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The 7 Best Packing Cubes in 2023, Tested by Gear Editors
Featuring brands like Patagonia, Cotopaxi, Peak Design, and more.
THERE'S NO doubt packing cubes can take the messiest traveler and make them look like a certified packing guru. If you've tried packing cubes in the past, then you know the potential these simple organizational tools can bring. If you haven't tried packing cubes, get ready, because your travel routine is about to start running much smoother.
The Men's Health team is constantly traveling for assignments, which allows us to test the very best travel products in real life. We put to the test 10 different sets of packing cubes and determined 7 of them are absolutely worth highlighting. The one set of packing cubes we recommend every traveler try? That would be the TravelWise Luggage Packing Organization Cubes, as we found it offers multiple sizes, a clean design, a quality construction, and, best of all, a phenomenal price point.
Read more: How Men's Health Tests Products
Our editors and writers evaluated packing cubes based on their design, material, durability, and price point. We also considered unique features on each packing cube—what each bag does exceptionally well that other packing cubes do not. From neatly organizing your luggage for a week-long vacation to keeping your travel backpack lean on a weekend getaway, there's bound to be a packing cube below for every type of traveler. Let's get to the list.
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TravelWise Luggage Packing Organization Cubes 5 Pack
TravelWise Luggage Packing Organization Cubes 5 Pack
Pros
- Under $40
- Comes in set of 5
- Tons of colors available
- No branding or brand badges on the bags
- Mesh opening so you can see the contents
- Strong nylon build
Cons
- Not ideal for adventure travel or camping
This TravelWise set is the Goldilocks of packing cubes. You get 5 total cubes of different sizes (1 small, 2 medium, and 2 large), allowing you to fit all your clothes inside each bag and get them configured nicely in your suitcase. When testing, we loved how you could fit thick garments like jeans and oxford shirts in the large compartments and small garments like underwear in the small compartment. The mesh opening at the top was helpful when spotting the clothes inside the cube, thus eliminating the chances of opening one cube only to discover your favorite shirt is in another.
Some of the other packing cubes on this list will have better fabric and zipper construction, and so the opportunity to choose a bag that's stronger and more suitable for adventure travel can be found elsewhere. However the nylon material and zippers on the TravelWise are up to par on what you want on a packing cube. We had zero problems yanking and tugging on the cubes when shoving our clothes in each one.
One last note: it's true you can find sets like this on Amazon with either the same price point or even cheaper. What makes the TravelWise set better than all the rest is they come in a ton of colors and there's zero branding on the cubes. If you don't care about having a brand badge on your packing cubes then you can turn to other products at an even lower price (like the highly popular Amazon Basics set), but we like to curate our travel gear with consideration of style; and the TravelWise set has a much better style over the cheaper sets while still coming in at an awesome price just under $40.
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| Weight | 16.16 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | Nylon |
| Number of Bags | 5 |
| Bag Sizes | Small: 11.5" x 6.75" x 3.75"; Medium: 13.75" x 9.75" x 3.75"; Large: 17.5" x 12.75" x 4" |
Peak Design Medium Packing Cube
Peak Design Medium Packing Cube
Pros
- Expandable design allows for more space
- Works great at storing tech accessories too
- Tear-away opening top for fast-access to items
- Strong recycled nylon shell
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Would be better if there were more different types of set to choose from
- Shell is not see through so you have to zip open bag to see contents
Peak Design's packing cubes would compete for the top spot on our list if they had more offerings on buying in sets (you unfortunately can't buy the small and medium cube together in a 2-pack). Alas, these packing cubes are definitely worth buying in singles, especially if you tend to overpack.
The cubes are made with 100% recycled 70D nylon and poly shell that's water-resistant, so you won't have to worry if your have these in a backpack and your water bottle leaks onto them. The material is also a bit stretchy, which provides a small level of give that's super helpful when packing these bad boys full. What makes the packing cubes stand out even more is the zipper construction: they have an added compression zipper that helps squeeze the cube down to save space, plus a tear-away opening zipper to grab an item without having to open the entire compartment. Lastly, we found the Peak Design packing cubes are great at storing tech, like chargers and external memory.
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| Weight | 5.1 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | Recycled 70D nylon |
| Number of Bags | 1 |
| Bag Sizes | 12.6" x 12.6" x 3.1"; Expanded: 12.6" x 12.6" x 6.7" |
Sea to Summit Hydraulic Packing Cube Set
Sea to Summit Hydraulic Packing Cube Set
Pros
- Translucent top
- Water-resistant and dust-resistant ripstop shell
- Water-resistant seam taped zippers
- Streamlined grab handle on top of each bag
- Under $100 for the set
Cons
- Cubes are stiffer and harder to pack flat than some of the less-rigid bags on this list.
For those looking for packing cubes made to handle off-road adventures, like camping, the Hydraulic Packing Cubes from Sea to Summit are the toughest bags you can buy. In terms of strength, each packing cube covers all the bases: a water-resistant and dust-resistant TPU laminated 70D ripstop material, a water-resistant RF welded seam, and a streamlined Hypalon grab handle for handling outside of your preferred luggage of choice. The cubes also have a translucent window that makes it visible to see the contents inside.
The price point is a little bit higher on these bags due to all their added features, but we're still happy to see you can get a set (XS, S, M) for under $100. One last favorite note we had was how easy the cubes are to clean; all you have to do is wipe each one down with a wet rag or cleaning wipe if they get mud or dust on them.
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| Weight | 4.4 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | 70D Nylon ripstop |
| Number of Bags | 3 |
| Bag Sizes | Extra-small: 5.7" x 3.7" x 2.4"; Small: 8.3" x 4.3" x 2.8"; Medium: 10.4" x 5.5" x 3.9" |
Cotopaxi Cubos Del Dia Travel Cubes, Set of 3
Cotopaxi Cubos Del Dia Travel Cubes, Set of 3
Pros
- Made from upcycled materials
- No bag is the same in color
- Full set is under $50
- Strong handles and materials
- Side ventilation makes it so you can see contents of each bag
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Bags are little bulky and thicker. Do not pack flat as easy as other bags on this list.
Cotopaxi's Cubos Del Dia packing cubes are made with fully upcycled nylon and mesh, making them the best eco-friendly pick on this list. This set comes in three different sizes (10 L, 3 L and 2 L gear capacity) and has valuable features like mesh side panels for ventalation and visability, as well as top grab handles for getting them out of packs with ease. What's awesome is each bag is sewn to the discretion of how the worker wants to use Cotopaxi's upcycled materials, so no two bags will ever look alike.
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| Weight | N/A |
|---|---|
| Material | Repurposed nylon and mesh |
| Number of Bags | 3 |
| Bag Sizes | 2-liter: 7" x 8" x 2"; 3-liter: 6" x 11.5" x 3"; 10-liter: 10" x 11.5" x 5" |
Osprey UL Packing Cube Set
Osprey UL Packing Cube Set
Pros
- Insanely lightweight
- Translucent so you can see contents of bag without having to open
- Tear-resistant nylon
- Great for minimalist travelers
Cons
- Bags are tighter than expected. Not very forgiving if you try and pack more than they can hold.
Weighing just 2.2-ounces all together, the Osprey Ultralight set is made for those who are trying to travel as lean and minimal as possible. The cubes are made from tear-resistant ripstop nylon and outfitted with durable YKK zippers, so you don't have to worry about the lofty build not being strong enough. The material is also translucent—they're much more see-through than the product image leads you to believe.
The only qualm we have about this set is the sizes of the cubes are a little tight. You shouldn't buy these if you tend to overpack. They're best suited for minimalist travelers.
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| Weight | 2.2 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | 40D Nylon ripstop |
| Number of Bags | 3 |
| Bag Sizes | Small: 7.5” x 5” x 2”; Medium: 10” x 7” x 2”; Large: 14” x 10” x 2” |
Patagonia Black Hole Cube, Medium 6L
Patagonia Black Hole Cube, Medium 6L
Pros
- Made from durable recycled materials
- Water-resistant
- Book-opening with two inner zippered compartments
- Tons of cool colors and designs available
- Long lifespan
- Exterior daisy chain for hooking onto outside of luggage
Cons
- Expensive if buying a set
- Have to buy different sizes one at a time
Patagonia's Black Hole bags match up great with travel backpacks and duffel bags, and they match perfectly with our favorite travel backpack: the Patagonia Black Hole Pack. Each bag is made from weather-resistant recycled polyester ripstop and outfitted with corrosion resistant plastic zipper sliders. The bags are available in 3-liter, 6-liter, and 10-liter sizes and are designed in a book-opening with two zippered mesh compartments on each side.
What makes the Black Hole Cube unique is it has an exterior daisy chain, so you can attach one externally to a backpack or duffel bag if space starts getting crammed inside. The downside about Patagonia's packing cubes is they are a little expensive and don't come in sets, but if you want an eco-friendly packing cube that's stylish and will last a long time, then this is a solid buy to make.
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| Weight | 7.05 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | Recycled polyester ripstop |
| Number of Bags | 1 |
| Bag Sizes | 12.25" x 6.75" x 4.5" |
REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set, Small/Large
REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set, Small/Large
Pros
- Smart expandable feature
- Long design is suitable for duffel bags
- Great price point
- Strong handles
- Made with water-resistant DWR nylon
Cons
- Not ideal for travel longer than a couple days
Crafted from DWR-coated ripstop nylon, these water-resistant packing cubes from REI Co-op work exceptionally well in outdoor settings. We liked packing these in a duffel bag: the first reason being their elongated shape, and the second being they expand vertically to store more gear. When expanding the cube, all you have to do open the expansion zipper and the cube will double in size. It's smart, it's durable, and it's shaped just how one would like it when taking their duffel bag camping or to a vacation resort.
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| Weight | 4.4 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | Ripstop nylon and polyester mesh |
| Number of Bags | 2 |
| Bag Sizes | Small: 10" x 4" x 3" (expands to 6".); Large: 14" x 4" x 3" (expands to 6") |
What to Look for When Buying Packing Cubes
Packing cubes come in all sizes and designs. Here's what you need to know before buying.
- Material: Tear-resistant and water-resistant materials like nylon and polyester are your best options for your packing cubes. These materials are easy to clean and will help protect your clothes while also keeping your cargo lightweight and easy to take in and out of your bag.
- Different Sizes and Sets: The sizes and sets you need ultimately depends on how much you're packing and what types of clothes you're bringing. A set of three packing cubes in different sizes is a good starting set, as you should have enough to get a few days worth of clothes in the cubes and learn how to configure them in a suitcase, duffel bag, or travel backpack. For longer trips that require carry-ons and checked luggage, a packing cube set of five or more is going to be needed so you can get all of your clothes in the bags without feeling like you're shoving each to maximum capacity.
- Type of Luggage : Like mentioned above, the different sizes and amount of packing cubes you need can depend a lot on the type of luggage you plan on using. If you're taking a travel backpack, you can get away with using as low as one or two packing cubes. For duffel bags and carry-ons, you can fit up to four or more. For checked luggage, you can go as high as eight packing cubes.
- Your Own Packing Habits: Some packing cubes are more forgiving than others and will expand and give you extra space; and other packing cubes are less forgiving and will resist. If you tend to overpack, consider buying a higher numbered set (like the TravelWise one) or buying cubes that expand easier (like the Peak Design bag). If you're a minimalist traveler, you can opt for the tighter feature-loaded cubes like the Osprey Ultralight and the Sea to Summit Hydraulic Set.
Best Way to Pack Clothes into a Packing Cube
There are two options you can go with when packing your clothes in a packing cube. The first is by rolling up your clothes, and the second by folding. While you can't go wrong with either, we are fans of rolling when you can—especially when you're bringing casual outfits and athleisure clothes—and then folding for some exceptions.
Rolling your clothes might feel weird if you've never done it, but it saves a ton of space and will fit in a packing cube nice and neat. Rolling your clothes also prevents wrinkles on your garments in most cases. The only time you want to consider folding your clothes is on garments with collars, like button-down shirts and polos. For that, we say fold the few pieces of those you're bringing and then stack them on top of the rolled up wardrobe you've packed into the base of your packing cube.
Why Trust Us
In order to keep up with new new innovations and product releases, the MH tech and gear team is continually testing all of the latest packing tools and accessories to make sure our recommendations reflect the top products within the travel space.
When it comes to packing cubes, we called in 10 different sets for testing and took them out assignments and vacations. We also inspected the packing cubes in office, taking an in-depth look the overall build quality and design of the packing cubes. Lastly, we considered what each packing cube does best by applying them to all the different types of luggage we test: travel backpacks, duffel bags, carry-ons, checked luggage, and more.
How We Selected
Our MH commerce team thoroughly researched and tested dozens of the best packing cubes, from basic sets to sets made for adventure and outdoors. We evaluated packing cubes based on their design, durability, special features, and price point. The list above represents our honest picks for the best packing cubes of 2023.
John Thompson is the Gear and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he covers fashion, grooming, gear, and technology. He was previously the Style & Gear Editor at BroBible.com, and a commerce writer for TheManual.com. His interests include shopping for rare vintage clothes and following his favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals.
As Men's Health's Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
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