Organize Your Carry-On Step 1: Keep Your CLOTHING Organized

Step 1: Keep Your CLOTHING Organized // Choose the right packing container configuration for your clothing

Packing cubes and garment folders are the best way to keep your clothing organized in your carry-on.

Whether you choose to organize your clothes day-by-day, by clothing type, or all in one container, there’s a shape and size for you. Packing cubes, compression cubes, and garment folders are your options for keeping your clothing in order while you’re out exploring the world. 

Standard Packing Cubes

A good, standard packing cube is made of lightweight, high quality materials, and it’ll fit a decent stack of clothes. Nearly all have a full 3-side zipper, handle, and mesh that allows you to see inside. The cubes listed here have the highest reviews on the web — we’re talkin’ 4.5 stars and up.

Packing Cubes

Use large cubes for large clothing articles like pants, sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, and even jackets. Use medium cubes for tees, short sleeve blouses, shorts and leggings. Save your undies and socks for the small cube.

Tip: Play around with rolling clothing that isn’t prone to wrinkling. You may fit a lot more inside!

Sea to Summit Large Garment Mesh Bag (pictured)

• $24.95 on REI.com
• Large dimensions: 16″ x 12″ x 4″
• 2 color options (more on Amazon.com)
• Medium ($21.95) and Small ($17.95) sizes also available

eBags Large Packing Cube

• $29.99/set of 3 on Amazon.com
• Large dimensions: 17.5″ x 13″ x 3″
• 13 color options
• Medium ($24.99/set of 3), Small ($19.99/set of 3) and Slim ($19.99/set of 3) sizes also available

Eagle Creek Pack-It Double Cube

• $16.00 on Zappos.com
• Double dimensions: 18.5″ x 13.5″ x 3″
• 1 color option (more color options for smaller cubes on REI.com)
• Cube ($12.50), Tube ($12.50), Half ($10.50), Half Tube ($10.50), and Quarter ($8.50) sizes also available

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube

• $17.00 on Zappos.com
• Cube dimensions: 14″ x 10″ x 3″
• 2 color options
• Half ($15.00), Tube ($16.00), and Quarter ($13.00) sizes also available
• Note: Zipper does NOT wrap around 3 full sides on this design.
• Shop all Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter travel gear on Amazon

 

Compression Packing Cubes

These cubes have a wrap-around compression zipper, allowing you to expand the cube for packing and compress it for space-saving. But beware! These containers are prone to wrinkling their contents, and your stuff will be less accessible if you choose this style over the standard design.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Compression Cube Set (pictured)

• $38.00/2-pc set on REI.com
• Cube dimensions: 14″ x 10″ x 1″ / Half Cube: 10″ x 7″ x 1″
• 4 color options (more on Amazon)

Baggallini Compression Packing Cubes (3-pc)

• $49.95/3-pc set on Zappos.com
• Large dimensions: 17″ x 13″ x 3″ / Medium: 14″ x 10″ x 3″ / Small: 11″ x 7″ x 3″
• 4 color options (more on Amazon)

REI Large Expandable Packing Cube

• $18.50 on REI.com
• Large dimensions: 14″ x 10″ x 3.5″
• 2 color options

 

Garment Folders

Here’s your best bet for keeping your clothes wrinkle-free (aside from transporting them on a hanger, of course). A garment folder comes with a folding board to aid you in squeezing 8-12 articles of clothing neatly inside a medium-sized folder. Watch a brief video overview of the Eagle Creek model on Zappos.com.

Eagle Creek Medium Pack-It Specter Garment Folder (pictured)

• $34.00 on Zappos.com
• Medium dimensions: 17.5″ x 12″ x .5″
• 2 color options (more on Amazon and REI)

Victorinox Luggage Medium Packmaster

• $25.00 on Amazon.com
• Medium dimensions: 15″ x 10″ x .5″
• 1 color option

 

Packing Cube & Container Sets

There’s oodles of options when it comes to packing cube sets. The selection varies by brand, but most offer same-size and multi-size sets. Below are some of our favorite pre-made combinations for organizing clothing.

eBags Packing Cube Set (3-pc S/M/L) (pictured)

• $24.99 on Amazon.com
• 13 color options

eBags Slim Packing Cube Set (3-pc S/M/L)

• $19.99 on Amazon.com
• 5 color options

Eagle Creek Original Pack-It Cube Set (3-pc S/M/L)

• $26.50 on REI.com
• 3 color options (more on Amazon)

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube Set (3-pc S/M/L)

• $38.00 on REI.com
• 5 color options (more on Amazon)

Eagle Creek Pack-It Starter Set (3-pc: garment folder + 2 cubes)

• $43.99 on Amazon.com
• 2 color options

Pro Packing Cubes Set (4-pc Slim/S/M/L)

• $35.41 on Amazon.com
• 5 color options

Shacke Pak (4-pc S/M/L/XL w/laundry bag)

• $29.99 on Amazon.com
• 1 color option

Bago Packing Cubes (4-pc 2M/2L)

• $29.99 on Amazon.com
• 5 color options

REI Expandable Packing Cube Set (2-pc M/L)

• $29.59 on REI.com
• 2 color options

Our Picks

Best Standard Cube: eBags Packing Cubes

With the most consistently high customer ratings and up to 13 variations in color and pattern to choose from, the eBag Packing Cubes are our favorite in the standard cube design. Plus, the price of their large cube beats Eagle Creek and Sea to Summit (other well-reviewed brands), at $29.99 for a set of 3.

Best Compression Cube: Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Compression Cube

The ultralight material won us over on this one. Vibrant color options also make the Eagle Creek stand out from the competition. Our one complaint is the zipper; we wish it wrapped around further to allow for easier access to the packed contents. The REI model doesn’t have this problem.

Best Garment Folder: Eagle Creek Medium Pack-It Specter Garment Folder

The EC garment folder is our definite fave. Again, the vibrant colors and lightweight material are big plusses. Finally, the visual folding instructions printed on the back are a very helpful reminder of how to use this thing!

Best Clothing Container Set: Eagle Creek Pack-It Starter Set

Eagle Creek’s starter set has the most variety while being touted as a high quality product by its reviewers. A garment folder is included, and you’ll save a few bucks purchasing the set rather than the individual pieces. We like their Specter Starter Set, too, which you’ll prefer if you like compression over standard cubes. And we have to mention the EC Completely Organized Pack-It Set. For $50, you get five pieces!

What’s The Next Step in Organizing Your Carry-On?

Step 2: Keep Your TOILETRIES Tidy

Step 3: Keep Your SHOES Separate

Step 4: Keep Your ACCESSORIES Orderly

 

Take me back to Intro to Packing Containers: Organize Your Carry-On in 4 Steps!

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Don’t miss the next steps, plus next week’s article: FINDING THE RIGHT PACKING CONTAINER COMBO FOR YOU!