Packing cubes split a suitcase into separate zipped bags, so clothes, shoes, toiletries and chargers each have a place and you can find them without unpacking. For most trips, the 8-piece packing cube set ($15) covers clothes, underwear, shoes and toiletries; choose the 9-piece set ($17) if you also want a bag for chargers and cables. Then add a toiletry pouch, a document case or vacuum bags depending on the trip.

Compare the three cube sets

• 8-piece set ($15): three mesh-top clothing cubes (41 × 32.5 × 12 cm, 33 × 28 × 12 cm and 31.5 × 23 × 12 cm), an underwear bag, a drawstring laundry pouch, a shoe bag, a flat pocket and a cosmetic bag with a hook. Washable polyester, in Gray, Blue, Black or Beige.
• 9-piece set ($17): large, medium and small mesh cubes, an underwear bag, a makeup and toiletry bag, a shoe bag, a digital bag for chargers and cables, a flat pocket and a drawstring pouch. Washable twill fabric, in Black, Beige, Grey or Blue.
• 6-piece deluxe set ($22): five mesh-top organizers in different sizes plus a zipped storage bag. Clothing icons on the organizers show what goes where. Black with light grey trim.

Rule of thumb: the 8-piece set is the all-rounder, the 9-piece adds a tech bag, and the 6-piece suits people who like each bag labelled.

What to pack in which bag

• Large cube: trousers, jumpers and anything you fold flat.
• Medium and small cubes: T-shirts, shirts, gym clothes, swimwear.
• Underwear bag: underwear and socks, kept separate from everything else.
• Drawstring pouch: worn clothes on the way home.
• Shoe bag: one pair of shoes, so soles never touch clothes. For an extra pair, the Travel Shoe Storage Bag ($7, 33 × 21 × 12 cm) has a mesh side panel and a double zip.
• Flat pocket: papers, a book or a tablet.
• Toiletries: the cosmetic bag in the 8-piece set has a hook. For more room, the XO Hanging Toiletry Bag #CB07 ($14, 25 × 9 × 20 cm, foldable) hangs from its hook, and the BANGE Toiletry Travel Pouch #7529 ($24, 26 × 10 × 30 cm) has a hook, a wet and dry pocket and a trolley strap.
• Make-up: the Travel Make-up Organizer Bag ($21, 26 × 23 × 10 cm) has adjustable dividers and brush slots.
• Chargers and cables: the 9-piece digital bag, the Electronics Organizer Bag with Dividers ($9) or the Double-Layer Electronics Organizer ($7, 19 × 11 × 5.5 cm).
• Passports and documents: the 3-Layer Document Organizer Case with Coded Lock ($19, 37 × 12 × 27 cm) has card slots, mesh pockets and a folder layer.

Which set for which trip

• Weekend away: two cubes, the shoe bag and the toiletry bag from the 8-piece set fit in a backpack or a small carry-on.
• One week, carry-on only: the 9-piece set, which covers clothes, toiletries, shoes and tech in one purchase.
• Family trip with checked bags: one set per person in a different colour, so everyone knows which cubes are theirs, plus the BANGE #7529 pouch for shared toiletries. For bulky jackets or blankets, the TAILI 6-Pack Vacuum Bags with Pump ($16) come in three sizes (80 × 100, 50 × 70 and 45 × 70 cm) and work with the included hand pump or a vacuum cleaner.
• Business trip: the 6-piece deluxe set for clothes, the electronics organizer for chargers, and the document case for papers.

See everything in Backpacks & Organizers.

Buying from Buyrouth

• Delivery across Lebanon: standard delivery $5 (2–5 working days), free on orders of $75 or more; fast delivery $8 (24 hours within Beirut, 72 hours outside Beirut).
• Pay cash on delivery or by card online.
• You can also pick up your order from Buyrouth in Sin El Fil.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the 8-piece and 9-piece packing cubes?

The 8-piece set ($15) is washable polyester and includes three clothing cubes, an underwear bag, a laundry pouch, a shoe bag, a flat pocket and a hooked cosmetic bag. The 9-piece set ($17) is washable twill and adds a digital bag for chargers and cables, alongside three mesh cubes, an underwear bag, a toiletry bag, a shoe bag, a flat pocket and a drawstring pouch.

Do packing cubes make more room in a suitcase?

Mainly they keep things sorted and easy to find. For soft, bulky items such as jackets and blankets, vacuum bags take up less space once the air is pumped out; the TAILI 6-pack at Buyrouth includes a hand pump.

Can I wash packing cubes?

Yes. The 8-piece set is made of washable polyester and the 9-piece set of twill fabric that can be washed.

Which toiletry bag can I hang up?

The XO Hanging Toiletry Bag #CB07 ($14), the BANGE Toiletry Travel Pouch #7529 ($24) and the cosmetic bag in the 8-piece cube set all have a hook.

Can I pay cash on delivery for packing cubes?

Yes. Buyrouth delivers across Lebanon and accepts cash on delivery or card payment online. Standard delivery costs $5 and is free on orders of $75 or more.