Can Someone Explain the Benefits of Packing Folders/Cubes to Me?

[ZoZo]

I keep reading about how much more you can fit into a suitcase using packing folders and/or cubes. Can someone explain this to me (how you can fit in so many more items using these devices, compared to regular packing)? I usually tightly roll my clothes, and seem to get more into a suitcase this way (versus packing things flat).

I guess I just don't understand how you can get that much more in by using packing folders, unless they're the "space bag" kind that rolls air out and compresses clothes. One woman on the DIS said she got something like eight shirts, eight pairs of shorts, and eight pairs of underwear into a single packing "folder," and was able to fit everything for one week into a carry-size suitcase. I can't figure this out.

Thank you for the information!

 

[maxiesmom]

I only have a couple packing folders and cubes so I am by no means an expert. But you can get quite a few items of clothing into each folder and cube. More than you might think!

I don't think the help you pack more stuff, but the stuff you pack is less wrinkled and more organized.

 

[mommyk8]

I saw that too, about packing all that in a packing folder. I am wondering if they are worth it.

 

[ttintagel]

It's the same principle whereby wearing a girdle gets you into a smaller garment.

 

[WishUponAStar]

There are plenty of YouTube videos that demonstrate their use. Dollar Tree had 2 in a pack for $1 size 18x9x3. I fit 9 xxl men's shirts rolled into each. It seems that there are two main benefits. They are clear and at an airport if you have to unpack your bag it makes it fast, easy and you will not mess up your clothes. The other main benefit is that when you arrive you put those packs/cubes into the dresser and store your suitcase. You can find which shirt you want easier than digging through a whole suitcase.
In reality, probably not much different than packing each day's outfit in a gallon ziplock and pressing out the air.

 

[tchrchgo]

I recently used the cubes for my 12 night Mediterranean cruise and they worked great! Easily separated and organized my clothes, toiletries, medicines, etc. kept everything neat. Loved them! I bought the generic ones from ebags, not the more expensive stuff and they worked fine!

 

[momhmmx2]

I like them to organize my stuff. I used them this summer for a trip to Ireland and it made it alot easier to find what I needed.

 

[mwmom]

As I was packing in them tonight, I thought about all of the things I like about them:

1. I can organize clothes by day so I put 2-3 days worth of clothes in one.
2. I pack an extra so on the first night I can start folding up dirty clothes and put them in the empty one (I take one of the ebag flat ones with me for this) They keep my dirty and clean clothes separated for the trip home.
3. My personal items don't fall all over the floor if my suitcase is opened by security at the airport.
4. I can take them out and put them in the drawer at the hotel.
5. If I want to look in my suitcase for something (I've already had to look for something as I was packing), I can easily take them out and repack the suitcase in a flash without having to refold anything.
6. I am an over-packer and always have to put some of the DD's things in my suitcase and this keeps our stuff separated so it is easy to find things.

Hope that helps. BTW...I use the ebags and the Eagle Creek bags and like them both.

 

[DarthMama]

I used gallon ziploc bags and thought they worked pretty well, both for organizing and for fitting more in since I squished out the air. The organization part was a big plus -- I could throw everyone's clothes, still in the bags, right in a dresser drawer and the kids could easily find a full outfit that way. Plus I did laundry mid-way through the trip and then started using the bags for packing up the dirty clothes to take home. Being able to re-pack as we went along helped a lot with final packing.

 

[lylone]

I have some and will use them for the first time in 3 weeks. I think they help with organizing and keep you from over packing which I tend to do. I can get a whole week in one carry on, but usually end up sitting on it to get it closed. I did a test with the cubes about a month ago and they all fit fine in my bag with no sitting to zip.

I think it is a mental thing to cut down on packing too much rather than a squishing thing. I tried space bags and hated it. It was a pain to find a vacuum to suck out or squish out the air.

 

[Twindisneykids]

I use actual "space bags" and they are WONDERFUL

Last year i was able to pack myself and both kids (twin 5 yr olds) in one carry on suitcase. Now because my husbands clothes are bigger, I was able to pack him and all our toiletries in one carry on. Then we were able to take town empty carry ons with us to bring back all our goodies.

Side note: we did all wear tennis shoes the whole time so there were no shoes taking up space.

 

[js]

OP, I use to think the same as you. How can these packing cubes fit more in my suitcase?
Perhaps they don't fit more (but I think they may) but they are VERY efficient and a VERY good organizer. I do iron all our clothes before vacation. I put them in the packing cubes (I have 1 large, medium, small and a long one for each family member) and they come out wrinkle free. I unzip the cubes and put them right in my drawers on my vacations.
My ds just went to London with his class and I put his clothes in the cubes. I gave him a garbage bag to put his dirty clothes in. He came home with his clothes still in the packing cubes that he did not wear and the dirty clothes were in the garbage bag in his luggage.
I am very type A and things must be organized and efficient. The only thing negative I can say about the packing cubes is I wish I got them a long time ago (I just purchased about 2 years ago).
I say take the plunge and purchase. I have the ones from ebags and somewhere else that was a lot less expensive.

 

[ZoZo]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I think I might buy some to try on my next trip. I use gallon-size ziplocs already to organize small items like underwear, socks, etc. so this will be a good thing to try.

 

[js]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I think I might buy some to try on my next trip. I use gallon-size ziplocs already to organize small items like underwear, socks, etc. so this will be a good thing to try.

zozo, I'm the poster that just posted above you but wanted you to know that I use to use the ziplocks too. While the cubes don't get the air out, you just don't have to. I use the long ebags for socks and underwear. I won't go back to zip locks after the cubes.