Compression Cubes

How to pack compression packing cubes

1. Roll your clothes

Let’s start with advanced folding methods. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “folding is folding, right?” Wrong! The key to maximum compression is all in the technique. My go-to method is what I call the “burrito roll.” Start by laying your clothes flat, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly from one end to the other. It’s like making a clothing burrito, minus the guac (trust me, guac and clothes don’t mix – learned that the hard way).

For items like dress shirts, I’ve found that the military roll works wonders. Lay the shirt face-down, fold in the sides, then roll from the bottom up. It’s like creating a tiny shirt sausage that fits perfectly in your cube. And bonus – it helps reduce wrinkles too!

Mix cube sizes

Now, let’s talk about mixing cube sizes. This is where things get interesting. I used to just throw everything into the largest cube I had, but that’s a rookie mistake. The key is to use a variety of sizes strategically. I typically use larger cubes for bulky items like sweaters or jeans, medium cubes for t-shirts and pants, and smaller cubes for underwear and socks.

Don’t overpack

One thing to keep in mind, though – don’t go overboard with the compression. I once got a bit too enthusiastic and compressed my cubes so much that I couldn’t fit them all in my suitcase. Turns out, there is such a thing as too efficient!

In a nutshell, compression packing cubes are like the Marie Kondo of travel accessories. They spark joy by keeping you organized, maximizing space, and making packing (and unpacking) a whole lot easier. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever traveled without them. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go reorganize my travel gear. Again.