Peak Design Packing Cubes Review: Why I Pack Them Every Time

I got the Peak Design Packing Cubes (the Small and the Medium) as my first set of high-quality packing cubes. I’ve traveled around the world with them, from Asia to Latin America, and from Europe to Africa, and after six years, they still look new.

In this review, find out why they’re my go-to (or as Becca calls them, my “favorite” packing cubes) and why I think they’re an essential for frequent travelers, or for anyone diving into elevating their “stay-organized” game during a trip.

The Score View detailed breakdown

Peak Design Travel Packing Cubes

4.7 / 5

The Peak Design Travel Packing Cubes are exceptional packing accessories with durable construction, fast-sliding zippers and highly expandable design that mold to bag shapes, though they lack some organization features compared to other cubes.

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Why I like the Peak Design Packing Cubes

It shouldn’t be a shock that I named the PD Packing Cubes some of the best packing cubes for travel. Here are my reasons why:

Highly expandable

I tend to pack these packing cubes until they’re near capacity, and they always survive, with the expansion zippers.

Fast-sliding zippers

Peak Design doesn’t mess around when it comes to zippers, and these have never snagged on my stuff, nor shown any wear.

Compression and packability

When they’re not full, these packing cubes take up virtually no extra space in my bags. They mold to the shape of what’s around them, rather than remaining boxy or structured like other cubes I own.

Sustainability

Peak Design takes carbon neutrality and eco-consciousness into account (I’ll get into this later), setting it apart from other travel brands.

Where I think they could improve

• For anyone obsessed with zippers that close completely, I’d note to you that where the zippers meet at the closure, it’s not a 100% close, zipper-to-zipper, but the zippers do meet at the PD tab, like you can see in the photo below.
• I think what the PD packing cube collection is missing is a packing cube that’s rectangular, in between the sizes of the Small and Medium offerings. I have this size (around 8”x6”) from other brands, and I think it’s useful.
• No mesh see-through components: some people like the mesh feature that I’ve seen on a lot of Packing Cubes (Tortuga, Bluffworks, Bagsmart, to name a few). The PD cubes don’t have any see-through areas except for when you open the side expansion.

Packing Cubes: Summary of main features

You’re probably wondering why I pack these packing cubes first for every trip, so here are the main reasons, and the features that get me through every adventure.

All-around expansion and compression

When I got these packing cubes, I didn’t even know they had the compression and expansion capabilities, and I didn’t know if I would need that. Still to date, I don’t use the expansion all the time, but when it comes time to stuff in 15-odd T-shirts, along with some pairs of pants and shorts, all into the Medium cube, I use the expansion zippers and it works.

Likewise, for loading up my packing cubes and then zipping down to compress, I usually do this with the Small one. I always pack my boxers and socks into the Small packing cube, as the shape lends itself to that, and if we’re running out of space, some swim trunks and belts might go in, too.

I load up that packing cube in the expanded form, and then zip it down with the compression zippers into its compressed format. I think that’s the way to make the most of packing cubes like these.

Ability to mold into my packing

I mentioned above that I also have some packing cubes that come in a more structured shape, like rectangular cubes. The PD packing cubes, however, are the opposite. They’re squish-able, bendable and ultimately, rollable. If they’re not full, they squash right up against another shoe bag in my luggage, or against the side of my suitcase.

If they are full, they still allow for molding against other larger items in my backpack, for example. And when they’re empty, they roll up and fold down super small because of the thin nylon. I can crush them into corners of my backpack or duffel.

Hyper lightweight build

Peak Design’s packing cubes are really lightweight. The small one is barely 4 ounces and the medium cube is a dab over 5. They have never weighed down my bags. Among my other packing cubes (and I have quite a few), they feel the most weightless, yet strong.

Quality to last forever

I can’t count how many years I’ve had these packing cubes (since Peak Design launched them, I guess) and I expect them to last until I’m really, really old.

With Peak Design’s Lifetime Guarantee, I know I can reach out and get them replaced if any of their parts become non-functional. It’s also a reason I think they make some of the best gifts for travelers in my life—who doesn’t want great packing cubes that’ll make packing easier!

Sustainability

Specific to these Peak Design packing cubes, I noticed that they’re made of recycled materials and are 100% carbon neutral. I’m refreshing myself on PD’s environmental practices with reading the Sustainability page of the website.

Colors

Colors, you say? On par with most Peak Design products with which I’m familiar, you can expect a choice of 3 or so colors when you’re choosing the bag accessories that seem right for you. I got Charcoal for both of mine, but the other choices of “Raw” and “Sage” also seem really nice!

How these packing cubes have worked out for me

Like I said above, every time we get ready for a trip, we get out our pile of packing cubes and we each take picks on which ones we’re going to use, and which we’ll use for our daughter’s things.

Becca and I both know that my things immediately go into both our Peak Design packing cubes (Small and Medium), and that my second pair of travel shoes will go into my Peak Design Shoe Pouch.

One feature I ironically do not use is the dual compartments that can separate your clean and folded clothes from dirty ones. Embarrassingly, I didn’t know this feature was part of them when I bought them, and as it turns out, we just lump our dirty clothes all in one spot in our suitcases when they’ve been worn during travel. I should really try it out, though!

Conclusion: Peak Design travel organizer accessories

In this review, I’ve told you about my experiences using the Peak Design Packing Cubes.

I think what I like about them the best is that they feel as much a part of the Peak Design brand as my larger Peak Design investments like my PD Travel Backpack 45L and Everyday backpack 20L and 30L. Despite being “just accessories,” these bag accessory products have the same awesome weatherproofed zippers, high-quality structured nylon exterior, strong handles, smart features and durability.

Are they worth your consideration for packing products that last a lifetime? I’d say surely so. Now that I travel with a totally Peak Design packing accessory setup, I can tell you about additional PD products that help out. For those, head to my Peak Design Wash Pouch review and Peak Design Shoe Pouch review.

Detailed score breakdown

Peak Design Travel Packing Cubes

4.7 / 5

The Peak Design Travel Packing Cubes are exceptional packing accessories with durable construction, fast-sliding zippers and highly expandable design that mold to bag shapes, though they lack some organization features compared to other cubes.

Core functionality

94%

Truly keeps items organized and separated. The highly expandable design meaningfully improves packing efficiency over loose packing. The cubes help compress and structure luggage, especially with the compression zippers. The dual compartments can separate clean and dirty clothes, though I haven't used that feature yet. If a cube doesn't simplify packing, it has failed its only job, and these deliver excellently.

Materials & build quality

98%

Exceptional build quality with high-quality structured nylon exterior, weatherproofed zippers and strong handles. After 6 years of heavy use, they still look new. Zipper strength under tension is excellent - the fast-sliding zippers never snag even when overstuffed. Seams hold under high load. The weight-to-strength ratio is excellent - ultralight at 4-5 ounces but strong enough to handle overstuffing. Packing cubes are frequently overstuffed, and these handle it perfectly.

Organization & access speed

92%

How fast can I find what I packed without exploding my bag? The top-opening design works well, though there's no mesh see-through visibility like some other cubes. I can access items mid-trip, and the cubes are easy to pull in and out of luggage. The Small and Medium sizes serve logical purposes. Access speed is good, though the lack of mesh windows means I can't see contents without opening.

Packability & footprint

96%

Excellent packability - when not full, they take up virtually no extra space and mold to the shape of what's around them. Very lightweight at 4-5 ounces. They stack efficiently in luggage. When empty, they roll up and fold down super small. Packing cubes should increase usable space, not reduce it, and these deliver on that promise by molding to bag shapes rather than remaining boxy.

Ease of use

92%

Very easy to use with fast-sliding zippers and intuitive design. The expansion zippers work smoothly and the cubes are simple to pack and unpack. Smooth zippers under high tension - they never snag on my stuff. They don't snag on clothing. Easy to grab from a suitcase. The layout is simple to understand without weird folding systems. They open wide enough for fast packing. The best cubes feel intuitive from the first use, and these do.

Durability & resilience

98%

Exceptional durability - after 6 years of world travel, they still look new. Resistance to overpacking stress is excellent. The compression zippers have held up perfectly over years of use. Handle strength is good for drag-pulling out of suitcases. The weatherproofed materials resist wear from laundry or toiletries stored inside. These cubes face constant abuse, and they've held up exceptionally well.

Ease of maintenance & cleaning

90%

Easy to maintain with weatherproof materials that resist dirt and moisture. Simple to clean and keep organized. The weatherproofed zippers and materials resist dirt transfer from travel clothing. Wipeable interiors handle cleaning easily. Quick drying time. Good stain resistance. Cleaning should be simple, not a chore, and these cubes deliver on that.

Versatility across trip types

94%

Very adaptable - work for short trips to long-term travel. The expandable design and multiple sizes (Small, Medium) make them versatile for different packing needs. Works for carry-on travel, checked bags, duffels and backpacks. Useful for short trips, long trips and one-bag travel. Can double as drawer organizers at hotels or Airbnbs. Adapts to different packing styles like rolled versus folded clothes. The question is how well it adapts to your actual travel patterns, and these cubes handle everything.

Compression effectiveness

94%

The compression zippers actually work - I load up the Small cube in expanded form, then zip it down with compression zippers into compressed format. Actual volume reduction is achieved. Compression zipper strength and reliability are excellent after 6 years of use. Pressure distribution is even without excessive bulging. The compression doesn't crease clothing excessively. The compression actually works rather than just adding bulk.

Shape retention & structural integrity

92%

These cubes are squishable, bendable and rollable - they mold to bag shapes rather than remaining boxy. When not full, they squash right up against other items. When full, they still allow for molding against other larger items. When empty, they roll up and fold down super small. The question is whether the cube delivers on its core design promise, and these cubes perform exactly as designed - flexible and compressible, not rigid.

Overall value for price

92%

Good value considering the durability, quality and lifetime guarantee. After 6 years of world travel, they still look new, which speaks to the longevity. The Peak Design Lifetime Guarantee provides additional peace of mind. The pre-owned store offers good deals for budget-conscious buyers. Build quality, durability and warranty coverage all factor into whether it's worth the cost, and these deliver excellent value.

How we score gear

And of course, for all your photography accessories and tech gadgets that require smart storage, there’s the Peak Design Tech Pouch, which is one of the first things I grab when I pack for a trip. You can see more about it at my Peak Design Tech Pouch review.

I recommend getting all your Peak Design gear and Bag Accessories at the Peak Design online store, where you can also shop the PD Pre-Owned store for a bargain find.

Comparison with similar products

Here's how this product compares to similar options. Use this table to find the best of the bunch!

Learn more about the Peak Design brand

I’ve been heavily into the Peak Design line of products ever since I caught onto photography and travel.

I bought Peak Design products just because I liked the look of them, and then as a bonus, I learned about the insanely good quality of all the bags, duffels and backpacks, and the top-notch features that get photographers through loads of outings from long-term travel and daily media gigs.

To see all I’ve learned about PD, head to my Peak Design brand review and articles where you can see lots of PD product detail, like my Peak Design Travel Backpack review.