Compression packing cubes help organize and condense your clothing so there is more room in your suitcase. But do compression packing cubes work? Here’s what I discovered when I gave them a go.
I have a confession to make. I live a cluttered life. Sure, I generally know where things are in the piles on my desk (and on my dresser and on the folding shelf in the laundry room). But I completely understand if stepping into my home office, bedroom, or laundry room gives a neat freak a panic attack.
But when it comes to packing for a trip, I’m pretty organized.
Or, maybe not so much.
I keep a copy of a time- and trip-tested packing list in a sheet protector and cross things off the list with a dry erase marker as I pack. The list is so comprehensive that it goes beyond the no-brainer items — like underwear, pajamas, and a toothbrush — to also include a “mommy do” list of tasks that must be accomplished for me to leave Louise, the pets, and house behind.
Because I’ve been diagnosed with what my family calls “perpetual vacation suitcase” I purchased a fold-up luggage rack (you know, like the ones in closets at hotels) and keep it in my walk-in closet. That way, when my suitcase is perpetually in a state of unpack from one trip and repack for the next, it’s at least no longer lying on the master bathroom floor.
See what I mean? I live a cluttered life.
So when Kaylee offered to send me a set of their compression packing cubes to try, I jumped at the opportunity.
To date my suitcase organization has been limited to always putting my pajamas on top (so they’re easy to find when I arrive at my destination late) and an occasional zippered Ziploc bag to keep any exploding toiletries from ruining my clothes. Sure, I’d heard about packing cubes, but I wasn’t convinced they were really necessary.
Boy, was I wrong!
Before I share my experience with the Traveling Holmes compression packing cubes, I want to answer a few questions you may have about compression packing cubes (because I was curious about these things myself).
What is a Packing Cube?
A packing cube is a pouch used to organize clothing and other items. Packing cubes can be made out of plastic and sealed with a slider (like the bag used to pack up cookies to send home with a friend) or constructed from fabric and closed with a zipper like you see on a jacket.
Think of a packing cube as a dresser drawer. Instead of tossing your underwear, t-shirts, pajamas, yoga pants, and blouses all together in your suitcase, you can organize like items in one easy-to-identify, pull-out pouch.
Pro Tip: Just like you’d set dirty clothes in a laundry sorter or hamper at home (and not your dresser drawer), set one packing cube aside to use for your dirty clothes when you travel.
You can also organize your outfits by day into a unique pouch. I once spent a month abroad traveling for work. It would have been wonderful to not just organize my business suit and blouses in one pouch with my casual, off-hours items in another, but also to condense the space they took up in my suitcase as I schlepped from one city (and continent) to another!
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Compression Packing Cubes vs Packing Cubes
As I continued to consider how packing cubes might better organize my travel life, I was curious to know the difference between compression packing cubes and regular old packing cubes. The two are very similar, as one might expect, but compression packing bags are more lightweight and can be manipulated to remove excess space and air so that you can fit more into your suitcase. This is excellent news for a chronic overpacker, like me.
Fun Fact: For a one month, seven city business trip spanning two continents, I packed a massive international suitcase. It was overweight on most of the flights we took in Europe, and one of my co-workers started calling me Babs (for Big A$$ Bag), a nickname he still calls me today.
Do Compression Packing Cubes Wrinkle Clothes?
When you travel, there is a good chance your clothes will get wrinkled, regardless of whether you use a packing cube. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce wrinkles when using packing cubes.
First, consider using compression packing cubes for items that are less likely to wrinkle — like wool, rayon, spandex, and knits — or items that you care less about being wrinkled — like undergarments, t-shirts, and workout gear.
If you want to put blouses, dress shirts, skirts, and slacks into compression packing cubes, neatly roll them to reduce wrinkling.
Lastly, be prepared that some items are likely to get wrinkled when you travel, no matter how careful you are. So the best way to deal with that situation is to be prepared. If you hate ironing as much as I do, consider packing a travel-sized spray bottle of wrinkle release spray. When you get to your destination, spritz your wrinkled clothing and hang everything in the closet. If you forget to plan ahead, try to spray your items before you jump in the shower so they’re smooth as silk by the time you’re ready to get dressed.
Pro Tip: If suitcase space permits, I also recommend a mini travel steamer. And with all the space the compression packing cubes are saving you, you’ll have plenty of room for this nifty tool!
How to Use Compression Packing Cubes
What are the Traveling Holmes Compression Packing Cubes Like?
Traveling Holmes compression packing cubes come in three sizes:
- Large — about 12” tall by 9” wide by 3” deep (before compressed). Perfect for larger or bulkier items, like jeans, pants, and sweaters. Or, you can simply put an entire traveler’s summer weight item into this packing cube.
- Medium — about 10” tall by 7.5” wide by 3.5” deep (before compressed). Works well for tops, t-shirts, pajamas, and workout gear. Or, it would be perfect for a younger family member’s clothing.
- Small — about 8” tall by 6” wide by 2.5” deep (before compressed). A great size for underwear, socks, t-shirts, pajamas, and workout gear, or a baby’s outfits. The small compression packing cube could also be used to collect dirty clothes while traveling.
Depending on the size of your feet, the medium or large packing cubes could be used to keep shoes (and all the germs and gunk on the soles) from touching your clothing and the other items in your suitcase.
Traveling Holmes packing cubes are constructed from water-resistant material, making them a perfect solution for packing a change of clothes for water activities such as white water rafting, canoeing, or float trips. They can also hold a damp swimsuit after a day at the beach or soiled clothing if a wee one has an accident.
The compression packing cubes are machine washable, so it’s easy to toss them in the laundry when you get home to clean off any dirt, debris, or germs before your next trip. Just be sure to hang the compression packing cubes to dry!
But one thing that stood out to me about the Traveling Holmes compression packing cubes versus other compression packing cubes available on Amazon was their lifetime warranty. So if a zipper breaks or the fabric frays, simply contact Traveling Holmes and they will address the problem.
Related Article: 18 Practical Gifts for Women Who Love to Travel
Do Compression Packing Cubes Really Work? Do Packing Cubes Save Space?
Just focusing on the clothes I’d pack for a typical long weekend trip in the summer, I put the following into my carry-on suitcase:
- Two pairs of jeans
- A maxi sundress
- Four t-shirts
- Yoga pants and a workout top
- Four pairs of underwear
- Two pairs of socks
- Swimsuit
- My favorite pajama bottoms with a cell phone pocket and another t-shirt
Keeping my socks and underwear consistently in the zippered pouch built into my suitcase, I was able to get all of my other clothing items into the medium and large compression packing cubes with about 25% to 40% more space than I usually have in my weekend carry-on.
The small compression packing cube not used to pack everything above would be perfect for storing my wet swimsuit or collecting dirty laundry over the course of my trip. (Or, if you don’t have a small zippered pouch in your carry-on, you could use it for socks and underwear.)
Using the compression packing cubes on my next trip with Louise, we could easily share a carry-on suitcase or have a lot more space to bring home souvenirs from our adventures!
To Order Traveling Holmes Compression Packing Cubes
The Traveling Holmes compression packing cubes mentioned here are currently available for $21.97 at Amazon. They are Prime eligible (woo hoo) or sent via free shipping if your order is above $25.
(Pssssst! If you order via the link above, I’ll receive a teeny tiny commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Everyday Wanderer!)
Have You Traveled with Compression Packing Cubes?
What was your experience? Did the compression packing cubes wrinkle your clothes? Did the packing cubes work when it came to saving you space? Do you have additional tips or tricks to help travelers get the most out of compression packing cubes? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
My daughter bought me compression packing cubes for my birthday and I used them for the first time last week. I already like regular packing cubes, but the compression ones are even better! I am also an over-packer, so i need all the help I can get.
Over-packers unite! (With compression packing cubes…)
I’ve been considering using packing cubes for my trips, but haven’t pulled the trigger. I’m glad to see that you used them and it really did save you space! I have a trip in a few weeks so maybe I’ll give them a go!
I am OBSESSED with packing cubes. I love how they help create so much extra room in my suitcase while still keeping everything organized! I’ve used both compression bags and packing cubes and I have to say, unless I’m heading on a long trip, I stick to packing cubes to lessen the chances of wrinkles!
That makes sense. However, I’m such an over-packer AND I have the best little travel steamer, I just use compression packing cubes every time!
My daughter-in-law just bought me a set of compression packing cubes and I totally agree that they make a HUGE difference! They are especially handy when travelling for a lengthy amount of time, as you can fit at least double into your suitcase. I now won’t travel without them!
Where have these been all of our lives, right?!?!?
Im actually travelling to Europe in 2 weeks and been thinking about purchasing packing cubes to fit more stuff. Up to 40% extra space would be great! ??
Compression packing cubes will make a world of difference for a long, overseas trip like that!
My sister offered my some packing cubes for my birthday last year. I love them and can’t travel without them now: not only they keep my suitcase tidy but also, save me space. As you mentioned, your clothes will likely get wrinkled but most accommodations have ironing facilities so no big deal.
I have no idea how I traveled without them!