How To Maximize Space With Ultralight Osprey Packing Cubes

For years, I travelled by stuffing clothes into a backpack or suitcase, which was inefficient. I tended to overpack and then struggle to fit everything in, causing myself to make tough decisions about what to bring. Before trekking in Nepal, a lot of the research pointed to Osprey Packing Cubes as a great way to organise your clothes and items! These were a game-changer and helped me become more minimalist in my travel style

Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes:
Key Features

Osprey has a reputation for trusted outdoor gear, and they bring their expertise to travel organization with the Ultralight Packing Cubes. Designed for minimalist travelers, these Packing Cubes help streamline packing while keeping gear compact, accessible, and protected. The set comes with one small, medium and large Ultralight Packing Cube, which helps tailor your packing needs and compartmentalise all your kit and clothing. Osprey has designed a minimalist cube that strips back anything unnecessary but still includes large J-zip openings to allow maximum access to your equipment. There are YKK zip pullers to help secure the cubes for convenience. And to help carry the cubes around, there are reinforced webbing grab handles. The colours available in 2025 are Waterfront Blue and Black, whereas mine are the classic Osprey dark green.

Packing Cube Dimensions

Small Cube: 2 litres | 17 grams | 17 x 11 x10cm
Medium Cube: 4 litres | 23 grams | 22 x 15 x 12.5cm
Large Cube: 9 litres | 32 grams | 32 x 20 x 17cm

Why I chose Osprey Packing Cubes

When choosing packing cubes, the main priority was lightweight. The Osprey Ultralight Packing Cube Set offer low weight, simplicity, strength and reliability. Since buying them at a nice discount, £30 down from the RRP of £42, I have had no issues. The Small Cube is ideal for socks and underwear, and the Medium Cube for T-shirts and Shorts. Then the Large Cube for trousers, jumpers and bulky clothing. This strategy has served me well when hostelling, road-tripping and trekking. It helps when you are tired and changing accommodations to know where each piece of clothing is, especially when hiking in changeable weather! Osprey has also chosen to use bluesign® approved and GRS-certified 100% recycled main body fabrics to boost sustainability.

Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes:
✅ Selling Points

• Lightweight and Durable Design – Made from high-quality 40D nylon ripstop fabric, these cubes offer impressive durability without adding unnecessary weight. Ideal for backpackers, trekkers and hikers who need to keep pack weight to a minimum.
• Efficient Organization – Available in different sizes (Small, Medium, Large), the cubes allow for efficient compartmentalization of clothing, accessories, and gear. This reduces clutter and makes packing/unpacking faster and easier.
• Space-Saving Compression – The zippered compression feature in the larger cubes helps reduce bulk, maximizing space in your pack. Perfect for minimizing volume during long treks or multi-day hikes.
• Smooth Zippers for Easy Access – Equipped with high-quality YKK zippers that glide smoothly, ensuring easy access to your belongings without snagging or damage.
• Water-Resistant Protection – While not fully waterproof, the water-resistant nylon fabric offers a degree of protection against moisture, keeping your clothes and gear dry during light exposure to the elements.

Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes:
⚠️ Worth knowing

• Limited Protection in Heavy Rain – The fabric is water-resistant but not waterproof, so it’s best to use a fully waterproof dry bag for electronics or items that need complete protection from wet conditions.
• Minimal Compression– The cubes lack compression, which means it’s harder to reduce the cube size. And there is minimal padding, so it’s good for soft items but less suitable for fragile gear.
• Higher Price Point – Osprey’s quality comes at a premium. While the cubes are built to last, budget-conscious travelers may find more affordable alternatives, though often with less durability.

Osprey Ultralightweight Packing Cubes: The Competition

🏕️ Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes

• Strengths: Durable, well-designed, Compression and Ultralight versions available.
• Why Consider It: Eagle Creek is known for rugged travel gear and organization equipment. Their Pack-It Specter line is especially similar to the Ultralightweight Osprey Packing Cubes.
• Drawback: Slightly heavier fabric in certain products, not easy to find in the UK.

💸 Amazon Basics Packing Cubes

• Strengths: Budget-friendly and functional.
• Why Consider It: Great for occasional travelers or anyone looking for decent performance at a low price.
• Drawback: Bulkier and heavier than other options. Less premium zippers and materials.

🎒 Peak Design Packing Cubes

• Strengths: High-end and sleek design with self-healing zippers and compression straps.
• Why Consider It: Great for tech-focused or photography-focused travelers, for people who want aesthetic and smart design.
• Drawback: Pricey and overbuilt for minimalist travelers or trekkers.

Ideal Use Cases

• Backpacking and Trekking: Keeps gear compartmentalized without adding weight.
• Weekend Getaways: Simplifies packing and unpacking for short trips.
• Long-Term Travel: Helps maintain order in large backpacks or rolling luggage.

I admit to being an Osprey fanboy, but the quality materials and versatility mean they can be used in any backpack or suitcase. They perfectly fit within my Osprey Fairpoint 40 and will ensure you can carry the bag onto most airlines as a cabin bag. I have recently bought an Osprey Ultralight Zip Organiser for small items that I used to stuff into the top of a backpack lid. I even included these Packing Cubes as Travel Tip No.2 in the Journal Newsletter to spread the word about how useful they are. It amazes me that my friends and family don’t all use them!

Pro Tip– Rolling clothes can help get more into each packing cube!

Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes Verdict

The Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes excel in keeping your gear organized while maintaining a lightweight profile. Ideal for outdoor adventurers and seasoned travelers, they provide long-term durability and convenience. However, users seeking heavy-duty protection or budget alternatives may need to consider their specific packing needs. I have reliably used these Packing Cubes on short weekends visiting family, to multiple-week treks and camping in the mountains. The Osprey Packing Cubes continually surprise me with how much can be squeezed in and show no signs of breaking! Honestly, packing cubes are worth the investment and made travelling much simpler for me. The Osprey Ultralight Packing Cube Set was a game changer for me when trekking, hostelling or packing any bag.

What packing tips help you on your adventures? Please share this post with any travellers who don’t own Packing Cubes and stay tuned for more equipment that could change the way you travel!