CabinZero Ultralight Packing Cubes Set Review

CabinZero is a budget-friendly brand focused on travel gear for budget airlines. With strict weight limits and fees that can add up quickly, keeping your pack as light as possible matters, and CabinZero Ultralight Packing Cubes Set is clearly built with that in mind. They’re incredibly lightweight, which can help keep your overall carry on weight down and avoid getting fined at the gate. But the real question is whether that ultralight approach actually works in practice.

These packing cubes come in two sizes: a Medium (5.5L) and a Large (13L). You can also purchase them as a set that includes two Medium cubes and one Large. During our two weeks of testing, which included everyday use and a weekend trip upstate, we focused on how well they packed, how they fit into a travel bag, and whether the materials held up to regular use.

External Components

The cubes are made from 100% recycled ripstop nylon, and CabinZero says the fabric has a water-resistant coating. The brand doesn’t specify whether that coating is PFAS-free, which may matter to some travelers.

These are super lightweight, and the fabric feels very similar to the Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes. While they don’t feel exceptionally robust in hand, they’ve been durable so far, with no issues during our testing period. There aren’t any loose threads or scuffs on the materials, either.

All of the zippers are YKK, which is reassuring. Zippers are common fail points, but that won’t be an issue with these. They’re small but effective, and the zipper pull is very basic—a paracord-like material with a knot at the end. There are two zipper heads, so you can leave them on either side of the cube or meet them anywhere in the middle.

There’s a thin grab handle at the top. It’s lightweight and unpadded, but it helps pull the cube out of a travel backpack or daypack with minimal effort.

Branding is minimal but noticeable. The CabinZero logo sits in the bottom-right corner and is a bit loud, though the color generally matches the main colorway. The size is indicated on the side, which isn’t especially helpful given that there are only two sizes. That said, if you only had one cube on hand and the others were elsewhere, it could help you tell them apart. Either way, branding isn’t a big concern here—packing cubes aren’t exactly on display.

There isn’t a lot going on externally, which is what we expect from a packing cube. This is undoubtedly not a durable packing cube in the same vein as the EVERGOODS Transit Packing Cube 10L, but it’s also significantly lighter. For reference, the EVERGOODS cube weighs 7 oz (198.4 g), while the CabinZero Large weighs just 1.34 oz (38 g). You could carry more than five CabinZero Large cubes for the same weight, totaling over 67 liters of storage. The tradeoff is clear: far less durability, but dramatically less weight.

Inside The Packing Cube

There isn’t much to say about the interior of these packing cubes. There are no dividers, pockets, or extra features—just space.

CabinZero’s product page mentions a “smart bottom design to keep your items in place and spill-free upon opening,” but we’re not entirely sure what that refers to. Gear can still spill out if you’re not careful, though it generally stays put if you pack well. The lower portion of the cube—where the zipper doesn’t wrap all the way around—does help catch items, but that’s pretty standard for clamshell-style packing cubes. They open clamshell-style and are easy to pack.

The Medium size works best for smaller, thinner items. Socks, underwear, T-shirts, and shorts fit well. Heavier shirts or thicker shorts may be a bit much here, especially for larger folks.

The Large size accommodates most regular clothing. Jeans, long-sleeve shirts, and similar items fit without much trouble. Oversized sweatshirts don’t pack particularly well, though you can make them work if needed.

We do wish the set were customizable. Not everyone will want two Medium cubes and one Large; some travelers will likely prefer two Large cubes and one Medium instead.

Overall, we like these cubes, but the price feels a bit off. They aren’t as well constructed as the Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes, and while we haven’t had any durability issues so far, they don’t feel like they’ll last as long. At the time of writing, the CabinZero set is on sale for $61 (regularly $67), while the Osprey Ultralight set costs $45 and includes four cubes. That doesn’t diminish the usability of the CabinZero cubes, but it does make them harder to recommend outright.

If you’re already buying a backpack from CabinZero—we recommend the Military Backpack 28L—and can save on shipping, these packing cubes are a solid option. Otherwise, there are likely better values available.