Although I was slow to adopt packing cubes, they are now the one travel accessory I use for every trip. Whether I’m traveling near or far, going away for a long weekend or a three-week trip, you will find packing cubes in my suitcase.
Surprisingly, finding the perfect set of packing cubes hasn’t been easy. I have an embarrassingly large collection of packing cubes that I have accumulated throughout years of searching for packing cubes that were “just right” for me and my family. After being disappointed in packing cubes that felt flimsy and didn’t hold their shape, zippers that broke after a couple of uses, and sizes that didn’t work well and couldn’t compress my clothing, I decided to splurge on a set that seemed to tick all the boxes. I ordered a set of Monos packing cubesin part because I already had a Monos suitcase I love and, in part, because I wanted to try compression cubes to save space. (Read our Monos luggage review for more about why Monos makes our list of the best luggage brands.)
Once I tried Monos packing cubes, I was hooked. While they are expensive, they work well and have stayed in great shape throughout multiple trips. I expect them to last for years, and they have already outlasted several cheaper packing cubes I bought before I knew better.
Monos Compression Packing Cubes
These compressible packing cubes are made with durable materials and feature mesh tops, so you can easily see what’s inside. They’re available in a variety of colors, and in sets of four and six.
Why use packing cubes?
I travel frequently. I usually travel with two of my kids and like to travel as lightly as possible. For years, I heard others rave about about packing cubes. Nevertheless, I was reluctant to use them because I didn’t want to add any unnecessary weight to my luggage. However, traveling with suitcases that are a disorganized mess is stressful, especially with kids who are not great at staying organized. After nearly missing a train because my son couldn’t find a clean shirt to wear in his messy suitcase, I decided to start using packing cubes for my kids. After I saw how much easier they made it for my kids to stay organized, I began using them for myself, too. Now, I can’t imagine traveling without packing cubes, even for short trips.
Design and specs
Monos packing cubes come in sets of six (shown) or four.
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Monos’ compression cubes are made from tear-resistant nylon twill with breathable mesh tops. They are lined with the same antimicrobial fabric Monos uses in its suitcases. Each cube has two anti-catch zippers: one to close the packing cube and another to compress the cube’s contents if desired. According to Monos, the cubes can compress clothing up to 60%. I generally find this to be true as long as I don’t fill the cubes to capacity.
The cubes are only available in sets of four or six. The set of four is designed for carry-on bags. The cubes in this set are 13″ × 9.8″ × 4.5″, 13″ × 7.1″ × 4.5″, 10.2″ × 8.3″ × 4.5″, and 9.8″ × 4.3″ × 4.5″. The set of six adds one larger cube measuring 16.9″ × 12.2″ × 4.5″ and one smaller cube measuring 7.1″ × 4.3″ × 4.5″.
The packing cubes are available in four colors: black, grey, tan, and cactus green.
What they’re like to use
The packing cubes feature breathable mesh tops and can be easily jigsawed into my carry-on to keep things compact and organized.
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I was immediately impressed with Monos’ packing cubes. They fit a ton, help me stay organized, and have kept their shape even after trips to a dozen countries. I find the various sizes useful for different purposes. For example, the smallest packing cube holds enough underwear and socks for a five-day trip, but only if I don’t compress the contents. The midsize packing cubes are great for packing T-shirts, sundresses, and shorts. I can easily fit six rolled T-shirts in the second-to-smallest packing cube and then compress them to save space. I’ve used the largest packing cube for pants and base layers when traveling to colder climates.
I’ve also tossed the packing cubes in my day pack when I need to stay organized while I’m out and about. On a trip to Iceland, I knew it would get colder when the sun set, so I put a hat, scarf, and gloves in the small packing cube to keep them together while I was out exploring. They’re also great for bathing suits: I’ve used the packing cubes to keep my swimsuits from getting tossed around in my backpack on the way to the beach.
The Monos packing cubes shown compressed (left) and fully expanded (right). The compression reduces the size by about 60%, but you won’t be able to pack the cubes fully if you’re planning on compressing them.
Jamie Davis Smith/Business Insider
I love that the Monos packing cubes can compress my clothing. In my experience, the packing cubes compress items very well, but only if the cubes aren’t filled completely. I find that I can fit a little more into each cube if I don’t compress my clothing. When packing, I need to make a judgment call about whether it makes more sense to fill the cube or put less in but compress my clothing. Depending on the trip and what I need to bring, I usually do a mix; compressing the clothing in some cubes, but not all. Accordingly, I recommend these packing cubes for all travelers, even if you’re a packing cube skeptic. It’s nice to have the option to compress your clothing, even if you don’t think you will use it often.
I now have three sets of Monos packing cubes: one for myself and one for each of my two children.
What makes them stand out?
The mesh tops let your clothing breathe and allow you to quickly glimpse what’s inside.
Jamie Davis Smith/Business Insider
After being dissatisfied with other packing cubes, the quality of Monos’ packing cubes really stands out. The zippers are sturdy, so I don’t worry about them breaking, and they still look great even after extensive use. I also love the nice variety of sizes, and the mesh tops that help me see what’s inside and let my clothes breathe.
The compression is also a game changer and a relatively unique attribute among packing cubes. I love that the packing cubes not only keep my items organized, but also save me space in my suitcase so I can pack more.
Cons to consider
These packing cubes are lightweight, but they feel heavier than some others I’ve used. However, I’m willing to add a bit of extra weight and pay a little more to have packing cubes that work well and last.
Another downside of the Monos packing cubes is that they are only available in sets. I would like to add a couple of midsize packing cubes to my collection, but I don’t want to pay for a set that includes sizes I don’t need and won’t use.
If you want to use the compression feature of the cubes, you’ll have to underfill them.
Jamie Davis Smith/Business Insider
There is also a bit of a learning curve to using compression packing cubes. If you fill the packing cubes to capacity, they won’t compress and the zipper will break. I found this out the hard way with my first set of compression packing cubes, an inexpensive set from Amazon. Although my Monos packing cubes are sturdier, I find that if I fill them when they are fully expanded they won’t compress without using a lot of force. I’m not willing to risk breaking a zipper on such an expensive set, so if I want to compress my clothing, I leave some room. If I’m still having trouble, I remove an item or two until I can compress my clothing without fighting with the cubes to close.
What are your alternatives?
If Monos packing cubes aren’t in your budget, Quince Eco Compression Packing Cubes are a good alternative. These packing cubes are only sold in sets of six, but they come in a variety of pretty colors and are about half the cost of the Monos cubes. If you are on a very strict budget, Kear Bag’s Compression Cubes will get the job done, at least for a few trips. This is one of the sets I bought early on when I wasn’t sure that I would use packing cubes often. They are adequate, but not as sturdy as Monos’ packing cubes, and the zippers are not as high quality.
The bottom line
I’ve tried dozens of packing cubes and nothing has compared to Monos’ set. The compression offers utility and versatility that other packing cubes lack. I think these cubes are a good investment for frequent travelers, especially those who want their packing cubes to do more than just keep their items organized.
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