This allows for easy access for the whole family and cuts back on stress in smaller spaces. I absolutely hate the mesh top polyester blends types and have noticed that as soon as you go to unzip, the whole thing explodes, almost defeating the purpose of using the packing cube to begin with.

After going through almost 10 different styles of compressible packing cubes, I feel like I can save you a ton of money and time by sharing what our favorite ones are. I finally found the right packing cubes for our family, so I hope this helps you too.

I struggled because no one really tells you that packing cubes help make packing a lot easier when you pick the right one. Or that you want lightweight cubes, because you’ll be able to pack more toward your weight limit if they are.

For our family, we needed ones that made unpacking for the kids easy. Where you can go from the suitcase to the hotel drawer without creating a huge mess. These are my favorite right now. They aren’t ultralight packing cubes, but they’re pretty light and durable.

We like the compression cubes and find that these types are also good for optimizing on the most packing space because you can fit a ton in them as if they were already compressing. Many of the clear ones are better quality and in my opinion are the best option to go with, when deciding on what to purchase. 

The full set of these types of packing cubes will come in a few different sizes. They also usually come with a compression zipper making. the various sizes included are:

• A Small cube
• A Medium cube
• A Large cube
• A Toiletry Small size cube

They kind of look like plastic bags but the handles on them are a nice feature that make it easy for kids to grab. My personal preference is towards the large packing cube because my suitcase is larger but if you’re planning to utilize a carry-on suitcase then you’ll want to stick with the medium and small travel cubes. We purchased a set of packing cubes that included all four of these sizes but you’ll want to make your purchase based on what’s best for your situation. 

Compression Packing cubes also work great in duffel bags, travel backpacks, and in any luggage set you have. They’re amazing products to use for travel, especially with a family! We kind of mixed and matched ours so that audrey with the small items got the small packing cubes. I have larger clothes so the large sizes work better with compressing the larger sizes. 

Here are some of our other favorite packing cubes.

Packing Cubes DIY Project

Today, I’ve got something super cool to share with you, a fun little DIY project we tackled: personalized travel packing cubes for Audrey, our youngest explorer.

As a full-time traveling family, packing efficiently is a must, especially when you’ve got kiddos like Audrey who want to be independent packers. So, we decided to make her packing cubes not only functional but also cute as can be. Let me know what you think and if you would try this project too.

White Alphabet Letters Adhesive Patches, 26pc Light Pink Alphabet Letters Adhesive Patch Set

Now, these packing cubes might not be the fancy compression type, but they work like a charm. I managed to fit a ton of clothes into them, and they nestled snugly into Audrey’s duffle bag. Perfect for any on-the-go lifestyle.

Aloha Bags as Packing Cubes for Swimsuits and Wet Clothes

This is the piece I’ve been wanting to add since we started spending most of our time on or near the water. Aloha Collection Splash-Proof pouches have quietly become part of our packing cube system, and I’ll never travel without them again.
We use them two ways.

As packing cubes for swimsuits and small clothing. The Mini and Small Aloha pouches hold a swimsuit set, a rash guard, or a kid’s underwear and socks perfectly. They slide into your suitcase exactly like a regular packing cube, but the Splash-Proof material means if anything is even a little damp when you pack it, the rest of your clothes stay dry. In Bora Bora we basically lived in swimsuits, and having a dedicated Aloha pouch per person meant nobody was digging through a shared cube looking for their suit.

As wet bags on travel days. This is the one that actually changed how I pack. You know those travel days where you’re checking out of a resort two hours before a flight and your swimsuit, rash guard, or kid’s swim shorts are still wet? Instead of shoving it all into a plastic bag that leaks or packing it straight into a regular cube, it goes into a Mid or MAX Aloha pouch. Zips closed, contains the moisture, keeps everything else dry. We unpack it at the next Airbnb and let it all air out there.

The bags weigh under 8 oz each, which matters when you’re packing to a Space-A weight limit. They’re also super easy to clean with a wipe down or a rinse in the sink.

Aloha pouch sizes we use for travel:

• Mini Pouch: one swimsuit, small accessories
• Small Pouch: a full swimsuit set, or underwear and socks for a kid
• Mid Pouch: toiletries, full-size travel products, or a wet rash guard and shorts
• MAX Pouch: wet clothing for a whole beach day, a damp towel, or activewear

Why You Should Use Packing Cubes Too

One of the best things about these cubes is that we can see what’s inside thanks to their transparent design, a game-changer when you’re living out of suitcases.

Plus, Audrey loves them even more because they’re labeled, allowing her to have a sense of ownership over her cubes while also making it easier on her to get dressed on her own.

With Audrey’s cubes properly labeled, there’s no more confusion about what goes where. This little addition makes packing and unpacking a breeze for our young adventurer. It’s all part of our effort to instill independence and organization skills in her while we travel the world together.

Speaking of our upcoming trip, we’re going all out and taking a few months’ worth of clothes with us in these cubes. You know me, I can’t resist a good sale… and I did some serious shopping! So, these packing cubes are going to be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping everything tidy and easily accessible.

Where to Buy The Packing Cubes And Stickers we Used!

For those of you interested in creating your own personalized packing cubes, I’ve got you. I linked the stickers & packing cubes we used on my Amazon Storefront and our LiketoKnow.it Shop! so you can easily find them and make your own packing cubes uniquely yours. ✨

In the end, these DIY packing cubes are great for organization, efficiency, and keeping separate compartments for your belongings. They are the best packing cubes for travel. Aesthetically, I think they are super cute. They’ll be joining us on our upcoming adventures, helping us stay organized and traveling like pros.

How I Actually Pack Using Packing Cubes

The best way I have found to pack these is to fold clothes down as small as you can make them and fill it up. Once you get them pretty full, then you zip and then push the clothes toward the back of the cube. From here there will be more space, and you can continue to squeeze a few more items in.

If you want to pack an extra one for dirty clothes, you can. They break down super flat, so it’s easy to use as a laundry bag too. For anything actually wet, the Aloha Mid or MAX pouch handles that job better than a regular cube, which is why we pack both systems together now.

Honestly, these are the best cubes I have found. If you have others you love, I would really appreciate it if you let me know.

Remember, it’s all about the little things that make our travel life smoother and more enjoyable. Happy travels ✈️ #PackForAdventure #TravelWithKids #DIYTravel #PackingCubesOnPoint