When heading off on holiday, many of us frequently encounter the troublesome (yet fortunate) dilemma of insufficient space for all our intended outfits. Particularly for those who habitually over-pack. This becomes even more challenging when flying with a budget carrier that strictly enforces size restrictions, compelling passengers to travel with merely a rucksack.

However, there’s one solution numerous savvy travellers have discovered that has proved invaluable for backpackers, with one user praising them as an ‘actual life saver’. The Samfolk Compression Packing Cubes arrive in a set of eight and typically cost £21.99, but have now been reduced to £17.59 in the black and grey shade.

Available in colours ranging from black to beige to blue, the Samfolk packing cubes are available in various sizes and are ‘set’, meaning they should largely maintain their structure whilst compressing garments, which is perfect for fitting items into tighter spaces.

Manufactured from recycled plastic bottles, they’re an excellent environmentally-friendly choice for eco-conscious travellers. Furthermore, each of the compression cubes (which are described as waterproof) are marked with clothing symbols to assist users in differentiating between tops, bottoms, and outerwear.

The cubes are also constructed from waterproof material that is purportedly ‘tear-resistant’ and simple to clean.

Constructed from 300D Oxford cloth, these packs claim to offer a space-saving capacity of up to 60% – a significant advantage when travelling with a backpack. And, the packing cubes have earned an impressive 4.4-star rating from customers who have lauded their effectiveness during travel, particularly noting the robustness of the zips.

One customer exclaimed: “These actually saved my life whilst on holiday with only a backpack. I’ll say the zip is strong and I put it to the test on a daily basis.”

Customers seeking more colour variety can turn to Antler’s premium packing cubes, available in eight different colours, including vibrant orange. Priced at £50 for a set of four, they feature an extra durable compression zip and are currently available with a 20% discount when purchasing two sets.

For those reluctant to invest heavily in travel packs, Dunelm’s Set of 3 Travel Storage Packing Cubes is on sale for £4.80 and comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large.

Despite this, the Amazon set from Samfolk has proven popular, with many individuals impressed by the quality of the cubes. One five-star review stated: “Superb quality. Zips are sturdy. They are waterproof and won’t rip. The compression works. Absolutely fantastic for my son’s backpack. I have no hesitation in recommending these Samfolk compression packing cubes 100%. Better than the rest.”

Another enthused: “I’ve now pushed these to their limits and they are fantastic! My previous statement, saying I could still fit my clothes in the case without these, incorrect!! I’ve tested that theory and I absolutely could NOT fit my clothes in my small case without these cubes. With the cubes, I fit 5 days worth of clothes, a large Tymo hair curler, toiletries (deo/shampoo etc./body wash/micellar water/hair spray.. all that jazz! ), plus my large hair brush. They really are fab!”

“Bought these for a trip to the US and they are really fab,” said a third, who added: “I definitely overpacked but these were strong enough to hold loads of clothes, even when I couldn’t close the expansion zip (my fault for overloading…) they were great for organising my case and have lasted well, really strong zips and sturdy material, will be using them again for sure.”

However, it’s crucial to mention that some people did encounter problems with their ‘compression’, with one customer noting: “I bought these for a trip but managed to fit more in my suitcase without them. They do not compress as much as you would expect. They seem well made though.”

Echoing this sentiment, another stated: “Nice to separate doesn’t compress much.”

Despite this, for the majority, they’ve performed admirably, with many users praising their ‘excellent’ compression.

Purchase the Samfolk Compression Packing Cubes at Amazon.