Packing cubes have become one of those travel products people swear by, but I prefer something else entirely.
Rather than rolling and compressing full outfits into separate cubes, I use clear organizers. And not to transport my wardrobe.
Instead, I use my pouches to pack small essentials first: undergarments, toiletries, chargers, medications, and other items that can easily disappear into a suitcase.
Since traveling from Maine to Miami for the Eras Tour in 2024, I’ve been using the clear Everyday Packing Totes from Austin Fowler, and they’ve completely changed my packing routine.
Unlike traditional packing cubes, these sleek transparent totes are versatile enough to double as everyday purses, dry pouches for your beach tote, and stadium-approved concert bags.
In this article
These Pouches Work Better Than Traditional Packing Cubes
The more I travel, the more I lean on a simple packing system. I love the idea of a travel cube for everything and all-things organization, but sometimes I end up spending more time unzipping each one trying to find the item.
What immediately stood out to me about these packing pouches is that they don’t feel overly technical or bulky like some traditional packing cubes do.
The transparent design makes it easy to see exactly what’s inside without digging through multiple zippered compartments, which is especially helpful.
I also love that they make sense for all getaways, whether a quick weekend staycation or a 10-day jaunt to Europe. My system still holds true regardless of trip duration.
Larger packing cubes just don’t make sense for a quick getaway, but since every trip does require necessities, these totes accompany me everywhere. Overall, they create a cleaner starting point for packing and help me feel far more organized before I even begin choosing outfits.
Materials, Sizes, and Capacity
The Everyday Packing Totes come with three different sized pouches, which helps make this system work efficiently.
The smallest pouches are ideal for cosmetics, chargers, and smaller accessories, while the larger ones comfortably hold undergarments, swimsuits, or bulkier clothing items.
Because they’re soft-sided rather than heavily structured, they can easily fit into corners of a carry-on or weekender bag without wasting as much space as more traditional cubes.
The clear material is surprisingly elevated-looking compared to the plastic travel pouches you often see online. They feel durable enough for repeated trips while still looking polished enough to carry separately, especially if you add the optional gold chain strap.
The latter is actually one of my favorite features. With the strap, these pouches might start the trip as a simple organizer, but they easily transition into a purse for an evening at a ballgame or concert. For travelers trying to pack lighter, having one item serve multiple purposes makes a noticeable difference.
How I Actually Use Them When Packing
My packing strategy starts with these totes before I even think about clothing. I first pack everything I absolutely need for the trip.
Once those items are organized inside the totes, I place them into my suitcase first. From there, I can visually assess how much room I have left in my carry-on for shoes and outfits, which helps me avoid overpacking.
It sounds simple, but it completely changes how I pack. Instead of starting with aspirational outfit and planning and squeezing in necessities afterward, I begin with the practical items and work outward. I consistently pack less clothing this way because I have a more realistic understanding of available space from the beginning.
Tips for Packing Them Efficiently
The biggest tip I’d give is to organize pouches by category rather than by day or outfit.
Keeping similar items together makes unpacking at hotels significantly easier, especially on shorter trips where you don’t want to fully unpack your suitcase.
Sometimes I will also use one as a transition bag. For example, if I am arriving in a different climate than where my travels began, I’ll use one of the totes for a swimsuit and warm-weather outfit. This is especially helpful if you are arriving at a hotel before check-in. Because the totes are transparent, I don’t waste time searching through my carry-on when I want to change upon arrival, but my room isn’t ready.
Another advantage is flexibility. Since they aren’t overly rigid, you can easily shift them around your suitcase depending on what else you’re bringing home. For me, that adaptability, combined with the fact that they double as functional bags during the trip, is exactly what makes these a far better choice than any standard packing cube.
The Shortcut
Packing essentials first, not clothes, makes it easier to avoid overpacking and better prioritize suitcase space.
Clear packing totes pull double duty as in-flight organizers, beach bags, and stadium-approved concert purses.
The best travel organizers aren’t always traditional compression cubes; sometimes flexibility matters more.
