We sell a lot of packing cubes. Around 120,000 sets so far. And we read every review, which means we know something most brands won't tell you: a big chunk of people who buy compression cubes don't believe in them when they order. They've been burned by cheap ones, or they can't see how zipping a bag makes it smaller, or they think it's an Instagram thing.
So instead of telling you they work, this page shows you how they work, what they don't do, and what sceptics said after a trip.
How a compression packing cube actually works
A normal packing cube is a fabric box with one zip. It organises your clothes but takes up the same room in your case. A compression cube has a second zip running around the middle. You fill the cube, close the first zip, then pull the second zip and it squeezes the air out of your clothes and pulls the cube flat. Think of it as a vacuum bag without the vacuum, the plastic, or the pump.
One customer put it better than we can:
"I could never see the point of packing cubes – why bother packing your things into smaller containers which still took up the same room in your case – until I came across these. The compression is magic. Ordinary packing cubes don't do compression so you aren't saving any space." – Jackie S., verified buyer
How much space do you really save?
Honest answer: it depends on what's inside. Soft, bulky things (jumpers, hoodies, fleeces, coats, towels) compress the most, because they're mostly air. Jeans and dense fabrics compress less. Across thousands of reviews the number people land on is around 40% less space, with bigger wins on winter clothes.
"I took a full medium suitcase and halved the volume with the three smaller cubes, the large one then took a triple layer hiking coat from half a case to less than a quarter and I could fit two weeks of underwear in with it too." – Stacey C.
"I had a 10 kg carry on luggage allowance and I was able to pack plenty. My luggage was still only 9.4 kg when I got to the airport. I only used three out of the four cubes." – Orlagh L.
What they don't do
They don't make your clothes weigh less. If your problem is a weight limit rather than a space limit, cubes help you organise but won't fix it. They also don't compress if you overfill them: the second zip needs a little give to close, and forcing it is how cheap zips break. Fill to the line, not past it.
"I thought these were a gimmick"
We pulled a handful of reviews from people who ordered with their arms folded.
"These were recommended to me by a friend so decided to go for it despite my reservations. When I opened them up I honestly couldn't imagine how I was going to get enough stuff in them, to say I was underwhelmed is an understatement! I did a pack with all clothing I plan to take on holiday to put them to the test. Well I was absolutely amazed how much you can get in." – Caterina B.
"I'm not a pushover for the latest thing advertised but when these popped up before our trip wasn't totally sure about them. However these have been absolutely a godsend." – Lynne M., long-haul multi-climate trip
"Wasn't sure how useful these would be but used them when going to Croatia for a week and now wouldn't be without them (in fact I bought another set on my return in the sale)." – Pat R.
Why cheap compression cubes put people off
Most bad experiences with compression cubes are really bad experiences with thin fabric and weak zips. When you compress a cube you put real tension on the stitching, and that's exactly where cheap ones fail.
"I bought some cheap compression bags and loved them, but they tore easily as soon as you packed them full. There is a world of difference with these. The fabric and the zips are really sturdy." – Catherine S.
ciúb cubes are made from ripstop fabric with reinforced zips, and we back the fabric and stitching with a lifetime guarantee. If a seam goes, we replace the cube.
Who they're right for
- Hand-luggage-only travellers trying to get a week into a cabin bag
- Anyone packing for cold weather, where bulk is the enemy
- People moving between hotels or hostels, who want to unpack by lifting out a cube rather than rummaging
- Families, with a colour per person
If you only ever travel with a big checked case and never run out of room, you'll still get the organisation benefit but the compression is less of a big deal. We'd rather you knew that.
Try them on your next trip
The 4-pack of compression packing cubes comes in four graduated sizes (small, medium, large, extra large) so there's a cube for socks and a cube for jumpers. For longer trips or two people, the 8-pack is the usual answer. Both are rated 4.7/5 from over 4,900 reviews, ship from the UK, and come with 30-day returns and a lifetime guarantee on the fabric and stitching.