Travel Smarter, Not Harder: How Packing Organizers Can Change Your Journey

The expert travelers at Matador Network swear by these products. Investing in these essential packing organizers will simplify your packing process and make your travel experience more enjoyable and hassle-free.

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• Travel wash bags
• Anti-wrinkle packing aids
• Packing cubes
• Cable organizers
• Compression sacks
• Shoe and boot bags
• Other handy packing organizers

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Travel toiletry bags

Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a camping enthusiast, or just heading out for a weekend getaway, a travel toiletry bag or dopp kit can make your life easier. These handy bags feature multiple compartments to keep your items organized, from toothbrushes and toothpaste to soap, shampoo, and skincare products. A well-chosen bag keeps your luggage tidy and ensures that your personal care essentials won’t leak over your gear.

Green Guru upcycled sleep pad travel kit

See more photosColorado-based Green Guru designs outdoor and lifestyle bags and accessories made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials. The brand takes old outdoor gear that would otherwise end up in landfills to create new products. For the eco-conscious traveler the Upcycled Sleep Pad Travel Kit is an essential. Constructed primarily from repurposed sleeping pads, tire tubes, and climbing ropes, this kit is a testament to Green Guru’s commitment to sustainability and reducing waste. It’s highly functional, providing ample storage for organizing travel gear, toiletries, or other items typically found in a shave bag. The upcycled materials give the travel kit a rugged, eye-catching appearance with bright, fun colors that make it as stylish as it is functional.

Price: $34.95

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Sea to Summit hanging toiletry bag

See more photosMy family and I have been traveling with Sea to Summit’s hanging toiletry bag for over a year. It’s a lightweight and waterproof organizer that fits all our household essentials. It’s constructed from super-light, strong, and water-resistant Ultra-Sil fabric made with CORDURA Nylon yarn. The bag has a hanging design, so it’s convenient to attach in any bathroom or makeshift wash area during travels. Its compact design also ensures it doesn’t take up too much room, but it’s spacious enough to house all necessary toiletries. Internally, the bag has multiple pockets that provide easy organization. The mesh pockets are also helpful for quickly locating items without having to rummage through the bag. My only niggle is that it does not stand up without aid. So you need to hang it for efficient use.

Katie Scott Aiton
Matador Network, Lifestyle Editor

Price: $49.95

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Matador FlatPak soap bar case

See more photosShampoo and soap bars are great to travel with. They are compact and more environmentally friendly than liquid shampoo and shower gel. These products have come a long way. Many of the best on the market contain natural ingredients, free of harmful chemicals, cleaning your hair and skin without stripping healthy natural oils. One of the remaining hurdles is how to pack bars without damaging the rest of your gear. I’ve used inexpensive plastic containers in the past, but these break with ease during transit. The Matador soap bar case provides a mess-free solution. One of the key features is its Dry-Through Technology, which allows the soap bar to dry through the material even while it’s inside the case. This prevents the soap from becoming mushy, as it would in a traditional plastic holder. This is great for those who often move from one location to another without enough time for their soap bars to dry out completely.

Price: $13.95

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Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Hanging Toiletry Kit

See more photosWhen my old toiletry bag broke on vacation earlier this year, I was quite bummed. It was the right size for both shower items like shampoo and a razor, as well as my makeup and skincare items. So when I finally found a replacement item of the same size — the Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Hanging Toiletry Kit, which is only nine inches across but has a 425-cubic-inch capacity — I was thrilled to give it a try.

Fortunately, my enthusiasm wasn’t misplaced. I was able to fit tons in the hanging bag with lots of room to spare; it’s clear it could easily accommodate full-sized bottles and products. It also has smart features you won’t find on a standard toiletry bag, like snaps that allow it to pack into a tight cube while traveling, but unfold and hang so you can access all your items at once when you arrive. The hanging feature is especially nice for small hotel rooms or home rentals with shared bathrooms where you don’t have lots of space to leave items on the sink. Another nice feature is the bungee clips in the center — I used it for my toothbrush, so it didn’t get makeup on it, as well as my razor so I didn’t accidentally cut myself while rooting through the larger pockets.

Despite not being very wide (it’s three inches wide if it’s totally full), it fits everything I need, and it seems well-built and durable like it could hold quite a few pounds of various items. The only complaint I have so far is that the hook on the top doesn’t swivel, so it hands just a touch to the side instead of facing forward. But really, that’s grasping at straws to find a fly. Given the size, usefulness, and fact that it’s only $30 for the large size, it’s kind of a no-brainer for anyone who travels with anything more than a bar of soap.

Price: $30

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Anti-wrinkle packing aids

Anti-wrinkle packing aids, like folding boards, offer numerous benefits to frequent travelers. First and foremost, they help maintain the integrity of your clothing by reducing the likelihood of wrinkles and creases, keeping your outfits looking fresh and crisp straight out of your suitcase.

The Eagle Creek Pack-It™ Garment Folders

See more photosA garment folder is very much like a packing cube but for dressier items that need to stay wrinkle-free, like button-down shirts, blouses, and dress pants. The Eagle Creek Pack-It™ Garment Folders are the most popular garment folders on the market. They come in three sizes (M, L, and XL), depending on your needs, and range in price from $25 to $30 and $35. Eagle Creek’s Garment Folders come with a folding board so you can fold all your previously ironed items neatly before packing them. It’s recommend adding tissue paper between each item to limit wrinkling.

Morgane Croissant
Matador Network, Deputy Editor

Price: From $25

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Nomatic Apparel Sleeve

See more photos
I can’t count the number of work trips I’ve taken where I’ve arrived at the hotel less than an hour before a meeting, dinner, or other important function. The time crunch itself isn’t so bad except for one thing: almost without fail, the outfit I’d planned to wear is wrinkled from travel. When I need to be out the door quickly, breaking out the tiny ironing board in the room and going to work on my button-down shirt is less than ideal (I hate wearing moist shirts to awkward social functions). Recently, I purchased the Nomatic Apparel Sleeve to render this problem obsolete.

The sleeve folds to about 18 inches by 12 inches and unfolds to about 18 inches by just under 38 inches. When unfolded, I put in one or two nice button-down shirts on the included hanger hold. I also include a nice pair of slacks or whatever pants I plan to wear first after arriving. I’ve taken the Apparel Sleeve on three trips thus far and each time, my clothes have arrived as crisp as they were when I packed them. No more rushed hotel room ironing sessions. No need to buy clothes made of plastic just because they don’t wrinkle as easy.

Tim Wegner
Matador Network, Transactional Content Editor

Price: $74.99

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Thule garment folder

See more photosI purchased the Thule Garment Folder for work trips. I’ve been caught out too often with hotel stays without a steamer or cringe-worthy costs for pressing clothing. And there’s nothing worse than attending dinner with colleagues in a wrinkled dress. This folder is a game changer. It’s designed to keep clothing organized and wrinkle-free and maximizes space in your luggage. There’s a handy board with easy-follow instructions that allows you to neatly fold up to 12 items, and it’s lightweight and fits into most carry-on luggage.

Katie Scott Aiton
Matador Network, Lifestyle Editor

Price: $31.95

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Packing cubes

Packing cubes allow you to keep your belongings neatly organized and compartmentalized. This can be especially helpful if you’re packing different types of items or clothing. And by compressing your clothes within the cubes, you can save a significant amount of suitcase space. They also provide an extra layer of protection for delicate items or keep potentially leaky items (like toiletries) away from your clothes.

Thule compression packing cube set

See more photosIf you’re a frequent traveler looking to organize and simplify your packing process, the Thule Compression Packing Cube Set is a great investment. They are lightweight, durable, and will help you make the most of your luggage space. The set includes two cubes (one small and one medium), both of which can be compressed to maximize packing space. The durable compression zipper eliminates excess air between clothes, allowing you to fit more items in your luggage. The set is also very stylish. The white color scheme makes it easy to identify your belongings when packing and unpacking.

Price: $44.95

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Tortuga packing cubes

See more photosThe debate over the best way to pack clothes for travel is as loud and annoying as the debate over whether wearing leggings on a hike is inappropriate. Thing is, packing cubes render the argument useless. I acquired the Tortuga Packing Cubes a few years back and have used them to exhaustion ever since. Whether you prefer to roll or fold (or bundle wrap, which is apparently a thing), packing cubes help you keep your clothes organized by garment, while maintaining a “nice and tidy” vibe that’s oh-so-welcoming when you open your pack or suitcase upon arrival.

I fill the Tortuga Packing Cubes the same way each time. In the largest compartment, I roll two or three pairs of pants or shorts and put them in. I also include here a rain jacket or overcoat. In the two smaller cubes, I use one for t-shirts and other casual wear, and the other for socks and underwear. I can easily fit four to five shirts in one cube. In each, I also stuff one-off small clothing items that I may need for the trip. While the cubes aren’t ideal for fancy-pants dress clothes, they’ve helped me streamline my packing routine and keep everything organized while on the go.

Tim Wenger
Matador Network, Transactional Content Editor

Price: $85

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Cable organizers

For digital nomads or anyone who travels with electronics cable organizers are essential. There’s nothing worse than rummaging through your luggage detangling chargers or having to fork out for a new charging lead due to wear and tear from being poorly packed. Cable organizers protect your cords from damage, save time by keeping everything in one place, and have additional pockets and compartments, allowing you to store other small items alongside your equipment.

FYY travel cable organizer pouch

See more photosFor this price point, you don’t have an excuse not to keep your electronics organized while on the go. The pouch is made from high-quality, durable, waterproof Oxford material and features a soft sponge to help secure your gadgets in place. It comes in two sizes. I’ve got the larger of the two. Inside, the pouch features multiple compartments and elastic loops that can hold cables, chargers, earphones, and other electronic accessories. The padding is great because it keeps my plugs and AirPods protected even when I’m running between flights. It also helps me keep track of my Airpod changing cases, which is difficult enough in a home environment, never mind when on the road.

Katie Scott Aiton
Matador Network, Lifestyle Editor

Price: $9.85

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Compression sacks

Compression sacks help save precious luggage space by reducing the volume of bulkier items like jackets, blankets, and sleeping bags.

Eagle Creek compression sacs

See more photosI recently tried the Eagle Creek compression sacs for a vacation to Albania, they made packing so much easier. They’re solidly built, and I appreciate how they keep my clothes dry. The process is straightforward: pack, zip, and roll to save space. The clear front is a nice touch since I can see what’s inside without opening them. Plus, my clothes aren’t wrinkled when I unpack.

Maddie Gwinn
Matador Network, Video Editor

Price: $35.00

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Shoe and boot bags

REI Co-op shoe bag

See more photosMy hiking boots and trail runners are always caked in mud. When at home, I can chuck them into our boot box in the trunk of the car, but when we’re on a multi-day hike or overseas, I pack shoe bags. The REI Co-op’s version is affordable and has a simple design with a handle at the bottom that lets you grab it with ease. It features a mesh panel that allows air to escape and lets you see inside without opening. I also like that the size is adjustable. It fits up to a men’s size 14, but the roll top means you can adjust it to fit all.

Katie Scott Aiton
Matador Network, Lifestyle Editor

Price: $19.95

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Other handy packing organizers

Packing accessories are a traveler’s best friend, helping keep belongings neat, accessible, and in order during trips. From a compact and vital pill box, gear pockets that provide a home for every gadget, to laundry packs that offer a practical solution for separating dirty clothes, these products will make your journey more enjoyable.

Matador waterproof pill canister

See more photosYou can purchase a cheap pill box from any major drugstore. But the plastic containers don’t always do well in transit. They can chip, crack, and let in moisture. The last thing you want is to lose vital pills when you’re unable to access your regular doctor. What you need is something reliable and durable. And with Matador’s pill box, you get what you pay for. Waterproof and airtight, it’s designed to keep your medication safe from moisture and other environmental elements. The canister is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around in your pocket or bag, and has a screw-on cap that secures tightly, preventing any accidental spillage.

Price: $19.95

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Nite Ize RunOff 3-1-1 waterproof pouch

See more photosThe Nite Ize RunOff 3-1-1 waterproof pouch offers exceptional protection for your valuables from incidental moisture as well as unexpected rain. It features a simple slide-to-secure zipper that is easy to use and creates a waterproof and dustproof seal. The pouch is tested to IP67, which means you can fully submerge it up to one meter deep for 30 minutes, and it’ll keep everything inside dry. It’s ideal for documentation, electronics, and material first aid items such as bandages and bandaids.

Price: $35.00

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REI Co-op laundry pack

See more photosA laundry pack offers a convenient way to keep your dirty and wet stuff separate from your clean clothes. The REI Co-op pack is an essential. To start with, it’s waterproof. So you can get rid of the plastic bag you use for your towel or swimming gear. It has a drawstring closure with a cord lock that keeps your belongings (and their smell) securely contained. There are also handy webbing straps that let you carry it like a backpack and an inside pocket for coins for the laundromat.

Price: $29.95

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