When you’re trying to squeeze the most out of your limited luggage space, packing cubes and compression bags are a big help. But which one will do the most for you on your travels? We break it down.
What Are Packing Cubes?
Packing cubes are a modern solution in travel accessories. Coming in different sizes, they work like little drawers. Keep your toiletries in one, store shoes in another, keep dirty clothes away from clean ones. They’re also great for organizing small items like your charger cords and the like. With their compact design, they easily slip into your carry-on or suitcase, ensuring that not an inch of precious space goes to waste.
Because they come in different sizes, you can create just the right combinations of packing cubes to suit your luggage. A weekend trip may only require a small packing cube slipped into your bag to augment your travel toiletries kit. For a longer stay, a series of different-sized packing cubes will better organize everything from shoes to sportswear, shirts, and more. No more rummaging through your suitcase looking for your pajamas!
Packing cubes are a smart, simple solution to an all-too-common problem: digging through your luggage and clothes, looking for That One Thing.
When to Use Packing Cubes
When it comes to travel accessories, the space-saving efficiency of packing cubes makes them perfect for any kind of journey. However, a longer trip will really benefit from the organizational power of packing cubes. You know how it goes: after a couple of days, you’ve got the dirty socks stashed in awkward pockets; it gets harder to find a clean shirt amidst everything. Your charger cords are buried somewhere and those little zippered bags are bulging (maybe even bursting). And what are you going to do with that wet bathing suit? Sturdy packing cubes can be configured to handle it all with a lot less stress. They work especially well in larger pieces of luggage. However, the smaller cubes are perfect in a carry-on or duffel bag to organize things like electronics, t-shirts and socks, larger toiletries and the like.
Besides helping you stay organized, packing cubes help keep clothes wrinkle free. And because of their space-saving design, you can bring more things along.
What Are Compression Bags?
Compression bags are sturdy plastic or nylon bags in which you place your clothes. Most travelers roll things like t-shirts, jeans, and the like inside the bag, then the bag itself is rolled up to force out the air, greatly reducing the volume of all those things. Compression bags are especially helpful when packing bulkier items like light jackets, sweaters, blankets or a sleeping bag liner. Like packing cubes, they come in different sizes; you can find one to fit a large piece of luggage or a smaller backpack or carry-on bag.
These bags allow you to fit more pieces into your luggage, but they don’t reduce the weight. Be mindful of this if checked baggage fees are a concern.
When to Use Compression Bags
Compression bags are often used when you need to fit a whole lot of “stuff” into your luggage. The other reason is to reduce the volume of bulky things like blankets, sweatshirts, jackets or bathrobes, sweaters, and other hefty items. Reducing the size of those things alone frees up a lot more space.
Compression bags come in a variety of sizes, which makes them helpful for saving space in everything from larger pieces of luggage to a carry-on bag or backpack. For those smaller bags, compressing socks, underwear, t-shirts, bathing suits, pajamas and the like can make a real space-saving difference when you travel.
Benefits of Packing Cubes Over Compression Bags
When it comes to travel accessories, packing cubes have several advantages over compression bags.
One of reasons why travelers love packing cubes is how they make packing so much easier and more efficient. They help you stay organized, able to easily find things no matter how long you’ve been away from home. Available in so many sizes, you can create your perfect “system,” to accommodate everything in your wardrobe (and your life). COCOON has also come up with the best of both worlds, with our innovative compression packing cubes. The premium YKK zipper design reduces the volume of the cube by as much as 50%, creating even more (well-organized) space in your luggage! Plus, the zipper holds up against any overstuffing.
Packing cubes keep wrinkles at a minimum whereas the sustained pressure of compression bags can make clothes wrinkle and crease. Cubes can be used in so many ways. Use one in place of a travel toiletries kit. Keep clean clothes separate from dirty ones. Use them to pack muddy sneakers or wet bathing suits. COCOON’s durable packing cubes are the versatile accessory designed to keep you organized, with everything you need at your fingertips.
Packing Efficiency
When it comes to making the most of your luggage space of every kind, packing cubes are favored over compression bags. Their efficient design and multiple sizes allow you to fit more into less, and find whatever you need with less hassle. COCOON’s packing cubes can be mixed and matched depending on your travel needs.
Minimized Wrinkles
Instead of packing your clothes the old-fashioned way, use packing cubes to keep them neat.
Many travelers roll things like t-shirts and pants before placing them inside the cube. This helps minimize any wrinkling. Compression bags, on the other hand, frequently create wrinkles because of the sustained pressure on clothes.
Versatility and Flexibility
Packing cubes offer lots of options, no matter what kind of travel you do. From a business trip to a weekend camping adventure, you can pack everything from dress shirt and shoes to a travel blanket and sleeping bag liner in a space-saving, efficient way. Organize your items by itinerary or day of the week, using different cubes. There are so many ways to make your travel experience less hectic!
Durability and Long-Term Use
COCOON’s packing cubes are built to last, made from strong materials and premium zippers that hold up against any overstuffing. In fact, they can last years longer than compression bags which frequently lose their seals or zippers over time.
Packing cubes are easy to clean. Wipe them down with a little warm soap and water, then just let them air dry. We’ve designed these cubes for those who demand travel accessories that will accompany them for years to come on all their journeys, big and small.
User Experience and Comfort
Packing cubes have quickly become one of the most popular travel accessories. Travelers appreciate how they make the most of their luggage space, but more importantly, how organized it keeps things on the road. It’s kind of like having a series of little drawers that let you locate exactly what you need, without pawing through layers of clothes or dozens of little bags. All your items will stay tidy, clean, and readily accessible.
Reusable and Eco-Friendly
COCOON’s packing cubes are meant to be used over and over again – for years, in fact. It’s easy to clean them: just wipe them down with a little warm water and soap and let them air dry. Compression bags tend to wear out much sooner, losing their vacuum “seal” and winding up in the trash. For that reason alone, packing cubes are much friendlier to the planet.
Conclusion
If you want to feel more organized and comfortable on your travels, packing cubes are the thing. Compression bags have their place, but they can wear out quickly, losing their vacuum seal. Also, they do nothing to ensure that your clothing, toiletries, shoes, and various gadgets are easy to find. Packing cubes, on the other hand, allow you to organize all your belongings by itinerary, by day, or any other method you design. There are various sizes and styles (COCOON even offers ones with a compression feature that can reduce the volume by 50%); you can design your own perfect packing system for any journey.
Packing cubes are designed to squeeze as much space as possible out of any kind of luggage, whether it’s a big suitcase, a carry-on, or even a backpack. COCOON has made ours to endure for years, through every adventure. Sturdy materials, premium zippers, and easy-to-care for fabrics make our packing cubes your perfect travel accessory!