What’s Your Take on Packing Cubes?

Strangely enough, at least strangely to me, is that not everyone uses or is a fan of packing cubes. Not everyone agrees on the benefits of packing cubes. And I think more often than not most of us would say we love traveling but packing……..not so much. People seem to either pack in a rush close in to departure, or they pack a little at a time perhaps over the course of a few days.

I’m a devoted diehard packing cube user. When like me you’re a packing cube fan and you travel with people who don’t use them, a lot of interesting conversations develop. Mostly the conversations focus on why they don’t use them, why they can’t find what they’re looking for, and how on earth are we going to get that suitcase closed with the messiness and overflow of items.

My favorite way to approach this is to make a joke and tell them they are “lacking cubes” when they need packing cubes!

You see for me one of the beauties of using packing cubes is that let’s say you designate a cube for your shirts. Once the cube is full, it’s full and no more shirts allowed! Cubes require you to make choices and leave out the “just in case” items. I think it’s the “just in case” items that are often the culprits in the overpacking scenario.

Are Packing Cubes Worth the Money?

Some people question whether packing cubes are worth the money. Sure, it’s possible to use plastic bags to store your clothing, but actual packing organizers have several more benefits and don’t cost that much more money.

I’ve asked around and here’s what people like me who use packing cubes have to share about the benefits of using packing cubes.

Benefits of Packing Cubes

Advantages of Packing Cubes:

1. Organize clothing

They provide an easier way to keep your clothes organized. You can use one for your shirts and another one for your underwear, your kids’ clothes or anything you need to bring on your travels.

2. Minimize wrinkles

When you’re backpacking, you can’t expect your clothes to always be neat and wrinkle-free. However, you can reduce wrinkles by using travel packing cubes. If you’ve just ironed a shirt and you keep it inside a packing cube, it will be kept in the same position throughout the trip, keeping wrinkles to a minimum.

3. Easy to find what you need

I hate that feeling when you need something from your backpack or luggage and you have no idea where it is. You have to literally take all your stuff out of the backpack, find what you’re looking for and pack again. By using packing cubes, you’ll know where things are and you can find everything you need in a matter of seconds.

4. Many ways to use

You can use your packing cubes in many ways. You can keep electronic devices, travel accessories and other items inside them. Some people use them for cosmetic or personal hygiene bags. Depending on the situation, you can even use them as a comfortable pillow!

5. Maximize space

One of the biggest advantages of packing cubes, besides keeping everything organized, is that you can compress your clothes inside them. This way, you maximize your space, fitting more clothes into your backpack or luggage.

6. They can be washed

Packing cubes are designed to be washed. They’re made of resistant materials with strong seams. If you use them to keep dirty clothes, don’t worry! You can wash them from time to time in a washing machine.

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12 More Benefits of Using Packing Cubes

Long-Lasting
I’ve had mine for many years and use them a lot. Once you buy them, you’re set for years. Here are the ones I use!

Compression

You can use a small/slim packing cube to compress your clothing and travel for any trip with just a carry-on bag. One friend said, “They literally weigh nothing. Packing cubes have changed the way I pack. They compress my things and force me to limit what I pack.” It is SO easy to organize a suitcase with packing cubes.

Organize

You can separate your clothing by clothing category, travel outfits, or even by weather. They keep your bag so much neater and organized.

Family use of packing cubes

Some families use different color cubes for each family member. This is a great idea! It makes things so much easier to find while traveling.

Practical

Ideal for organization/storage within a hotel/hostel when shelf space is limited. At a hotel you can put the cubes in the dresser.

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Easy to Clean

Throw them in the wash (hang dry) after a trip or even during a trip.

Versatility

Use them for clothing, shoes, electronics, and anything else you want to store. Recently a fellow traveler across the aisle from me on a plane used a packing cube as his carry-on tote. He organized into one packing cube all of his technology, and a few other items he might need during the flight. That was all he took down from the overhead bin.

Backpack Organizer

Use packing cubes in any bag for a more organized solution. They’re great to use in big backpacks or totes that don’t have any interior pockets. If you’re carrying a backpack, they’re especially good to use. With backpacks, you’re always digging around and ultimately messing up all the organizing you took time to do before you left on your trip.

Travel Pillow

On your flight, use a cube stuffed with clothing as a neck pillow.

In-Flight Organization

Carry your travel comforts, like a neck pillow, scarf, sweater, or blanket in a packing cube.

At Home Uses

Use them at home for storage or to maximize limited closet space. You can use them at home for keeping dust/dirt off of items you don’t wear as frequently.

Environmentally Friendly

Better than using plastic bags!

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Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that there are many benefits of packing cubes.  Using packing cubes is like having drawers in your luggage! They are a great choice for travelers who want to save space, pack in a more organized fashion, cut down on luggage weight, or to just travel more simply. I like being able to find the exact item I’m looking for. By using packing cubes, everything has a designated place, and I’m a big fan of things having a place!

Do you use packing cubes? Why or why not?

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