Travel Editors Weigh in: Can Packing Cubes Really Change Your Travel Planning?

Make no mistake: packing is personal. Why else would such intense feelings of vulnerability arise when you’re asked to unzip your suitcase at airport security? The way we approach packing can reveal our inclinations for chaos or order; it’s a microcosm of both our strengths and shortcomings. Which may explain why, when discussing the increasing popularity of packing cubes amongst the Travel Insider team, things got a little heated.

Are they an organisational hack, a space-saving one or neither? Are they just one more thing to worry about? Or are they, as some team members claim, the one thing that will change the way you travel forever?

We let our team of experts make their case.

For: A true packing cubes devotee

“I am not an uber-organised person in life, but I am an uber-organised person when it comes to packing. Having small kids means packing a mountain of miniature clothes, which, if not contained, will invade every part of your suitcase (and your life, quite frankly). Also, tiny things are very hard to find in a big suitcase if they’re kept loose. For this reason, we have designated packing cubes for different types of clothing – tops, bottoms, underwear, swimwear – for each member of the family. We also pack one empty packing cube per person for dirty clothes so I don’t have to risk my personal safety by sniffing garments to check their status.”

Bridget de Maine, Qantas Hotels and Content Editor

Against: A pro-organisation, anti-packing cube traveller

“I am one of those people who preps weeks in advance. I will plan a different outfit for each day, then another one for night, and pack three times the amount of underwear I need.

“As a Type A personality, I understand the need for control, so if packing cubes help you, then that’s great. But I don’t personally use them because I find that rolling everything in my suitcase takes up much less space. I’ve experienced leaky toiletries (specifically hair oil) so they go in a double bag, which is a type of cube, but other than that, I prefer to roll everything up.”

Natalie Reilly, Content Manager

For: A relaxed packer who nerds out for cubes

“My packing personality is loosey-goosey; sometimes I plan outfits with themes and colour stories, other times I forget essentials like my toothbrush, socks and sunscreen. It all depends on where I’m headed and how busy I am before the trip.

“I am a huge nerd for packing cubes. Regardless of how organised (or not) my packing is, I always use them. Nothing makes me feel more like a seasoned traveller than the order they bring to my suitcase.

“For me, the success lies in striking the right mix of sizes so that they Tetris neatly into your case. I lay everything I want to pack on the bed, in a heap or in organised piles, then decide what my cube requirements are. Do I need one dedicated to swimwear, hats and sunnies, or is a larger cube required for workwear? I keep making these decisions until the bed is clear and my bag is a neat puzzle. Plus, it’s an easy clean up if my suitcase busts open at the airport.”

Faith Campbell, Content Director

Against: A last-minute space saver who doesn’t want the hassle

“I’ve always wanted to be that super-organised traveller who makes a list and starts packing days out from departure. In reality, I’m doing a mad dash-and-grab in the early hours of the morning of my flight. I’ve come to accept that this is when I do my best work.

“I’m all for packing cubes in theory. In reality, I’m not convinced they suit my packing style. I don’t typically have the time or patience to allocate each cube its own special category. And at the other end: why methodically zip and unzip when I could just rummage instead?

“I use other space-saving hacks that give me extra inches in my case: rolled socks inside handbags, belts looped flat around the interior edge of the case, travel-sized toiletries only. And I always ditch at least one pair of shoes before I head out the door.”

Genevra Leek, Content Director

For: An uber-organised, pro-cuber that loves to keep things separate

“Packing is the one thing I need to know I have under control before leaving for a trip. I make lists on my Notes app which I start a few nights before, as things often spring to mind over the following days. I’ve even shared notes with the people I’m travelling with so we can cross check with each other.

“I like to compartmentalise: my bathroom drawer is a Tetris-like configuration of skincare, make-up, tanning and more – I just adapt this organisational approach into my suitcase. As long as the packing cubes fit perfectly in my suitcase, that’s all that matters. I know which cube holds which section of my wardrobe and I can easily cross off my packing list.

“I rarely fully unpack when I travel, so I see my packing cubes as an extension of my wardrobe. I like organising things into categories, that way I’m not rummaging through my suitcase and messing up my organised (and very condensed) closet. I tend to be an overpacker so this also helps me combat that. If I have a certain cube for say dresses, I know that’s the space I have and what doesn’t fit won’t make the cut.”

Anneliese Beard, Social Media Producer

For (and against): The combo packer

“I’m chaotically organised when it comes to packing (as I tend to be in most areas of life). To be honest with you: there’s very little a packing cube achieves that a tote bag can’t – they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution.

“I tend to use a combination of packing cubes, toiletry bags and tote bags and Jenga my way into ensuring every part of my suitcase is being used to its full potential. Packing cubes are essential for garments as they have the added bonus of compressing them (treat it like a mini suitcase, they can take more clothes than you might think) while shoes, cosmetics and chargers get stuffed into tote and toiletry bags and shoved into the nooks around the cubes.

“The packing cubes I’ve got have a mesh ‘lid’ so I can also quickly see what’s in each cube at a glance, which is handy, as overcommitting to the tote bag method can sometimes have you forgetting which bag houses what by the time you landed, resulting in a frantic rummage on arrival.”

Christina Rae, Digital Editor