Regardless of whether you’re planning on backpacking around South America or taking a luxury cruise through the Mediterranean, there is one thing that bugs all travellers – disorganised luggage! Mixing your clothes up will at best see you wearing dirty socks, and at worst, see your clean clothes pick up the sweaty odour of the old ones. However, there is a way around it.
Packing cubes for travelling are becoming more and more popular. These handy pieces of kit keep your things organised, meaning you’ll always know where everything is and where it should go once you’ve finished with it. But how do you pick the right cubes? Well, our buying guide will give you the top tips on how to set the better ones apart from the rest. We’ll then show you some of the best packing cubes for travel available in the UK.
Quick List - Top Packing Cubes for Travel
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While many packing cubes will bear a resemblance to one another initially, there are a few factors to consider before hitting the 'Add to Cart' button. In this section, we’ll guide you through the differences between each so that you can find the right accessory for you.
No matter where you travel or the mode of transport you take, carrying a heavy bag is a burden that many of us would prefer to do without. Therefore, ensuring that your packing cubes don’t add too much weight is essential. Generally speaking, they shouldn’t weigh much on their own, but the overall weight of your suitcase can quickly add up when you start filling it.
Packing cubes tend to range in weight from 28 – 100 g, which is quite a difference, so it's definitely worth looking up. It’s also important to remember that the weight given in our spec table is per cube. So, if you have four cubes weighing 180 g each, the total weight of the set is 720 g.
When it comes to the materials used, more often than not, it's best to opt for a synthetic, such as polyester or nylon. These materials are more durable so can be thrown in and out of the bag for years to come. Plus, they don’t accumulate as much odour, which is useful when filling them with dirty clothes!
There are extra points to be given if the packing cubes also contain mesh, as this allows for further breathability, which is essential when travelling in warmer climates. That said, if you’re planning on visiting beaches, you’ll want to be wary of sand blocking up the mesh.
You can also find packing cubes made of natural fibres such as cotton. These can work just as well, however, they're less likely to have a mesh component and will need frequent washing. Still, while they require more attention, their production is much better for the environment.
At mybest, we tend to steer clear of factors such as colour, as this is often a purely personal choice. However, when it comes to packing cubes, there's something to be said about opting for bright colours or, even better - colour-coded systems.
If you’re not using cubes to separate your entire luggage, then it can be easy to lose them amongst the rest of your belongings. Therefore, having bright greens, reds, or yellows can make the packs much easier and quicker to identify if you're in a rush.
On the other hand, if you’re using lots of different cubes, they can all look the same, which is why colour-coded systems can be super helpful. In fact, some cases will even have numbers so you can be extra organised!
Finally, you’ll want to think about the number of packing cubes that come in your order. Of course, while many would assume the more the merrier, it’s worth thinking about the size of your bag, what you plan on using them for and how long you’re travelling before just loading up.
The amount of packing cubes in one purchase can be as little as one or as many as 12 - which is probably plenty for an average-sized family, so there's plenty of choice! As you’d expect, you’ll be able to save a little money when buying your cubes as a set.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Full Cube Set | ![]() | Probably the Best Packing Cubes Ever | |
2 | Osprey Ultralight Packing Cube Set | ![]() | A Cube Set From a Superb Backpacking Brand | |
3 | OW-Travel Easy to Organise Packing Cubes for Suitcases | ![]() | Pack Like a Pro With This Colour-Coded Set | |
4 | Foregoer Packing Cubes | ![]() | A Sleek Waterproof and Breathable Set | |
5 | Eono Compression Packing Cubes | ![]() | Cubes That Leave You Dressed to Impress | |
6 | Savisto Packing Cubes | ![]() | A Colourful Set Featured on ITV's Good Morning | |
7 | Compass Rose Travel Accessories Slim Packing Cubes | ![]() | Numbered Cubes for the Ultimate Organisation | |
8 | TuTu Shop Packing Cubes for Suitcases | ![]() | True Minimalist Aesthetics | |
9 | FISHSHOP Packing Cubes | ![]() | The Family-Sized Pack | |
10 | Peak Design Store Packing Cube | ![]() | This Innovative Design Opens With One Hand |
If you're here because you're looking for the best, then you'd be hard-pressed to find any packing cubes as good as the ones from Eagle Creek. The company make their bags from water-resistant nylon, so you don't have to worry about leaks, they come with a handle and are one of the most lightweight on our list.
The double zip system also gives you that compression to snap and squeeze things together, saving you those valuable extra centimetres. The bags are available in two colours, the white featured here or an all-over bright green, both of which make them very easy to spot amongst your luggage.
Osprey is a big name in the travel game and has produced some of the best and most popular backpacking bags, so it was only natural for them to branch out into the world of packing cubes. As you'd expect, the company maintain their devotion to quality craftsmanship, using a durable nylon material for every size.
We also love the handles, which are especially useful if you're a person who consistently finds themselves with a top-loaded backpack. They can make getting to and removing the cubes much easier, and as they're a bright, lime green colour, it should make identifying them in the bag super easy too.
With this colour-coded set from OW-Travel, you'll be packing like a pro in no time. Each cube is designed in a unique colour, creating a foolproof, organised system. Moreover, they're all the same size, with each one featuring double compressing zippers and mesh panels.
It's also worth mentioning that these are one of the lightest constructions in our ranking, which is handy when you're trying to keep the weight down. Not only that, but for a complete set of 4, these are one of the most affordable options on our list.
Next up, we have this sleek design from Foregoer. Including everything from a small cube for your delicates to a large compartment for your trousers, this set has covered all the bases - they even include a drawstring laundry bag.
What's particularly special about this set is that the lightweight nylon fabric is also waterproof making it perfect for camping, hiking and trips to the beach. The bags also feature mesh lining to provide breathability for your clothes - and we all know how important that is while your sleeping in the wild!
Eono, run by Amazon, have a whole range of quality household and travel goods for decent prices, such as these packing cubes. This set is known for its compressing quality, which means that a thickness of 4" can be constricted to just 1".
Now, while you might worry about the state of your clothes, the reality is that squishing them so tight means they don't move around, therefore, they shouldn't crease. This should leave you looking dressed to impress whenever you pull anything out the bag!
Sure, they might not be the most attractive colour to a fully grown adult, but whether you like it or not, you're never going to lose them stuffed at the bottom of your bag! Furthermore, the cubes from Savisto utilise double zip enclosures, ensuring that they won't come undone during transit.
The company is based in the UK, so it's nice to support local businesses. Plus, they have even managed to get their product shown on ITV's Good Morning, so if they've got this far, they must be doing something right. If that isn't enough to impress you, check out their excellent reviews on Amazon.
If you're searching for the ultimate luggage organisation, then look no further than these slim packing cubes (although they're more like rectangles). Each of them is numbered, so all you need to do is devise a system, and you should never lose anything again!
While the shape of these bags might not be what you'd expect from packing 'cubes', it has been done on purpose. They're the perfect width for the international carry-on luggage limit, so you can also use them for long weekends away, not just lengthy vacations.
Here, we have an excellent set of travel organising equipment from TuTu. First, we have three different sized packing cubes made from cationic cotton with mesh panelled sides. Alongside this, the company also provide heaps more bits and pieces, like a shoe bag and accessory bag for things like chargers and makeup.
The set comes complete with a modern, sleek grey finish, which is sure to excite the minimalists! That said, there are plenty of other colours available. While the material is nice, it's not going to be as durable as some of the synthetic options, so it might not be the best set if you're a frequent flyer.
If you're looking to pick up enough packing cubes for the family, or you'd like to organise everything even when your home, then this 12-pack from FISHSHOP could be right up your street. The set includes a range of different sizes, all of which are made from high-quality, durable EVA material.
The translucent covering is sure to divide people as, although it's easy to see what's inside, it does mean you could be stuck looking at your dirty undies! Also, while the material is durable, the lack of mesh could increase odour and bacterial growth.
Peak Design initially found a following within the photography community after many people discovered their product to be incredibly useful for packing leads and cables. This led them to branch out into the travel market, where they've continued to produce stylish cubes that are simple to use.
The big USP here is the opening catch, which can be done with one hand thanks to the quick tab, making it super easy to get into if you've got a handful of dirty laundry! Sadly, it is on the expensive side and can only be bought singularly. Still, it's an innovative design that we imagine will only become more popular with time.
Before we dive straight in, we just wanted to touch on what a packing cube is, why they’ve become so popular and how to use them. Regardless of whether you're using a suitcase or a backpack while travelling, most pieces of luggage have one large compartment to fill. This leads people to the conundrum 'how should one fill the space whilst keeping it all organised?'
The packing cube itself is essentially another little bag that goes inside your big one, and its main advantage is organisation. Not only that, but they can help save space as they can be compressed, and they make the process of packing and unpacking much easier.
If you're planning that much-needed trip away, take a look at our other travel-related product articles below. We've got a list of the perfect bags for backpacking holidays, luggage sets for you and the family, and even travel pillows to get that hard-earned kip on the aeroplane - don't worry, we've got you covered!
So, if you're keen on upping your packing game, we hope you've found plenty of information and inspiration in our article. Here's to having the most organised suitcase or backpack you've ever had, and fingers crossed, you shouldn't lose anything!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Eagle Creek|Pack-It Specter Full Cube Set
No. 2: Osprey|Ultralight Packing Cube Set
No. 3: OW-Travel|Easy to Organise Packing Cubes for Suitcases
No. 4: Foregoer|Packing Cubes
No. 5: Eono|Compression Packing Cubes
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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