Peak Design Packing Cubes Reviewed in 2025

Pack Smart with Peak Design Packing Cubes

Peak Design produces packing cubes in two sizes – Small and Medium. The Small is 9L at expanded capacity and 4.5L when compressed. The Medium is 18L at expanded capacity and 8L when compressed.

When compared with other companies that produce various sizes and shapes, you might think Peak Design’s two options are a bit limiting. That being said, sizes are all relative, since these cubes are compressible, their capacity can conveniently expand or shrink.

For example, if you are packing light summery clothing, the medium could be too big. However, we tested the medium with a heavier pair of ski pants, and it compressed them very well. So it just depends on your personal needs or vacation type.

Both the Small and the Medium have an external YKK zipper allowing you to divide the packing cubes; great for dirty laundry or quick access.

Peak Design Compression

The main selling point of these packing cubes is that both cubes can approximately double their carrying capacity. The Small goes from 4.5L to 9L, and the Medium goes from 8L to 18L.

The compression mesh does mean that the packing cubes do not fold away as minimally as some of their competitors. But since they’re made from flexible nylon, you could easily squeeze a spare one in the bottom of your backpack.

In a true test of “will that fit?” I – with a little help – managed to squeeze my summer comforter into the small cube! Although I’m not planning to take it on a plane, it could mean packing the car for a road trip just got a lot easier. This halving of size is very effective and useful for puffy items like ski pants or jackets.

We realized you have to follow the zip with your finger underneath to help it along since sometimes it would get caught on the compression mesh. This is something quite common with these kinds of compression designs.

Peak Design Packing Cube Pull Tabs

Something a little different from some of the other packing cubes on the market is the opening and closing mechanism Peak Design has chosen. The opening of the bag is designed so that the two zips meet in the middle by a set of pull tabs opposite the handle. To open, simply grab the tabs and pull. Easy peasy.

Some other cubes, like Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes, only open halfway, which can be a little inconvenient. The Peak Design packing cubes have an open tubular design, so quick access becomes easy access.

Contrastingly, these pull tabs do mean the zip doesn’t close completely. Although we didn’t find this an issue, customers’ reviews have noted that zips will open on their own if the packing cubes are quite full.

Adventure Proof Packing Cubes

Peak Design Packing Cubes are made from 70-Denier ripstop nylon, making them- as quoted by them- “weatherproof.” A little vague phrase, sometimes termed as weather/water resistant by other brands, means that these cubes can deter small amounts of water, such as splashes or dirt.

The mesh interior of these cubes has a silicone coating, making them weatherproof. In our shower test, the water beaded off of the packing cubes, But since the zip doesn’t close all the way, they obviously cannot be submerged in water or have any long-term water exposure.

Peak Design Packing Cube Compatibility

It’s no surprise that the Small and Medium packing cubes are made to be compatible with the Peak Design Travel Collection.

The way that Peak Design explains this is that the Small packing cube is the equivalent of “one unit,” and the Medium is “two units.” These “units” are a system they use continuously in their Travel collection. So if you do have their 30L Travel Backpack, which is equivalent to 3 “units,” then three Small cubes or one small and one medium will fit perfectly.

Price/Quality Ratio

These cubes were the most expensive in our guide by a long shot, selling for $30 and $40 each . For comparison, AmazonBasics Packing Cubes are $25 for four, which is a large price difference.

From their compressionability, durable nylon material, unique pull tabs, external pocket, and lifetime guarantee, there’s no argument that Peak Design’s packing cubes are a premium product. Yet other well-established brands, like Eagle Creek or Osprey, are selling packing cubes at around half the price.

So are Peak Design packing cubes worth it? Well, we think that their price point is just a little too high, but you get what you pay for, and these are very good. If you value premium products of great design that are built to last and you are willing to pay extra for that investment, then we 100% recommend these. However, if you need something cheaper, then there are a lot of other options.

Do we Recommend Them?

We recommend these cubes for those of you looking to make a valuable investment in your packing cubes. Made with strong and durable Ripstop and with many features, these cubes definitely showcase Peak Design’s innovative reputation.

Our only issue is that these are pretty pricey. Peak Design is a carbon-neutral company with great ethics, and if that is something you value, then Peak Design is one to consider.