Best Ways To Use Packing Cubes
Packing for a trip often leads to chaos—crammed bags, wrinkled clothes, and endless searching for items. Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at your destination and digging through a disorganised suitcase. This can turn your travel experience into a stressful mess.
Packing cubes are a great solution for streamlining the process, letting you neatly organise your belongings, maximise space, and quickly access what you need.
This guide will show you how to pack efficiently using packing cubes for a smoother, stress-free trip no matter where you're headed.
Declutter and Group
Once your list is ready, sort your items into logical groups. For instance, organise clothing by type—tops in one group, bottoms in another, and underwear separately. Alternatively, for shorter trips or trips with varied activities, grouping by outfits or days might be more practical.
This system will help keep your luggage manageable, allowing you to quickly locate what you need without rummaging through your entire suitcase. It’s especially useful if your itinerary involves multiple stops or varied activities.
Taking the time to plan and sort your belongings before packing into cubes not only streamlines the packing process but also simplifies unpacking. You’ll have everything ready and organised in categories that align with your travel needs, making for a smoother, hassle-free trip.
Folding Vs Rolling
Choosing between folding and rolling your clothes when using packing cubes depends largely on the types of clothing you’re packing and your space-saving goals.
Rolling Clothes
Rolling is an excellent method for casual wear, workout clothes, and items made from fabrics that resist wrinkling, such as t-shirts, leggings, and jeans. The main benefit of rolling is that it maximises space in the the cubes, allowing you to fit more into a smaller area.
Additionally, rolled items are less likely to shift around, helping your suitcase stay organised even during transit.
Rolling also creates small gaps in your cubes, which can be filled with socks, undergarments, or other small items, further optimising your packing space. This can be really useful if you've only got small luggage like an underseat case or a regular carry on suitcase.
Folding Clothes
Folding is best suited for bulkier items, more formal clothing, or fabrics that are prone to creases, such as dress shirts, blouses, and blazers. By folding, especially using methods like the KonMari technique, you can maintain a neat and wrinkle-free appearance.
The KonMari method involves folding items into compact rectangles that can stand upright, allowing you to see all your clothes at a glance. For bulkier items like sweaters or coats, folding helps maintain the structure of the fabric, preventing unnecessary wrinkles.
Combination Approach
Many travellers find that a hybrid approach works best—rolling casual and wrinkle-resistant items while folding more structured or delicate pieces. This strategy allows you to take advantage of the space-saving benefits of rolling while keeping your more formal attire wrinkle-free.
Choose A Packing Strategy
By Category
Group similar items together within each packing cube. For instance, one cube can hold all tops, another for bottoms, and a separate one for undergarments. This approach is ideal for longer trips, where accessing specific clothing types quickly is key.
By Outfit
For shorter trips, pack individual outfits in separate cubes. This strategy helps streamline getting dressed, making it easy to grab a complete outfit without searching through your bag. It’s especially handy for weekend getaways or travelling with kids, where having pre-arranged outfits saves time and effort.
By Activity or Day
Organise cubes based on activities (e.g., beachwear, hiking gear) or day-specific clothing. For trips with varied activities or multi-city itineraries, this method makes it easy to access what you need for each part of the journey.
Smart Packing Tips for Extra Efficiency
Fill the Packing Cubes Fully
Ensure there are no gaps by tightly packing your cubes. Roll or fold clothes efficiently so every inch is utilised. Compress any remaining space by zipping and pressing down on the cube to remove excess air.
Layer Your Suitcase
Place larger packing cubes at the bottom of your suitcase, and stack smaller cubes on top. This helps balance the weight and keeps the suitcase organised. For suitcases with split compartments, stack cubes according to the compartment depth.
See our full guide on the best way to pack a suitcase for more information.
Combine Rolling and Folding
Use a mix of rolling and folding techniques to optimise space and minimise wrinkles. Roll casual clothes to save space and fold more structured or delicate pieces to maintain their shape.
Use Colour Coding or Labels
Assign different coloured cubes for specific categories or travellers, or label your cubes for easy identification. This helps you quickly locate items without unpacking everything.
Separate Clean and Dirty Laundry
As your trip progresses, repurpose empty cubes to separate clean and dirty clothes. This keeps your suitcase organised and makes unpacking easier when you return home.
Final Thoughts On Making Packing Stress-Free
Packing cubes offer a simple yet effective way to stay organised, reduce clutter, and streamline both packing and unpacking. By tailoring your packing strategy to your trip’s length, activities, and your own personal preferences, you can make travel less stressful and more enjoyable.
Whether you’re aiming to save space, stay organised, or just keep your clothes wrinkle-free, packing cubes are great for a variety of travel needs. Embrace these smart packing techniques and tips for a smoother, more efficient packing experience every time you travel.
