GoKawiilOther Great Packing Cubes
Photograph: Kat Merck
Shacke Pak Packing Cubes for $30 (set of 8): These were pretty good quality for an Amazon brand; there's a sturdy handle and the material is slightly thicker than other packing cubes at this price point. I like the mix of mesh for breathability and opaque fabric for privacy. They come in nine colors, but the colors are clownishly bright (blue pictured above), and the four-paneled mesh design reminds me of a jock strap. Shacke says it uses YKK zippers on all its packing cubes, but I peeled back the covering on the zipper and could not find a YKK insignia anywhere.
Bagsmart Blast Packing Cubes for $50 (set of 5 plus a shoe bag): Bagsmart is a budget brand, but it gets the job done—I quite liked the unique Blast toiletry bag, and these packing cubes are solid as well. The compression works great, the array of sizes that come with the set is useful, and the mesh windows are great for assessing contents at a glance. Bagsmart's original compression cubes are $10 cheaper, but the fabric on these is more breathable than the original cubes, so if you prefer that, these are worth considering.
Photograph: Kat Merck
Calpak Packing Cubes Set for $68 (set of 5): This is the first set of packing cubes I ever owned, and it’s what kicked off my obsession with travel organization. There's just something generally satisfying about the size and layout of these lightweight polyester cubes (pictured at left) that have a mostly mesh front for visibility and breathability. There’s a little window where you can put a label for the contents (which is far more useful than you might think, especially when packing cubes are around the same size), and I love that they come in 18 different colors and prints. There's also a zipperered compartment on the back for “extra storage,” according to Calpak, but when the cubes are full it's hard to fit anything but flat or very small items.
Amazon Essentials for $14 (set of 4): This four-pack of cubes with sturdy-mesh windows and ripstop-like fabric was comparable in quality to brands four times the price. However, Bagsmart's cubes, which come in a set of six, only cost about 50 cents more per cube, have compression, and are significantly sturdier, so I think they're the better buy.
Courtesy of Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover Roma Packing Cubes from $30: When I first saw these shallow, all-mesh packing cubes with their stiff wire edging and little label windows (pictured at left), I admit I wasn't initially impressed, given that they cost upward of $30 per cube. But then I tested them. Not only do they hold more than they initially seem to, but I ended up loving how they kept their shape, allowing me to fit more in my bag and for my clothes to arrive at their destination perfectly wrinkle-free. The mesh is also breathable yet sturdy, private, and slightly padded, so I felt safe adding even hard items like jewelry. To be sure, these aren't space savers, but if you want to ensure your items don't move around, get overly squished, or get wrinkled, these are a great option. They come in four stylish colors. Note that they're currently on final sale, so if you are or were a fan of these cubes, now might be the time to stock up before they're gone.
Cram Packing Cube Set (3) for $60: Unlike most packing cubes, Cram's colorful collection is fully machine washable and can be tumble-dried. I was a little dubious that they'd hold up given that the mesh top felt a bit flimsy, but they came out no worse for wear in my top-loading washer and high-heat dryer. I didn't particularly love how they looked in my suitcase (the mesh-heavy design, floppy structure, and colors were giving inside-out ’70s swim-trunk vibes), but that's more of a personal problem. These are excellent options for camping, or trips where you know your clothes or the contents of your bag will get dirty.
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