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I Fit 2 Weeks' Worth of Clothes in a Carry-on Thanks to These Packing Cubes — and They’re on Sale

Score my travel hack for never checking a bag at a major discount during Amazon Prime Day.

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Published on July 16, 2024 10:00AM EDT

tl-one-off-packing-cubes — Photo:
Travel + Leisure / Francesca Fasciglione

Want to hear a fun fact? In over 30 years of traveling, I’ve only ever checked a bag three times. I’d rather hit the ground running than wait around in check-in lines, at baggage claim, or, worst of all, have to deal with a dreaded lost suitcase when I arrive at my destination.

While I’m a savvy traveler who has my packing lists down to an art and knows how to maximize space in my lightweight carry-on, my skills were really put to the test last year when I needed to pack for a 15-day trip through multiple climates without checking a bag. After reading numerous five-star reviews and seeing what Travel + Leisure editors had to say, I ordered the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes 4-piece Set, a flight attendant-approved set named T+L's best compression packing cubes of 2024 — and it just went on sale for $20 during Amazon Prime Day.

Gonex Compression Packing Cubes

$30 $20 at Amazon

While I was initially a bit skeptical, the $20 price point helped convince me they were worth trying — that, and a review from an Amazon shopper dubbing them "a godsend for anyone who loves to travel light." And after using these on multiple lengthy trips in the past year, I have to agree. I was legitimately shocked when I put these to the test and saw just how much each cube could fit and then how much they compressed down.

The Gonex set comes with four compression packing cubes that gradually go up in size from small to extra large. Using just the medium-sized cube of the set, I was able to fit two sets of pajamas, six tank tops, and three T-shirts. I added each article of clothing into the cube while it was expanded and then zipped the fully stuffed bag up. Then, the magic happened when I closed the second expanded zipper and watched as everything compressed together. When all was said and done, the cube was less than 1 inch thick.

Moving right along, I used the largest cube to pack my comfy pants, button-down shirts, and thin cardigans, while the smaller-sized ones were just right for all my socks, underwear, bras, and extras like swimsuits and scarves.

What’s more, not only did these help me easily fit everything I needed for my original 15-day trip, but I’ve since used them for a 10-day trip across Italy, a weeklong beach getaway, and a long weekend trip to Los Angeles. Each time, I’ve only packed my carry-on and had no issues when it came to fitting everything I needed.

Gonex Compression Packing Cubes

$30 $20 at Amazon

I love using these top-tier packing cubes even when I don’t necessarily need the compression aspect because they also make organizing a breeze. I take a small piece of tape and write in Sharpie what’s inside each one so I can quickly grab and unpack just the packing cube I need instead of rifling through my entire suitcase. Plus, they’re super handy for pulling out and putting straight into drawers. The nylon material is also easy to wipe down and clean, so you could even use these for toiletry items to help keep them separate.

The only downside is that since everything gets compressed together and rolled up, clothes can come out more wrinkly than when laid flat across your suitcase. I usually throw a travel-sized wrinkle-release spray in my suitcase and it quickly takes care of this problem for me – no ironing needed.

I now own two sets of these packing cubes so I can mix and match various sizes to my packing needs, and for those who want even more flexibility, there’s a six-piece set that includes a shoe bag and a clear toiletry bag. The four-piece Gonez packing cube set is available in 12 different colors, ranging from black and cream to turquoise and hot pink. Right now, during Amazon Prime Day, they’re on sale for $20, thanks to an additional on-site coupon, which puts them at just $5 per cube. But the deal ends on Wednesday, July 17, so hurry and snag these genius compression packing cubes while they’re on sale.