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How To Use Packing Cubes Correctly For Effortless Packing
Packing for a trip can feel like solving a puzzle, right? We always want to fit everything in while keeping it accessible and wrinkle-free. That’s where packing cubes come to the rescue.
In this guide, we will explain the reasons and guide you on how to use packing cubes to make the most of them. Moreover, we also share practical tips for choosing a durable one. Let’s get started and turn packing into a breeze. Maybe after learning about their magic, you’ll be converted like millions of wanderlusts out there.
Ready to level up your packing game?
Why You Should Use Packing Cubes For Packing?
Before jumping to how to use packing cubes, let’s see how useful they are for travelling.
Keep Your Stuff Organised
There's something satisfying about opening your bag and knowing where everything is. Packing cubes will help you achieve that joy by organising your belongings into clear, manageable divisions.
For example, you could designate one cube for tops, another for bottoms, and a third for undergarments or accessories. So you can keep order during your holiday.
Packing cubes can also help you stay organised once you've unpacked. Rather than strewing garments around a hotel room, you may use the cubes as portable drawers to keep away from dirt. And you could also use them to sort your clothes at home, too.
Furthermore, in case travelling with your family, you can prepare one cube just for your baby, another cube for other members. So everyone gets space for themselves, regarding clothes and their belongings.
Add An Extra Layer Of Protection
During transit, your cabin bag may be jostled or handled roughly. Packing cubes reduce the chance that items will shift around in your luggage. Also minimise wrinkled clothes, broken toiletries, and tangled electronics.
In addition, packing cubes help delicate items, such as souvenirs or small applicants, get protection against pressure. They will be kept stable and shielded, even during bumpy rides or rough handling.
Make Things Accessible
Without the structure of a suitcase, it is easy for clothes to shift around and get messy. With packing cubes, you can quickly grab what you need without turning your entire bag upside down. They are even better for those trips with multiple stops, as you can easily pull out the right cube and leave the rest of the bag intact.
Don’t Take Much Space
Another advantage of packing cubes is they do not take up much space. They come in a size or fit meant for the dimensions of your luggage. Unlike solid containers, they are lightweight and flexible.
Plus, they compress your garments, and pack them tightly, and you can fit more inside your bag while reducing unwanted bulk.
Their ability to eliminate dead space is also notable. When you pack loose goods, there are a lot of spaces between items that are not utilised. So, packing cubes are made to consolidate products into compact, stackable pieces.
For digital nomads, packing cubes will be a lifesaver.
Privacy
Learning how to use packing cubes and utilising them also offers privacy when you share accommodation with others, such as in hostels, Airbnb apartments, or even at security checks.
Instead of showing everything in your bag once you unzip it, you will have the option to take what you need discreetly while the rest are hidden well. Plus, underwear spilling out (oh no) may happen when using a ziplock bag, but never with packing cubes.
Reduce Waste
Moreover, they are also very friendly to the environment. As you can avoid single-use plastics and other wasteful packaging. Some products (like all of CabinZero current packing cubes) are made from recycled fabrics. That means less frequent replacements and fewer products ending up in landfills.
Avoid Bedbug
One of the less appealing aspects of travelling is the possibility of pests, like bed bugs, that may be present even in highly-rated hotels. While packing cubes cannot prevent it, they do provide a physical barrier between your goods and any unwanted visitors that might be hiding.
CabinZero’s Tip: Choose packing cubes made of treated or densely woven textiles that are less permeable.
Cons of Packing Cube: When Cubes Might Not Be Your Jam
While packing cubes have become a popular travel accessory, they are not appropriate for all travellers.
Price
One of the first drawbacks you’ll notice about packing cubes is their cost. Unlike plastic bags or DIY options, they are often priced higher, especially if you are looking for durable, well-made sets. Premium brands with features like compression zippers, water resistance, or reinforced stitching can cost significantly more. Some budget travellers may find this not worth it.
Add Weight
While packing cubes are supposed to be light, they still add weight to your luggage. Yes, it’s just a couple of hundred grams, but when it comes to saving space and trying to keep your backpack at a manageable weight, every gram counts. Moreover, compression packing cubes are heavy due to their strong materials and zippers.
Some Might Have Their Own Organising System
Some travellers find packing cubes unnecessary or restrictive since they already have easy ways of packing that work for them. Others prefer to keep things easy, using do-it-yourself options: plastic bags, cloth pouches, or drawstring sacks. And that’s okay. Everyone has their own way of keeping things in order.
Depending On The Bag Type, It Might Not Fit
The most common complaint about packing cubes is that they are commonly designed for rectangular bags. If you are using some kind of more unusual bag, like a soft-sided carry-on, a hiking backpack, or even a duffel bag, they might not quite fit as well. Moreover, lacking the stiff sides, packing cubes can make it more challenging to maintain shape in unstructured bags.
Packing Cube Features to Look Out For: Shopping Guide 101
Packing simplified.
As has been noted, you will see the magic of packing cubes once you begin using them. But how can you tell which option is best for you when so many are available? Let's examine what qualities are essential to choose the right packing cubes.
Ventilation
Have you ever gone on a trip and discovered that your suitcase smelt a bit... stale? This is because mould or disagreeable smells might result from leftover moisture in your clothing. Therefore, we advise using a packing cube with ventilation. They are usually made with mesh panels or breathable materials for easy air circulation. If you're bringing swimsuits, sneakers, or workout attire that might not dry entirely, this is quite a lifesaver.
Lightweight
A lighter bag is always easy to handle, especially on long-haul flights, and the baggage limits by airlines are quite tight. For this reason, you should look out for packing cubes that are light. Materials used to manufacture most of the high-end cubes are feather-light, like polyester or nylon, while being long-lasting.
Compression
For girls, travelling is all about trying out new looks and taking the greatest pictures. Overpacking is therefore unavoidable. Use compression packing cubes in the interim. The trick? They have two zippers: one for compressing everything down and another for closing the cube. Similar to a hoover bag, they remove all the air from your clothing.
Carrying handles
In terms of convenience, packing cube handles are revolutionary. Even if you have to grab and locate anything within a few minutes, they make it simple to grab and depart without opening your complete bag. They also serve as transportable organisers, which eliminates the need to repack at every destination on lengthy road journeys.
CabinZero’s Tip: To endure the weight and repeated usage, a well-designed handle should have sturdy stitching.
How To Use Packing Cubes For Travel
Packing like items together is the most common way.
Ensure You Have a Variety of Sizes
Smaller cubes are the best option for quick weekend trips. They keep necessities like pants, t-shirts and socks organised without taking up too much space.
Longer travels, on the other hand, benefit from a variety of sizes. Large cubes for jackets and pants, medium ones for outfits, and small ones for accessories.
Find Out How Many Cubes You Need
There is no definitive answer to this. It all depends on the trip’s length, weather, what you want to do, and how much you want to carry.
If you don’t know where to start, just pick a packing cube set, which typically comes in a bundle of three (1 large cube and 2 smaller ones).
Such a combination fits the needs of most folks and can comfortably hold enough for weekend getaways.
The large one should be used for bulky items such as long pants, sweaters, coats, or jeans. One small cube to use for tees and lighter clothes. Another small one for your socks and undies.
Organise Your Clothes With Cubes
Clothing is often the biggest challenge when packing, but packing cubes makes things much more manageable. To get the most out of your cubes, first sort your clothes into groups according to their purpose. For example, three casual outfits, two swimsuits, one evening outfit, etc.
In With The Roll, Out With The Fold
Then, roll up softer items like t-shirts, leggings, and shorts to avoid wrinkling. For heavier or bulkier items like jeans, sweaters, or jackets, it’s more effective to fold them flat to create an even layer that’s easy to fit into the cube. And you are done. Now, you just need to put each group of items into the cube. Neat and easy to access.
Experiment and figure out what works best for you.
Sort Your Toiletries
Travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion can easily spill, especially during flights when changes in pressure occur. For toiletries, opt for waterproof packing cubes.
Keep this cube at the top of your suitcase for easy access. When you’re jet-lagged and in desperate need of a refresh after a long flight, you’ll be thankful it’s right there (and airport security will be a breeze to pass through). Last but not least, follow the 100ml liquid packing rule, too.
Keep Electronics In Check
Electronics can be one thing that can quickly get in a mess in your suitcase. Save yourself from so much frustration by packing it inside a separate electronics packing cube with wires and chargers. Alternatively, a tech pouch with built-in sections or mesh pockets can keep phone chargers, cords for laptops, earbuds, and adapters separate.
Bring Some Snack In Cubes
Snacks are such a lifesaver when you’re on the move, especially during layovers or unexpected delays. So, in terms of how to use packing cubes for snacks, dedicate a small one to food items, preferably one with a water-resistant lining to prevent crumbs or spills from spreading. Plus, use small zip-lock bags or reusable silicone pouches in your packing to meter your snacks. If flying, consider non-perishable and TSA-friendly snacks.
Pack Emergency Items In Cubes
Begin with a compact but robust cube with multiple compartments or mesh pockets for organisation. Stock it with just the essentials: a first-aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, over-the-counter medications, including pain relievers, and prescriptions if you have them. Store tablets in a small pill organiser and label the tabs for clarity.
How To Choose Packing Cubes?
Do invest in quality, as they will be with you for years and years.
Size Matters
Choosing the proper size packing cubes is just as crucial as selecting the right backpack volume for your holiday. It all depends on how long you'll be gone and what you'll be taking.
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Small: A go-to for socks, underwear, and a bathing suit.
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Medium: Mostly used for everyday wear like shirts, shorts, and dresses.
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Large: Best for bulky pieces like a jumper and winter wear.
Material and Durability
Nobody wants to deal with a ripped packing cube in the middle of their journey (tell us about it!). That's where ultralight packing cubes, which can handle wear and tear while keeping your bag light, shine.
If you're concerned about leaks-say, shampoo exiting its bottle-water-resistant cubes are a lifesaver. And please, for the love of all things good, do not settle for fragile zippers. Get strong, smooth-gliding ones that won't jam or break under pressure.
Colours
Pro tip: colour code your cubes. Use one colour for clothes, another for electronics, and perhaps a third for toiletries. That’s why you should choose packing cubes in A visual shortcut to find what you want in seconds.
And if you always travel with family or friends, you can assign colors per person to make sure no one gets another person's things. This simple trick keeps your suitcase organised and your sanity intact.
Quality vs. Budget
It's tempting to get the cheapest set of packing cubes you can find but trust us, it is well worth investing in some quality. Cheaper options usually easily tear or have broken zippers after a couple of trips. A good set may cost a little more, but it would last for many years (and years and years).
Cabinzero’s 3 Lines Of Packing Cube
Make your pick.
You’ll love CabinZero’s packing cubes - they are designed to make packing and unpacking a breeze for every kind of traveller.
Available in three versatile sizes (5.5L, 11.5L, and 12.5L), these packing cubes fit snugly into our signature backpacks and standard carry-ons. Thoughtfully sized to make sure no space is wasted, these will definitely have you packing smarter and carrying less bulk.
Classic
You will, without a doubt, be able to sort your belongings by category, day, or even the weather-and keep everything accessible and wrinkle-free. No matter how you like to pack, these cubes adapt to your style and are an essential travel accessory for any trip.
Ultralight
The best choices if you want to make the most of every gram. Lighter than 50g, the Ultralight is perfect for minimalist travellers who want to pack the most without sacrificing organisation. Ideal for budget airlines with strict limits.
Lux
Constructed to the highest possible quality, these heavy-duty zip-up cubes will make sure that no matter what journey you go on-to fly across continents or take the weekend drive out of the city, these will certainly help. Use them once, and you’ll never travel again without CabinZero travel cube bags.
FAQs
How To Use Packing Cubes Correctly?
Using packing cubes is all about organising your stuff. First, group similar items together - shirts in one cube, pants in another, etc. Then, pack them tightly and zip them shut. If you’re using a compression cube, be sure to zip the second layer to shrink the size even more.
Is It Better To Fold Or Roll Clothes In Packing Cubes?
It depends on what you’re packing. Rolling works great for T-shirts and softer items - it saves space and keeps them wrinkle-free. Folding is better for bulkier items like jeans or sweaters, as it creates a flatter shape. Or you can combine the two to make the most of your space.
Do Packing Cubes Actually Save You Space?
Yes, but here’s a little trick. Regular packing cubes help keep things organized, which can help save space, but compression cubes really make a difference by squeezing out all the air. You will be able to fit twice as much in my suitcase when you use compression cubes, so they’re definitely worth it.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Packing Cubes?
It can be a little annoying if you use too many of them because, indeed, they do occupy an amount of space all on their own. They tend to also make you feel as if there is more space there for items than there actually is. Thus, people often overpack as a result. But once you learn to use packing cubes strategically, they are a game-changer.
Conclusion
Packing cubes will save your life by organising your suitcase and maximising its space. Packing with them is way easier, and they help you keep your essentials, from clothes to toiletries, at your fingertips. Now that you've learned how to use packing cubes, it's time to make everything smooth and hassle-free.
Any packing cube tips or experiences to share? Please feel free to share in the comments section below-we would love to hear from you. Don't forget to share this post with other wanderlusts who might be having some hiccups with packing.
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