The One Travel Trend Our Editors Can't Agree On

“I am not an uber-organised person in life, but I am an uber-organised person when it comes to packing. Having small kids means packing a mountain of miniature clothes, which, if not contained, will invade every part of your suitcase (and your life, frankly). Also, tiny things are very hard to find in a big suitcase if they’re kept loose. For this reason, we have designated packing cubes for different types of clothing – tops, bottoms, underwear, swimwear – for the tiniest members of the family. We also pack one empty packing cube per person for dirty clothes so I don’t have to risk my personal safety by sniffing garments to check their status.”

Bridget de Maine, editor, Qantas Travel Insider

“I’ve always wanted to be that super-organised traveller who makes a list and starts packing days out from departure. In reality, I’m doing a mad dash-and-grab in the early hours of the morning of my flight. I’ve come to accept that this is when I do my best work.  

“I’m all for packing cubes in theory. In reality, I’m not convinced they suit my packing style. I don’t typically have the time or patience to allocate each cube its own special category. And at the other end: why methodically zip and unzip when I could just rummage instead? 

“I use other space-saving hacks that give me extra inches in my case: rolled socks inside handbags, belts looped flat around the interior edge of the case, travel-sized toiletries only. And I always ditch at least one pair of shoes before I head out the door.”

- Genevra Leek, content director  

“My packing personality is loosey-goosey; sometimes I plan outfits with themes and colour stories, other times I forget essentials like my toothbrush, socks and sunscreen. It all depends on where I’m headed and how busy I am before the trip.

“I am a huge nerd for packing cubes. Regardless of how organised (or not) my packing is, I always use them. Nothing makes me feel more like a seasoned traveller than the order they bring to my suitcase.  

“For me, the success lies in striking the right mix of sizes so that they Tetris neatly into your case. I lay everything I want to pack on the bed, in a heap or in organised piles, then decide what my cube requirements are. Do I need one dedicated to swimwear, hats and sunnies, or is a larger cube required for workwear? I keep making these decisions until the bed is clear and my bag is a neat puzzle. Plus, it’s an easy clean up if my suitcase busts open at the airport.”

- Faith Campbell, content director

"I appreciate the concept but I think packing cubes add an extra step to packing and unpacking a suitcase — an already tedious task I have no interest in dragging out. A laundry bag to load with dirty clothes is as close to a cubes as I’ll get.
I feel pretty comfortable with my current packing strategy which mostly involves stacking folded clothes and stuffing anything else in the awkward shape gaps that are too small for clothes but too big to waste. If the opportunity arises to take an extra accessory or pair of swimmers, I’ll take it." 

- Kate McGregor, associate director

"I wish I were the type of traveller who took the time to neatly organise and compartmentalise my belongings before a trip. But each time, at 8pm the night before, I find myself in the familiar position atop my case struggling to zip it shut, swearing under my breath that this will be the last time I leave my packing until the last minute.

Tucked under all my garments, swimwear and a "just-in-case" pair of sneakers are my packing cubes – empty. It’s only after my first day on holiday that they get put to use as a simple tool to keep the dirty from contaminating the clean. From underwear to a stained T-shirt, anything that’s been worn is sealed away and out of sight until I’ve made it to a laundry. That way, my suitcase is far more organised on the journey home than on the way over, with plenty of space freed up to bring my newly-purchased keepsakes back."

- Hollie Warnes, senior social and digital producer

“I’m chaotically organised when it comes to packing (as I tend to be in most areas of life). To be honest with you: there’s very little a packing cube achieves that a tote bag can’t – they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution.

“I tend to use a combination of packing cubes, toiletry bags and tote bags and Jenga my way into ensuring every part of my suitcase is being used to its full potential. Packing cubes are essential for garments as they have the added bonus of compressing them (treat it like a mini suitcase, they can take more clothes than you might think) while shoes, cosmetics and chargers get stuffed into tote and toiletry bags and shoved into the nooks around the cubes. 

“The packing cubes I’ve got have a mesh ‘lid’ so I can also quickly see what’s in each cube at a glance, which is handy, as overcommitting to the tote bag method can sometimes have you forgetting which bag houses what by the time you landed, resulting in a frantic rummage on arrival.”

- Christina Rae, digital editor

It all depends on the type of trip... and the type of bag. When I was trotting around South America solo with a backpack, every spare millimetre was crucial so it was very much a shove-and-pray situation. Now that I'm typically travelling with multiple people and many suitcases, I take a different tact. I use cubes – or even reusable sandwich bags occasionally – to arrange everything into outfits for each day of the trip. I also now divide each person's outfit pouches across every suitcase so nobody is caught out without a change of underwear if suitcases go astray.

- Melanie Colwell, senior campaigns editor

Keep scrolling to see our pick of packing cubes.

A good packing cube is both durable and light, keeping your items contained without adding extra bulk to your suitcase. Antler’s versions are made from soft, lightweight polyester – a great choice for travellers who tend to overpack and need more flexibility. You won’t have to sweat to get these closed – the double-zip system does the hard work for you by compressing your clothes.

The first thing you’ll notice about Monos packing cubes is how sturdy they are compared to others on the market, ensuring they’re a packing essential for years to come. The other feature that sets these cubes apart is the fabric: the exterior is crafted from eco-friendly, tear-resistant nylon twill, while the interior is lined with anti-microbial polyester that helps clothes stay fresh and odour-free.

Designed for unpredictable weather and rugged travel conditions, these water-resistant, ripstop nylon packing cubes have a 3000mm silicone and PU coating, providing a high level of waterproofing, to protect your clothes and accessories from the elements. Flexible and light, they’re the ideal choice for soft luggage such as backpacks and weekenders. The side handle is great for carrying them individually, too – you won’t need to unpack your whole bag to nip to the camp bathroom with your toiletries.

If you purchase the right packing cubes, they should see you through plenty of holidays. July’s offerings are stainproof and machine-washable so they should look as good as the day you bought them, trip after trip. Robust construction also ensures they won’t buckle, wrinkle or bend out of shape with frequent use. Like many of the brand’s products, the cells come in a range of colours so you can match them to the rest of your luggage.

The ripstop nylon of Zoomlite's popular packing cubes is made from recycled plastic bottles, saving between three and six bottles from landfill per cube and turning them into these double-zip, compressible space-savers. They also have a handy label window to identify the contents or if you’re sharing suitcase space with family members.

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