I’ve never really been a huge fan of packing cubes. I hold the unpopular opinion that they actually take up more space than packing your bag with loose items. However, on a backpacking trip – where unpacking isn’t really an option – packing cubes quickly became my best friend.
Of course, there’s the standard way everyone uses packing cubes – trousers in one, tops in another – which already makes life much easier. But over time, I found a few methods that worked even better for backpacking specifically. I used my favourite tips on a trip to New Zealand with MAP earlier this year, and by the end, the whole group was doing the same! They are as follows:
The “First-Day” Outfit Cube
For the long-haul destinations, the flight is rarely the most pleasant part of the trip. By the time
you arrive at your hostel – tired, jet lagged, and wearing the same outfit you boarded the plane in
(potentially days ago) – your brain may not be at its usual functioning capacity.
That’s why I always keep a few arrival essentials right at the top of my bag, including my massive
sponge bag (see below!) and what I call my first-day outfit cube. Inside, I pack a towel, fresh
underwear, and an outfit I’d be happy to wear for the rest of the day.
This means I can arrive, shower immediately, get dressed, and feel human again without having to
search for items or make any decisions. This little bit of organisation helps me to arrive excited to
meet new people and begin my new adventure, rather than feeling overwhelmed!
The Massive Sponge Bag
Another pet peeve of mine was wanting to go for a shower and having to think of everything I
needed to take in there. Was it just body wash, toothbrush and toothpaste this time? Or
shampoo, conditioner and a brush for a hair wash?
Now, I exclusively take a big sponge bag on backpacking trips – one that fits absolutely
everything. It needs to be big enough for my hairbrush, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner,
razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, and anything else I might possibly want.
Hostel life is made so much easier when you can just grab your towel (which I always hang on my
bunk bed), pick up a fresh outfit and your sponge bag, and head straight to the bathrooms,
without having to come back for forgotten items.
The Night-Time Cube
You’ll arrive at different hostels at all times of the day. But no matter when you get there, you’ll
usually be itching to head straight out and explore. The last thing you’ll want to do is unpack your
bag for the night. Unfortunately the problem comes later – when you return after a long day of
adventures (or a night out), and you instantly regret your choices.
My solution is was I called the night-time cube. In one packing cube, I keep everything I could
possibly need for the night: earplugs, an eye mask/music headband (read about this here!), pyjamas, painkillers, my phone charger, and a travel adaptor. Since this is the last thing I pack when checking out of a hostel, it’s always the first thing accessible when I arrived at the next one.
I could open my bag, throw it straight onto my bed and know I’m 100% set for later, without
looking for a single item. Game changer!
Packing is definitely not the most fun part of travelling, but when you’re on the move every few days, these small systems can save you a lot of time. The more organised my bag is, the more put together I feel, and the less time I spend throwing my clothes across a hostel floor trying to find one specific top.
If you’re already planning your own trip, check out our backpacking trips here. If some of these tips work for you, or you find new strategies, we’d love to hear about it!
Happy exploring!
Imi x
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