If you’ve ever found yourself kneeling on a half-zipped suitcase, wondering how it all went so wrong, let’s talk. I’ve been there!
The problem usually isn’t that you packed too much (although… sometimes it is). It’s that everything is loose. Floating. Migrating. Tangling itself into a chaotic fabric soup.
To put it simply, the inside of your suitcase is pure chaos and, if you’re anything like me, the inside of your head ends up feeling the same!
That’s where packing cubes for travel come in.
If you’ve started looking online and realised there’s about 15,000 different options and now you feel totally overwhelmed, I’m here to make it simple.
Here’s something important: you do not need every type of packing cube on the market. You’re probably going to buy one system that suits your style of travel. So instead of overwhelming you with endless options, let’s break down the only four types of packing cubes for travel you need to know about, so you can choose the right one for you.
1. The Travel Hack Packing Cube
Of course, I’m going to feature The Travel Hack Packing Cube at number 1. If you’re already using The Travel Hack Backpack then this is ideal as it slips neatly into the backpack and keeps your compressed and organised.
It’s still a great option if you’re not using The Travel Hack Backpack.
If you want something simple, versatile and easy to use, classic compression-style packing cubes for travel are the obvious starting point. These are designed to organise your clothes while gently compressing them to free up space in your luggage.
Why this type works
Classic packing cubes for travel:
- Keep clothes neatly contained
- Slightly compress bulkier items
- Not so compressed that clothes will be creased
- Make unpacking fast and stress-free
- Fits neatly inside The Travel Hack Backpack
They feature a double-zip system. First you zip the cube closed, then you zip a second compression layer that pulls everything in tighter. It won’t squash your clothes into oblivion, but it will give you that little bit of extra room that makes all the difference in a cabin bag.
Best for:
- Weekend breaks
- Carry-on-only travel
- Business trips
Anyone new to packing cubes for travel
If you’re unsure where to start, this is the safest and most versatile option. For most travellers, this is all you’ll ever need.
- Compress 17 litres of clothing by 33% to make extra packing space. Lightweight design helps you to organise your travel. Designed for use in any suitcase or bag.
- Dimensions - Expanded: 34x20x25cm – 17 Litres. Compacted: 34x14x25cm – 12 Litres. 0.3 kg. Lightweight RipStop external shell. Robust coil zips. Leather-effect Travel Hack branding.
- Useful carry strap – transfer your packing quickly from bag to wardrobe.
- A fashionable and space-saving womens Travel Backpack cabin size which fits under the seat. It can hold laptops up to 13", serving as a convenient option for weekend trips too.
- Features an easy access top pocket for purses, sun glasses, phones and travel documents.
- Fits the Ryanair 40x20x25cm' free' underseat hand luggage rules. Flies for free on all other known airlines. Lightweight design weighs just 0.6kg.
2. The 8-Piece Organiser Set
- 👒LUGGAGE STORAGE SET——8 in 1 travel storage bag for clothes, shoes, and cosmetics. There are many popular colors to choose from, suitable for your travel packaging and storage, to meet your...
- 👒LARGE CAPACITY AND PORTABILITY——travel storage bags have mesh storage bags, shoelaces, visual mesh wash bags and other styles, keep ventilation and easy to identify internal items, large...
- 👒CLASSIFICATION AND SPACE SAVING——the luggage storage set can divide clothes into different parts, which is convenient for taking and wearing, and can also separate dirty clothes to keep them...
If you love structure, categories and having a place for absolutely everything, a multi-piece set of packing cubes for travel might be your dream solution.
The OSDUE 8-Piece Packing Cubes Set is a good example of this type of system. These sets typically include:
- Multiple clothing cubes in different sizes
- A shoe bag
- A toiletry pouch
- A laundry bag
- Smaller accessory pouches
It’s essentially a full suitcase organisation system in one purchase.
Why choose this type?
Everything has a designated space and if you have a Type A brain then you’re going to love this level of organisation!
You might pack:
- Dresses and trousers in a large cube
- Tops in a medium cube
- Underwear in a small cube
- Dirty laundry in the laundry pouch
- Shoes in a separate bag
For family travel, this style of packing cubes for travel is especially helpful. You can assign each family member their own cube or colour, which makes finding things much easier.
Best for:
- Long-haul holidays
- Family trips
- Organised travellers who like compartments
- Anyone who unpacks into hotel drawers
- Anyone who packs a long time in advance
If you want full structure from the moment you zip your suitcase, this is the option to go for.
3. Heavy-Duty Compression Packing Cubes for Travel
- 6 Set Packing Cubes - Our travel packing cubes come with 6 pieces for each set. 1 Large (38 x 26.7x 4.6cm). 2 Medium (33 x 22.9 x 4.6cm). 2 Small (33 x 12.7 x 4.6cm). And 1 shoe bags (34.3 x 21.6 x...
- Lightweight and Convenient - Super light fabric ensures packing your clothes neatly in luggage without adding extra weight, All the suitcase packing cubes have a portable handle, it can be use to...
- True Compression - Travel cubes feature extra zippers on the outside that help compress, saving up to 60% of space and allowing you to maximize the amount of items in your luggage and keep everything...
If saving space is your top priority, heavy-duty compression packing cubes for travel are designed specifically for maximum shrinkage.
The Voova Compression Packing Cubes are an example of this more powerful compression style. Unlike standard cubes that gently flatten clothes, these are made to significantly reduce bulk.
How they differ
These packing cubes for travel use a tighter compression system that pulls fabric firmly around your clothing. They’re particularly effective for bulkier clothing like:
- Jumpers
- Hoodies
- Winter layers
If you’ve ever tried to pack for a winter city break and realised knitwear takes up half your suitcase, this is the solution.
Best for:
- Winter holidays
- Ski trips
- Travelling with limited luggage allowance
- Fitting more into a cabin-sized suitcase
If your main goal is squeezing in as much as possible without upgrading your baggage, this is the smart choice.
4. Vacuum Packing Systems
- Efficient and Portable: Built-in 1800 mAh rechargeable battery, with -4500 Pa suction force, it quickly removes air from bags, and suitable for quick storage when travelling.
- Robust sealing: The vacuum bag for travelling clothes is made of a PE+PA blend material, tear-resistant and reusable. The Triple-sealed zip in combination with the thickened structure effectively...
- Multi-size set: The set contains 10 vacuum bags for clothes (4*40x54cm, 4*47x64cm, 2*54x74cm), suitable for a variety of storage purposes, such as travelling, household clothing, seasonal items, etc.
This is the most extreme end of packing cubes for travel.
Vacuum systems, like the Vacbird Vacuum Storage Bags with Wireless Electric Pump, remove air completely from your clothing using a small electric pump.
The result? Dramatically reduced bulk.
You might be familiar with vacuum storage bags like these at home for storing things like bedding and winter clothes.
How it works
- Place clothes inside the bag
- Seal the zip
- Use the pump to remove air
- Watch the bag shrink
It’s incredibly satisfying and very effective! You can remove the air with a vacuum cleaner but many of them now come with tiny pumps you can take away with you.
Best for:
- Long-term travel
- Moving abroad
- Packing bulky coats
- Extended winter trips
- Maximising suitcase space at all costs
The downside to vacuum packing cubes for travel
However, vacuum packing systems aren’t for everyone.
Clothes become extremely creased in the vacuum bag. You also need to be aware of your weight allowance because it would be so easy to be overweight with so many more clothes in your case.
Once compressed, the bags become dense and less flexible, which can make accessing items mid-trip slightly less convenient.
If you’re changing hotels every night, traditional packing cubes for travel may be easier to manage. But if space-saving is your absolute priority, vacuum packing is unbeatable.
Travel Hack Tip: A good option with vacuum bags is to use them as regular packing cubes on the way out, and then vacuum them on your way home. It doesn’t matter if your dirty clothes come home creased and it’s great to have the extra space if you’ve picked up any souvenirs during your holiday.
Which packing cube is best for you?
It’s tempting to think you need a mix of all four types of packing cubes for travel. In reality, most people choose one system that suits their travel style and stick with it.
Here’s how to decide:
- Want simple organisation? Choose classic compression cubes.
- Love structure and multiple compartments? Go for an 8-piece set.
- Need serious space-saving? Pick heavy-duty compression cubes.
- Packing bulky items or travelling long-term? Consider vacuum bags.
The key is matching the system to how you travel, not how someone else does!
Why Packing Cubes for Travel Make Such a Difference
Packing cubes for travel do more than just save space.
They:
- Keep clean and worn clothes separate
- Prevent your suitcase from exploding every time you open it
- Make repacking between destinations faster
- Help you see exactly what you’ve packed
- Reduce overpacking by limiting space
- They’re good to keep clothes private when opening your case at airport security
- They help you stay organised while packing by systematically packing a cube at a time – great for people who feel the packing overwhelm.
They also make airport security less stressful. If your bag needs to be opened, everything stays neatly contained instead of spilling out.
And perhaps most importantly, they remove that low-level travel chaos that creeps in after day three of a trip.
Final Thoughts on Packing Cubes for Travel
Packing cubes for travel aren’t about fitting more in (although they help with that). They’re about travelling smarter.
You don’t need every option. You don’t need the biggest set available. You just need the one system that works for your kind of trips.
Once you’ve experienced opening your suitcase and seeing neat, zipped compartments instead of a crumpled pile of clothes, there’s no going back.
Choose the style that fits your travel personality and enjoy the calm that comes with organised packing.
Because the real travel hack? It’s not packing more.
It’s packing better.
