10 best packing cubes for backpacking

If you’re wondering: do packing cubes work? Are they worth it? And how do you pack with packing cubes? You’ve come to the right place. 

Most of us who use packing cubes (or packing cells, if you prefer) have used them to organize and squeeze more into our suitcases.

But using packing cubes for backpacking is also very much an option and a very good idea!

Packing cells are used both to fit more into your luggage and to organize and compartmentalize your things. And that is just as useful to backpacking as it is to packing your suitcase.

There are a few things to consider when looking for the best packing cubes for backpacking. I’ll go through all of this (as well as how to pack with packing cubes) before we then get into the list of the best packing cubes for backpacking.

Read next: 23 best bags for travel

The rundown: 10 best packing cubes

Here’s a quick overview of the 10 best packing cubes for backpacking and all other kinds of travel. There’s one for every budget.

• Best overall – Bagail 6 piece  
• Runner up – Eagle Creek Pack-It 3 piece
• Best budget – AmazonBasics 4 Piece 
• Best durable – eBags Classic 4 piece 
• Most lightweight – eBags Hyper-Lite 5-piece
• Best value – Waterproof compression cubes 8 piece
• Most versatile – YAMIU Packing Cubes 7-Pcs
• Best compression – Eagle Creek
• Most popular on Amazon – Shacke Pak – 4 Set
• My favourite – Packing Cubes VAGREEZ 7 Piece

How to choose the best packing cubes for backpacking

Weight 

The weight of your packing cubes is an important factor.

The best packing cubes for carry-on luggage, as well as for backpacks, are ones that are lightweight. They should add next to nothing to the weight of your luggage, but also help you with your packing. That’s what compression packing cubes are all about.

Durability

Next to weight, durability is a big factor. If your packing cubes break while you’re traveling, all your organization goes out the window.

So, durability is an essential feature. A strong packing cube keeps your things safe and organized; just make sure it’s also lightweight.

Packability

Compression packing cubes should, of course, offer compression. They should squeeze the air and space out of your backpack and make more room for more essentials.

The best packing cubes that reduce the space, that your clothes and essentials are taking up, will make your entire holiday so much less stressful.

Quantity and sizes

Different sizes are important. Essential, even. The best packing cubes for carry-on luggage and backpacks come in a variety of sizes to help you organize your things properly.

Having two or three packing cubes of different sizes is the best way of using packing cubes.

Smaller ones are for your toiletries, your electronics, and important essentials. Larger ones are to organize your clothing: clean and dirty, for example. This organization is what makes travel packing cubes such a great investment.

How to pack with packing cubes (pro tips)

Roll your clothes before packing

So, here’s how to pack with packing cubes. Step 1: Give the packing cubes a helping hand by rolling up your clothes.

This is a packing hack that has saved me so much grief with or without packing cubes. Doing this ensures there’s no wasted space and that you can fit so much more in. It also doesn’t wrinkle your best clothes, so don’t worry about that.

Pack specific outfits in individual cubes

As I said, packing cubes are the best travel organizer. If you sort your clothes by type and then pack them into your cubes, you’ll know what outfits are where.

I always pack my outfits by day: the first two or three days in one cube, and the next two or three days in a second cube. Using luggage cubes to help you organize is the best way to use packing cubes.

Pack climate-specific clothes in separate cubes

Packing can be tricky when it comes to weather.

You can’t pack your whole wardrobe, but you also need to be prepared for a variety of weather situations.

So, how to use packing cubes correctly? Sort your clothes by climate. Beach weather in one cube; rain-related clothes in another. 

Utilize a variety of sizes

The best packing cubes come in a variety of sizes and you need to use those. Consider what you need to pack and where it should go.

Organize your things by size, and pack accordingly. The best travel bags will have various compartments, but you need luggage cubes to organize your things by size.

Pick up different colored cubes

This is a great and simple travel hack as you’re organizing your luggage.

Color coordination can help with all of the above advice.

Packing by weather? Put your winter clothes in a white or blue cube and your summer clothes in a red or orange cube. A simple and elegant solution to getting confused by having too many similar cubes.

The top 10 packing cells

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