Packing cubes. Useful or waste of time?

[Toddlerteaplease]

Thought I might try them as staying in several different places this year. Are they a help or a hindrance?

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➡️ ELEZAY Hanging Packing Cubes (£30)

➡️ WOWTOY 6PCS Packing Cubes Value Set (£7)

➡️ Eagle Creek Reveal Cube Set (£42)

For more recommendations, check out our guide to the best packing cubes, featuring products that have been tried and tested by Mumsnet users and editors.

MNHQ

Going against the grain a little, they didn't massively change much for me and there was no revelation. They looked nice and its satisfying to have the aesthetic of order but otherwise I'm not sure what it really acheived.

I think if you share a suitcase (I never do) or have DC so are packing up lots of little bits then I can imagine it helps keep order but I found all the bits I need to be separated when packing already have their own bag - eg I have a toiletries and make up bag, my GHD's came with a storage case, shoes always go in a bag or even a plastic bag anyway so it doesn't change things massively for me.

I have very basic cheap ones already. Which brand actually compress stuff? I may buy some. Thanks.

I have the Gonex ones from Amazon. I'm very happy with them, but I do wish you could buy them in the exact sizes you need, rather than their pre-selected combination of sizes. As a backpacker the largest size in their set is no use to me as it's larger than my pack! But that aside, I'm really pleased with them. I pay extra to have the mesh topped ones, but they have ranges of different styles and sizes.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gonex-Compression-Packing-Luggage-Organizers/dp/B07336J5MB/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1688032184&refinements=p_89%3AGonex&s=luggage&sr=1-2&th=1

Thank you Sara.

life changing!!

Did my packing yesterday, thought I'd wasted my money as the cubes were so small. But everything fitted in well. My suitcase is a masterpiece of organisation!

Excellent. You are a convert.

You could sell the extra one on vinted I'm sure.

Yeaaaaaaaah. What strategy did you choose? When I went abroad I used
1 for evening outfits (with the relevant belt /accessory) , one for underwear, one for my outfit home so it was kept clean and separate, one for my first day so swimwear, factor 50 etc and flip flops, and One for daytime clothes - dress/vest tops etc

Separate ones for tops, bottoms, underwear and pyjamas. Have had to pack a separate bag for the nights before and after ad no cube big enough. But will leave them in the car anyway so it doesn't matter.

I don't unpack anyway I live out of the suitcase.

Fab glad that came in useful. There's no right or wrong way. Have a great trip

I’m so glad we have converted you 😇
Have a great trip.

Are they more use for people who pack a lot of clothes?

No - they help you organise eg this one has all my underwear in. I can see at a glance how many pairs I have, bras etc. This one is my swimwear , cover ups etc. This one or two rather have my dresses in. I can see at a glance what I have. It helps at the other end as well. I put all in drawers in the cubes.

Also means when you suddenly have to rummage through your bags at say an airport, you don't end up bringing out pants accidentally

I am pleased for you op, another convert to the cause!

I have a 4 city Asia trip coming up, these will be ideal for easy packing and unpacking.
I may get another set -only 3 of the cubes in a pack isn't quite enough (mine were 3 cubes and 3 bags)

I bought some mesh laundry bags - you can see what's in them and they're much cheaper. I use one for socks, one for pants and then put dirty washing in them for the way back. They work really well.

Vivifying Mesh Laundry Bag, Set of 4 Durable Coarse Washing Bag with Zip for Clothes, Delicates Underwear, Bra, Lingerie Baby Clothes(White） : Amazon.co.uk: Large Appliances

The only thing I would say about them is you have to reach down inside to get what you want. The cubes open up totally and much easier access. They are also much more floppy.

After seeing this thread before we went on hols, I bought some very cheap packing cubes (different colour for each family member). My DH who is usually quite non-impressed even commented how great they were.
It made it easy to pack in the run up to the hols, kept it tidy and neat and easy to have an overview.
Whilst on hols, so easy as mostly just moved cubes from suitcase to chest of drawer/hotel storage apart from hanging a few items up.
I just don't know how I've managed to get to late 40s before finding this out!!

I'm going to get some for next year's hol. Currently use carrier bags as I pack for me and 2 DC and like to split our stuff across 3 cases as I'm paranoid about a case getting lost and one of us being clothes-less for the week :)
Cubes would be more stylish and I like the idea of transferring the cubes straight into drawers when unpacking. I'm converted.

Another benefit is pre-sorting the dirty laundry into whites + coloureds using different cubes before going home. Makes post-holiday washing that little bit easier.

Currently on holiday and I've used them for the whole family this time (2 adults and 3 kids) and even my normally 'chuck it in a suitcase' DP was also impressed. I've used them for work trips for years but this thread inspired me to get more for the family holiday. Made packing so much easier and everything fit into 2 suitcaes instead of the normal 3. Everyone has 2 large - tops and bottoms, and 1 small - underwear and swimming stuff. Post-it note with name on top under the mesh.

We are staying in an apartment so when we arrived I just chucked 3 cubes in the direction of the relevant bedroom and left them to get on with it. There's been a markedly lower level of 'where is my blue t shirt', 'I can't find my swimming shorts' etc.etc. Packing only took 1 evening instead of the normal 2. I'm converted.

I've just bought a set of non compression ones for my son to take inter-railing as a tester.

It's like a miraculous tardis, everything seems to have shrunk by half. I'd have said I was a good packer but these are next level.

They're brilliant. I still have a washbag for toiletries but I have a medium packing cube for odds and sods like a travel hairdryer, jewellery, perfume, sunglasses, hairbrush, chargers etc.

I often travel with a personal item only and I find them very useful , for organisation and to get more in the bag ( most airlines don’t have a weight limit for personal items ).