Packing cubes are small zippered fabric organizers that separate clothing inside a backpack, cutting search time and keeping gear grouped by category.
Digging for a dry pair of socks through a 40-liter backpack at a hostel is the moment most hikers decide to buy their first set. Packing cubes turn that mess into stackable, labeled blocks you can pull out in one motion. Eagle Creek designs them specifically for luggage organization, and Wirecutter describes them simply as fabric-and-mesh bags that zip clutter away tidily. For backpackers, the payoff is threefold: faster packing, faster unpacking, and gear that stays findable on day four of a trip.
How Do Packing Cubes Actually Help on a Backpacking Trip?
The main gain is compartmentalization. Instead of one deep cavity where everything shifts, you get defined zones — one cube for shirts, one for base layers, one for toiletries-adjacent items. That matters more in a backpack than a rolling suitcase, because top-loading packs force you to empty the whole bag to reach the bottom layer.
A few concrete wins:
- Faster packing. Load each cube flat, then drop the cubes in. You build the pack once instead of repeatedly.
- Faster unpacking. Lift out all cubes at camp and set them down. Nothing scattered.
- Compression. Compression cubes squeeze air out, so bulky fleeces and puffies take less space.
- Clean vs. dirty. A dedicated cube keeps worn, damp clothing away from fresh items.
Cube sizes and set contents vary by model, so check the specific product page before assuming dimensions carry across Eagle Creek’s lineup. Compression-style cubes can also increase wrinkling and may not suit fragile or moisture-sensitive gear.
Which Packing Cube Types Fit Backpacking Best?
Compression cubes and plain medium cubes cover most backpacking trips. Eagle Creek’s current listings include regular, compression, expansion, clean/dirty, and slim cubes, plus shoe sacks, garment folders, and bundled sets — each solving a different packing problem.
| Cube Type | Best For | Example & Price |
|---|---|---|
| Compression cube | Bulky layers, fleeces, puffy jackets | Pack-It® Isolate Compression Cube M — $30.00 |
| Regular cube | Everyday shirts and pants | Pack-It® Reveal Cube M — $25.00 |
| Expansion cube | Trips where volume changes mid-way | Pack-It® Reveal Expansion Cube M — $30.00 |
| Clean/dirty cube | Separating worn clothing from fresh | Pack-It® Reveal Clean/Dirty Cube M — $35.00 |
| Slim cube | Small items, cables, small accessories | Pack-It® Reveal Slim Cube set |
| Shoe sack | Boots and trail shoes | Included in Eagle Creek sets |
| Garment folder | Wrinkle-prone shirts | Sold within Pack-It® collections |
Set bundles tend to cost more upfront but cover several categories at once. Our tested roundup of the best backpack packing cubes covers which sets earn their price for hikers.
Do You Really Need Them for Backpacking?
Not strictly — but most backpackers who try cubes never go back.
A cheaper path: start with two or three cubes rather than a full set. A single medium compression cube plus a medium regular cube handles a weekend pack. Wirecutter’s testing confirms that simple fabric-and-mesh bags do most of the work — you don’t need every specialty cube.
FAQs
Are packing cubes really worth it for backpacking?
Yes, for most backpackers. They reduce time spent digging through a top-loading pack and keep clothing grouped by type. If you pack light and don’t mind a single main compartment, you can skip them without real loss — the benefit scales with how much gear you carry.
How many packing cubes fit in a 40L backpack?
Roughly three to five medium cubes fill a 40-liter pack, depending on cube thickness and how much compression you apply. Start with a set of three and add more only if you run out of pockets or categories to separate.
Do packing cubes wrinkle clothes?
Compression cubes can increase wrinkling, especially on structured or dress clothing. Fold items flat inside the cube, keep compression moderate, and pack wrinkle-prone garments in a garment folder rather than a compression cube for the best result.
References & Sources
- Wirecutter. “The Best Packing Cubes” Defines packing cubes and testing criteria for travel organizers.
- Eagle Creek. “Packing Cubes Collection” Source for current Pack-It® model names and prices.
- REI. “Eagle Creek Packing Cubes” Retail listings confirming available cube types.