The Minimalist's Guide to Packing Cubes

Home

minimalism

The Minimalist's Guide to Packing Cubes

Author: Col Forbin

Updated: July 06, 2020

Packing cubes are the simplest and smartest way to pack your bag neatly and efficiently. There are many options available that vary in size, shape, material and overall quality.

The best approach is to focus on the items that you have the most of (Merino wool underwear and Merino wool socks for example) so there are less loose items in your bag. Packing socks and underwear alone will make things a great deal tidier and more organized.

A few other things to consider:

  • Having a small packing cube for your socks, another small cube for underwear, and a medium sized for workout gear and pajamas.
  • Have a variety of Tubes (long and thin) and cubes (more squared and larger) to adapt to each trip.
  • You have to choose between heavier (these are sturdy and are easy to pack and lighter (these weigh less, but don’t hold shape).

Before buying packing cubes, quickly figure out what would be appropriate for you by sorting out your packing list. Here is an example of a packing list sorted for packing cubes (does not include what is being worn on the airplane):

3 Day Business Conference + 7 Day Europe Trip

  • 2 Merino Wool T-Shirts (Black Crew, Black V-neck)
  • 3 pairs of Merino Wool Socks
  • 2 pairs of dress socks
  • 4 pairs of underwear
  • Dress shoes
  • 2 x Dress Shirts
  • Sportcoat / Blazer
  • Jeans (Nice pair that can be worn with dress shirt or casually worn with T-Shirt)
  • Shorts
  • Notebook + Pens
  • Sunglasses
  • Laptop
  • Laptop Charger
  • Cellphone charger
  • External USB power pack
  • Power adapter
  • Passport
  • Earplugs / Eye Mask
  • Smaller daybag
  • Toiletries kit (in it’s own toiletry bag)

This is how the above packing list can be sorted, for example:

Medium Sized Packing Cube

  • Jeans
  • Shorts
  • Basketball shorts
  • Swimsuit
  • 3 pairs of Merino Wool Socks
  • 2 pairs of dress socks
  • 4 pairs of underwear

Small Sized Packing Cube

  • 2 Merino Wool T-Shirts
  • 1 Down FIlled Light Jacket

Something to consider when packing into cubes, is that you’re adding stuff to your bag by adding the cubes. So depending on how much you decide to pack, it’s often better to use fewer packing cubes with more stuff in each cube.

With the packing cubes neatly organized and packed, it’s time to organize your bag for travel.

Think of it like playing 3D Tetris inside your carry-on...and the prize is not having to wait by the luggage carousel with the rest of the horde.

Best Sellers

Men Women
View All
Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy

Merino Crew Neck T‑Shirt

Navy

$90
$0 $90
Save $-90
Sold Out
$90
$0 $90
Save $-90
Sold Out
Dark Olive Dark Olive Dark Olive Dark Olive Dark Olive Dark Olive

Merino V‑Neck T‑Shirt

Dark Olive

$90
$0 $90
Save $-90
Sold Out
$90
$0 $90
Save $-90
Sold Out
Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory

Long Sleeve Merino Crew

Ivory

$108
$108
Save $-108
Sold Out
$108
$108
Save $-108
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black

Slim Merino Travel Pants

Black

$229
$229
Save $-229
Sold Out
$229
$229
Save $-229
Sold Out
Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal

Compact Travel Hoodie

Charcoal

$178
$178
Save $-178
Sold Out
$178
$178
Save $-178
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black Black Black

Merino Wool Boxer Briefs

Black

$45
$0 $45
Save $-45
Sold Out
$45
$0 $45
Save $-45
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black Black

Relaxed Merino Travel Pants

Black

$229
$0 $229
Save $-229
Sold Out
$229
$0 $229
Save $-229
Sold Out
Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal

Merino Polo

Dusty Teal

$120
$0 $120
Save $-120
Sold Out
$120
$0 $120
Save $-120
Sold Out
Harbor Grey Harbor Grey Harbor Grey Harbor Grey Harbor Grey Harbor Grey Harbor Grey Harbor Grey

Ultralight Packable Hoodie

Harbor Grey

$145
$0 $145
Save $-145
Sold Out
$145
$0 $145
Save $-145
Sold Out
Coastal Blue Coastal Blue Coastal Blue Coastal Blue Coastal Blue Coastal Blue Coastal Blue Coastal Blue Coastal Blue

Merino Button‑Up

Coastal Blue

$168
$168
Save $-168
Sold Out
$168
$168
Save $-168
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black Black

All Season Ankle Socks

Black

$20
$20
Save $-20
Sold Out
$20
$20
Save $-20
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black

All Season Crew Socks

Black

$20
$20
Save $-20
Sold Out
$20
$20
Save $-20
Sold Out
Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory

Merino Crew Neck T‑Shirt

Ivory

$88
$0 $88
Save $-88
Sold Out
$88
$0 $88
Save $-88
Sold Out
Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal

Merino V‑Neck T‑Shirt

Charcoal

$88
$0 $88
Save $-88
Sold Out
$88
$0 $88
Save $-88
Sold Out
Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy

Long Sleeve Merino Crew

Navy

$98
$0 $98
Save $-98
Sold Out
$98
$0 $98
Save $-98
Sold Out
Almond Almond Almond Almond Almond Almond Almond

Merino Mock Neck Top

Almond

$110
$110
Save $-110
Sold Out
$110
$110
Save $-110
Sold Out
Dark Olive Dark Olive Dark Olive Dark Olive Dark Olive Dark Olive

Slim Merino Crew Neck T‑Shirt

Dark Olive

$88
$0 $88
Save $-88
Sold Out
$88
$0 $88
Save $-88
Sold Out
Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy

Merino Boxy Pocket Tee

Navy

$88
$88
Save $-88
Sold Out
$88
$88
Save $-88
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black Black

Relaxed Merino V‑Neck Tank

Black

$70
$70
Save $-70
Sold Out
$70
$70
Save $-70
Sold Out
Fossil Fossil Fossil Fossil Fossil Fossil Fossil

Merino Ribbed Racer Tank

Fossil

$70
$70
Save $-70
Sold Out
$70
$70
Save $-70
Sold Out
Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory

Slim Merino Long Sleeve V‑Neck

Ivory

$98
$0 $98
Save $-98
Sold Out
$98
$0 $98
Save $-98
Sold Out
Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet

Merino Transit Quarter Zip

Dark Violet

$165
$165
Save $-165
Sold Out
$165
$165
Save $-165
Sold Out
Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal

Compact Travel Hoodie

Dark Teal

$148
$148
Save $-148
Sold Out
$148
$148
Save $-148
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black Black

Merino Boxy Sweatshirt

Black

$135
$135
Save $-135
Sold Out
$135
$135
Save $-135
Sold Out
Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt

Merino Travel Romper

Cobalt

$170
$170
Save $-170
Sold Out
$170
$170
Save $-170
Sold Out
Clay Clay Clay Clay Clay Clay

Slim Merino Travel Pants

Clay

$225
$225
Save $-225
Sold Out
$225
$225
Save $-225
Sold Out
Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal Dark Teal

Merino Transit Sweatpants

Dark Teal

$140
$140
Save $-140
Sold Out
$140
$140
Save $-140
Sold Out
Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest

Lightweight Travel Pants

Forest

$188
$188
Save $-188
Sold Out
$188
$188
Save $-188
Sold Out
Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet

Merino Leggings

Dark Violet

$155
$0 $155
Save $-155
Sold Out
$155
$0 $155
Save $-155
Sold Out
Sail Blue Sail Blue Sail Blue Sail Blue Sail Blue

Mini Merino Travel Dress

Sail Blue

$139
$139
Save $-139
Sold Out
$139
$139
Save $-139
Sold Out
Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt Cobalt

Merino T‑Shirt Dress

Cobalt

$139
$139
Save $-139
Sold Out
$139
$139
Save $-139
Sold Out
Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet Dark Violet

Merino Tie Dress

Dark Violet

$139
$139
Save $-139
Sold Out
$139
$139
Save $-139
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black Black

Merino Travel Dress

Black

$139
$0 $139
Save $-139
Sold Out
$139
$0 $139
Save $-139
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black Black Black

Lightweight Skort

Black

$130
$130
Save $-130
Sold Out
$130
$130
Save $-130
Sold Out
Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal Dusty Teal

Merino Getaway Shorts

Dusty Teal

$125
$125
Save $-125
Sold Out
$125
$125
Save $-125
Sold Out
Sail Blue Sail Blue Sail Blue Sail Blue Sail Blue Sail Blue Sail Blue

Merino Bike Shorts

Sail Blue

$120
$0 $120
Save $-120
Sold Out
$120
$0 $120
Save $-120
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black Black

Lightweight Travel Shorts

Black

$145
$145
Save $-145
Sold Out
$145
$145
Save $-145
Sold Out
Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal

Merino Beanie

Charcoal

$75
$0 $75
Save $-75
Sold Out
$75
$0 $75
Save $-75
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black Black

No‑Show Socks

Black

$20
$20
Save $-20
Sold Out
$20
$20
Save $-20
Sold Out
Black Black Black Black Black

Ankle Socks

Black

$20
$20
Save $-20
Sold Out
$20
$20
Save $-20
Sold Out
Women's Travel Pants + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Travel Pants + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Travel Pants + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Travel Pants + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Travel Pants + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Travel Pants + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Travel Pants + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Travel Pants + T-Shirt Bundle

Travel Pants + T‑Shirt Bundle

$260
$260
Save $-260
Sold Out
Save $16

Choose 1 T-Shirt and 1 Travel Pants. Available in a variety of colors.
$260
$260
Save $-260
Sold Out
Save $16
Women's Leggings + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Leggings + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Leggings + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Leggings + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Leggings + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Leggings + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Leggings + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Leggings + T-Shirt Bundle

Leggings + T‑Shirt Bundle

$220
$220
Save $-220
Sold Out
Save $23

Choose 1 T-Shirt and 1 Leggings. Available in a variety of colors.
$220
$220
Save $-220
Sold Out
Save $23
Women's Long Sleeve + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Long Sleeve + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Long Sleeve + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Long Sleeve + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Long Sleeve + T-Shirt Bundle Women's Long Sleeve + T-Shirt Bundle

Long Sleeve + T‑Shirt Bundle

$170
$170
Save $-170
Sold Out
Save $16

Choose 1 T-Shirt and 1 Long Sleeve. Available in a variety of colors.
$170
$170
Save $-170
Sold Out
Save $16

KEEP READING

Merino Wool Care

Merino Wool Care

January 23, 2025
Why Merino Wool Should Be Your New Year’s Wardrobe Resolution

merino wool

Why Merino Wool Should Be Your New Year’s Wardrobe Resolution

December 13, 2024
Winter Travel Survival Guide: Tips to Avoid the Most Common Mistakes

Winter

Winter Travel Survival Guide: Tips to Avoid the Most Common Mistakes

November 30, 2024
Business Travel Care Digital Nomadism Featured Gear and Packing Life Hacks merino wool minimalism People & Places Productivity Travel Hacking Ultralight Travel Winter