Eagle Creek Packing Cubes Review

Every traveler has the same issues as anyone that has gone before them. From lost luggage, to the dreaded middle seat on a long haul flight, there are some things that you just NEED to avoid. One thing that you simply cannot avoid though, is packing. I hate it, and I am sure that most of you do too. The thing is, I stumbled upon a hack a few years ago that I have used ever since. It makes packing easier, and life on the road a lot simpler. Enter, my Eagle Creek Packing Cubes!

I had read about them a lot, but never really understood what they were. Then, I figured that if everyone else was using them, then maybe I should give them a go. And wow, was I impressed! Ever since then they have been the very first thing I pull out when I’m readying for a trip, and have saved my sanity more than once.

How?

Let me explain in my Eagle Creek Packing Cubes Review.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on those links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you I will get a small commission. This will go a long way toward keeping this website running. As always, thank you for your support! Click HERE for more information.

Table of Contents

• What are Packing Cubes?
• Why use Packing Cubes?
• How to use Packing Cubes
• How much do Packing Cubes fit?
• Where to buy Eagle Creek Packing Cubes
• Other Variations
• Summary

What are Packing Cubes?

Packing Cubes are not exactly what you would picture when you first hear about them. I know when I first heard the term, I pictured large, bulky plastic containers that would just add weight to luggage. And there was NO way that they could help save space.

I was wrong. And I obviously had no idea what packing cubes were before I actually did some research, and then bit the bullet and tried them for myself.

Packing cubes are actually made of lightweight nylon, and are designed to fit neatly into suitcases and backpacks with minimal fuss. The material is thin, yet strong. Many are designed with a strong “cross stitch” within the fabric that, while not rip resistant, will prevent a rip or tear from getting worse. NB – I have used the same Eagle Creek Packing Cubes for over 3 years with NO rips or tears.

The Zippers are strong, and if used with care have the ability to last and go the distance. And the distance is a long way, in my experience.

As this is a review on Eagle Creek Packing Cubes, I will try and focus here on those in particular, but most brands of packing cubes are similar in size and design. I like the Eagle Creek Packing Cubes though, as they tested really well, and have high ratings on Amazon by users from all over the world. They are also a well known, established and trusted brand in the industry, which always sets my mind at ease!

My Eagle Creek Packing Cubes came in a pack of 3 cubes in 3 different sizes. These are:

• Largest – approx. 37cm by 27cm
• Middle – approx. 26cm by 18cm
• Smallest – approx. 20cm by 12cm

The different sizes are great, and allow you to easily separate your clothes by type which I do. Basically I put my t-shirts in the large one, then underwear in the small one. The middle one can fit a couple of pairs of shorts if rolled or folded correctly, plus a small amount of overflow if you have an extra t-shirt, for example.

You can utilize them any way you see fit though. Often, at the end of my trip and on the way home, I will put my dirty clothes in one, which neatly separates them from the clean clothes. Pretty cool.

What’s even cooler, is that you can actually buy packing cubes that even do that for you! A “clean and dirty” cube that is designed for just that. Check one out at the below link.

Eagle Creek Packing Cubes generally come in one color. You CAN buy cubes that are multi color, allowing you to separate clothing as per the color of the cube. Why would this be easy? Simple.

How many times have you been digging around in a suitcase searching for something, or even worse, into a backpack? With multi colored packing cubes, all you need to do to find that elusive shirt, is know the color of the cube it is in. You pull it out, without disrupting and wrinkling all the other clothes around it. The clothes are all still neatly packed into their cubes.

I find that I have never had to go as far as multi colored packing cubes. The Eagle Creek packing Cubes in the different sizes is enough for me to separate and find my clothes easily.

Why use Packing Cubes?

Even though I have really just touched on it, packing cubes are used by anyone that wants to streamline their packing. Here are some of the reasons that maybe you should use packing cubes.

• You are a frequent traveler who hates living out of a suitcase. Why? Because living out of a suitcase means constantly digging around in that suitcase trying to find stuff. After a day or two, everything is an absolute mess! Packing cubes solve that problem by neatly organizing everything, and keeping it all tidy and wrinkle free.
• You are a backpacker. This is the golden nugget of tips for backpackers, believe me! First, packing cubes saves space, and backpackers need every ounce of it. Cubes also allow for easy access, and save time trying to find stuff, especially in a top loading backpack.
• You like to travel light. If you are on “team hand luggage” like I am whenever I can be, then you will love using packing cubes. You will fit more into your hand luggage, and maximize your savings by carrying even more.
• You like to separate your clothing, especially clean clothing from dirty clothing.
• You travel as a family, and want to separate everyone’s clothes inside the same suitcase or bag.
• You can’t use a backpack or suitcase. Let me explain this one. I lived in Bali for several years with my partner. We rode the scooter all over the island. She wore a backpack, and I couldn’t carry anything. But my Eagle Creek Packing Cubes kept my clothes neat and tidy, and stored right under the seat of the scooter! See the image below.

The benefits of traveling with packing cubes are almost endless. I honestly cannot believe it took me so long to jump on the bandwagon. Now, I’m never getting off.

How to use Packing Cubes

Using Packing cubes is simple. Just unzip them, pack your clothes into them, and zip them back up. That’s it in a nutshell, except that you may have to decide how is the best way to get bang for your buck when it comes to HOW MUCH you can pack in.

To do this, you have to decide whether you are a folder or roller. In other words, would you rather fold your clothes, or roll them.

I was never a roller, until I started to use packing cubes. Now, I roll all of my clothes that I am packing into my cubes. You may decide to do it differently, but I definitely fit more into them when I roll. Plus, they always seem to be less creased when I take them back out again.

Before I begin the packing process, I measure the cubes against my clothes, to make sure that they are folded to a width to match the cubes. Then, I roll them, and pack them neatly into the cubes. I do this for all my t-shirts, shorts, and underwear. Then, I look at how much space I have left over.

Because here is the thing. I always seem to have extra space! In my largest Eagle Creek Packing Cube, I can fit about 6 T-shirts rolled up tightly. Then, if I roll them right, I might fit one down the side as well. On top, I still have room to lay maybe one or two nicely folded pairs of shorts before I zip it up. Easy Peasy!

Take note that I wear XL or XXL shirts. If you are a small, then fill your boots, because you will probably fit even more!

With the small cubes, I pack them with shorts and underwear. The smallest Eagle Creek packing cube is perfect for underwear and socks. Which brings me to the next point…

How much do Packing Cubes fit?

This all depends upon what size packing cubes you have, and what you want to pack. Personally, I only really use my Eagle Creek packing cubes for summer gear. T means T-shirts, shorts and underwear. I will then maybe slip in a ball cap on top, and a pair of swimmers.

Basically, I know that I can safely pack away this list of clothes into my Eagle Creek packing Cubes:

• 7 XXL t-shirts
• 2 pair walking shorts
• 1 pair boardshorts
• 7 Jockey underpants
• 2 boxer shorts
• 1 ballcap

That should give you an idea of how much you can pack. Keep in mind that the first time I packed them, I probably didn’t get that much into them. But using them for so long, I have refined my packing style, and manage to pack a lot more in than I did when I first started!

Where to buy Eagle Creek Packing Cubes

Now, I know that a lot of this review has been about Packing Cubes in general, but at the end of the day, it is really about my Eagle Creek Packing Cubes. I love them, and highly recommend them to anyone interested in trying out packing cubes for the first time.

Why did I choose Eagle Creek? It’s easy really. I did my research. I spent days poring over reviews on Amazon, and checking out different brands. I had friends with different brands, and I tried them. I went to shops and had a good look at the brands they carried. In the end, Eagle Creek stood out above the others for both quality and value.

The material is sturdy and strong. They are seemingly rip resistant, if taken care of (obviously) and the zippers are strong and reliable.

Eagle Creek Packing Cubes are also flexible. I stretch and strain them all the time. Sometimes, I will pack an extra item inside, and they STILL zip closed. Every time I think I am pushing the limits, and am certain the stitching is going to explode as I begin zipping them up, they hold strong. I am sure there IS a limit, but I haven’t found it yet! I just try and remain sensible.

My Eagle Creek Packing Cubes are nearly 4 years old now, and going strong.

So where can you buy Eagle Creek Packing Cubes, and what variations are there? Let’s take a look.

If you want to take a look at all the Eagle Creek Packing Cubes available, then you can just check out the link below to find the entire range.

I bought my Eagle Creek Packing Cubes a few years ago, and as I mentioned, they are still going strong. Unfortunately, you can’t buy the exact same pack anymore. Instead, you can buy an even better pack, that I will upgrade to as soon as I need to. But with Eagle Creek being SO strong and resilient, I haven’t had the need to as yet. Check out the link below to find a 3 piece pack in a new and updated design.

Another variation is the Eagle Creek Specter Starter Pack. Most of the packs available now have the new cube designed for “foldables” which is great for dresses, business shirts, and any good clothes that you don’t particularly want to roll. I can’t wait to try it out when I upgrade.

Other Variations

Away from the customary and original packing cubes, you can also look at the compression cubes version. I personally haven’t tried these as yet, but am a big fan of using vacuum seal bags when I go Snow Skiing. Those big downy jackets flatten down SO MUCH with those bags.

I can only imagine that the compression bags work in a similar way, and from all the reviews they save heaps of space. Check them out at the below link.

Summary

The Eagle Creek Packing Cubes really changed my travel life! And I am not being dramatic. I highly recommend them to anyone that travels regularly, and anyone that is looking for a way to save time and space in their travel packing!