Which to Use: Packing Cubes or Compression Sacks?

Airline luggage fees and restrictions mean travelers are putting more into carry-ons than ever before. This makes packing cubes and compression sacks an attractive accessory for packing, but which is better?

For packing cubes, think mini compartments for your bag. Simply pack each cube with as much stuff as you can and arrange them in your carry-on in the most efficient way. For best results, utilize the military roll technique instead of folding clothes.

Compression sacks maximize space by pushing the air out of your clothes. Like any other bag, place your clothes in the sack (again with a military roll) and fold down from the top to push the air out. This technique will save you more space, but there are also a couple things to keep in mind: More space could mean more things, which means more weight. The compressed shape might not be flat or cube in shape, so it’s harder to arrange.

There are also combinations of the two products, like Eagle Creek’s compression cubes, though in use they only compress the sides and leave the middle bulging out. HoboRoll is another product that contains packing compartments that can be rolled together. The best technique depends on what kind of bag you have and what you’re packing.