A few years ago I received a couple of Eagle Creek packing cubes for Christmas. Since then I’ve found them indispensable packing essentials.
Packing cubes are great for keeping your bag tidy and organised, a bit like having your things in drawers. I separate my clothes so that I have tops in one, bottoms in another, running gear in a third, and fancier clothes in a fourth. It makes it much easier to find things in my bag without having to pull everything out and make a huge mess each time. This also helps me to pack faster as I know exactly how to stuff everything in my bag, which comes in very handy for those times when you sleep in and are running late for a train! You also have the added benefit of using your packed cube as a handy pillow should ever you need one.
Cubes also help you find more space in your bag. By packing all your clothes into cubes which you then neatly stack into your pack, all the little nooks and crannies you can cram other bits and bobs into become visible.
Another benefit to cubes is if you have a shampoo explosion incident, which recently happened to me, your clothes should mostly be protected if the cubes are of a water resistant material.
When choosing your cubes, I suggest you look at something light weight and water resistant, as these are the two most useful properties to have. There are many different cubes on the market, and at varied prices.I personally like the Eagle Creek Spector cubes as they are made out of a water resistant, extremely light material which will not add any weight to your bag. They also sell a compression bag which I have found is very handy for heavier clothes such as winter knits.
Cubes are a costly investment, but if you plan on doing a lot of travel, especially long trips, they will come in very handy. If you find that the pricetag is too high, there are some alternative options.
For the super cheap, use old pillow cases to stuff clothes into. You can easily sew a draw-string closure at the top, or just use a hair-tie to close the end. This will keep your things compartmentalised, but the downsize is added bulk, and it will not be water proof.
If you are handy with a sewing machine you may find it cheaper to sew your own cubes. Alternatively, look at buying or sewing some draw-string bags as a cheaper and easier solution. You can use different coloured bags for different clothing, or write or embroider on each bag so that you know what it contains.