Can we talk about packing cubes?

[Packingcube]

I have noticed these getting mentioned a lot we are going on a fairly long trip soon and wondering if anybody has any recommendations?
I can't decide if they are a good idea or just a bit of a gimmick or possibly both.
Thanks.

I'm gojng against the grain as I didn't get on with them. When I'm doing a multi trip I pack everything Marie Kondo style (like files in a filing cabinet) and in groups so I can easily see what's there. This works really well for me I can see everything as soon as I open the case.
Laundry and toiletries are in bags

Useless things. A couple are useful for underwear and storing dirty stuff. Thats it.

I was just about to start a thread on packing cubes, but I see there's a current one already.

My question is, how are they much better than packing certain items in carrier or cloth bags?

I will be travelling to the US on my own for a short visit later this year, and I usually put underwear and socks in one bag, toiletries are very minimal due to liquid restrictions and they are packed in a mini soap bag, shoes are always in a separate bag, and dirty laundry in a separate bag is just common sense surely?

I don't know whether it's worth getting some if it's just me, but I do like being organised!

If you get the mesh ones you can see what's inside (not v well but definitely gives you an idea before you open them and so much better than cloth bags). Because they're square you can fold everything nicely and they won't lose their shape whereas put them in a bag and they'll be all over the place. I have packing cubes from Muji and they have lasted really well. Don't buy the cheapest one you can find as they won't last (I did a test, pound shop VS Muji. Muji infinitely better).

Well, I have spent most of the evening browsing for packing cubes. I think I need to see them in the flesh before I commit to buy, as there seems to be nothing of them. There's a Mountain Warehouse near me so I shall check out their items, and I'll go to Ryman's to check out "Go Travel pack of 3" which has been recommended here as well.

Yes, I dismissed them for years as a gimmick but I’m a total convert. As someone who is not naturally organised they are great both for organisation and space saving

I don’t understand packing cubes. Don’t your clothes just get really squished?

I first used them about 10 years ago whilst backpacking. I know you can get cheap sets but I'd recommend a good set as there's nothing more infuriating with crap zips if you're using a lot.
I bought eagle creek brand as wasn't much choice when I got mine but they're still like new

I like the John Lewis packing cubes- they’ve got mesh tops and a handle on the side. Much better than having all your bits and pieces all over the place

I had a look at that set too @haveagoodtimeallthetime . Are they all the same size? They look different in the photo but it only mentions one set of dimensions in the product description.

@xsquared they’re three different sizes but not massively different, and they’re quite deep when packed, like real cubes (cuboids) rather than my last set by Go travel which were quite flat

When I'm bike packing and/or tent camping every day for a long period of time, they are amazing. It keeps my bags organised, but in those scenarios I'm taking clothes that don't need ironing or I don't care about that anyway. If you are backpaking they would be good for similar reasons. If I was going on holiday with a suitcase I definitely wouldn't use them because everythig gets squished.

I used Eagle Creek and Osprey cubes every day for about 2 years and they are still going strong.

I objected to them for a while because they are not cubes and then bought some as they were cheap.
I am now a convert.

I used to use cloth bags so it was similar but i like them

Just buy a cheap set from Amazon, if you don't get knocked with them you can use them for other things.

DD and I have a set each and different colours so we know whose is whose although nowadays we take separate bags anyway.

I keep my small suitcase case packed as an emergency bag so it always has toiletries, PJs, underwear, leggings and a hoody each for both of us - I was once admitted to hospital and had nothing easily accessible and living away from home friends had to try and put things together for me. This way I can just say "Grab the red suit case under the bed." I keep those things in a packing cubes so if I use the suitcase for a work trip I just take out that cube and repack.

I also used them in my shoulder bag if on a long train journey with DD and have all the books, colouring books, devices and chargers inside it so can just have it out of we have a table seat.

Nit packing cubes but a complete lifesaver travelling with small children. Buy one of those over the door shoe holders, roll up separate outfits for the kids for each day and pop one outfit in each shoe holder, use one or two for nappies, wipes etc and then roll up into your suitcase. At the other end, hook it over the bathroom door and you have everything to hand as you need it.

They are brilliant if you’re travelling as a family. Everyone in our house has their own colour packing cubes. The type with the mesh window are best for us as you can identify the contents. Amazon Basics brand is absolutely fine, quality wise.

I usually do one for dresses, one for tops and shorts, one for knickers & bras, one for socks, swimsuits and pyjamas. I usually also have one for corralling small bits and pieces - travel adapters, belts, hair brush etc

yeah very helpful actually, i own 3 sets from 3 different companies and all of them work great not like the reviews on different sites saying which is good which is bad, i think all of them work great i'm got from eaglecreek last year and from carrycubes mid of March last one from thule.

Love mine, I buy mine from MiaTui. I find it best not to overpack them so they’re not bulging. It makes packing and unpacking so much easier. We went on a cruise earlier this year and it allowed us to swop cubes between cases and not get our stuff muddled. DH never used to like them and doesn’t tend to bother for short trips but realised how handy they were for longer trips when we cruised,

Very handy for the reasons people gave said.

Other reasons

Much easier to organise your suitcases and reorganise it.

Keeps clothes organise if your hotel room does not have a lot of drawers / hanger space. They were great on a recent trip to Japan where you have a shelf and a small rail.

Yeah but squished is not a bad thing. What is ironing but a hot squish?

ZOMBIE!!! 🧟‍♂️🧟🧟‍♂️

I did this when we were in Greece for two weeks. Absolutely brilliant idea and so much better than having to sort the washing out when we got back. We only have a small cottage kitchen (no utility room) so I could stack the cubes by the back door ready for washing.