How to Organize a 35L Travel Pack with the Packing Cube Set 3-Pack
By Matador Travel Equipment | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step guide to using the Packing Cube Set 3-Pack in a 35L travel pack, with practical packing cube tips for carry-on organization and compression.
Quick answer
Use the three cubes as zones: largest for bulky clothing, medium for tops and layers, small for small items. Pack them flat, use the mesh to see contents, and place the largest cube at the bottom of your 35L pack to keep weight low and access easy.
Why three cubes work better than one big compartment
A 35L pack is small enough that a single stuff sack turns into a tangled pile. Three sizes let you separate clean clothes from dirty, keep small items findable, and pull out just the cube you need without unpacking everything. The see-through mesh panels and high-vis interiors also mean you can spot what’s inside without opening each cube.
When compression helps and when it doesn’t
Compression packing tips often focus on squeezing out air, but over-compressing can wrinkle clothes and make cubes harder to slide into a tight pack. For a 35L pack, moderate compression is usually enough: roll clothes tightly, use the cube’s shape to hold the roll, and avoid forcing the zipper. If you need extra space, consider wearing your bulkiest items on travel days instead of compressing them further.
Step-by-step packing process
- Assign each cube a category: Use the largest cube for bulky items like pants or sweaters, the medium for shirts and layers, and the small for socks, underwear, or accessories. Common mistake: mixing categories in one cube, which forces you to unpack everything to find one item. Label cubes mentally or with a small tag if you pack for multiple people.
- Roll or fold clothes to fit the cube shape: Rolling works well for t-shirts and pants; folding flat is better for collared shirts. Keep each cube loosely filled so it still slides in and out. Checkpoint: the cube should close without straining the zipper.
- Place the largest cube at the bottom of the pack: Put the largest cube first, flat against the back or bottom of the 35L pack, to create a stable base. Then add the medium cube on top or beside it, and tuck the small cube into leftover gaps. Common mistake: putting heavy cubes high, which makes the pack feel top-heavy.
- Use the mesh panel as a quick inventory: Before closing the pack, glance through the mesh to confirm you have what you need and nothing is missing. If a cube looks overfull, remove an item rather than forcing it. Checkpoint: you should be able to identify each cube’s contents without opening it.
- Repack dirty clothes in the small cube: As clothes get dirty, move them to the small cube (or a dedicated one) to keep them separate. This prevents odors from spreading and makes laundry day easier. Common mistake: stuffing dirty clothes into the same cube as clean ones.
Product facts
- Packing Cube Set 3-Pack: Three sizes with see-through mesh panels and high-vis interiors. You can assign each cube a category and see contents at a glance, which saves time when repacking.
Packing Cube Set 3-Pack
