Packing cubes--small and vertical.

I too have a variety of cubes. I haven’t tried the compression ones yet, I’m afraid I will pack more ‘just in case’ items and add too much weight. Have to give them more thought. Maybe I’ll put them on my Christmas list.
The vertical ones are great for shoving on the sides in that extra space.
My problem is that I want every item to have a home - meaning a place in a cube. I don’t want any stragglers. This is in case it has to be opened, which I have had the pleasure of experiencing.
I love my garment folder for hubby’s slacks and button down shirts. It lays right on top.
Such dilemmas us frequent travelers encounter.

I use non-compression cubes, packed vertically. And lots of mesh or fabric zipper bags, also aligned vertically, like file folders, for everything from socks to snacks. The zipper bags do add some compression.

My zipper bags are colored, and I consistently use the same colors for the same items. So, for example, my blue patterned zipper bag from Istanbul always holds my scarf. It's easy to see which vertically stacked zipper bag holds what.

Size is so subjective. It looks like Thule's small is comparable to Lewis n Clark's medium, which I use for tops. I use the larger one for bottoms and a long narrow one for unmentionables. If I am taking wrinkle-prone garments, I use a folder, which slides into the top flap of my bag. I'm all about pouches, too.

My favorite is a mediume compression cube from Lewis & Clark, made of like parachute material. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lewis-N-Clark-Featherlight-Expandable-Packing-Cube-Midnight/34743848 I have 4, I believe, I get them on ebay. Super light and can pack loads. If i can find comparable in smaller cubes I'd try that though!

I am a cube addict. I don’t use compression cubes. In a way, regular cubes already do that. Having a variety of sizes is good. Different types of bags pack better with certain sizes. Also, contents matter when using cubes.

Honestly, there are so many ways to use them. Different colors can help with organization.

I use them with backpacks as well. Cheap, zip-mesh pouches can help also.

My husband uses shirt folding boards, designed for packing flat.

I have both compression and the regular packing cubes. The compression can be used without using the extra zipper for the compression. That way you could create additional room if necessary when you travel back home.

I like using cubes that are all the same size and are small. They are rectangular and the width of my backpack, so they stack nicely. I take 4 of them and they limit how much I can pack. One for bottoms, one for tops, one for pj's and undies, and one for sweaters, scarves, overshirts etc. I dont use compression cubes because I roll my cloths and pack them tight so they wont compress any further.

I'm new to packing cubes. I bought a few 'sets' for a recent trip from the local discount store (sold as 'nesting sets' - one inside the other inside the other, etc), and found that one or two were 'the perfect size' for holding items, while the rest were pretty useless. So now I know which sizes work, is there a reliable website where I can go to buy specific sizes? I want to buy about 6 identical cubes precisely sized. Thanks!

Frank, do you have a link to that video?

@Chris,
It’s hard to have perfect size packing cubes. Factors include: size and type of bag, and contents being packed. Zip-mesh pouches can help as well. It’s really about making packing easier, security checks a bit easier, and better bag organization. Some items will be packed outside of the cubes.

Unfortunately, my 2 favorite brands of cubes are no longer made. You could try Amazon basics. Check dimensions of length, width, and depth. Personally, I like about 2.75 inches of depth - because the cubes bulge a bit anyway. I like medium, small, and narrow slimline cubes the best. I have a Rick Steve big mesh block that works well in a flimsy fabric backpack I use.

I can measure some of my cubes for sizes, if you wish.

I like bright colors that are easy to see.

Measure the inside of your bag. Are you stacking horizontally, vertically, on the side? Determine what length, depth, width you need. Allow for some cube bulge. Divide your interior bag measurements accordingly. Then, try to find cubes close to those dimensions. For example: you want six identical bags. Okay. How wide and deep and long is the inside of your case (pack)? Divide by 6.

Frank, do you have a link to that video?

Sorry, Ed, I don't. It was something I saw awhile back and then remembered when I was trying to find a more efficient way to pack.

Measure the inside of your bag. Are you stacking horizontally, vertically, on the side? Determine what length, depth, width you need. Allow for some cube bulge. Divide your interior bag measurements accordingly. Then, try to find cubes close to those dimensions. For example: you want six identical bags. Okay. How wide and deep and long is the inside of your case (pack)? Divide by 6.

That is what I did; the inside dimensions of my bag are about 24" x 15", and I found that 2 mesh cubes that are 15" x 10" fit perfectly (the 15" fills the width of the bag exactly, while the 10" allows two cubes to be placed side-by-side, leaving a 4" gap for 'stuff'). The depth of the bag is about 8", which fits two 4" deep cubes nicely. This cube size also happens to fit in my backpack as well, and also, allows me to fold my shirts appropriately. So currently, I'm looking for cubes that are 15x10x4. So I'm looking for a way to buy exactly those dimensions.

@Chris,
I think finding cubes that are 15” x 10” x 4” is going to be tough. Someone would have to custom sew them for you. Usually, gaps are just packed with whatever doesn’t fit in the cubes - or, other sized cubes are used. Having some gaps in packing is not a bad thing. Good luck on your quest.

Amazon Essentials: large, 14” x 10” x 3”. (Not quite right for you, I know.)

I can get a little obsessive when it comes to packing. How so?

Awhile back, I bought a pocket size graph notebook at Muji. I used it to figure out how to pack cubes and other items. One square was one inch. You also need a ruler and pencil.

Draw the outline of the inside measurments of the bag and go to town.

It worked fairly well.

I also realized I had too much time on my hands.

Frank II,
I prefer to think of it as escapism. A fun diversion. Much of life can be frivolous, so what the heck!
Obsession is how things get developed and improved. Just look at luxury watches as an example.

@Chris,
I looked around the internet a bit. Amazon Essentials, size medium is close.
GOX on amazon.com is 14.6"x 9.8" x 2.95." These will bulge. Don't look high quality. But, don't look bad either. This company has been around for a while.
Amazon.com - Idesort brand (typical funky amazon, probably Chinese, name) Bad news: can only be purchased in assorted size sets.

Good News - size medium - 14.9" x 10.6" x 3.9."
If your suitcase is 15" wide, then I would buy a 14" - 14.5" width because of cube bulge/expansion and wiggle room while packing.

@sunbaked ...

I think finding cubes that are 15” x 10” x 4” is going to be tough.

The reason I came up with that measurement is that it's the EXACT dimensions of a cube I picked up at TJ Maxx. Sadly, it's a 'no-name' brand that was part of a nesting set, which I don't want to buy again.

You never know how accurate measurements are on Amazon, but if you look at this entry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014VBI5MS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 and choose the first entry (gray, which is for some reason sized differently from all the others!), it shows:

Product Dimensions 14.8"L x 10.23"W x 3.5"H

I've ordered the '4x pack'; arrives tomorrow ...

I'll also take a closer look at the items you refer to. UPDATE - I ordered the '8-pack' IDESORT set you referred to. The 'large' sizes will fit my needs below (for larger luggage).

I do have a bigger, wider checked luggage case that I take on 'less restrictive' and/or longer trips, and for that, I could use longer cubes (trying to fold my shirts into the 15" cubes results in 'compromises'). I could probably do with cubes that are 18" for that case.

I see what you did Chris. 4 pack Amazon cubes, plus 8 pack Idesort which includes 2 medium cubes. That gives you your 6. Then, extra Idesort cubes for other applications. The gray Amazon cube dimensions are a bit of a mystery. 2 sets of different dimensions listed in the description. I hope it’s the 14.8 inch one and not the 14” one for you.

Unbaked in Florida—We have 3 sets of those GOX cubes and they are great! Very durable! We have used them in a camper van in Iceland for a couple weeks, regular camping trips at home in WA, and regular travel. We are visiting Hawaii now and I am using them once again. I prefer the smallest sizes.

Mikliz97,
Thanks for your input. Good to know GOX is a good brand. I have “old school” packing cubes from way back that I like. I gave a couple away to friends, so they could have one to try. One went missing in action. I think it was “loaned” permanently to a daughter’s college friend.

Backpack/suitcase size and contents are the main factors in cube size. Big variety now. Hard to go wrong, though. Having a variety of sizes is helpful.

I generally do not use my Rick Steve cubes. However, I discovered when using a structure-less backpack, like my old Patagonia tote pack, the RS cubes work well. They are deep and work like large blocks. Generally, I like medium, small, and slimline cubes. My husband with larger clothes likes the large cubes for shirts and pants and small cubes for socks.

I use two of the long cubes, approximately 14" X 5" X 4". I use two, vertically in the outside divits of the suitcase. One for tops and one for bottoms. This leaves the middle and some of the full top (about 4 inches) to pack my odds and ends: toiletries, first aid, bed bag, etc. The vertical ones were Ebags, but they look just like the Compass Rose ones. I use an approximately 5" X 5" bag for unders and socks. There is room for the absolutely need items to leave my Personal Item and go into my suitcase once I arrive at my first hotel. They work great for me. This way I feel I make the most use of the digits. That's just me.

Hey Wray!
I bought some cheap vinyl mesh, zip top pouches in a package of assorted sizes. I like these for flat or narrow spaces. I put my first aid kit in a small one, snacks, swimsuit and flip flops in another, travel brochures in another. They lay flat and can be slid into those narrow spaces between cubes that you mentioned. Also, can easily be transferred to purse or day pack. Decent enough durability. Eventually, if one dies, who cares?

Sun baked in Florida—my husband was gifted some Eagle Creek cubes years ago and he still uses one for his toiletries. It’s canvas though so heavier than what I would want. The GOX ones weigh next to nothing and the fabric lets you easy shove them into tight places lol. We have orange, blue and green. The orange are mine, blue are his and green is for shared gear. I love being able to just glance at the color and know. That was especially helpful in the camper van.