Not one to be underestimated, a humble set of packing cubes is a small set of modular gear capable of making a big difference in getting ready to go on a trip and staying organized while you travel. Packable and versatile, the best packing cubes are efficient space savers by design, easily storing clothing, accessories, gear (or whatever you can stuff into one) in a neat and zippered compartment that easily fits into a duffel bag, backpack, or carry-on luggage.
Packing cubes are the perfect antidote to the mess that inevitably accumulates in travel bags through the process of packing and unpacking and repacking. They might sound simple, but a packing cube set can boast technical details like mesh for breathability, antimicrobial treatments to ward off stink, and compressive compartments that free up space—some are even custom made to fit in specific bags like Tetris pieces.
Whether you’re an organized traveler who likes to obsess over keeping your bag nice and tidy at all times or the disorganized overpacker that simply needs an unfussy way to contain the clutter, you’ll want at least one of these tiny but mighty travel accessories with you to streamline packing for the trail, the road, and beyond.
Skip the overwhelming Google search and go straight to our shortlist of the most well-designed packing cubes to get you, but mostly your bag, travel-ready for your next adventure.
The 13 Best Packing Cubes for Travel
Peak Design Packing Cubes
Available in two different sizes plus a shoe bag, Peak Design’s packing cubes take your organization to the next level. Made from 100% recycled ripstop nylon with ultra-durable zippers, they can handle some serious wear and tear while keeping all your belongings safe and in place inside expandable and compressive compartments. They work seamlessly with Peak Design's Travel Backpack, but the best feature might be a pull-tab design that lets you rip them open quickly.
Price: $30+
Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Clean/Dirty Cubes
Leave the laundry bag at home—an internal divider to keep clean and dirty clothes separate instantly sets these Eagle Creek travel packing cubes apart from the rest with extra functionality. The divider floats, so both compartments shift and self-adjust to fit whatever you have more of, clean or dirty, without leaving unused space. An ultralight, translucent fabric that's available in different colors gives you a peek at what’s inside, and the lining is antimicrobial to minimize stink.
Price: $30
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pods
These ultralight gear pods are Hyperlite’s answer to packing cubes for the multi-day trekker who simply cannot afford to waste one precious cubic inch. Made from their signature Dyneema Composite Fabric, each one is ultra durable and weather sealed right down to the water-resistant zipper to ensure your hard and soft goods stay safe and dry. These packing organizers come in small and large sizes to fit seamlessly into Hyperlite's trademark ultralight backpacks.
Price: $59+
Patagonia Black Hole Cube
Custom made to fit inside of Patagonia’s signature Black Hole duffel bag, the recently released Black Hole Cubes can effortlessly organize the contents of big gear hauling bags with two compartments separated by a mesh panel. Crafted in a Fair Trade facility with recycled polyester and Bluesign materials, they’re available in three sizes: the small cube is three liters (and works great as a Dopp kit or toiletry bag), the medium cube is six liters, and the large packing cube is 10 liters.
Price: $29+
Topo Designs Pack Bag 10L Cube
Tame an unruly, messy bag by containing your bulkiest items with Topo Designs’ 10L Pack Bag. This well-designed travel organizer is like an extra large packing cube and is sturdy enough to hold things like jeans, shoes, and hefty sweaters with a sleek look and durable construction thanks to its 400D recycled nylon pack cloth—for a functional, stylish, and eco-friendly option all at a budget-friendly price.
Price: $24
STATE Packing Cubes Set
First of all, this set of organizer cubes has a very cute colorblock design. But besides its good looks, the travel cubes also come as a set with two different options to choose from: two large or one large plus two small, depending on your preferred method of organization. With every STATE bag purchased, the brand supports American families and children in need through various giving initiatives, too. And on top of that, this purpose-driven brand also offers the option to buy their gently used products through the Pre-Loved section on their website.
Price: $45
Dakine Expandable Packing Cube
Designed for easy on-the-go carry, Dakine’s take on a packing cube features a mesh top window for ventilation and viewing and expandable compartments that nearly double the bag in size with one simple zip (it still fits in a carry-on suitcase). A sturdy buckle handle has mesh webbing so this piece of travel gear can hang on a hook at campground showers, the back of your hotel bathroom door, or in the locker room during an afterwork sweat.
Price: $30
Thule Compression Packing Cube
Leave it to the Scandinavians to maximize small spaces. This Swedish outdoor brand made a high-quality, multi-faceted packing cube with a heavy duty zipper designed to squeeze every last bit of air out to create more room inside your travel bag. With all that extra space, you can and should feel free to stuff it to the brim—and don’t forget to use the semi transparent ripstop nylon to peek at what’s inside. What's more, these packing cubes come with Thule's limited lifetime warranty.
Price: $45
Away F.A.R. Organizational Packing Cube
Away’s F.A.R. collection (“For All Routes”) is a line of luggage that skews more outdoorsy than first class flier. Designed to pack it all and then some, their expandable packing cubes are made from a tough and durable recycled nylon material that is both water and abrasion resistant to withstand wear and tear. Available in sizes small to extra large.
Price: $30+
ROAM Packing Pods
Keep your bag neat and tidy with ROAM’s modular packing pods. Sold as a four-piece packing cube set, each pod has a slightly different end use: two large pods store things like t-shirts and other clothing, one small fleece-lined pod has pockets to stash delicate items like jewelry, and a waterproof pod holds toiletries. Perfect for air travel and ideal for not making a mess of your things.
Price: $95
Cotopaxi Cubos Travel Cube Bundle
A brightly colored bundle of three packing cubes (two-liter, three-liter, and 10-liter sizes), provide a breathable and durable option to stash your (presumably) sweaty items when you’re on the trail or exploring outdoors. Made with repurposed materials leftover from the production of other Cotopaxi gear, every one is unique.
Price: $45
Yeti Packing Cubes
Washable, durable, and lightweight, Yeti's three differently sized packing cubes are perfect for staying organized on adventurous trips where a little extra durability is called for. The smallest is designed to neatly stow your miscellaneous items (think headphones, snacks, keys, and phone), while the medium and large sizes keep that change of clothes handy for post-adventure hangs.
Price: Starts at $25
Calpak Packing Cubes 5-Piece Set
Activate vacation mode without losing your socks: this five-piece set of packing cubes is made with a waterproof, breathable mesh material, including a unique envelope pouch for toiletries or dirty clothes. Plus, they’re made to easily transition right out of your suitcase and into a drawer, so you have no excuse for that messy duffel bag.
Price: $68
Published 08-04-2022
