes.
(Some) packing cubes are compressible. Can you fit five days’ worth of pants and shirts in a plastic bag? Probably not. But you definitely can in a compressible packing cube, like some of the options above.
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