7 Best Compression Packing Cubes for One Bag Travel

Compression Rating: 6

If you go onto nearly any Reddit thread about packing cubes, you’re bound to see a recommendation for the Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Compression Cubes. They’re crafted from 100% ocean-recycled fabrics, which is a solid shout as far as sustainability is concerned, and they’re made without the use of PFCs or PFAs, which is better for the environment. The materials are so lightweight that they feel cheap, but we’ve used them so often that we’re over that feeling and know what to expect when we use them.

These things do pretty well in terms of compression, scoring a six on our scale. Like other super lightweight options, the materials allow for some bulging in the center; however, it’s not as bad as some of the other cubes on this list. Regardless of which size cube you choose, the unbranded zippers hold up well and operate smoothly when you compress your clothing.

At the time of writing, these compression cubes come in small and medium sizes and can also be purchased in packs of one each. For most travelers, the two-pack will be more than enough if you pack smart. Still, you can add an additional cube to the party if you don’t have enough space. Eagle Creek’s Pack-It Reveal Compression Cubes are just as good in our experience, but they have a mesh front face so that you can see what is inside and the clothing can breathe. You can pair the two cubes together, which makes for a combination that’s challenging to beat.

• They compress very well, considering the material's thin and lightweight nature
• There are multiple colorways available, so you can color-code your packout

• Some travelers wish there was another size cube to round out the set
• The price isn't as reasonable as it used to be for the same cubes

Compression Rating: 6

The Peak Design Packing Cubes might not have compression in the name, but they have a mechanism that does just that. The cubes are crafted from nylon, polyester, and Hypalon, creating a very durable and easy-to-use packing cube system. Plus, the materials are self-healing, which ensures small holes aren’t a hindrance to the cube. There are two zippers on the main compartment that don’t quite touch, leaving a small gap where the Hylapon tab is stitched on. You can open the zippers to get inside or pull apart the Hypalon tabs to open the cubes quickly. While we haven’t had any issues with the cubes opening on their own, it leaves a small hole in the zipper track where water can sneak in and smell can sneak out, which might be an issue for you.

The Peak Design Packing Cubes compress clothing pretty well, scoring a six on our scale. Though the zippers aren’t from a brand we have a great deal of experience with, they use the same brand on all of their current gear, and we haven’t had any issues with this round of zippers. You won’t notice anything revolutionary about the compression, though the quick-access design is a unique take on an otherwise standard packing cube design.

In addition to being able to rip open your packing cube to get new clothing at a moment’s notice, one of the perks of this cube is the variety of options available when purchasing it. There are small and medium sizes, along with a shoe pouch version, but you can get them in a set of three (one of each), six (two of each), or eight (three of each packing cube and two shoe pouches). First, figure out how much space you need, then pick the tailored set that suits your needs. How easy is that?

• You can use the Hypalon tab to gain quick access to your clothing
• They're easy to compress and look nice with other Peak Design gear

• The zippers aren't from a well-known brand, which gives us longevity concerns
• Though there are good combos available, we wish there was one more size packing cube available

Compression Rating: 5

The biggest perk of the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes is the price. At the time of writing, you can get four packing cubs for around $30. That’s more cubes for less money than some of these packing cubs cost for one. Still, cheaper isn’t always better, and the materials on the Gonex cubes don’t feel nearly as robust as others on this list, and the zippers aren’t from a name brand, so we question their longevity. We’ve found that the compression zippers tend to get caught on the interior liner, too, even when there doesn’t appear to be any loose liner for them to get caught on. Still, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something better for this price and Amazon Prime's quick shipping.

Regarding value, these are some of the best on the market. You get four different-sized cubes for a low price, so every piece of clothing has a home. Still, you may want two of the same size, not four unique-sized cubes, but that comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for the cheapest cubes on the market, you can’t beat getting four unique-sized cubes.

We’ve given the compression score for the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes a five because the materials are almost too lightweight, leaving lots of room for them to bulge when you’ve got a full load, unlike other cubes on this list that do a great job at retaining their shape even when full. Overall, these are a solid option for someone looking for their first set of packing cubes, as they won’t cost an arm and a leg and get the job done with a few quirks.

• You get multiple cubes for the price some brands charge for one
• They’re surprisingly sturdy considering the budget cost

• The zippers tend to get caught on the liner beneath them if you don’t zip carefully
• Not as thick or wide of an opening as other packing cubes on this list

Compression Rating: 7

The Thule Compression Cubes have been a sleeper pick from Pack Hacker reviewers (and their families) since we first got our hands on them over a year ago. The ripstop nylon isn’t much heavier than other cubes on this list; however, it feels significantly more durable and looks sleeker than many of our other favorite models. The black and white design isn’t see-through, which won’t allow smells to get out or your nosy seatmate to see your underwear while you’re looking for your headphones in your travel backpack during the flight. These packs match well with a Thule backpack, but their design is foolproof enough to work with most travel backpacks and larger daypacks.

You can purchase the Thule Compression Cubes separately, but they additionally come in a two-pack with a small and medium. For most travelers, this is all you’ll need. Some may wish there was a smaller cube to use for delicates; however, in our experience, there’s enough space for all your clothing between the size of the two combined if you pack smart. On shorter trips, you may get by with just the larger cube, though you might have to figure out somewhere else to put your dirties so they aren’t mixed up with your clean clothing in transit!

The Thule Compression Cubes are some of the better compressing models we’ve tested, hitting a seven on our raking. The YKK zippers are durable and easy to work with, which is a big part of the strength offered by these cubes. Paired with the rugged materials we went over earlier, you’re able to really compress clothing, especially once you get good at organizing things inside the cube to maximize space.

• The materials are very durable compared to other packing cubes
• The compression ability is relatively high for a zippered packing cube

• The materials aren't the lightest we've seen, adding some extra weight
• The Thule logo is large and hard to miss

Compression Rating: 6

The Tortuga Compression Cube is pretty straightforward, which makes it a solid option for travel for a few reasons. The 70 denier ripstop nylon is durable but lightweight enough not to add extra bulk to your pack. The cube utilizes YKK zippers, which are capable of compressing a ton of clothing without feeling like they’re going to pop off track or get stuck. This model only comes in black, which might not match your vibes, but how often are people seeing your packing cubes, anyway?

The Tortuga only comes in one size, so you’ll have to use it solo, purchase multiple, or pair them with other cubes for longer trips. Tortuga makes other packing cubes, but this is the only compression cube at the time of writing.

The Tortuga Compression Cube does a solid job at making your clothing smaller, scoring a six on our scale. Well, it doesn’t actually shrink them; that would be bad. The cube sucks the extra space out between folds and articles of clothing, saving you space. We gave this one a six because it’s around average for this list, which includes the best compression cubes that we’ve come across. The zippers are a standout, which is expected from a brand like YKK.

• The compression system is easy to use, and the zipper doesn't feel like it’s struggling
• The zippers are different colors so that you don’t accidentally decompress the cube when you mean to open it

• There's only one size option at the time of writing
• Even with two colored zippers, you have to remember which is which

Compression Rating: 7

The Tropicfeel Smart Packing Cube 10L is designed to be used with the Tropicfeel Nest, an innovative travel backpack that expands from 16 to 30 liters in size. The packing cube adds 10 liters to the pack. By looking at it, you might not guess that there’s that much space inside, but we agree with their measurements. That said, this packing cube can be used with any pack and offers ample compression for your clothing. The cube is crafted from recycled nylon and recycled and non-recycled polyester, similar to the Nest Backpack. The zippers are from YKK, some of the best in the business, and they are in charge of compression and handle it well. Unlike most of the cubes on this list, the Smart Packing Cube has interior organization, with a zippered compartment for clothing and elastic loops for clothing like t-shirts, underwear, or other delicates.

Because of the durable materials and hardware, the Tropicfeel Smart Packing Cube 10L ranks high in terms of compression, ranking a seven. It isn’t the most lightweight option, coming in at 9.56 ounces (271 grams) but this isn’t a post about lightweight packing cubes. We’re here for compression, and this packing cube does that well.

If you’re prone to packing light and bringing multi-use clothing, this might be the only cube you need. For trips that require specialty clothing or multiple climates, you might be hard-pressed to get everything into one cube. They’re slim but have a large footprint, so that’s worth considering before purchasing. Still, we think the intuitive design makes the Tropicfeel Smart Packing Cube 10L worthy for travelers of all kinds, regardless of your destination or whether you plan to use the Nest Travel system.

• The inside has organization, which is unique for a compression cube
• It's pretty thin, even when wholly packed out, which will work well for slim packs

• The footprint is quite large, taking more room than other cubes in your pack
• Even for an innovative packing cube, the price seems high

Compression Rating: 7

The Osprey StraightJacket Compression Sack is precisely how the name describes it—a sack, not a cube—but that shouldn’t disqualify it from being one of the best compression cubes you can get your hands on. There are eight- and twelve-liter versions available at the time of writing, so you can get one that works for you and the clothing you’re bringing. It’s crafted from bluesign®-approved recycled 40D high-tenacity nylon, which is a powerful combination of lightweight and durable. While there are no zippers, there are two YKK buckles that close the sack, which are quite small but haven’t given us any issues while traveling to New York City and Boston or while camping with it in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula and Thumb area.

Regarding compression, the Osprey Straightjacket does quite well, scoring a seven. It’s more compressible than almost any other cube on this list because it, in theory, can be compressed as much as you want. Still, it isn’t very easy to organize, as you have to dig to the bottom without much sight, hindering the process of finding or segmenting your gear. The two clips are attached with straps, and you tighten those to compress the sack. Since there’s no end of the line like a zipper has, you can compress the cube according to how much clothing is inside

Though you can’t purchase these in a multi-pack, we don’t think there’s any need to unless you want to split different clothing types into separate cubes. With the larger size, you’ll easily fit all your clothing for most trips and compress it into a unit to fit inside your travel backpack. The sack excels at getting clothing from point A to point B in a tiny package, which is why it’s rated so highly for compression!

• The unique strap-clip compression system allows for more compression than zippered cubes
• Though lightweight, the materials can handle travel and camping

• It's challenging to get clothing out in transit because the opening isn't huge
• Clothing can get wrinkled after use for extended periods