The 8 Best Packing Cubes for Travel

Eagle Creek is proud to be called the “organization nerds” of the packing world. Their original Pack-it system has been saving suitcases from disarray for more than 20 years. In October 2016, it rolled out the next generation with the ultralight Specter line. The starter set includes a garment folder — which uses a folding board to easily get 8-12 shirts or pants to stack like a retail shelf — and two smaller cubes that work well for things like socks, sleepwear, and gym clothes.

To buy: eaglecreek.com, $59

This rave-reviewed set includes seven, super-lightweight (the entire set weighs only 10.2 ounces) cubes of varying size that are each a perfect fraction of the others to ensure a painless fit in most typical carry-on suitcases. These nylon boxes have a spring-loaded frame design that holds the shape while you’re filling them, but compresses down easily for storage.

To buy: ebags.com, $95 for set of seven

This award-winning packing system has three cubes — one for clothes, one for shoes, and one for toiletries — allowing you to easily organize each category. Inside the Spacepaks, there are folding tips to help you use the space most efficiently. And perhaps the coolest feature of these packing pods is the dual compartment, which unzips on both sides to keep the dirty separate from the clean.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $98 for set of three

The stretch-top mesh is the real magic trick of this three-cube set. GeniusPack’s founder, Alfred Chehebar, even demonstrates zipping 13 folded dress shirts into the large-size cube and they all fit.

To buy: brookstone.com, $40 for set of three

If you’d prefer something a little more stylish (hey, we’ll take anything to make packing more enjoyable), this kelly green–lined packing cube has a classic print and a metallic handle for easy removal. An interior zipped pocket adds another level of organization.

To buy: ahalife.com, $50

This family-owned travel accessories company was born of a mother’s need to keep her daughter organized as she moved cross-country for college. They’re super structured, totally transparent, and come in fun colors, which can be helpful for color coding if you’re packing several family members’ items into one checked bag.

To buy: amazon.com, $50 for set of four

These stylish, translucent cubes are perfect for organizing all of your grooming products on the go. They’re water-resistant, and the slim design makes it easy to pack your tubes and bottles upright.

To buy: amazon.com, $40 for set of three

This affordable set covers all the basics for a new packing cube convert. The polyester cubes are made of a lightweight, but durable nylon that’s machine-washable and each comes with a handle attached.

To buy: amazon.com, $23 for set of four