Just buy whatever you find at TJ Maxx/Home Goods/Sierra/etc. They're all the same unless you go with the ultralight ones which I've had nothing but problems with the zippers (and aren't all that much lighter anyways.)

Eagle creek are great.

After trying many others, my go-to is Six Moon Designs 7L cubes. Ultralight. No fancy compression or handles but work better than all the others for me. Nice rectangular shape when full but malleable enough to Tetris in however you need. Different colors to differentiate between them. There is also an XL 14L one and smaller ones but I find 7L best.

SMD Packing pods

I just gave in and bought the Peak Design. I really wanted zipper compressing ones. One large for pants and the like, two small (which aren't that small) for shirts and underwear. I also got the shoe bag while I was ordering.

If I were to buy ultra light variants (not that the PD weigh much of anything) I'd buy these probably https://www.osprey.com/ultralight-packing-cube-set-ulpackcbsets23-489?size=O%2FS&color=Mars+Orange

I use a combination of the Aer packing cubes, Matador Gear Cubes and Eagle Creek Slim depending on the bag and what I'm carrying. This combo has worked well over the last year for my bag or roller.

Eagle Creek for me. Osprey makes some good ones that are rarely mentioned and they are notably available in singles vs sets.

Tripped brand (on Amazon) makes some good knock offs of the Eagle Creek Specter compression cubes.

I use a couple cubes, a garment folder and three one liter pouches. Those sets of six can be divided between several travels.

2nd on the small cubes from Peak Design and Thule. Used one of each on a onebag trip in June, and they were great. Takes some practice to truly get the most "compression" out of them, but I have zero intention of looking for something else.

I'm not using compression cubes, just IKEA packing cubes, but I try to practice the same packing technique as my backpack and not overfill them. They are more for organization and so it doesn't make sense to stuff them for that purpose.

I don't think you need to worry about having heavier, stronger packing cubes this way. Just use more cheap cubes if one won't hold what you need.

I recently came into some compression ones by both Peak Design and also Thule, both in small. The Thule reeked of patchouli, but I guess I did buy it from REI (I've never had this before, though, lol.) Anyway, the Peak Design one was a surprise gift, but now I guess I can compare them. Peak Design definitely holds more, and is a bit more rectangular. The quick access tabs seem... unnecessary, but nice, I guess. Both compress well, but then their compressed states aren't too squish-able in your bag, if you're trying to Tetris them in. Even in small, both hold quite a bit. I can't imagine needing larger, but I also like to put pants in one, and shirts/sleeping attire/etc in another for my own personal organizational desires.

>Also not machine washable

Huh, really? I've never had any issues with that. I use a PD packing cube literally daily to bring clean clothes back and forth to work, I've machine washed that one probably a hundred times at this point.

I really like the Thule compression ones. I have the set of one large one small. The gusseted corners mean that when they bulge from overpacking, the corners fill out too so it’s like a little brick of stuff rather than a fat in the middle thing. The brick shape is really efficient inside a smallish travel bag. The zippers have been TESTED and so far have held. I have had to kneel on it to pack it down for zipping when I over shopped on a trip and no sign of weakness so far. When it breaks it will be my fault but so far so good. I like them a lot on trips where I’ll be on the go a bunch so i want things to cram down in an organized fashion, but in those cases I try not to make packing them such a wresting match. But if you have to cram it absolutely chock a bloc full, you can and it will hold an impressive amount of clothing.

One of the 2-pack packing cube sets? Or the 3-pack 3D Zip Set?

If the packing cube set: They're ok. They're...packing cubes. As other people said, they're a bit overpriced for what they are. I'm more impressed with my REI compression packing cubes.

If the 3D Zip Set: I ended up liking mine because they are versatile when it comes to packing bulky things of various sizes. However, these aren't the best for regular clothes like t-shirts, pants, etc. They're better for shoes (big one) or small toiletries (small one).

Personally I use compression packing cubes, and I was so bummed that the baggu ones don’t have a compression option. I got a cute patterned set of 4 compression cubes for the same price as the baggu ones instead

They’re cute but I personally wouldn’t spend $36 on two packing cubes. They’re just as good as any other brand in my experience. But if you can get them on sale, then sure

You mean the go pouches? They're good for little things, but probably not adequate for a bunch of clothes. I love them but if they're out of your budget, look into the Tripped brand. For $50, you get all kinds of sizes and they have some fun prints.

I've got the Thule compression packing cubes and they work like a charm for me. Very sturdy material, good zippers, and great compression. I picked them up on an REI sale and find they're a great fit for my mini MLC

Honestly, I’ve tried others, and I always go back to Eagle Creek’s original packing cubes. I prefer no compression. I like the two sided clean/dirty packing cube for underwear and socks. They are the OG packing cubes, and I don’t think anyone does it better.

Best value is IKEA packing cubes. I use them every time.

Personally, along with the double sided for underwear and socks, it’s cause the sizing is just perfect. I find most of the cheap ones are too big. With Eagle Creek, I can fit two medium and one small packing cube plus a pair of sneakers, a packable coat, and my toiletries in my suitcase or backpack. I pack one medium with my bottoms, one medium with my tops, and the small with my underwear, bras, socks, and swimsuit. Cheaper packing cubes just don’t fit correctly.

Edited to add: they also have excellent zippers. No matter how full I pack them, I have never had a problem with their zippers.

Second edit: I’ve had the same Eagle Creek cubes since 2008, and they are still exactly as good as they were the day I bought them. Despite being almost 20 years old, They still look and act new despite having been to 6 continents and countless trips.

I’m looking to get double sided cubes for the same reason and know they will last years and years. But it’s so tough to swallow $40 spend for a single baggie with zippers. I have gonex currently and wish they would make a double sided version.

now i really want to try those… my issue with compression packing cubes was that they made this odd shaped brick that i felt like didn’t really let me use my suitcase space more efficiently!

They help structure the bag and make it easier to load/unload it in a hotel room. Not everything needs to go in a packing cube but I find that using one or two (for clothes) is really useful. I seldom use the « medium » (c. 35x25) size (only when I carry some pants), the « small » (25x18) ones much more often. I like the Evergoods double cube a lot.

I like them for organizing.

The right size will be the ones that fit your bag dimensions well so you can kind of Tetris them all in nicely.

I'm not big on compression so I just use some of the Amazon Basics ones in different sizes..

I travel SUPER light with only a small 20L backpack. It is top loading.

I use 3 size small 5L packing cubes in it. One has under clothes and a tee plus a pair of yoga shorts. One has 3 dresses and 2 leggings. And the third has a blouse, swimsuit, a small hoodie). The only thing in my bag that's not in a cube or pouch is a Nanopuff jacket at the bottom of.the bag and a pashmina scarf i put right on top. Easy access to it.

I also have little canvas pencil pouches (4x7) that contain my non liquid stuff like nail clippers, toothbrush, hair comb etc.. and a second that has cords and cables. The third is my clear liquids bag.

Because i travel so light, I use my onebag as my day pack. I pop the pouches out and the cubes out at my hotel, nice and neat on a shelf and I'm off to enjoy the day. Having cubes makes it so much easier to find what you're looking for quickly and neatly. I also tend to lose fewer things too. Haha. It makes it easier to see if I'm missing anything. Haha.

Its worth noting that the type of cube you use will be personal preference. I like the ones that don't compress. They're perfect little rectangles. I've used the compression ones, but they're more pillow shaped, so they leave gaps of dead space in your bag and don't really allow you to pack more.

If packing as much as you can to bursting is your goal, no cubes is your solution..

They're an organizational tool - like anything else they will add weight. I prefer the medium and small sizes and like that I can easily pull my clothes out of my bag all at once and they stay folded since they're in the cube.

I find them very useful for compressing my stuff to take up less volume, and keep things neat and organised. I bought a cheap seven pack in different sizes and have been switching out the ones I use the most with higher quality ones as I figure out my needs in size.

They don’t help with space. They help with organization, especially keeping the dirty clothing separate. They are super light. Just give it a try.

I use them for conventional travel and backpacking/camping and I find them helpful for organizational purposes. I don’t have to unpack loose things just to get to a certain item.

Like travel or wilderness?

I think they're great for travel. They don't really help with space efficiency but they make it a lot easier to fully unpack my backpack and use it for a day hike or something.

Organize yourself. Most bags are just a huge hole. Say you're traveling so.ewhere for a month. Are you just going to chuck your shirt, underwear and whatnot in the bag randomly? For a weekend trip it's fine to not be so organized, but for longterm you need to have a system.

You probably can see the usefulness of having a tech pouch, or a toilet kit. Same with clothes. 

Been using the compression ones by Thule and I can't recommend them enough, they're my go-to even for short, nearby trips, game changer not only in terms of organization but also to squeeze in more in less space👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

I love the eagle creek specter packing cubes because they’re super lightweight and high quality. The same set has lasted me about 8 years. The main downside imo is that they’re pretty expensive.

The best compression packing cubes are Gonex Compression Packing Cubes which are helpful when it comes to consolidating and organizing clothing items between the different-sized cubes. The compression cubes help you get more items packed than a regular version of a packing cube and the sturdy zippers made compressing the packed cubes easy, leading us to believe that these cubes will last over time with the durable zippers and stitchwork. Although the nylon material isn’t waterproof it’s found that the material repels some water (but the clothing should remain dry with the extra protection of a suitcase, too). Plus, the handles on the top of each cube make it easy to grab the bags for packing and unpacking, and we love that the set includes an extra-large, large, medium, and small bag for variety.

While I agree that they work as packing cubes, I disagree that they work as compression packing cubes - there is a massive difference between the two (and I mean that literally - one by definition compresses and the other… doesn’t).

Ooh, I was thinking of the same thing for an upcoming trip. In the end, what matters is that you get the organization you want so the product doesn’t necessarily matter. But I still like the idea of compression cubes to save space 😅

The two biggest discriminators are weight and zipper quality.

You want decent zippers so it doesn’t blow out.

You’ll also pay a higher price for the lighter ones. I think it’s worth it, as I’m trying to get the packaging in my pack as light as possible.

I think compression cubes are worth it if you are trying to save space in your bag. This becomes more important with smaller packs.

I don’t ever use vacuum bags.

I know this is probably not a popular thing to say, but I actually use 1 and 2 gallon zip lock bags. They are cheap, available everywhere, I can see what is in them and they can be repurposed for other things on my trip. I roll my items, put them in the bag, partially zip it (I use a brand with a zipper closure...), press out all the air and finish the zip, and pack away.

Yes, they will decompress somewhat during travel, but they stay compressed long enough to close my bag. If I open my bag and find that they have decompressed more than I want, I can just "recompress them" on the spot.

I've looked into packing cubes but I can't seem to find any that I think will work better than my zip locks. And I always stick a few spares in my bag and a couple in my backpack. Along with some quart size ones. They are great for damp or dirty items, to keep them segregated from my other items.

I also thought about this and do this normally do this on regular trips for small items and shoes. Thk you.

Haven’t tried them but baggu has some in fun prints

If you have a daiso near you the daiso packing cubes are awesome. The smallest size is like a smaller rectangular cube shape. I use it for undergarments/workout/swimwear but it would probably serve you well and it comes in different colours

Eagle Creek has different colors. Cotopaxi also has the Del Dia ones that are a random mix of colors so each is different.

I switched to Aloha Collection bags. They a super super light, made of Tyvek (splash resistant), and fun. They have 50% sales. They are REALLY expensive but worth it.

Link

Muji ✌️