This Is Why You Need Packing Cubes

[@laurenmaternowski]

Use code BCPACK for 15% off your first purchase at Backcountry (exclusions may apply): packha.kr/vudn

[@mandalorian2010]

Need? Yes. Absolutely. Without ANY doubt. 100%

[@flygtjej748]

Good info! I have found it easier to pack each shoe in its own pouch, for greater packing versatility (i.e. placing each shoe in the space on either side of the handle in a rolling bag, for instance). Also, my (new) favorite packing cubes are from a brand called Acteon. They have a compression zipper and two separate compartments. I start my travel with just one compartment filled with clean clothes and transfer the dirty clothes to the other compartment a needed. Unless you buy clothes on the road, this packing cube doesn’t change size during your travel and thus eliminates the need for a separate laundry bag.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing 😃 -Eric

[@yaowsers77]

i found 2 gallon ziplock bags and love them because you can squeeze the air out and it becomes a compression bag. with smaller sizes, use the freezer bags because they're more durable ;)

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing 😃 -Eric

[@OfFiCiAllCiNnAmOn]

Definitely use them whether you use a suitcase, clamshell or upright backpack. The organisation is invaluable. I have that osprey ultralight set and its great but if you have many stops on a trip then can get a little annoying as it's not so easy to access the stuff. I end up using the old eagle creek clamshell cubes (i think they are the original 'Packit' cubes. They are a little heavier and bulkier but at a destination you can just pull them out and they act like a drawer/storage box you can just store them on a flat surface or on a shelf in a wardrobe and have access to your stuff without unpacking. As ever try them out before you travel...live out of them at home for a couple of days to figure out the best way they work for you.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing! Is there any situation where you opt for the Osprey set instead? -Eric

[@OfFiCiAllCiNnAmOn]

@@PackHacker yep (as i have an osprey FP 40 so they fit perfectly) i actually use the small osprey osprey one for socks all the time...the access thing isnt a big deal for socks. i use the large osprey cube for the clothes i use while traveling - i pack that and either just leave it on the main pack or stuff it in. and once i wear the clothes, that cube folds up to virtually nothing and can be easily stowed and on the road it can be used as a laundry bag or just as an extra cube for stuff i pick up on the way. so usually a case of mix and match rather than picking one complete set over another

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing your detailed insights 😃 it sounds like you’ve got a proven system figured out! -Eric

[@mckee309]

I too have the older Eagle Creek Pack-it Cubes. Some at least 20 years old. Keep thinking I should buy new ones to get a matching set. But the old ones work so well. Don’t think you’d notice any extra weight unless using only a small backpack.

[@bangalorebobbel]

Packing cubes etc. are definitely a must. I love to pack smaller items in smaller cubes/sacks/pouches which I then put in the larger ones since further sub organisation can help in many cases - and I have extra packing cubes with me, just in case. Besides stuff designed as packing cubes I use also ultralight daypacks and bum bags as additional packing cubes, enjoying triple benefit of saving the space for theses items (when folded) in my luggage while using them for packing purposes during travel and being able to use them as they are intended after arrival. These foldable ultralight rucksacks make great shoe sacks (but I recommend to put a showercap over the shoes in order to keep the rucksack clean), and the hip bags are good for all kind of smaller items like pens or usb sticks or lipsticks and what not .... Found it also very useful to keep my stuff inside bum bags or messenger bags if anyhow possible completely in small pouches, packing cubes or at least ziplock bags. That bag-in-the-bag principle makes it easy to grab the whole contents of these bags and put it in another back/rucksack/etc. in case that is required. In monsoon areas it might also be helpful in order to keep your stuff dry when your rucksack or messenger itself is not really waterproof - as long as your stuff is in a ziplock or any other kind of water proof inner liner it is safe. (Learned that bag-in-the-bag trick from my grandma who always used an inner bag in her handbags - she used to use different handbags according to her dress and the occasion, but mostly the same inner bag, and in that way she could change her handbag in seconds. Seems in these good old days some of her handbags came already with inner bags when she purchased them, must have been a common practise and maybe also thought for keeping the handbag itself clean or so?) For suitcases I use additionally to packing cubes generally at least one lightweight plastic container (simple rectangular storage container, usually used as kitchen container or so). I find it very useful and comfortable to have a solid transparent container with a lid to keep lot of smaller stuff inside compared to keep everything only in flumsy textile cubes.

[@JunkheadAlice]

I started out with zip lock bags before I had ever heard of a packing cube. My first foray into travel/edc bags and products was discovering Nomatic. I use all of their products from bags to packing cubes, pouches and wallets.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing 😃 -Eric

[@andalalvar7183]

Shirt folders like the one from eagle creek are also great for keeping clothes flat. I often find rolling things doesn’t work in all situations

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing 😃 -Eric

[@pao_banaag]

Pack Hacker team saw that fountain and was like "we need to throw our things in that" 😆

[@PackHacker]

😂😂😂

[@musicman6759]

Shoe pouch - excellent idea.

[@DavidHurst91]

I use Peak Design and Tom Bihn packing cubes for travel. I also love the Tom Bihn Travel Laundry Stuff Sack. They added different color pull cords to distinguish between clean and dirty sides. It also comes with a mesh side now.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing, David! 😃 -Eric

[@peggywoods4327]

I jumped on the cube wagon with both feet! I am a big fan of cubes, sacks, and pouches. They really help me stay organized. If it's a trip when I've brought it, I just store dirty clothes in my Scrubba bag. ALSO: did you know you can find travel things at IKEA? I got a cube set, pouches, compact (shopping) bags, shoe pouches, and more for under $20 in total!

[@PackHacker]

We’ve dabbled with Ikea gear in the past 😃 Thanks for sharing! -Eric

[@Melibergs04]

More videos with Lauren please! Love her delivery

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for the input, Melissa! 😃 I’ll pass it along. -Eric

[@winstonmcse]

Yes and yes and to quote the American Express company “never leave home without it”😂❤🎉

[@PackHacker]

Ha, good one! What’s your go-to model? -Eric

[@axeljavier0704]

Bought some compression cubes for my last trip and they seriously made packing ang unpacking so easy. Love the organized look whenever I open my bags! I used ziplock baggies as well since they're see-through but had to bring extra bags in case of tears.

[@PackHacker]

Which compression cubes did you go with? 🧐 -Eric

[@axeljavier0704]

@@PackHacker I went with the Alameda brand.

[@cider999]

I use cubes from Helikon-Tex, good price, quality and they have compression straps that works magic in downsizing your gear. I'm pretty sure they're available in US.

[@slickslabmcknabful]

I buy them. I use them. I then I don't think I need them. Then I see something in a slightly different variant. I buy them. I use them. Rinse and repeat.

[@PackHacker]

😂😂😂

[@katelawrence7445]

Packing cells haven a game changer for me. Everything is so easy to find and I no longer leave a trail of possessions wherever I go.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing 😃 -Eric

[@ryanmcdougall22]

EXCELLENT video, thank you!

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for watching! 😃 -Eric

[@krakatoasundra]

that’s interesting. u taking travel backpacks to whole new level.😊

[@lucyheartfillia1451]

Can you guys do a review of small backpacks 15L and under. I want a small backpack for school. I want it to fit my 13 inch laptop, a water bottle and some notebooks.

[@williamwchuang]

I use packing cubes and roll up vacuum bags. The latter is for underwear, socks, and other stuff i don't mind wrinkling

[@ivanov9693]

I have mixed feelings about them. Yes, it keeps things organized, but when I arrived to an hotel after a long flight, I hate having to open different packing cubes to get a new shirt, trousers, underwear, socks, toiletry kit. And what to do with the clothes you have to wash when your bag is already full of packing cubes? So I ended up using a couple of packing cubes for clothes I want to protect or compress, and cotton or plastic bags for the rest. Way more flexible that way.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for watching and sharing your input, Ivan! 😃 -Eric

I usually carry an additional stuff sack for the dirty clothes.

[@DanzEnglish]

This is a well-made video. Thank you

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for watching 😃

[@4115steve]

I use dry bag stuff sacks to save space and keep things dry if my bag gets rained on

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing 😃 -Eric

[@buffalomind6838]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have packing cubes, and was going to use them again, but not to pack shirts in them. I will do that now along with pants if they fit.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing 😃 -Eric

[@susanwestfall2051]

Love those cubes! They keeps things organized and folded.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing 😃 -Eric

[@Chambros703]

Can’t imagine traveling without them. However you didn’t mention the best ones! Goruck full packing cubes are my favorite! Coming from PD to these too!

[@angeliquevillaron4638]

i wish you make a camping gear channel too

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll pass it along. -Eric

[@shortcityvlogs]

I got my pack of 3 at Ikea for 5 Euro. 😁

[@pupper2054]

eww

[@mdubb4855]

The biggest problem I have is the tendency for stuff to sink to the bottom. In terms of cubes, the budget compression packing cubes you recommend help a lot - tightening the contents helps keep stuff in place within the cube (clothes can clump at the bottom of the cube when packed on edge, unless compressed). I like to use at least one packing cube in each of my three pieces (personal item, overhead, checked luggage). Onboard, the cubes help if my bags are inspected through security ~ removing a cube opens up enough free space for security to rummage without completely emptying my bag. In checked luggage, I pack my arrival toiletries and change of clothes for less confusion after 20 hours of flying.

[@omokok1877]

You should check out the tech and trek sling by instinct london

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll pass it along 😊 -Eric

[@gonzalogutierrez1742]

I travel every week. I use simple plastic bags. I still don’t see any use to buy packing cubes. Maybe you guys have any points

[@PackHacker]

What would make you convert, Gonzalo? -Eric

[@krakatoasundra]

i trash bag for my dirty laundry.

[@ideamountain5582]

came to be a NO vote. Glad people are finding them useful for themselves, but I think it's a solution in need of a problem. "compression makes stuff smaller" - allowing people to pack more, making their bag heavier. "Compression allows for more space" - cramming the wrinkles into all your stuff. "easier to find what you need" - what IS in your bag that it's so disorganized? How often are you reaching into your bag to just grab socks? "they're lightweight" - not as light as not taking them at all. Again, if people love them, I'm not here to change your mind. But if you're here in the comments wondering if the promotion is worth it, I just wanted to chime in and say 'not really'. Well done video, as always.

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for sharing your insights and the comment 😃 -Eric

[@v3n0s]

At last someone said it; WRINKLES! I don’t know how this can be avoided…

[@ideamountain5582]

@@v3n0s right? So, what I do with our bag system - it comes with 2 hand-rolled vacuum bags: they do a better job of compression, weigh less, and are more waterproof/smell proof, and then ONLY put things in them that don't wrinkle/wrinkles don't matter: underwear, socks, swimming suit, and I have a warm layer of man-made fabric that doesn't wrinkle. For everything else, that I work to be stuff that doesn't wrinkle much, I fold flat.

[@JustFlo1609]

Not to mention how easy it is for security at the airport, Osprey ultra light ones are amazing I use them for my one bag travel kit

[@PackHacker]

Thanks for watching, Flo! -Eric

[@_The_Mig_]

Tom & Lauren are Pack Hacker's A team, I like their videos best than when it's with the B team