Eagle Creek Pack-It Original Packing Cubes Set XS/S/M Review (2026)

Who this set fits

This three-cube set suits travelers who want a simple, proven way to separate clothing categories inside a carry-on rather than living out of one loose pile in a suitcase or backpack. The Pack-It Original line has been a long-running favorite among one-bag travelers specifically because it keeps things simple, three sizes, no extra zippers or mesh panels, just enough structure to organize a bag without adding much thinking or bulk. The XS, S and M sizes are well matched to socks and underwear, folded t-shirts, and slightly bulkier tops respectively, covering most of a typical carry-on wardrobe. Travelers who want to also compress clothing down to save extra space should look at the Reveal Compression line instead, since this Original set has no compression feature.

Sizing and capacity

The XS cube is sized for small items like socks, underwear and accessories, with roughly 1.2 liters of capacity, while the S cube at roughly 5 liters suits folded t-shirts and light layers, and the M cube at roughly 10.5 liters handles bulkier tops or a small stack of folded clothing. Because none of the cubes include a compression zipper, they hold their packed shape rather than flattening down further, which some travelers actually prefer since it protects clothing from the extra creasing that compression can cause. The XS cube in particular tends to fill up fast if you are packing more than a few days' worth of socks and underwear, so heavier packers may want a second small cube.

Materials and weight

The cubes use a durable, ultra-lightweight fabric that is built to survive repeated packing and unpacking without tearing, while adding very little weight of its own to a packed bag, with the three-cube set weighing only a few ounces total. Two-way zippers on each cube make it easy to fully open the cube flat for finding items or opening just partway when only reaching for something on top. Grab-and-go handles on each cube let you lift a packed cube directly out of a suitcase to carry separately, which is useful when unpacking into a hotel drawer without needing to touch loose clothing.

How it compares

Against the Reveal Compression Cube S/M set, this Original set trades the second compression zipper and see-through mesh panel for a third, smaller XS cube in the set and a design that holds clothing shape rather than flattening it under pressure. Against newer packing cube sets that bundle a laundry bag, like the Shacke Pak or Veken sets, the Pack-It Original keeps things simpler with no bundled extras, which some travelers prefer and others see as a missed convenience. Its long track record on the market also means it is widely stocked, so replacing a single lost or worn cube is generally easy.

Bottom line

Choose this set if you want a simple, lightweight, proven way to separate clothing into three sizes without adding compression pressure or extra bulk to a carry-on. Skip it if you are trying to squeeze the maximum volume of clothing into a fixed bag size, since the lack of a compression zipper means the Reveal Compression line will fit more in the same space. For travelers who pack close to their bag's stated capacity rather than right up against the limit, the simpler three-cube layout here is easy to live with trip after trip.

Frequently asked questions