But regardless of what youre lugging around, youre going to need to figure out the best way to fill that main compartment. This is an essential feature for ultralight packing cubes because the materials are so thin, and wed recommend making sure your cube has this incorporated within its materials. And youll have to ask yourself, do you really need weather resistant cubes? Probably not. First, youll want to consider how much and for how long youre going to need packing cubes. No matter how high-tech the materials are, if the stitching holding a cube is shoddy, its not going to hold up. Theyre not the sleekest packing cubes available, but the 900D Polyester is plenty durable, and the mesh top makes identifying whats inside nice and easy. An exterior ID label allows for some further organization or to help you add the names of different people if youre sharing a suitcase with someone. It just helps you organize and optimize your packing space. But, wed recommend opting for YKK when you can. If you plan on spending most of your time wandering along sandy beaches, then mesh packing cubes could be an issue. While ripstop technology isnt overly common in budget cubes, it can be found. Finally, be aware of where they will deliver your cube if you do have a successful claim. Take a look at what it coverssuch as craftsmanship defects or general wear and tearand how long it will cover you for. Freelance journalist Ashley M. Biggers has used packing cubes to organize her gear for writing assignments from her New Mexico home to far-flung global destinations. Ultralight packing cubes are almost exclusively a low denier. Learn more. Plus, this increases their tendency to shift around in your pack. This is because theyre usually made from high-quality materials and high denier fabrics, similar to what youd find on an actual backpack. You can use this thing as a large packing cube when in transit and take it out to use as a daypack when youre at your destination. If youre looking for ultralight packing cubes from a reputable brand that wont break the bank, the Osprey Ultralight Packing Cube Set is a fantastic choice. Well also be going in-depth on what considerations to make before you buy. They allow you to arrive with all your desired items, find said items in an instant, and have wrinkle-free clothes. That said, figuring out the optimal method for using packing cubes is a bit trickier. Its also important to take the size of the zipper into account, which will range on a scale from one (small) to ten (large). Plus, its even more abrasion resistant and quicker drying, so there are pros. The Bagail packing cubes come in a variety of colorful hues and patterns, from zebra stripes to a geometric blue pattern. The Dyneema fabric is a bit crinkly and it doesnt really stretch, but its allegedly stronger than Kevlar. Yes, your clothes will still wrinkle if you use a compression bag. ", Best Compression: Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Compression Cube Set at eaglecreek.com, "Outfitted with super-strong compression zippers, these cubes are perfect for saving space. These cubes are a tad bulky and theyre not great at compressing your clothes. This pick may be cheating a bit. And if your main compartment is a bright color, try to find black, gray, or darker colored packing cubes. Unless your packing cubes care label says otherwise, you should avoid using a washing machine. The 40D ripstop Nylon material features a siliconized coating too, so theyre easy to pull out of your pack. Were all suckers for that free two-day delivery on Prime right? If youre going on a one month trip to Europe, and dont plan on traveling much after, you may not want to splurge on expensive cubes, and thats fine. ", Best Budget: Amazon Basics Packing Travel Organizer Cubes at Amazon, "When value is a top priority, this set delivers standard organizing features for an unbeatable price. External Pockets: A quick-grab pocket on a one bag travel pack is a vital addition, and its the perfect place to store your passport, phone, and other essentials you need fast access to. While we love the organization, its also hard to beat the compression this set allows, especially since it leaves clothing items relatively crease-free. Mesh tops allow parents to search for items without having to unzip. Infuriating.). This will help utilize all the space inside your pack. With a trusted name in backpacking, Ospreys Ultralight Packing Cube Set allows for organization without adding bulk or weighttwo qualities that are at a premium in outdoor adventure. The storage cubes compression promises to save up to 60 percent of space in your bag. Weve tested the Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Packing Cubes all around the world for a number of years, and theyre our one of our highest rated cubes. This is a significant check in their packability score, but there are a couple things you should be aware of too. Not forgetting the gazillion packing cubes available on Amazon. Some cubes may use a low denier polyester instead, but wed stick with Nylon if possible as it tends to be a stronger fabric and its softer to the touch. Packing cubes will help save space inside your pack, but compression cubes take it to the next level. For instance, if your main compartment is black, try to source colorful cubes. If youre the former, great! Plus, theyre the lightest cubes around so that they wont increase your overall load by much either. The material is strong, yet lightweight; the zippers are high quality with nice zipper pulls on them. Although she prefers her sunshine yellow hue, the cubes come in six colors. Because of this, they can be more vulnerable to wear and tear. They also have see-through mesh covers so you can see whats inside without having to unzip them. The Peak Design Packing Cubes are made to fit the Peak Design Travel Backpack, but weve found them to be fantastic cubes no matter what pack you put them in. This is because they tend to be a basic rectangular cube shape that holds its form and structure well. However, weve found that most of the time its easier to grab the whole cube with your hands. You could also just attach your own if you wanted to. Why would you get budget packing cubes? This set promises to reduce your luggage bulk by 30 percentand maximize your available space. There are hundreds of packing cubes to choose from, and it can get pretty confusing if youre new to the market. Unlike other packing cubes on the market, this set also includes an additional side-zip pocket on each cube so that even odds and ends can find a home. Theyre serviceable, too. First, they are easy to stack inside your pack, and its easy to utilize all available space when the main compartment of your backpack is rectangular. So if youre rocking one of those, you may want to make sure your cube has one. The Aer Packing Cube is a lightweight, durable, and pairs perfectly with the Aer Travel Pack 2, both in size and aesthetics. But weve tested them for over a year of perpetual travel and theyre still going strong! With brands like Patagonia or GORUCK, weve found their lifetime guarantee is actually just that. This brand is know for their airtight seals that last long term. A typical example of how packing cubes can be used in the real world is to use a small cube for underwear, a medium cube for t-shirts and shorts, and a large cube for sweaters and pants. And were digging the Tom Bihn Packing Cube Backpack thats designed specifically for the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45. Additionally, if a hole does appear, the ripstop will stop it from getting any bigger, which is great. Well also give you the low-down on budget, materials, packability, and the best ways to actually use these things. You dont even have to buy specific packing cubes if you dont want to, as youll likely have a Ziploc or plastic grocery bag laying around the house already. However, most companies tend to sell sets of cubes that are all the same color, and it can be more expensive to purchase them individually in a range of colors. Every packing cube will compress your items to a certain extent, but a compression cube takes it to the next level. Backpacks can fit a lot of gear, but they can also turn into endless pits where its impossible to find anything. A clamshell-style packing cube will give you direct access to the entire cube and enables you to place and position everything neatlybut we have found it can be tricky to zip up if youre filling it to the brim. These arent things we find ourselves doing often, but its worth bringing up. However, if you do come across a cube with one, dont discount it straight away, as they can come in handy. (Right?! Ready Aim Travel is reader-supported. The bags come in three travel-friendly sizes, although I do think their smallest sizes a bit too small for my preferences. Even if a brand says they have a lifetime guarantee, its worth reading the fine print to see if that is relegated to just manufacturing defects or wear and tear. Packing cubes are available in a vast range of sizes, and youll want to consider how much gear youre taking and what shape your pack is to find the right cubes for you. Sometimes you need to iterate. Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 15.5 x 11.5 x 4 inches and 11 x 11 x 4 inches | Number of Cubes: 3. While we cant guarantee these will be the most functional, space-saving, or versatile cubes on the market, if you want to blow your pay check on a Gucci Off The Grid packing cube, then who are we to stop you? However, while the materials wont be as high-quality or as high-tech as others on the market, they should still be up to the task at hand. Whether youre an ultra-minimalist, an I need absolutely everything for any situation packer, or something in-betweenbeing able to just swap a few bags in and out of your pack is a dream. Top picks for jetsetters to organize their clothes and gear. Make sure to check the warranty on your packing cubes, especially if theyve set you back a fair amount. Weve found multiple smaller cubesas opposed to one large cubecan help maximize the space inside of just about any pack. ", Best Style: Bagail Compression Packing Cubes at Amazon, "The Bagail packing cubes come in a variety of colorful hues and patterns, from zebra stripes to a geometric blue pattern. Four packing cubes in various sizes come with breathable, mesh fronts that allow you to easily identify whats inside. A handle is by no means a vital component on a packing cubeconsidering theyre designed to be placed inside a bagbut most manufacturers do include them. Using one is pretty straightforwardyou just unzip the opening, put your clothes inside, zip it back up, and place the cube inside your pack. We dig the innovative quick access system, and while the material isnt ripstop per se, it is a self-healing 70D nylon/polyester blend, which is pretty rad. Tierney McAfee, Product Tester. If youre looking for the best compression bags for travel, look no further. The point is, when youre cramming your life inside a carry-on sized backpack, youll want to save space where you canand packing cubes are one of the best ways to do that. And clothes are least-likely to crease inside of a padded packing cube, because of the structure inside and padding on the exterior. (And were still going to get along fine. Packing cubes should fight off clothes wrinkles while youre in transit. Ashley Biggers is a journalist specializing in travel, culture, and art. They could even be squeezed into a backpack or personal bag if youre tight on space. This is mostly a non-issue, since your packing cube will be protected inside your bag, but its something to be wary of. It can be that simple, but you can also get as creative as youd like. Instead, after each use, wipe down the cube with a damp cloth and hang it to dry. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. When the value is a top priority, the Amazon Basics 4 Piece Packing Travel Organizer Cubes Set delivers standard organizing features. Its hard to see the level of craftsmanship if youre buying online, but wed recommend buying from a well-respected brand with solid reviews (like ours). These packing cubes wont break the bank. So youll want to make sure you get yourself a quality cube that wont break within a few months. Maybe youre working on a limited budget and packing cubes are less of a priority than other, more expensive gear you need to buy. The set comes in two colors, basic black and eye-catching (especially when hunting for things in your bag) lime green. Compresses your clothes to save room inside your pack, Can be used in two different capacities (compressed and uncompressed), Can crease your clothes (even if you roll them neatly), Pricier than non-compression packing cubes, They can take up more room inside your pack, Versatile and can be used to store more than just clothes, Structured and easy to stack on one another, Heavy and will increase the weight of your bag, You probably dont need weather resistant packing cubes, You can save money if theyre sold in a bundle with the pack, They may not always be the best packing cubes for you, They may not be as interchangeable as other packing cubes, Great way to spend money if youve got too much laying around. Whether a packing cube is ultralight or not comes down to materials. Were big fans of these as you get two significant benefits in one. And theyre also incredibly easy to get your hands on, with places like IKEA and Target now making their own. Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 17 x 12.75 x 3.25 inches, 13.75 x 9.75 x 3 inches, and 13.75 x 5 x 3 inches | Number of Cubes: 6.