How To Use Packing Cubes To Save Space

Packing cubes (sometimes referred to as packing cells, luggage organisers or travel cubes), have become a staple for the organised packer. The key benefit of using packing cubes for travel is that they help with organisation. However, the benefits of packing cells don’t stop here.

Easier to find what you need

Instead of digging through a massive pile of random clothes and making a mess, mesh packing cubes make it easy to find what you need at a glance. Travel cubes typically have a mesh window that allows you to view what is inside without having to unzip the entire thing. For extra organisational brownie points, colour code your cubes depending on the items inside.

Saves space

Packing a suitcase with packing cubes is like playing a real-life game of Tetris! Slot each cube into your suitcase so that it fits perfectly flat. Each cube also provides a bit of compression, allowing you to maximise the space you have available. If you have any awkward gaps, feel free to fill them with other belongings.

Fewer wrinkles in your clothing

When packing with packing cubes, your clothing won’t get quite so wrinkled! Neatly folded or rolled clothes, when contained in a packing cell, won’t come unrolled or unfolded during your journey. This saves you the hassle of needing to whip the iron out at your accommodation.

Prevents overpacking

Once you’ve used travel cubes a few times, you will get the packing technique down to a fine art. You will learn exactly how many cubes fit in your case and discover how to reduce your belongings to a certain number of cubes. This is extremely helpful, especially if you are travelling with just a carry-on bag.

Helps separate belongings

Are you sharing a suitcase with your partner or family member? Get different coloured packing cubes for different members of the family to ensure things don’t get mixed up. For example, purchase black ones for your partner and white ones for yourself. This technique will make it much easier to find what you are looking for!

People fall into one of two camps when packing: rollers or folders. The technique you choose to opt for will largely depend on what you are trying to achieve with your packing. Are you trying to save space? Are you looking for the fastest option? Let’s break down the benefits of each technique and put an end to this debate once and for all.

Benefits of rolling clothes for packing

If your main aim is to save space in your luggage, rolling your clothing is your best bet. Choosing to roll your clothes tightly will reduce any unnecessary air pockets, maximising your packing space.

Another benefit of rolling your clothing is that it’ll get less wrinkled. If you have clothing that creases easily, stick with rolling for a less intensive ironing experience later on. The tighter you roll your clothes, the fewer wrinkles they will have!

This technique also means you can easily see what clothing is in each packing cube, as they won’t be folded one on top of the other. Perfect for those who live out of a suitcase and are guilty of getting ready at the last minute!

Benefits of folding clothes for packing

Although rolling can be great, folding clothes definitely has its place too! Some items, such as jumpers or bulky denim, simply can’t be rolled easily and will end up taking up more space rather than less. Thus, it makes more sense to just fold specific items instead.

Folding your clothes may also be a more time-efficient option for you. As you’ve likely folded countless amounts of clothing in your lifetime, you will probably be pretty fast at it.

Firstly, let’s define what a packing cube is. It is typically defined as a small bag with a zipper that keeps it closed. They are designed to fit neatly into a variety of different types of luggage, whether that be a suitcase, travel backpack, duffle bag, carry-on suitcase or checked suitcase. They come in many different colours and sizes and are designed to make your bag more organised. You can use these cubes to sort your belongings, save space and reduce clothing wrinkles.

Next up is packing compression cubes. Although a packing cube will naturally compress your belongings, compression cubes take this one step further. They can usually be differentiated by their additional zipper, which works to push out any extra air that is taking up unnecessary space.

When shopping around for the perfect cubes, it pays to look out for a few key details. Firstly, you’ll want to purchase them in a variety of different sizes. For example, you will need a rather small cube for your socks and undergarments and a larger cube for your pants and jumpers.

You’ll also want to make sure that you opt for mesh packing cubes with mesh windows. This will help you easily identify what you are looking for at a glance. It also helps with ventilation, helping your clothes breathe to avoid them becoming musty.

One brand of packing cell that ticks all these boxes is Explorer.

Explorer Packing Cubes

The Explorer packing cubes are a great option for any traveller, boasting an affordable price point and top-tier quality. With two zippers, these travel cubes allow for easy packing. Featuring a handy mesh window, you can easily spot what is in each cube whilst keeping your clothes ventilated.

Available in a wide range of sizes, you will be able to find the perfect size for your belongings. You can purchase these packing cells in a bunch of different sets, which make great starter kits for those who want to get on the packing cube bandwagon. You can also buy them individually if you need a few extra to fill up your suitcase. Explore the range below!

Don’t get it twisted – using packing cubes is rather simple. However, it doesn’t hurt to become an expert at using them in the most efficient way. Check out these handy tips below that will have you packing like an absolute pro.

Categorise each cube

Good categorisation = good organisation. The way you choose to categorise your clothes will depend on your personal preference but here are a few potential options.

• Organise your travel cubes by clothing type: You know how you have a drawer for socks, a drawer for t-shirts and a drawer for jumpers? You can easily replicate this system when packing with cubes. Use a smaller cube for your socks and underwear, a medium cube for your shirts and a large cube for jumpers.
• Organise your travel cubes by activity: This is good if you have a bunch of varied activities planned. For example, you could dedicate one cube to beach gear, another to hiking gear and another to restaurant clothes.
• Separate dirty clothing from clean clothing: Try and have designated cubes for dirty clothing so it doesn’t get mixed up with your clean clothing.

Experiment with the number of cubes to use

Over time, you will figure out the perfect amount of packing cubes to take with you on holiday. However, it may take a bit of experimenting in order to figure this out. Play around with different combinations of sizes and find out what works for you.

Get a variety of sizes

With packing cubes, it isn’t one size fits all. Small cubes can be great for items such as socks, underwear and swimwear. However, you may need to opt for a medium-sized cube when it comes to lightweight shirts, shorts and dresses. If you are going on a winter holiday, you may need some large packing cells for your jerseys and pants. If in doubt, opt for a large mixed pack like the Explorer Rectangular & Square Packing Cubes 6 Pack.

Fold or roll your clothes

If you want to utilise every inch of space available, you need to be mindful of how you pack your clothing. Whether you choose to roll or fold, the key is ensuring you are rolling and folding tightly and neatly. Don’t just stuff your clothes into cubes haphazardly – even if you are in a rush!

Stack in a space-saving fashion

If you like playing Tetris, you’ll love organising your packing cubes in your luggage. The goal is to position them in such a way that there are minimal gaps and your suitcase is still able to zip closed easily.

Remember that not everything needs a packing cube

If your cubes don’t fill up your entire suitcase, that is okay! Not everything needs to go in a cube. Fill up the gaps with items that might need some extra protection, such as hair straighteners or cameras.

Don’t overpack your packing cubes

This one should go without saying but don’t try and squeeze too much stuff into one cube. Doing this will put strain on the zippers and may even tear the mesh window. If you want your packing cells to last long-term, treat them with respect. The same goes for your suitcase!

On top of this, overpacking your cubes may also result in going over your checked-in baggage allowance. This is not ideal, as it may result in additional fees.

With the help of packing cubes, your packing process will become 10x more streamlined and efficient. Now that you are well-versed in packing cubes and why you need them, we are sure you’ll be packing like a pro in no time. We also dived into the differences between packing cubes and compression packing cubes and looked into the benefits of folding clothes vs. rolling them. Last but not least, we found you the best packing cubes and shared our top tips for how to use them.

If you are interested in giving packing cubes a go, shop our wide range of packing cubes NZ-wide today. If you have any questions about our wide range of luggage organisers and travel accessories, feel free to get in contact our Customer Happiness Team – they are more than happy to help!