My luggage fell apart at check-in. Here’s how packing cubes saved my trip.

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Once upon a flight, my packing cubes saved my trip. I’ve said goodbye to airport chaos and have been traveling with them ever since. Here’s the story: 

I checked the time on my phone and felt a tiny wave of panic. My daughter and I just got out of our Uber at Boston Logan Airport. Our flight to the Dominican Republic was scheduled to depart in two hours. 

My eyes shot over to the check-in line as soon as we entered the airport, and it stretched back. I had cut it close before, but this was too close. 

It had been two years since my daughter and I had been back to the Dominican Republic since the pandemic. Travel had drastically changed and there were a lot of regulations in place.  

My mind raced as it went down my mental checklist before taking our place in line. 

Face masks? Check. Hand sanitizer? Check. Negative COVID-19 test results? Check. Passports? Check. Airline confirmation code? Check. Completed Dominican Republic Entry Form? Ummm… 

I couldn’t afford to waste a second. Trying to keep my composure I stumbled to pull my phone out of my denim jacket pocket and stood by the tail-end of the line. My fingers moved swiftly as I went through my emails and clicked the link to the online form. 

My eyes flicked all over the screen. I entered our personal information, gathered our airline information, and input our passport information. All the while, keeping an eye on the time that passed by. As soon as I submitted the E-Ticket, we zipped in line with the crowd moving towards the check-in counters.  

Finally, we arrived at the check-in counter. The attendant smiled and gathered our documentation to confirm our flight. Meanwhile, I placed our large suitcase on the scale for baggage check-in. As soon as it made contact with the scale, it burst open at the zipper. I froze as my face washed over in panic. 

What do I do now? was the mantra repeating in my head.

The attendant turned and exchanged a few words with her colleague. “He is going to check down in storage to see if there is anything in the lost and found that you can use,” she said to me, her voice calm but knowing I could be running out of time.

After what felt like an eternity, her colleague came back with a large suitcase—still wrapped in its plastic packaging. He barely handed the suitcase over to me before I tore the plastic off. I laid the suitcase on the floor, opened it wide, and looked over to my daughter.

“Quick! Let’s transfer all of the packing cubes over to this one,” I instructed. Within a couple of minutes, we had tossed all of our packing cubes into the new suitcase, zipped it up, and placed it on the scale.

The attendant swiftly tagged our large suitcase and handed me our boarding passes. “Head straight to security—use the expedited line. And hurry,” she said. 

With our boarding passes and passports in hand, we zipped through the expedited security line. The universe gave us a break. The packing cubes saved our trip. Everything fell into place. We had made it to our gate—just barely.

Experience effortless packing with these packing cube sets

Packing cubes have made the way I pack become a breeze. Not only did they save my trip, but they also act as my own personal travel assistant. They keep my bags organized and have entirely optimized my packing routine. 

After my incident at the airport, I recommend every seasoned traveler to invest in these small travel accessories for stress-free packing. 

Here are my top five picks: 

8 Set Packing Cubes

This is the ultimate set to keep all of your items organized. It features three different-sized cubes, a cosmetic bag, a shoe bag, and even a drawstring bag for dirty clothes. 

The BAGAIL packing cubes are a top pick as they are high-performing with durable fabric. They fit into different-sized suitcases, backpacks, weekender bags, and more. 

5 Piece Set of Packing Cubes

These large lightweight packing cubes take the stress out of sorting and finding your things. With the see-through mesh of each cube, you can easily see the contents inside.

The DOT & DOT packing cubes are ideal for those traveling together as a family. You can assign a different colored cube to each member of your family. 

Compression Packing Cubes

These travel organizers help maximize the space in your luggage for a hassle-free travel experience. They make the perfect accessory for any journey.  

The LeanTravel compression packing cubes have an amazing space-saving design. Enjoy the perks of a compact suitcase and be able to pack more efficiently. 

8 Set Luggage Organizer

These versatile packing cubes are made with sturdy materials. They are perfect for frequent use with zippers that glide and breathable mesh. 

The Veken packing cubes are built to perform and last long. They are durable and reliable, providing stress-free travel. 

5 Piece Set of Basic Packing Cubes

This is a great starter set for packing cube newbies as it is thoughtfully designed and user-friendly. They are versatile and fit in a duffel bag, suitcase, or backpack. 

The Amazon set of basic packing cubes is a great way to get acquainted with using packing cubes for travel. It keeps essentials neatly sorted and organized with its simple design. 

What are the benefits of using packing cubes?

Packing cubes are designed to help travelers organize their personal belongings within their luggage. They are made out of durable fabric and are extremely lightweight. 

As shown in the sets mentioned above, packing cubes come in various sizes and are square or rectangular in shape. You can pick colors or designs that match your personality. My packing cubes came in a set of 5. I use them for my clothing, toiletries, accessories, and more. 

Here are all of the reasons why I refuse to travel without my packing cubes:

Maximize Space

Packing cubes help me maximize the available space in my luggage as they are designed to fit snug inside. Some packing cubes come with compression zippers. That way I am able to pack everything I need while squeezing the excess air to create more space. I am guilty of overpacking, so now I can overstuff without the stress.

Keeps Things Organized

Using packing cubes helps keep my belongings organized and easily accessible in my luggage. That way, I can easily find my items and avoid fishing around for my things. 

Protect all Items

Packing cubes protect my items from any possible accidents that can occur while traveling. You never know when there can be a spill from your toiletries. Placing toiletries or other liquids in a ziplock bag can help ensure leaks won’t affect other items. My set of packing cubes has a lined water-resistant pouch where I keep all of my toiletries separate from the rest of my items.

Preparation

Sometimes the most unexpected situations can arise when you travel. Whether you have a leak, or your suitcase falls apart like mine did, packing cubes can help you be more prepared in an emergency situation. 

My tips for using packing cubes

These travel essentials can help you streamline your packing and unpacking system. Here is how I pack my suitcase with my packing cubes:

#1 – Group similar items together

Grouping similar items together enhances my organization. You can place all of your bottoms together, or you can organize cubes by activity. For example, I put all of my yoga clothes in one packing cube. This reduces shuffling around through cubes. I know exactly where to find each item. 

#2 – Use different-sized packing cubes

Not all of your items are equal in size. It is helpful to have a variety of packing cube sizes to streamline your process. For example, I place my bulkier items like denim and sweatpants in large cubes. My T-shirts and blouses go in medium-sized cubes. My pajamas and undergarments usually go in the smallest cubes. 

#3 – Packing as a family? Use separate cubes

On lengthier trips, I tend to pack my items and my daughter’s items together in a large suitcase. I have found that having separate packing cubes for my daughter and me goes a long way. Our cubes are different in color and design. This helps differentiate my items from hers and saves me time in hunting for clothing.

#4 – Roll all your relaxed clothing

Instead of folding, I roll my t-shirts, denim, and yoga pants to save space. This technique also helps minimize wrinkles in my clothes. I place all of my rolled clothes in one packing cube.

#5 – Pack heavy items at the bottom of your suitcase

My largest packing cube is usually designated for my bottoms, such as denim jeans. This cube is the heaviest and serves as my base layer. I place it opposite the shoe side in my suitcase. It provides more stability that way and prevents weight from shifting to the top. 

#6 – Not every item needs a cube

My shoes, hair dryer, and chargers never go in a packing cube. Instead, I wedge them in between the soft cubes filled with clothing. 

No more airport chaos

After discovering packing cubes, I have been living in my effortless travel era. They have truly become a game changer. 

Packing cubes provides a sense of order to the chaos that traveling can bring, all while optimizing space. I don’t know how I ever managed to travel without them.

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Next, read Betty’s advice on overcoming airport anxiety.