If you've already sorted your pack, you might be wondering whether travel pack cubes are actually worth adding to the cart, or just another accessory you don't really need. Short answer: yes, they're worth it, and once you've used a proper set, you won't pack without them again. Here's why they matter, and which ones we'd actually recommend.

What travel pack cubes actually do for you

Packing cubes solve a problem every hiker and traveller knows well: digging through a jumbled pack to find one specific item at the bottom. Sorting your gear into dedicated cubes, layers here, toiletries there, a few days of clothing in another, means you know exactly where everything is without unpacking your entire bag at camp or in a hostel dorm. They also compress soft items down, freeing up real space in your pack for the gear that actually needs it.

If you're still working out what to bring in the first place, our guide on what to pack for a multi-day hike is a great place to start before you sort it all into cubes.

Our top picks: two packing cubes worth adding to your kit

Our own PAST Outdoors Originals Ultralight Packing Cube (Large) is a genuine favourite, and for good reason. It's made from the offcuts of the same 6.6 ripstop nylon we use in our ultralight tipi tents, so you're getting a durable, genuinely ultralight cube while also keeping usable material out of landfill. The large size comfortably fits a few days' worth of clothing, insulation layers, or food, and it maximises every cubic centimetre of space in your pack while keeping everything protected and easy to find.

For something built specifically around quick access, the Exped Organizer Ultra Zip is hard to beat. Its large zippered opening means you're not wrestling with a drawstring closure every time you need something, and the semi-translucent recycled ripstop nylon lets you see exactly what's inside without opening it. A fully seam-taped construction and water-repellent YKK Aquaguard zipper keep contents protected from spray and dust, genuinely useful if you're moving between a pack, a tent, and a rental car in changeable weather.

Do they actually make sense for hiking, not just travel?

Absolutely, and this is where a lot of hikers underestimate them. Whether you're carrying a daypack or a full multi-day pack, cubes keep your gear compartmentalised so you're not rifling through everything to find your first aid kit or a spare layer. If you're still deciding on the pack itself, our guide to day packs and hiking backpacks in Australia is worth a read, and if you're kitting out for international travel specifically, check out our guide on the best travel backpack for women.

So, are travel pack cubes actually worth it?

If you've ever unpacked half a bag looking for one t-shirt, you already know the answer. Travel pack cubes take a matter of seconds to add real organisation to your pack, they weigh next to nothing, and they genuinely make the difference between a chaotic pack and one you can access calmly, even at the end of a long day. At this price point, there's very little reason not to add a set to your kit before your next trip.

Why shop with us at PAST Outdoors

We're a family-owned Australian outdoor retailer with a genuine passion for helping people get out there properly equipped, right down to the small details that make a real difference. Our own PAST Outdoors Originals range is designed and made with the same standards we hold every brand we stock to, and we back every purchase with honest advice from people who actually spend time outdoors.

Thousands of hikers and travellers across Australia have trusted us to kit them out properly, and our customers keep coming back because we get the details right. Browse our full range of packing cubes and luggage organisers today, or reach out to our team for personalised recommendations.

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