Travel Organisation Tips: Do Packing Cubes Save Space And Travel Stress?

Let’s face it: we all love travelling and exploring new destinations, but the worst part of any holiday is by far all the planning and packing. Here at Your Travel And Health, we can’t recall how many different organisation hacks we’ve tried to make sure our clothes arrive at our destination wrinkle free and easy to unpack!

These days, when it comes to efficient packing and suitcase organisation, packing cubes are all the rage. We’ve lost count of how many travel blogs and YouTube videos we have seen recommending them – and we’ve even made the leap and bought our own set of these magical space saver cubes. (Spoiler: we love them.)

But are packing cubes worth it, and should you also splurge on these trendy super-organisers? In this article, we’ll take you through how packing cubes work, the different ways you can use a packing cube, and help you decide whether they’re the right organising tool for you – or whether you can save space in your suitcase in other ways.

Ready to find out more? Let’s dive in.

What Are Packing Cubes?

If you’ve been searching for packing tips and travel essentials, chances are you’ve come across them before – packing cubes are travel accessories used to organise and compartmentalise your clothing items inside your suitcase. 

They are usually made of lightweight fabric with a zipper closure and mesh top, and come in various sizes. You can use packing cubes to separate clothes into categories by designating each cube for a specific type of clothing, such as one for t-shirts, another for trousers, another for underwear and socks, etc. You can also use them to keep items like phone chargers and travel adapters, toiletries, and medication or medical devices organised.

To use them, you simply fold or roll your clothes (or gather your items), then place them into their respective cubes – you can label the cubes if you’d like or use different colours or sizes to differentiate them. This not only helps keep your suitcase organised but also makes it easier to find what you need without having to dig through everything.

Being well organised is especially important for those of us living with health conditions or lifelong disabilities who may need to quickly access specific medications that should always be taken as part of your hand luggage in case your hold luggage goes missing or takes time to arrive at your destination. They can also be used to organise medical devices, and packing with cubes can be an effective way to optimise your packing space, helping to reduce stress while travelling. 

How Do Packing Cubes Save Space?

Not all packing cubes are created equal, and you’ll usually have to decide between getting regular packing cubes or compression packing cubes – these have slightly different mechanisms and will have a different impact on the amount of space saved in your travel bags.

As their name suggests, compression cubes have an extra zipper or mechanism used to compress the clothes inside, reducing their volume and flattening them so they can fit better into your luggage. They can also be helpful in keeping your clothes free from wrinkles, as the compression stops them from shifting around and rubbing against each other.

While regular packing cubes don’t pack your clothes quite as tightly as compression cubes, they still help keep your suitcase or bags organised. Not only do they create neat blocks of packed items, making it easier to stack and fit them efficiently into your luggage, they also help to separate your clothes and keep them neatly folded, preventing anything from spreading out and taking up more space.

One thing to be aware of is that while compression cubes reduce the size of your items, they have no impact on their weight – so be careful of weight limits when travelling by plane! Stuffing too many clothes into a packing cube can also lead to a few more issues: it can make it difficult to zip up the cubes properly, potentially causing them to burst open or damage the zipper. 

Overstuffed cubes may also be harder to fit into your suitcase and won’t maximise your available space effectively, which is exactly the opposite of what we’re trying to do. To avoid these problems, it’s best to pack the cubes with a comfortable amount of clothes, ensuring they’re compact but not overly tight. Everything in moderation!

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Are Packing Cubes Really Worth It?

We know what you’re wondering: do packing cubes really save space, and are they truly worth it? While we definitely agree that packing cubes are worth it for some trips, the truth is, not everyone – or every vacation – needs a set. Before you go ahead and splurge on a 12-cube set, you need to assess whether they’re right for you. After all, there’s no point spending money on something you’ll only use once or twice a year unless it really makes a difference for you! 

Are you going somewhere cold? If you’re travelling with large or bulky clothes – like jumpers and coats – compression cubes are a great way to reduce the size of these items and make them fit more easily in your suitcase. However, if you’re only filling your suitcase with crease-proof linen dresses and tiny swimsuits, you can probably do without packing cubes.

Beyond space saving, one advantage of using packing cubes – particularly those with mesh tops – is being able to see where your items are at a glance without opening it, making it easier to find what you need. So if you’re after a way to reduce the time you spend ruffling through your bags in the morning and getting everything wrinkled, packing cubes are for you!

Mesh can also provide breathability, which helps with ventilation for items like shoes or damp clothing, preventing unpleasant smells or mildew, and helps reduce wrinkles by preventing clothes from getting too compressed. (Remember – we just want to save space, not vacuum seal everything!) Our favourite budget mesh packing cubes are these super-affordable Primark cubes – we especially love the lavender set!

Another packing cubes hack is to use them to plan outfits rather than separate clothes by category. ​​Start by planning your outfits for each day of your trip, then lay out the clothing items you’ll need for each day, including any accessories, and place each complete outfit into a separate packing cube. This way, you’ll have one cube per day, making it easy to grab a cube and get dressed without having to rummage through your suitcase. If you prefer, you can also use smaller cubes for accessories or shoes and pack them alongside the outfits. This method keeps everything organised and ensures you’re prepared for each day of your trip, reducing the time you spend getting ready in the morning and allowing you to enjoy your holiday even more.

Once at your accommodation, you can also take out the filled packing cubes and put them straight in the wardrobe so it makes unpacking easier! (Though do hang up clothes that are prone to creasing.) It also means if the wardrobe surfaces are dusty, your clothes will stay clean and fresh inside the packing cubes

Keep in mind packing cubes aren’t just for clothing – or just for holidays! You can also use them to separate different types of items such as clothing, electronics, toiletries, accessories, shoes and more. We also like taking an empty packing cube with us to use as a laundry bag – simply fold or roll your dirty clothes and put them inside the cube to keep them separated from your clean clothes. Once back home, we like using our packing cubes to store our seasonal clothes and keep holiday only items like swimwear and sarongs neatly packed away.

Best Packing Cubes For Travel

The best packing cubes for travel can vary depending on your needs, the size of your luggage, and what kind of trip you’re going on. Here’s a list of 5 Your Travel And Health space saving packing cubes for everyone:

1. Best Compression Bag

This compression packing cube comes in three sizes (S, M and L), perfect for a variety of uses. Its zippered compression mechanism can reduce the size of your clothes and claims to maximise space by 50% – pretty impressive, we’d say!

Buy it on Amazon

2. Best Value Set

This set of 5 packing cubes in 10 colour options offers the best bang for your buck. With four different sized cubes, plus a laundry basket that makes it super easy to separate your dirty clothes from the rest of your suitcase, it’s the perfect travel companion for any length of trip.

Buy it on Amazon

3. Best Budget Packing Cubes

Looking for a budget friendly option to test out whether packing cubes are for you? This set of eight packing cubes and compression pouches is perfect! For less than £20, you’ll get to try out a variety of sizes and shapes without having to commit to a pricy product.

Buy it on Amazon

4. Best For Various Sizes

For those after a travel packing cube set with options, look no further – this set by Ecohub contains seven different sizes of packing cubes, so you can fit all types of clothing and items in your luggage, no matter how large or small. We also love its mesh design which gives you instant visibility over the contents of each cube.

Buy it on Amazon

5. Best Overall

While slightly more expensive than the other options above, this Antler set is our favourite. With four compression packing cubes in different sizes and a handy mesh top so you can easily see what’s in each cube at a glance, it’ll handle all your organisation needs and make a lovely gift

Buy it on Amazon

How To Save Space When Packing

Using packing cubes isn’t the only way of saving space in your luggage. In fact, there isn’t just one best way to pack a suitcase to save space – it will depend on the size of your luggage as well as the kind of items you’re travelling with. Here are some of our favourite ways to save space when packing!

Roll Your Clothes

If you’re wondering how to compress clothes for travel but aren’t quite sure packing cubes are the solution for you, try this travel hack: roll your clothes instead of folding them!

To roll clothes for packing, start by laying them flat on a surface, then fold the sides toward the centre to create a narrow rectangle, and roll the clothing tightly from the bottom up or starting with the widest side. If needed, secure the roll you’ve created with rubber bands if creases are not an issue. Place the rolled clothes in your suitcase, fitting them into gaps or around other items like toiletries and shoes (wrapped in plastic bags to keep everything clean!) to make the most of the space. This method is particularly useful for items like t-shirts, jeans, and casual dresses.

Utilise Shoe Space

Speaking of shoes – how to save luggage space without packing cubes is by using the space inside shoes to store small items such as rolled up socks and accessories! Shoes often take up a significant amount of space in your luggage, so filling them with smaller items can help maximise your packing efficiency. You can also wrap shoes in plastic bags or shower caps to keep your clothes clean and separate them from other items in your suitcase.

Layering And Weight Distribution

We also always organise our suitcase by packing heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top. This can help with weight distribution and space efficiency as you fit smaller items in between the gaps left by the larger ones. For example, placing heavier items like shoes and toiletries at the bottom creates a stable base and allows for better space utilisation when you add lighter clothing items on top. This approach also helps keep your suitcase balanced, making it easier to carry and reducing the risk of items shifting and causing wrinkles.

Choose The Right Toiletries

One thing to keep in mind when trying to optimise the space in your luggage is your toiletries. Do you need to bring full-size bottles, or can you opt for travel-size versions? Travel-size toiletries are specifically designed to save space and comply with airline regulations for carry-on liquids. Alternatively, you can buy new toiletries at your destination to avoid carrying them altogether. Another option is to use solid toiletries such as shampoo bars, which can save space and reduce the risk of spills.

Write A Packing List

Creating a packing list can help you stay organised and ensure you don’t forget any essentials. List everything you need to bring and check off items as you pack them – our handy free PDF packing list can help you do that easily! This approach can also help you avoid overpacking by focusing on the essentials and eliminating unnecessary items.

Packing multi-purpose clothing can also save space! Choose items that can be worn in multiple ways or for different occasions – for example, a scarf can be used as a blanket, a sarong, or a fashion accessory. By packing fewer items that serve multiple purposes, you can reduce the amount of clothing you need to bring.

Summary On Do Packing Cubes Save Space

Do packing cubes save space in a suitcase? Absolutely! Packing cubes are a great way to keep your suitcase organised and make it easier to find items without having to dig through everything. They come in different sizes and can be used to separate clothes, organise accessories, or store toiletries and medications. Compression cubes even help reduce the volume of clothes, allowing you to fit more into your suitcase and minimise wrinkles. 

However, they don’t reduce the weight of the items, and while they certainly offer convenience and organisation, they may not be necessary for every trip. It all depends on the type of clothing and the nature of your travel. And if you don’t have packing cubes, you can always roll your clothes, use the space inside your shoes, and opt for travel-sized toiletries to save space! Alternatively,  do it yourself packing cubes are an option if you are able to stitch them up yourself by following a simple pattern or online tutorial.  This would save money and give you unique packing compartment bags. 

Frequently Asked Questions On Do Packing Cubes Save Space

How To Use Packing Cubes To Save Space?

Using packing cubes helps keep your luggage organised and makes it easier to locate specific items without disrupting everything else. To save space using packing cubes, make sure to group similar items of clothing together (tops with tops, trousers with trousers, jackets with jackets…), fold or roll them tightly, and use compression cubes to further reduce the size of your items. Finally, stack your cubes in your suitcase like Tetris blocks to maximise the space.

What Packing Method Saves The Most Space?

Our favourite method to save space is by far the rolling method. By tightly rolling clothes instead of folding them, you can greatly reduce the volume they take up in your suitcase. But combining the rolling method with packing cubes might be even better! Rolled clothes fit neatly inside cubes, which helps minimise wrinkles and keep your items organised. You could even stack items in groups of colours inside the cubes so it is easier to pick the colour you plan to wear for the day, or you could play it safe and take a few white t-shirts as they go with anything! 

Do Packing Cubes Add Extra Weight?

Since they are made from fabric and often feature metal or plastic zippers, packing cubes do add a small amount of weight to your luggage – however, this weight is usually minimal. Packing cubes are designed to be lightweight, so there’s no risk of them taking you over the weight limit for your flight. Just be careful not to overstuff them, as they may break!

Do Packing Cubes Wrinkle Clothes?

While packing cubes can be super helpful in keeping your clothes wrinkle-free while travelling, there is still a chance of wrinkling if you don’t pack your clothes carefully. If you’re concerned about wrinkles, try rolling your clothes or using tissue paper between delicate items to provide extra protection against wrinkles. The key here is to pack thoughtfully in order to keep your clothing smooth and neat and avoid any extra stress at your destination.

What Else Can You Use Packing Cubes For?

Packing cubes are extremely versatile and can be used for more than travelling. For example, use them to organise drawers at home and store seasonal clothing, keep your gym bag neat, or sorting electronics and miscellaneous items. You can also use them to organise emergency kits or medical supplies.

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