Maximising Space: Best Packing Cubes & Organisers For Your Luggage
Packing a suitcase feels much easier when every item has its place. Rather than searching through layers of clothing or unpacking everything to find one top, packing cubes divide your luggage into clear, manageable sections.
They are useful for everything from weekend trips and summer holidays to family travel and journeys with several stops. Packing cubes can keep outfits together, prevent smaller items from getting lost and make repacking simpler when it is time to come home.
So join us as we show you how to use packing cubes, how many to take, and how the right organisers can help you make better use of every part of your suitcase.
Why Packing Cubes Make Travel Easier
Packing cubes for suitcases and travel bags are lightweight fabric organisers that divide one large packing space into smaller, easy-to-manage sections. Available in different sizes, they keep clothing and travel essentials grouped together throughout your trip.
You might use one cube for tops, another for trousers and a smaller organiser for underwear and socks. You can also organise them by outfit, traveller, destination or stage of the holiday.
Packing cubes can help you:
- Find clothing without emptying the whole suitcase
- Keep smaller items together
- Separate different travellers when sharing luggage
- Organise outfits for different days or destinations
- Keep clean clothes away from worn items
- Move belongings between suitcases and travel bags
- Unpack and repack more easily
Packing cubes are particularly useful on multi-stop journeys. Instead of unpacking your entire suitcase at each hotel, you can remove the organiser containing the clothes you need and leave everything else in place. They can also make unpacking easier when you arrive. Individual cubes can be placed in drawers or on shelves, keeping your clothes organised without handling every item separately.
The Best Ways To Organise Your Packing Cubes
There is no single correct way to use packing cubes. The best system is the one that makes sense for your journey and helps you find what you need quickly.
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Organise By Clothing Type
Dividing belongings by clothing type is one of the simplest methods.
For example:
- One cube for tops, dresses and lightweight layers
- One cube for trousers, shorts and skirts
- One smaller cube for underwear, socks and swimwear
This works particularly well for longer holidays because you can quickly see how much clothing remains in each category. It can also help you recognise when you have packed enough. When one category has comfortably filled its allocated cube, review whether any additional items are genuinely needed.
Organise By Outfit
For a weekend away or a holiday with a planned itinerary, pack complete outfits together. You could use one cube for daytime clothing and another for evening outfits. A smaller organiser can hold underwear, sleepwear and accessories.
This method reduces the need to search through different sections of your suitcase each day. It can also help you make sure that the clothing you are bringing will work well together before you leave.
Keep Worn Clothing Separate
Take an empty packing cube or foldable laundry bag for clothes you have already worn. This keeps laundry away from the outfits you still need and makes unpacking simpler when you return home.
Only place dry items inside. Wet swimwear, towels and damp outdoor clothing should be allowed to dry fully before being packed.
Organise By Traveller
When two or more people are sharing a suitcase, assign a cube or colour to each person. This allows everyone to recognise their belongings without opening every organiser. It can be especially useful for children, who can find their own clothes and become more involved in unpacking. You could also use separate cubes for shared items such as swimwear, beach clothing or sleepwear.
For more advice on preparing shared luggage, read our guide to Family Holiday Packing Made Simple.
Organise By Destination
If your journey includes several destinations, use a separate cube for each stage of the trip. Keep clothing for your first stop near the top of the suitcase and place later outfits underneath. You can then remove only what you need rather than disturbing the whole case every time you arrive somewhere new.
A separate cube for travel days can also be helpful. Fill it with comfortable clothes and any lightweight layers you may need while travelling between destinations.
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How To Use Packing Cubes In A Suitcase
1. Plan What You Need
Start by considering what the trip actually requires.
Think about:
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How long you will be away
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The weather at your destination
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The activities you have planned
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Whether you can wash clothes while away
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Your airline luggage allowance
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The size and layout of your suitcase
Lay everything out before placing it into your packing cubes. This makes it easier to identify duplicate items and create outfits using clothes that can be worn in several ways. Start with a simple packing list, then use each cube as a guide for how much you need in that category.
For more guidance on building a flexible holiday wardrobe, check out our guide on How To Pack Light For Two Week Holidays.
2. Give Each Cube A Purpose
Choose the organisation method that best suits your trip and give each cube one clear purpose. You can also combine approaches where useful. For example, a family might assign one cube to each child, while using another organiser for shared swimwear or sleepwear.
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3. Match The Cube To The Contents
Use larger cubes for main clothing such as tops, trousers, dresses and lightweight layers. Medium cubes work well for shorts, swimwear, children’s clothing or planned outfits. Smaller cubes are useful for underwear, socks, sleepwear and lightweight accessories.
Matching the size of the organiser to its contents helps prevent small items from moving around and allows the cubes to fit together more neatly inside your suitcase.
4. Roll Or Fold Your Clothes
Rolling works well for soft and flexible clothing such as:
- T shirts
- Shorts
- Leggings
- Swimwear
- Sleepwear
- Casual dresses
Folding is often better for:
- Shirts and blouses
- Trousers
- Structured dresses
- Smart clothing
- Items that crease easily
You do not need to choose one method for the entire suitcase. Fold structured clothing and roll softer pieces to make good use of the space around them. Fill each cube evenly rather than creating one tall pile in the centre. Leave enough room for the zip to close smoothly and for the organiser to sit neatly inside the case.
5. Arrange The Cubes Inside Your Case
Place the largest cube into your suitcase first, then position the medium and smaller organisers around it. Try more than one layout, as the best arrangement will depend on the shape and internal features of your case. In an upright suitcase, place heavier clothing and shoes closer to the wheels. This can help the case remain balanced while you are pulling it through an airport or station. Keep sleepwear, a change of clothes and anything you expect to need first near the top of the case. Clothes for later in the holiday can sit underneath.
Tripp Tip: Take a quick photograph of your packed suitcase before closing it. You can use the image as a guide when arranging everything for the journey home.
Do Packing Cubes Save Space?
Packing cubes do not remove air from clothing, so they do not compress items. However, they can help you make better use of the space available. Loose clothes can spread into different areas of a suitcase, creating uneven piles and awkward gaps. Packing cubes keep items contained within consistent shapes, making them easier to arrange alongside one another.
They can also help prevent overpacking. Giving each category its own cube creates a clear limit, allowing you to see when you have packed enough tops, trousers or swimwear. Packing cubes do not reduce the weight of your belongings. Even when everything fits neatly, your suitcase must still remain within the allowance included with your booking.
Standard Packing Cubes Vs Compression Packing Cubes
- Standard packing cubes: designed to keep clothing organised, visible and easy to access. They allow you to remove one section from your suitcase without disturbing the rest, making them a practical choice for summer holidays, family travel, cabin trips and journeys with several stops.
- Compression packing cubes: include an additional zip that reduces the depth of soft items, such as knitwear and winter layers. They can be useful when reducing bulk is the priority, but they do not reduce the weight of your belongings.
For most everyday holidays, standard packing cubes offer a simple balance of organisation and flexibility without placing extra pressure on your clothes.
How Many Packing Cubes Do You Need?
The number of packing cubes you need depends on the length of your trip, the size of your suitcase and how you prefer to organise your clothes.
Overnight Trips & Weekends
One medium cube may be enough for a change of clothes, underwear and sleepwear on an overnight trip.
For a weekend away, use:
- One medium cube for main clothing
- One small cube for underwear, socks and sleepwear
- One separate wash bag for toiletries
This leaves room for shoes, technology and any outer layers you may need.
Four To Seven NightsA set of three packing cubes gives one traveller plenty of flexibility for a week away.
A useful setup could include:
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Large cube for main outfits
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Medium cube for lighter clothing or evening wear
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Small cube for underwear, socks and swimwear
Summer clothing is often lighter and easier to roll, so you may not need to fill every cube completely.
Longer & Long-Haul Holidays
For a trip lasting one or two weeks, one complete set may be enough if you have planned a flexible wardrobe and can wash clothing while you are away.
A second set may be useful when sharing a large suitcase, visiting different climates or packing specialist activity clothing.
Family & Multi Stop Travel
When sharing a suitcase, begin with one cube for each traveller. You can then add shared organisers for swimwear, sleepwear or beach clothing where needed. Using a different colour for each person makes belongings easier to recognise.
For multi-stop trips, divide the cubes by destination or stage of the journey. Position the organiser for your first stop near the top and leave later outfits packed until they are needed. Avoid deciding how many cubes to fill before choosing what to take. Start with the requirements of your trip and use only the organisers needed to create a practical system.
What To Look For In The Best Travel Packing Cubes
When comparing packing cubes, think about how the set will work with your existing luggage and the types of trips you take most often. The best travel packing cubes should be lightweight, easy to arrange and useful throughout the journey.
- A Practical Choice Of Sizes: A mixture of large, medium and small cubes
- Lightweight Materials: Suitcase organiser bags should add as little unnecessary weight as possible
- Visible Panels: A mesh or transparent panel allows you to identify what is inside without opening every organiser
- Secure Zips: The zips should move smoothly and remain easy to use throughout your holiday
- A Shape That Fits Your Suitcase: Rectangular packing cubes often fit neatly inside structured suitcases. Compare the organiser dimensions with the internal layout of your luggage
- Colours That Support Your System: Colour can make your packing system even easier to follow, whether that be a different colour for each person or a different colour for a different type of outfit.
Introducing Tripp Packing Cubes
Designed to keep outfits and travel essentials neatly separated, Packing Cubes bring a simple organisation system to cabin, medium and large suitcases.
Each lightweight polyester set contains three packing cubes in different sizes:
- Large (15 litre) cube for main clothing and larger outfits
- Medium (10 litre) cube for shorts, swimwear and lighter clothing
- Small (7 litre) cube for underwear, socks and accessories
Every cube features a mesh window, making it easier to see the contents at a glance without opening each organiser. The complete set weighs just 0.2kg and comes in a wipeable storage bag to keep everything together between holidays.
Tripp Packing Cubes are available in a range of colours:
Choose a colour that coordinates with your luggage or use different shades to organise each traveller’s belongings. Use the complete set in a medium or large suitcase, or take only the sizes you need for a shorter cabin trip.
Tripp Tip: When several people are sharing luggage, give each traveller their own packing cube colour. Everyone can find their belongings without opening every organiser.
Best Tripp Luggage To Pair With Packing Cubes
Packing cubes can be used across cabin, medium and large luggage. The right combination will depend on your trip length, packing style and airline allowance.
Cabin Suitcases
For a short cabin trip, one medium and one small cube may be all you need. Use the medium organiser for your main clothing and the smaller cube for underwear, sleepwear or swimwear. This leaves space for shoes, toiletries and anything you need during the journey. Always check the latest cabin size and weight restrictions for your airline and fare before travelling.
Expandable Suitcases
An expandable suitcase can provide extra flexibility for longer holidays, shared family luggage or journeys where you may return with additional belongings. Packing cubes keep the main compartment organised, while the expandable section gives you extra room when it is genuinely needed. Expanding your case does not increase the airline weight allowance, so weigh your luggage before travelling.
Long Haul Suitcases
A large suitcase can quickly become difficult to manage when every item is placed in one open compartment. Packing cubes help divide the space into practical sections for daytime outfits, evening clothing, underwear and activity wear. This means you can find what you need without unpacking the entire case.
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Packing Cube Mistakes To Avoid
Filling Every Cube
Give each packing cube a clear purpose and only use the organisers your trip requires. Leaving a little flexibility can also make it easier to repack your suitcase for the journey home.
Overfilling The Organisers
A packing cube should close smoothly and remain relatively flat. If the zip is under pressure or the cube has become rounded, remove an item or move part of the contents into another organiser.
Mixing Damp & Dry Items
Do not place wet swimwear, towels or damp outdoor clothing into a cube with clean garments. Allow everything to dry fully or carry damp items separately in a suitable bag.
Packing Toiletries Without Protection
Standard packing cubes are not designed to contain liquid spills. Keep toiletries in a sealed wash bag or vanity case and check that every lid is secure before packing.
Forgetting The Weight Allowance
An organised suitcase can still be too heavy. Packing cubes can help more items fit neatly, but they do not reduce their weight. Always weigh your completed suitcase before leaving for the airport.
Tripp Tip: Leave a little spare room for the journey home. Clothes are not always folded as neatly when you are repacking, and you may have a few additional items to bring back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Packing Cubes Worth It?Packing cubes are useful if you want a clearer and more manageable system inside your suitcase. They are particularly helpful for family holidays, cabin trips and journeys with several stops. They can also make unpacking easier because related items remain grouped together.
Do Packing Cubes Save Space?Standard packing cubes do not physically compress clothing, but they can help you use the available space more efficiently. They contain loose clothes within consistent shapes, reduce uneven piles and make items easier to arrange inside your suitcase.
How Do You Use Packing Cubes In A Suitcase?Give each cube a category, then roll or fold your clothing neatly inside. Place the largest organiser into your suitcase first and arrange smaller cubes around it. Keep anything you expect to need first near the top or most accessible part of the case.
Are Compression Packing Cubes Better Than Normal Packing Cubes?Compression packing cubes are useful when reducing the bulk of soft clothing is your main priority. Standard packing cubes are often the better everyday choice for organisation, visibility and frequent access. They are particularly practical for summer holidays, family travel and cabin trips.
How Many Packing Cubes Do I Need For A Week Away?A set of three packing cubes is a useful starting point for one person travelling for a week. Use the large cube for main clothing, the medium organiser for lighter outfits or swimwear and the small cube for underwear and socks.
Can Packing Cubes Be Used In Cabin Luggage?Yes. Packing cubes can be used in cabin suitcases, travel bags and underseat luggage. Choose organiser sizes that fit the internal packing area and leave enough room for shoes, toiletries and journey essentials. Packing cubes do not change the airline’s permitted luggage dimensions or weight allowance.
Start Your Next Trip Organised
Packing cubes make it easier to see what you have packed, find what you need and keep your suitcase organised throughout the journey. Choose a simple system that suits your trip, whether you are dividing outfits, sharing family luggage or preparing for several destinations.
With three practical sizes and colours to suit your luggage, Tripp Packing Cubes help every item find its place from the moment you begin packing to the journey home.
- 19th August 2026
