How to Use Compression Packing Cubes to Save Carry-On Space

By Away: Built for modern travel | Published: 2026-11-03

Category: Consigli e cura

Compression packing cubes only save space when you load and zip them in the right order. Follow this step-by-step process to pack more in a carry-on without overstuffing.

Quick answer

Load each compression cube loosely, zip the cube closed first, then use the compression zipper to flatten it. Pack the compressed cubes flat in the base of your carry-on and keep the expandable side up until you reach your destination.

Why the order of loading and zipping matters

Compression cubes do not shrink clothes on their own; they remove the air trapped between them. If you fill a cube past its closed size, the compression zipper has nothing to pull in and the cube bulges instead of flattening.

The same logic applies to where you place cubes in the bag. A compressed cube is rigid, so it works best as a flat layer at the bottom or back of the suitcase. Soft items and shoes fill the gaps around it.

When compression cubes are the wrong choice

Compression cubes add structure and a little weight. For a short overnight trip with one change of clothes, a simple stuff sack or the suitcase’s own pockets may be lighter and faster.

They also are not a substitute for editing. If you routinely pack more than the bag holds, compressing harder will strain zippers and wrinkle clothes. Use the cube to organize and remove air, not to override the airline’s size or weight limits.

Step-by-step: how to use compression packing cubes

1. Sort by category, not by day: Group clothes into cubes by type—tops in one, bottoms in another, socks and underwear in a third. This makes it easier to compress each cube evenly and find items later without unpacking everything. If a cube feels lumpy before you zip it, you have mixed hard and soft items; re-sort before compressing.
2. Roll or fold to match the cube’s shape: Roll knitwear and casual shirts to fill the cube’s length; fold structured items flat and place them on top. Leave about a finger’s width of space at the zipper line so the cube can close without force. A cube that will not close flat is overfilled; remove one item rather than forcing the zipper.
3. Close the main zipper first: Zip the cube’s main compartment completely before touching the compression zipper. This traps the clothes in a fixed shape so the compression zipper can pull the two sides together evenly. Never use the compression zipper to close an open cube; it will jam and stress the fabric.
4. Compress gradually and check the seams: Pull the compression zipper slowly with one hand flat on top of the cube. Stop if the zipper resists or the seams pucker. A properly compressed cube feels firm but not rock-hard. If you need two hands and a knee to close the compression zipper, the cube is overpacked.
5. Place compressed cubes flat in the carry-on: Lay the flattest, largest cube against the back wall of the suitcase. Stack smaller cubes on top and fill leftover gaps with chargers, a belt, or a light jacket. Keep the expandable side of each cube facing up until you unpack. Leave the top inch of the carry-on clear so the suitcase’s own zipper closes without pressure.
6. Re-expand cubes at your destination: Unzip the compression zipper as soon as you unpack. This relaxes wrinkles and gives you a flat surface to use as a drawer or laundry separator during the trip. Re-compress only when you repack; leaving cubes compressed for days can set creases in folded clothes.

Product facts

Compression Packing Cubes in: Compression Packing Cubes have breathable mesh tops and a flexible fit designed to work inside Away luggage. The mesh lets you see what is inside without opening every cube, and the fit means the cubes sit flat rather than shifting as you close the suitcase.
Compression Packing Cubes in