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Packing cubes for campervan travels: How to organise clothes in a camper

Blog· Van life· Vanlife Tips

10 Jul

A question I get asked a lot, is how do you pack for vanlife as a family of five? I have a simple solution for organising clothes in a small camper. Let me introduce you to the brilliance of packing cubes for campervan travels. They really are one of the best camper storage ideas.

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vanlife clothing storage ideas

  • vanlife clothing storage ideas
  • What are packing cubes?
  • How to use packing cubes?
  • packing cubes for kids
  • Where to buy packing cubes?
  • Are packing cubes really necessary for vanlife?
    • So do packing cubes actually help for vanlife?
  • Best packing cubes for campervan travels
    • waterproof packing cubes
    • Compression packing cubes
    • clear packing cubes
    • LIGHTWEIGHT packing cubes

As a family of five and a dog, living in a converted VW campervan, space is pretty tight so I have had to learn how to pack like a pro. I have mentioned before, that our campervan is not quite fully converted, and we lack the wardrobe space that provides helpful storage for clothes. We have therefore had to find creative ways to store clothes that offer some form of campervan organisation. It is not a mean feat let me tell you when you are a family of five in a VW campervan.

packing cubes for campervan travels

One thing to say is less is more. It really is. Packing for for two adults and three kids, I have found it helpful to create a vanlife packing list. This way you don’t over pack and you also don’t forget something important when you are packing in a rush.

I have been banging on about using packing cubes for years. I use packing cubes for all travel, not just for our campervan, but I use packing cubes to help organise a suitcase too. Packing cubes are quite simply a campervan must have. For me they have made packing and organising clothes in a small campervan, well.. a little less stressful. Additionally they save so much time when you are looking for things in a small space.

What are packing cubes?

So what exactly are packing cubes? Packing cubes (sometimes referred to as packing pods) are small fabric containers used to organise clothing. The have a zip fasten and come in a variety of colours and sizes, some have a small carry handle too. They are basically used to organise clothes for travel, a simple concept but they really do make life easier, particularly when you are packing when space is tight.

packing cubes for camper van travels

How to use packing cubes?

We use one packing cube (or packing pod) per person when packing for vanlife. If it doesn’t fit in the little travel cube, it doesn’t come with us.

A really great packing tip when thinking about vanlife with young kids is to pack a packing cube with all the nightwear, comforters, spare nappies etc in, I find this really helpful on the first night, especially if you arrive late to the campsite and you can just grab the packing pod and get the kids ready for bed. I also tend to pack all of the swimwear into one packing cube, it works to just grab a pod and hit the pool or beach. I also roll hamman towels into another packing pod.

There is really no right or wrong way to use packing cubes. You can roll your clothes to store in the cube, or you can fold and lie flat. It is all down to personal preference. I tend to iron and fold and lie flat the clothes, and roll things like underwear and towels, but as I said there is no right or wrong way.

packing cubes for campervan travels

packing cubes for kids

When packing for a family I find using a different colour for each person makes it easier to identify each pod. I always stick to the same colours for each trip so the kids remember which is their packing cube. This reduces the need to label the packing cube, although you can label packing cubes with a ribbon or a sticky label around the handle for each family member.

Alternatively there are some great fun and colourful packing cubes available, that are easy to identify and make for great packing cubes for families or when packing for young kids

Where to buy packing cubes?

I have always purchased my packing cubes from Amazon, but there are a number of places you can purchase packing cubes from in the UK, including places like Mountain Warehouse, Dunelm, and Osprey.

Are packing cubes really necessary for vanlife?

The answer is a definite yes. Packing pods are most definitely necessary, I would go as far to say as they are an essential campervan item.

From past experience, make sure that when you have packed each travel cube, that you make sure that they all get packed in the campervan. Yes. I actually forgot to pack my husband’s packing pod for one of our week long campervan trips, and he literally had no clothes for the whole of the holiday. Epic packing fail.

So do packing cubes actually help for vanlife?

  • They keep clothes wrinkle free regardless of whether you fold or roll your clothing.
  • They make packing easier and packing pods are incredible for organising clothes in a small campervan, motorhome, caravan or when camping.
  • They save time when you are searching for clothes each day.
  • They are a great space saver and this is essential when living in a small space. As we don’t have a wardrobe for organising clothes in our small VW campervan, the packing pods are stored in the space by the side of our bed and we can just grab the pods when we need them. It also means we don’t have clothes absolutely everywhere.

Best packing cubes for campervan travels

What are the best packing cubes for vanlife? Well again that is down to personal preference and what you actually need. There are a few options to choose from when it comes to packing cubes for travel and I have broken them down to a few options for you.

packing cubes for campervan travels, how to organise clothes in a small camper

waterproof packing cubes

Waterproof packing cubes are great especially if you are using them for van life. They add a little extra protection from spillages and are great if you pack a cube to take to the pool or beach.

Compression packing cubes

There are a number of compression packing cubes available on the market such as the Travel Dude packing cubes or Gonex packing cubes.

clear packing cubes

There ae packing cubes available with a clear mesh panel so that you can easily identify what is in each packing cube. Great if you are packing for a family and need to see what is in each cube.

LIGHTWEIGHT packing cubes

If you are looking for lightweight packing cubes you might like the Osprey packing cubes or SuitedNomad packing cubes

So there you have our favourite tip for organising clothes in a campervan.

Packing pods!!!!

Are you a fan of packing pods or packing cubes for campervan travels? do you use them for vanlife?

organising clothes in a small camper

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I’ve had so many messages to ask where we camped in Snowdonia. If you are looking for a unique camping experience in Snowdonia, then this one is for you. 

Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite is a family friendly campsite on the edge of the river and waterfalls yet just a couple of miles from golden sandy beaches.

There is also glamping available onsite 

It is safe to say this was a favourite campsite of ours. The wash facilities were immaculate. Great size pitches and direct access to the river. 

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Now be honest ……How many pairs of shoes do you take on holiday? 

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Nantcol waterfalls campsite I’ve had so many m Nantcol waterfalls campsite 

I’ve had so many messages to ask where we camped in Snowdonia. If you are looking for a unique camping experience in Snowdonia, then this one is for you. 

Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite is a family friendly campsite on the edge of the river and waterfalls yet just a couple of miles from golden sandy beaches.

There is also glamping available onsite 

It is safe to say this was a favourite campsite of ours. The wash facilities were immaculate. Great size pitches and direct access to the river. 

Harlech and Barmouth are just a short drive away and I can highly recommend the Victoria Inn if you fancy a night off cooking! 

What a gem!

I’ve popped more info in my stories for you. 

Who’s coming with us next time? 😂

#walesadventure #walescoastpath #northwales #northwalestagram #ukhiddengems #snowdonianationalpark #nantcol #nantcolwaterfalls #vanlifewales #roadtripuk #vanlifeuk #ukvanlife #ukexplore #vanlifefamily #vanlifefamilydiaries #camperstyle #vanlifeing #vwfamily #vwgirl #camperlifewithkids #campsites #summeroutfits #vanlifestyle #vanlifewithkids #dubdog #styleover40 #whattowearnow
North Wales - you never disappoint! My plan was t North Wales - you never disappoint!

My plan was to post regularly on here over the first part of the holiday, but the truth is we have been searching for  sunsets, living our best life on the beach, chasing the sunshine, having lazy evenings by the river (may have had a vino or two), and spending quality time together. The lack of 3G can be such a joy! This is what vanlife is all about! 

Time to hit the road and wave goodbye to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 for now! Ready for our next road trip (Ps campsite details coming tomorrow) 

Anyone else love North Wales as much as us? 

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Road tripping in the UK! Chatting to people about Road tripping in the UK!

Chatting to people about the Summer holidays got me thinking….. 

Why do we play down our holidays? 

“We are just staying in the UK this year”

“We are not going away…we are just staying at home.”

The UK is incredible ……home is one of my favourite places to be ❤️

#vanlife #vanlifefamilydiaries #vanlifewithkids #vanlifewithdogs #campervan #vanfamtribe #vanfamilies #vanlifefamily #dubbedoutcommunity #campervanadventures #ukhiddengems #ukexplore #roadtripuk -#campervanroadtrip #whatgetsyououtdoors -#outdoorsisbetter #walesadventure #scotlandexplore #devoncoast #cornwallcoast #peakdistrictnationalpark #anglesey #northwalestagram
Ad / Out in the van…. On the beach… out on the Ad / Out in the van…. On the beach… out on the water, or hiking to a lighthouse :) 

Always thinking about what to wear, and what packs well when we are squeezing 5 and a dog into a VWT5…😆

Introducing the @keeneurope Elle sandal.

Comfortable, lightweight and versatile. I love that the stretchy upper is made from recycled PET plastic bottles. And I love even more that we only have to pack one pair of shoes for our van trips. We have been HUGE fans of @keeneurope shoes for years. 

Now be honest ……How many pairs of shoes do you take on holiday? 

#outsideisbetter  #7daysandal 
#whatmamaworemonday 
#vanlifeuk #ukvanlife #vanlife #vanlifeclothing #over40style #mamafashion #outdoorclothing #campinglife #vanlifefamily #outdoorfamilies #ukexplore #wonderfulwildwomen #hikinggirl #outdoorswimming #seaair #campervanlife #campervandiaries #campervanlifestyle #vanlifeexplorers #vanlifeideas
This is why I turn on my Live photos. So many ph This is why I turn on my Live photos. 

So many photos that turn into tiny captured moments 

⬇️
This is a reminder to turn on live photos this Summer
And save as videos 

.
.
.
.
#livephotos #vanlifeuk #ukvanlife #vanlife #vanlifefamily #vanlifefamilies #vanlifefamilydiaries #campervanlife #campervanliving #campervanadventures #campervanfamily #campervanwithkids #vanlifewithkids #vanlifewithdogs #outdoorfamily #outdoorfamilyphotography 
#lovelifeoutside
Vanlife with kids 🏕🚐 I posted a video the o Vanlife with kids 🏕🚐

I posted a video the other day on my stories from our early days in our  van and it got me thinking. How amazing is it that our kids get to experience vanlife?

As adults we love vanlife, I mean what’s not to love about chasing the sun, a break from routine, time together, and sitting outside watching a sunset with a glass of wine. 

But the kids love it just as much. They love the freedom, waking up in new places, sleeping in the roof, a sea view, paddle boards for hours in the sea, the late night sunsets and throwing out the bedtime routine. They love it all. 

The calendar is crazy at the moment, end of year parties, leavers parties, new inset days, school trips and dance shows, so I think we are all looking forward to some annual leave and a rest 😆 (did I really use the word ‘rest’ with three kids and a dog?😆) 

➡️ swipe for a few of my fave vanlife pics from our recent travels 

What do you love the most about vanlife? And how about the kids - what do they love?

#vanlifeuk #ukvanlife #vanlifereality #vanlife #vwt5 #vanfamtribe #vanfamily #vanfamilies #5gocamping #vanlifewithkids #vanlifewithdogs #campervanadventures #campervanlife #campervanculture #dubbedoutcommunity #vwdubs #t5camper #vanlifeexplorers #vanlifediaries #vanlifeglobal #vwadventures #campervanliving #roadtrippin #vanlifeeurope #outdoorfamilies #familieswhotravel #lovelifeoutdoors #freshairtherapy 
#vaninspo

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