The Finest Packing Cubes of 2024

How We Examined Packing Cubes

Our Skilled Tester

GearJunkie Affiliate Managing Editor Billy Brown has traveled to virtually each nook of the world testing gear. Over time, he has misplaced too many checked baggage, so he’s obsessive about touring solely with carry-ons. This makes him a stickler for maximizing bag area, making packing cubes a necessary merchandise for him. 

Billy’s obsession with not checking baggage made him a superb candidate for testing a packing dice’s potential to suit extra gear right into a small area. His want for group was additionally ideally suited for evaluating specialty objects like tech cubes and toiletry baggage. 

Our Testing Course of

We evaluated over a dozen totally different packing cubes and units over the course of 6 months. We examined the cubes at dwelling, doing high quality management and sturdiness assessments and we took them on the highway with us to see how they carried out in real-world conditions. 

For the at-home assessments, we stuffed the cubes to capability and past. This confirmed us not solely how a lot they may maintain but in addition how nicely the seams and zippers held as much as being overstuffed. We additionally did different sturdiness assessments, like pulling and twisting the zippers to check for fragility. Any cubes that didn’t survive the abuse didn’t make it onto this record. 

On the highway, we examined how nicely the cubes match into normal baggage, in addition to the situations of the garments once we unpacked. When relevant, we examined a product to see the way it carried out its particular objective. As an example, we checked to see how straightforward it was to entry the Thule Subterra Energy Shuttle’s internal pockets whereas in an airline seat and the way nicely our toiletries stayed organized after being jostled and shaken within the Peak Design Wash Pouch.

This information completely covers packing cubes. For extra journey gear ideas, take a look at our guides to one of the best journey backpacks and journey pants. 

Purchaser’s Information: The way to Select Packing Cubes

There isn’t any finish to the number of packing cubes on the market, which may make selecting the correct ones a chore. However there’s a methodology to discovering the best ones for you. Right here are some things to think about. 

Sizes 

It’s at all times a good suggestion to seek out packing cubes that are available a number of sizes. That approach, you’ll be able to have a dice for various objects, like a bigger one for shirts and pants, and smaller ones for socks and underwear. Various sizes additionally will let you Tetris them into no matter bag you’re utilizing. The Thule Subterra Energy Shuttle and Orvis LT Small Packing Dice are available a number of sizes.  

Materials

If you wish to cram as a lot into your packing cubes as potential, you’re going to wish one with sturdy materials. Subpar packing dice materials can rip or burst on the seams once you attempt to overstuff them. Search for packing cubes with ripstop nylon or heavy-duty Cordura, just like the Thule Compression Dice Set or the Orvis Trekkage LT Area Notes Pockets.

Zippers

The zippers could be a weak level in a packing dice. Weaker ones can burst open after they’re put below the stress of an overpacked dice. Additionally, the pull tab can get jammed once you attempt to ratchet it closed. Each dice on this record had zippers that held as much as in depth stress testing. 

Visibility

With the ability to see the inside of a packing dice isn’t a necessity, however it’s a pleasant perk. Mesh or clear materials means that you can see the contents inside a dice for simple identification. This may stop you from having to fish round in a bunch of cubes to seek out your fortunate boxers. The Thule Compression Dice Set and Orvis LT Small Packing Dice each supply glorious inside visibility. 

Compression

In order for you more room in your pack, compression cubes just like the Thule Compression Dice Set are a superb alternative. These cubes have a zipper working the perimeter of the dice. You possibly can pack the garments when it’s unzipped, then crank the zipper right down to compress the contents right down to a smaller measurement. 

That is extraordinarily helpful for saving baggage area, however it is going to most probably end in wrinkling your garments. If in case you have costume garments that you just’d wish to hold wrinkle-free, compression cubes ought to be prevented. 

Kinds of Packing Cubes

Most compression cubes are comparable in form and utility. They’re cube-shaped (duh) compartments that separate your garments and arrange your baggage. However there are additionally extra specialised choices which can be designed for particular wants. 

Toiletry Baggage

Most frequently water- and stain-resistant, toiletry baggage are designed for carrying your lavatory gear. The perfect ones, just like the Peak Design Wash Pouch have compartments for issues like your toothbrush, razor, toothpaste, shaving cream, deodorant, contact lens case. They’re extraordinarily helpful for maintaining your toiletries in a single place. 

Tech

For those who journey with electronics, a tech pouch just like the Thule Subterra Energy Shuttle is a lifesaver. These pouches are normally on the smaller facet, so you’ll be able to stash them in an outer pocket for simple entry. They usually have elastic bands that can hold your charging cords separate and arranged. There must also be compartments for energy bricks, earbuds, and different digital accoutrement. 

Paperwork

Many vacationers have had that second of panic after they can’t discover their passport/pockets/keys/necessary paperwork throughout a visit. A journey pockets just like the Orvis Trekkage LT Area Notes Pockets is a good way to keep away from these mad scrambles by way of your baggage. Consider it as a tiny packing dice for paper and plastic.  

Shoe Baggage

A shoe bag could also be on the extra peripheral facet of issues, however they’re a good way to maintain your footwear and garments separate. This may are available particularly helpful should you’ll be strolling on sand or mountain climbing off-trail. Shoe baggage just like the Peak Design Shoe Pouch can usually match one or two pairs of footwear. You must also be capable of flip it inside out and provides it an excellent washing when you get dwelling.

Value & Worth

Taken as an entire, packing cubes usually vary in value from below $20 to round $60. The pricing will depend on variables like materials sturdiness and heft to particular options like compression and particular pockets for tech or toiletries. Right here’s what you get in varied value ranges. 

Funds

On the lowest finish of the value spectrum, you’ll be able to anticipate to spend round $20 for a smaller packing dice. You gained’t discover any dividers or compression right here, however there are nonetheless some gems to be discovered. Our funds choose, the Orvis LT Small Packing Dice ($19), can match seven additional giant males’s T-shirts in every one with room for a couple of pairs of socks. Plus, the mesh high allows you to see what’s inside with out opening it. 

Mid-Tier

A lot of the packing cubes you’ll discover are most likely going to be within the $25-50 vary. Right here, you’re extra more likely to discover extra sturdy supplies and compression. Our high choose, the Thule Compression Dice Set ($45), is an effective instance: It’s made with sturdy 100-denier ripstop nylon and has a compression zipper to assist maximize your packing area. 

Premium

For those who’re in search of a extra specialised packing dice, you would possibly end up spending $55 or extra. The Peak Design Wash Pouch ($60) is on the dear facet, however its a number of pockets and considerate design are very efficient at maintaining your toiletries organized and straightforward to seek out. Plus, the 200-denier nylon exterior implies that this’ll most likely be the one one you ever purchase.

Continuously Requested Questions