Travel Gear

The Best Packing Cubes For First Time Travelers

We can’t say it enough—you need to own a set of these.

You didn’t save and plan all year just so you could be a disorganized mess. | Shutterstock

By Islands Staff Dec. 22, 2020

The best way to have a great first trip is to be organized and plan ahead. Packing cubes will help ease the first-time jitters and keep your stuff in place. Here are five sets to consider and why.

Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes, Travel Luggage Organizers with Laundry Bag & Shoe Bag — It's like having miniature suitcases that fit perfectly inside your actual suitcase. | Veken

Material is important, so pick cubes that have nylon, polyester, or similar hard-wearing materials that can take a beating and keep your stuff together.

AmazonBasics 4 Piece Packing Travel Organizer Cubes Set, Black — One of the advantages is keeping clean stuff from mingling with dirty stuff. | Amazon Basics

Look for cubes that will let you see what's inside at a glance, with mesh or clear plastic panels, so you can grab what you need.

YAMIU Packing Cubes 7-Pcs Travel Organizer Accessories with Shoe Bag and 2 Toiletry Bags(Black) — You'll also know exactly where everything is at all times, so you'll never be late for reservations because you can't find socks. | YAMIU

Get a set with a clear plastic cube to keep toiletries in, so you can finally ditch the zipper-top bag.

Packing Cubes, 8 Set Luggage Organizer for Travel Suitcase Include 2 Toiletry Bags and 2 Shoe Bags — When you're a more adventurous traveler, that means dirtier gear and reluctance to bring certain items. Not this time. | Easyfun

If you'll need to bring a change of shoes or keep your hiking gear separate from the rest of your stuff, shoe bags are a must-have.

Gonex Compression Packing Cubes, 4pcs Expandable Storage Travel Luggage Bags Organizers — Not only do you want to save room when on vacation, but you need to think about that at home, too. | Gonex

If you're going to need a lot of space, look into reusable compression bags.