Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Packing Cubes Review

The newest iteration of the Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Packing Cubes feels like an extension of the packing and compression cubes of yesteryear that we loved and recommended to everyone.

Eagle Creek is constantly updating their packing and compression cube line and the combinations you can purchase them in, so expect to see more from the brand soon. This review dives into the Isolate Compression Cubes, though there are insights here that work for multiple products from the brand. Does their simple design still hold water, or has travel moved on from such uncomplicated models? Let’s dive in and find out!

External Components

The newest iteration of the Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Packing Cubes is crafted from 100% recycled 70D nylon from ocean plastic. This is a solid shout from a sustainability perspective, and the materials are durable enough to handle the bumps and knocks of travel. The fabric is a little crunchy, but this is only noticeable when they’re empty and the material rubs against itself. Additionally, the materials are made without using PFCs and PFAS, which is a step in the right direction from a sustainability perspective.

Right out of the gate, we’ve noticed loose threads that could cause issues down the line; however, they haven’t gotten any worse in testing over a month, including a trip from Detroit to New Orleans and multiple road trips around Michigan. Still, it’s never a good sign to have loose threads on the stitching before you go anywhere.

The zippers aren’t a brand we recognize; however, we initially thought they were YKK or SBS because they feel high quality. They are smooth and appear durable enough to be a long-term option for your packing needs. The compression zipper works as well as others we’ve tested. Though we’re normally skeptical of unbranded zippers, these have worked well.

There’s a thin, rigid plastic ring around the bottom of each cube to add structure. It’s under the lower zipper track, making it easier to pack without adding bulk to the cube. We appreciate the inclusion, though it does make stowing the packing cubes slightly more challenging. This isn’t an issue; it just isn’t as easy as it would be if it weren’t there. We’d compare the difference between picking up one feather and picking up five; you might barely notice, but it isn’t really harder.

Each packing cube has a handle on the top end that lacks padding or aeration. We didn’t expect a packing cube handle to have either of those things; however, it’s worth noting. It’s minimalistic and works well, even if it occasionally gets caught on stuff inside your pack or dresser.

A large Eagle Creek logo on the front may deter some travelers, but it hasn’t bothered us. After all, how often does a stranger see your packing cubes? They will be inside your travel backpack or rolling luggage most of the time.

Overall, the compression feature works on these cubes without much fuss. We didn’t find it easy to overload them, which is an issue we’ve had with cubes in the past. Additionally, the compression is on par with other cubes we’ve tested (though it isn’t groundbreaking).

The Medium-sized Clean/Dirty cube is the same size as the Medium-sized compression cube but lacks that feature. Instead, it has two access points and a divider in the middle of the cube to separate your clean and dirty clothing.

Multiple colorways and various multi-packs are available for purchase, making it simple to choose the perfect compression, clean/dirty, or compression cubes.

Inside The Packing Cube

At the time of writing, we have three of Eagle Creek’s new packing cubes. We have the Pack-It® Isolate Compression Cube S, Pack-It® Isolate Compression Cube M, and Pack-It® Isolate Clean/Dirty Cube M. As mentioned, there are multiple variations of combo packs that you can get at the time of writing, and they’re constantly changing, so you can get a set that works for your needs or a specific trip. Plus, you can buy each cube independently to add to your collection, though you won’t save money like you do when purchasing them in a set.

However, these cubes aren’t the budget-friendly champion we once heralded them as. At one time, we shouted their wallet-friendly price point and overall value for money from the heavens; however, that price isn’t worth making a big hoopla about anymore. Don’t get it twisted; these cubes aren’t overpriced—they just used to be an excellent deal, and now they’re reasonably priced. However, they aren’t the best value for money anymore; we think that title goes to the Osprey Ultralight Packing Cube Set.

On a recent trip from Detroit to New Orleans, we packed the Small and Medium Pack-It® Isolate Compression Cube inside the BAGSMART Soar 25L 180-degree Open Clamshell Travel Backpack for use as a personal item. The compression feature saved space and enabled us to fly on Spirit without the gate agents looking twice. The cubes performed well in transit, as we changed hotels once during the stay to experience different neighborhoods in the Crescent City. Eventually, we wished we had brought the Pack-It® Isolate Clean/Dirty Cube because we ended up stowing dirty clothing in a left-over grocery bag from an adventure to Verti Marte for greasy muffuletta. Still, the compression cubes performed well and can’t be blamed for the poor packing decisions made by staff writers.

While traveling, we found that the small-sized compression cube was perfect for smaller items like socks, underwear, athletic shorts, and athletic t-shirts. The medium-sized compression cube worked flawlessly for pants, larger shorts, and bigger tops. We were even able to fit a packable rain jacket here, too, which saved some space in the main compartment to bring goodies home, like Cafe Du Monde Beignet Mix and goodies from the Krewe Du Vieux parade leading up to Mardi Gras.

Overall, we’re just as happy with the performance of these cubes as we were a decade ago when we first got our hands on Eagle Creek Packing Cubes, but the price isn’t as friendly as it was then. We still love using them and will continue recommending them, but their days as budget-friendly heroes are over. In the words of Dr. Suess, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”