Packing cubes play an essential role in any trip. Streamline your luggage and keep your belongings organised with our top packing cube picks.
Packing cubes are the best way to pack for your next trip. They can help you to fit more into your backpack, find items easier, and streamline the packing process.
You’ll find compression packing cubes, multi-coloured packing cubes, waterproof packing cubes, and a whole lot more on the market. But which are the best for backpackers specifically?
We all want backpacking items that are cheap and cheerful – ones that do the job without breaking the bank. We also want them to arrive quickly, so all of our packing cubes for backpacking are available on Amazon. With that in mind, here are our favourites.
Our overall best value packing cubes – the Osprey Ultralight Packing Cube Set offer a high-quality product without breaking the bank. The set of three packing cubes is the perfect amount to organise for most trips.
Brand new for 2023, Osprey’s latest Ultralight Packing Cube Set is one of the best in the business. Osprey’s first packing cubes were already some of our favourites, but its new and improved set has shown us what the brand can do in the travel accessories game.
This set comes with one small, one medium, and one large packing cube – each of which has been overhauled by Osprey to offer better organisation and performance.
This set is now made using 100% recycled fabrics, the majority of which is 40D high-tenacity nylon. Despite these changes for the better, each cube still weighs less than 100 grams. Two colours are available – Black and Waterfront Blue.
These bags are some of the best packing cubes for backpacking you’ll find – they fit easily into a 55L backpack like the Osprey Fairview, and provide plenty of room for your belongings. In practice, these packing cubes are super sturdy and much lighter than others on the market.
If you’re a seasoned traveller who needs long-lasting compression cubes that really stand the test of time, then you should check out the offering from Peak Design. We’ve been fans and users of PD products for a while now, and their packing cubes are a testament to the quality of the brand.
We’re huge fans of the Peak Design team and their packing cubes (available in S, M and L) are our personal choice for any trip. The packing cubes are, however, on the expensive side. We’d only recommend these if you’re travelling a lot throughout the year.
Peak Design sells its packing cubes individually, meaning you can create a set to fit your individual travel needs. They’re weatherproof, made from 70D nylon, and have a rip-resistant coating, which means they’re very unlikely to suffer damage – but if they do, you’re covered. Peak Design offers a lifetime guarantee on most of its products, including these cubes, so you’ll never have to repurchase – you’re effectively spending a little extra cash in return for packing cubes for life.
These packing cubes have an ultra-fast tearaway opening as well as top and bottom handles for fast access. Use the secondary straight zipper for dirty clothes storage. They’re also the option to control the level of compression – these Peak Design packing cubes really do have it all. If you’re on the fence about PD, read our full review of these cubes using the button above.
If you’re concerned about the quality of Amazon’s very own packing cubes, think again. This Eono packing cube set is perfect for those new to travel, or if you’re simply looking for a budget-friendly option to others on this list.
If you’re looking for the best packing cube on a budget, look no further than the Eono Packing Cubes from Amazon. Available in multiple configurations and colours, they’re perfect as an entry-level set of packing cubes.
These are the king of cheap packing cubes for backpacking and come in an 8-piece set, so you don’t have to shop around for individual pieces.
The set comes with three large bags for clothes, a discreet bag, a shoe bag, a toiletry bag, a laundry bag, and one flat bag for smaller items. These packing cubes are water-resistant and breathable to keep your backpacking essentials clean and dry.
But don’t just take our word for it – you can check out the reviews of more than 4,000 people on Amazon who love this set. And with fourteen colourways to choose from, there’s a style for every traveller.
These Eagle Creek packing cubes are great if you’re looking to upgrade your luggage this year. They’re a little more expensive than others on this list (look above if you’re looking for budget-friendly packing cubes), but their quality really shines through.
Eagle Creek specialises in adventure travel and their Pack-It Specter Cubes are one of their most popular products. Available in multiple colours and configurations, they’re a great choice for backpackers and one-bag travellers.
These Ultra-Light packing cubes are similar to our top pick from Osprey – they won’t add any unwanted weight to your pack but are made using water-repellant rip-stop material. The Eagle Creek Specter cubes are also washable, so they’re set to last a really long time.
However, the biggest perk of these packing cubes is their individual compartments. Each of these cubes has two sides, meaning you can easily separate your clean clothes from your dirty laundry. Alternatively, use this feature to separate your clothing types – these cubes are designed to fit your needs. The only downside to the Eagle Creek Pack-It cubes is they can be pretty bulky when full, especially compared to our Osprey favourites.
You might have heard other backpackers talking about Gonex compression packing cubes – they’re super strong, cheap, and give your backpack or suitcase a little more room to breathe.
Available as a set of six, the Gonex packing cubes are great for those looking for maximum organisation. There are plenty of different colours available, it’s the perfect option for uber-organised travellers.
We’re often wary of compression packing cubes as the extra room they provide makes it easy to add extra weight to your pack. However, if you’re selective with your belongings, they can really come in handy. This affordable Gonex set comes in a convenient pack of 6 and is water-resistant, lightweight, and durable.
The packing cubes also come in a range of colours, meaning your belongings will stand out from others in a busy hostel. Make space for more items in your backpack using the compression zips on each bag – Gonex recommends rolling your clothing for the best results.
We’re constantly on the move, travelling full-time and testing out a range of outdoor, backpacking and travel equipment as we go. We don’t spend hours or days testing our products, but weeks and months. That gives us enough time to become super familiar with everything we recommend.
So, what are the best packing cubes for backpacking? Truth is, if you choose any of the options above, you know you’re buying high-quality packing cubes that will travel with you for years.
If you’re after cheap packing cubes for a shorter trip, we suggest the Eono packing cubes by Amazon. If you’re looking to invest for long-term travel, however, go for the Peak Design packing cubes and build your collection over time.
Our overall best value packing cubes – the Osprey Ultralight Packing Cube Set offer a high-quality product without breaking the bank. The set of three packing cubes is the perfect amount to organise for most trips.
Have a couple more questions about packing cubes? Check our packing cube FAQ below.
We recommend separating your belongings into tops, trousers, underwear, tech, and toiletries, then packing one category into each cube. This means you won’t need to rummage through several cubes to find the thing you’re looking for!
Yes! Packing cubes will make your backpacking trip so much easier. Your backpack will stay much more organised and you won’t need to turn everything out onto the floor to find your toothbrush at the bottom of your bag!
Five packing cubes in a 55 to 70L backpack is a good amount. If you’re travelling with fewer clothes or using compression packing cubes, you could put your tops and bottoms into one bag.
This really depends on the quality you’re looking for. The Eono packing cubes are cheap and cheerful for shorter backpacking trips, but if you’re looking for cubes to last years, go for Eagle Creek or Osprey solutions.
A whole lot more than you think. Compression packing cubes can help you to fit even more into your bag than normal cubes – just be mindful of the weight of your pack!
Still not managed to solve your issue? Don’t be afraid to reach out and send us a message on one of our socials – we’re always happy to help!
