Shopping writer Eve Rowlands has named Next's Set of 6 Pastel Luggage Packing Cubes, priced at £28, as her new travel essential, saying the colourful organisers transformed her pre-holiday packing routine.
How the cubes work
Allocating clothes to a specific cube keeps a suitcase tidy and helps travellers keep items separate while moving about. The set comes in six different colours and sizes, and Rowlands said it helps overpackers fit all their essentials in neatly, with room to spare.
The cubes range in size from H 8cm x W 30.5cm x D 46cm for the largest to H 25cm x W 23.5cm for the smallest. They are lightweight, malleable, and do not lose their shape, and are useful for keeping delicates separate from swimwear and tops separate from bottoms. A mesh topper lets users see inside each cube.
Quality and value
The cubes are secured with strong, durable zips that stay put even when packed to the brim, according to Rowlands. At £28, that works out at £4.60 per cube, which she said is not the cheapest but the quality makes up for the investment.
Shopper reviews are mixed. One Next shopper said: "I’ve not used them yet, but they do seem very good quality. I am sure the various sizes will work. Love the different shades of pastel colours. I have recommended them already." Another reviewer, however, returned them, saying: "I liked the colours of the product. They were well-made, but I returned them because they were smaller than I expected. Also I felt it was expensive for the size, which was against what I expected it to be."
Alternatives
For shoppers wanting something sturdier, Antler's packing cubes cost £50 for four bags and come with a compression zip that shrinks the bag, allowing more items to be packed. They are available in colours from blue to orange to beige.
Dunelm also offers a pack of three packing cubes for £10, in a range of patterns and colours, boasting a water-repellent finish.
