Packing Cubes vs. Shoving: A Scientific Review (Sort of)
Let’s be honest: there are two types of travelers—those who swear by packing cubes and those who shove their belongings into a suitcase like they’re late for a flight and their suitcase owes them money.
As someone featured in Scary Mommy’s article on packing cubes, I’ve tested both methods. I’ve rolled, folded, zipped, and yes, shoved. And after years of traveling with kids (and way too many tiny socks), I’m here to give you the lowdown on what actually works when packing for a family vacation.
The Case for Packing Cubes
Packing cube people are planners. They're the human equivalent of a well-labeled spice rack. Their kids’ outfits are sorted by day, activity, and vibe. And honestly? It works.
Benefits of packing cubes:
Keeps clothes organized, wrinkle-free, and compact
Makes unpacking at your destination super simple
Helps you overpack without feeling like you’re overpacking
You can pack by person or by day for less chaos on family trips
👉 My favorites:
Bagail Packing Cubes on Amazon – affordable and durable
OlarHike Luggage Organizers- these work using compression and are just a little bit more pack for your cube if you get my drift
No Reception Club The Sliders Complete Set – cute and colorful if you like a little flair (these are by far my favorite and the most durable)
Add the Dopp Kit to complete your full packing set
The Case for Shoving It All In
On the flip side, the "shovers" among us are free spirits. You believe in the power of the squish. You trust your suitcase zipper and your memory (until you forget pajamas and pack four pairs of heels).
Pros of the shove-and-go method:
No prep work
Great for last-minute packers
Surprisingly effective if you're good at Tetris and denial
Cons:
Wrinkles galore
You will dig through your bag like a raccoon mid-vacation ( I ❤️ raccoons, though)
Packing anxiety at every turn
My Verdict: Packing Cubes Win (Especially for Moms)
If you’re traveling with kids, don’t make it harder than it has to be. Packing cubes keep your sanity intact and your suitcase from exploding mid-trip. Each kid gets their own cube. Outfits stay together. Dirty clothes don’t touch clean clothes. Everyone wins.
Still a shover? I see you. I support you. Learn from me and pack at least ONE cube for messy clothes, dirty unmentionables, and who knows what’s on those sneakers)
TL;DR: Packing cubes are a small investment with big payoffs for organized, low-stress family travel. Shoving is fine… until you need that one sock and it’s at the bottom of a mountain of chaos.
📌 Need more expert packing hacks with a side of sass?
Follow me on Instagram @sarahknowsherstuff and listen to the Tiny Travelers podcast for more no-fluff travel tips for parents who like their vacations almost as much as they like peace and quiet.
🔗 Also read the full Scary Mommy article where I was featured for more expert takes on cubes!
