Why Packing Cubes Are a Total Game Changer
My entire family loves them – from kids to grown ups these are a must have for every trip! Packing cubes are lightweight, zippered fabric containers that divide your suitcase into neat sections. Think of them as drawers inside your luggage — keeping everything in its place.
They come in different sizes and shapes, so you can pack by person, category, or outfit. Most sets also include a laundry bag or shoe pouch to keep clean and dirty clothes separate (which makes my Type A-self super excited).
You’ve probably heard people rave about packing cubes for travel but still wondered what the big deal is.
Do they really save space? Or are they just a fancy way to stay organized?
And how do you even use them?
We’ve got all that covered.
I’m a mom of two and someone who loves to pack light (I just got back from a two week trip to Italy with a backpack and carryon)— even when it doesn’t seem possible. Over the years, I’ve learned how to fit everything we need for every kind of trip: national parks full of hiking gear, beach vacations with sandy swimsuits, city escapes packed with endless walking, and two-week adventures through Europe with just carry-ons.
When you’re traveling as a family, organization is everything. The smoother the packing process, the smoother the trip — trust me. I’m often mapping out what goes in each bag weeks before we leave.
And no matter where we’re headed, one thing never changes: I always use packing cubes for travel.
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Honestly, seeing someone toss clothes straight into a suitcase now feels… wrong.
Don’t end up like this when you get to your destination!
Here’s exactly how I use packing cubes to keep our family organized — and make packing (and unpacking) so much easier.
Table of Contents
Why I Love Packing Cubes
For me, it’s all about organization. Everyone in our family has their own suitcase for most of our trips — but even inside those, packing cubes make life easier.
Even when I’m traveling solo, I use different cubes for different categories of clothes. It keeps everything compact and easy to find.
Here’s the truth: once you try them, you’ll never go back.
How I Organize with Packing Cubes
1. By Person
Each person in our family gets their own color-coded packing cube set by TravelWise. At a glance, I know exactly which cube belongs to who — no digging or guessing when we’re rushing to get dressed or unpack.
Pro Tip: Use bright colors for kids and neutral ones for adults so you can spot them easily when you’re unpacking in a hotel or Airbnb.
2. By Category
Even with everyone having their own cubes, I’ll often create one shared “theme cube.”
- Swim Cube: All swimsuits, goggles, and rash guards go in one cube. When it’s time for the pool or beach, I grab one cube and we’re ready to roll.
- Sleep Cube: Pajamas for everyone go in another. Especially helpful if we’re arriving late at night — just unzip, grab PJs, and crash.
Laundry Cube: If something’s damp or sandy when it’s time to pack up, I toss it in this cube so it stays separate from the clean clothes. Pack an empty packing cube just for this!
Do Packing Cubes Really Save Space?
Absolutely. Even without compression cubes, the zippers help press everything down and create extra room.
If you want to level up, try compression packing cubes — they squeeze out every bit of extra air. I love BAGSMART’s Compression Packing Cubes.
These are especially handy for long trips when everyone’s sharing suitcase space.
How I Fold Clothes for Packing Cubes
I used to be a die-hard big family “roller.” But during our two-week trip through Italy, I discovered a better way.
Each of us traveled with one backpack and one small carry-on — and everything fit perfectly.
Here’s the secret:
Layer your clothes flat and fold them to match the exact width and length of your cube. This keeps things smooth, wrinkle-free, and surprisingly compact.
Best Packing Cubes for Families
If you’re ready to try them out, here are a few family-tested favorites:
- TravelWise Packing Cubes – Durable, high-quality, and perfect for frequent travelers.
- BAGSMART’s Compression Packing Cubes – Lightweight and great for long-haul family trips.
The Secret to Stress-Free Packing
If you’ve ever stood over an open suitcase wondering how your family’s clothes will ever fit — you’re not alone. Packing can be one of the most overwhelming parts of travel. But packing cubes change everything.
Whether you’re jetting off to Italy, road-tripping to the coast, or heading out on a weekend getaway, packing cubes help you stay organized and actually enjoy the process. Once you try them, there’s no going back to the suitcase chaos.
5 Reasons You Should Pack with Packing Cubes
1. They Keep You Organized
Each family member can have their own color-coded set of cubes — one for clothes, one for pajamas, and one for swim gear. No more digging through piles of clothes to find your kid’s swimsuit at the bottom of the suitcase.
Pro Tip: Pack one “first-night cube” with pajamas and toothbrushes so you can get everyone to bed fast after a long travel day.
2. They Save So Much Space
Even if you don’t use compression cubes, zipping clothes into cubes naturally compresses air out and creates more room. If you’re trying to fit everything into carry-ons, compression cubes are a total game changer — they can shrink clothes down by 30–50%.
3. They Make Unpacking Effortless
Once you arrive, you can place the cubes straight into drawers or shelves — no unpacking needed. Everything stays tidy and ready to go. At checkout time, zip them back up and drop them right into your suitcase. Done.
4. They Help You Stay Clean and Fresh
Packing cubes keep dirty laundry separate from clean clothes, and protect your items from hotel drawers or suitcases that might not be spotless. Plus, if something spills, it’s contained.
For wet swimsuits or sandy clothes, toss them into a waterproof cube until you get home.
5. They Simplify Family Travel
When you’re packing for multiple people, organization is everything. Packing cubes let you split one large suitcase between kids or pack a week’s worth of clothes for each person in one cube.
It’s also a great way to teach kids independence — give them a cube and let them pack their own essentials.
How to Pack Efficiently with Packing Cubes
- Lay clothes flat to match the cube’s width — it fits more and wrinkles less.
- Group by activity or outfit: beach days, sightseeing, dinners, etc.
- Label each cube or use different colors for easy identification.
Keep one cube open in your hotel room for dirty laundry — no more mixing clean and worn clothes.
Final Thoughts: Packing Cubes = Peace of Mind
Packing cubes aren’t just about saving space — they’re about saving sanity. They make travel smoother, unpacking faster, and family trips less stressful. Once you use them, you’ll wonder how you ever packed without them.
Because the less time you spend digging through your suitcase, the more time you have to chase sunsets, gelato, and adventure.
Pro Tip: Keep one small cube for “first night essentials” — pajamas, toothbrushes, and a change of clothes. That way, if you’re too tired to unpack after a long travel day, you’ve still got what you need.
This is us at Roma Termini train station in Italy with carryons and backpacks.
We know you will love them as much as we do!!!
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