Packing Cube Questions

[Mjasp]

In a standard 3 piece set of luggage, where you have the larger piece, the medium piece and a small carry on.

How many packing cubes fit in the larger piece and how many packing cubes fit in the medium piece?

And do you think these save space?

How do you pack your dress clothes in them?

I see on ebags.com they have the 3 pc set of assorted sizes, but they seem small, I am undecided between the medium and large sizes, for those who have these, convince me because I want them but aren't sure they will fit everything.

Thanks

 

[Bareacuda]

We have packing cubes too. I do love them for some items.
My biggger find is much cheaper and re useable!
Hefty makes a 2 1/2 gallon bag.
I pack everything in them. All your sox can be found in 1 locatation along with all the other un-mentionables. If your room has a steamer trunk... they stand up very nicely.Clean clothes stay clean and you can put alot of FE gifts in them
Best part... when going thru airport scanners... they wont be opening up anything... they can see right thru the bags!


Ann

 

[Mjasp]

We have packing cubes too. I do love them for some items.
My biggger find is much cheaper and re useable!
Hefty makes a 2 1/2 gallon bag.
I pack everything in them. All your sox can be found in 1 locatation along with all the other un-mentionables. If your room has a steamer trunk... they stand up very nicely.Clean clothes stay clean and you can put alot of FE gifts in them
Best part... when going thru airport scanners... they wont be opening up anything... they can see right thru the bags!


Ann

Very interesting about the Hefty bags, thanks

 

[DisneyBasket]

We have packing cubes too. I do love them for some items.
My biggger find is much cheaper and re useable!
Hefty makes a 2 1/2 gallon bag.
I pack everything in them. All your sox can be found in 1 locatation along with all the other un-mentionables. If your room has a steamer trunk... they stand up very nicely.Clean clothes stay clean and you can put alot of FE gifts in them
Best part... when going thru airport scanners... they wont be opening up anything... they can see right thru the bags!


Ann

I keep an eye out for these all the time, since they are the perfect size for scrapbook page kits They are not available everywhere all the time! They are, however, quite useful. I always travel with an assortment of ziplock-style bags, from the snack size all the way up. As well as useful when packing, they also come in handy during the trip to store items that are small or messy or wet......or could potentially be messy or wet!

I used packing cubes recently for the first time. We have large, duffle style suitcases, and fit 3 large and 3 medium cubes in each one. I found that by rolling everything I was able to fit ALL of the clothing we each needed for the Alaskan cruise in one suitcase each. For our dress, or formal, clothing, I left it in the drycleaners' bags and paper. I rolled the shorter dress and fancy top, right inside the bag/paper, and tucked it in on top of the packing cubes. I folded my gown carefully, inside the bag/paper, and laid it across the top of everything. Then closed the suitcase.

Everything arrived in perfect condition, and nothing required ironing. The cubes have been a revelation to me....allowing me to pack more in a smaller space than I would have expected. They are easy to unpack, too. When travelling, I have the cubes lined up in the bureau drawers where I am visiting....works great!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I love my packing cubes and have several sizes of the sleeves, cubes and tubes and everything they offer. I use the 25" Eagle Creek Hovercraft, and I easily fit one cube with pants, one sleeve with tops, a two-sided with lingerie and one of the shoe things, one of the sacks with medication, a tube with hair products, etc. and then I am left with plenty of room for my toiletries.

I find that I can put all my tops in one, bottoms in another, lingerie in another, and I know where to find everything without having to root around thru everything.

I have used these for about two years now, and I don't think I could pack without them.

My favorite one is the double sided one that I take with one side empty. I use the empty side for dirty things that I don't want to put back in with my clean clothes.

 

[sunny45]

When I first saw the packing cubes I had to buy them b/c I am a bag nut.

I bought the 3 pc set (small, medium, large). When they came to the house I just stared at them and was upset thinking I got ripped off. What are these small bags ever going to hold...that is until I used them. I was amazed they could fit 7 days worth of clothes in them (summer clothes). So I bought a second set in another color for my husband.

I have never used them for dress clothes though. I still have our standard garment bag I use for dresses and suits. Any suggestions of something better for them?

 

[NC State Tigger]

I love my packing cubes, too. I too was surprised at how much you can fit in one. I packed jeans and slacks in the large one, my holiday t-shirts in the medium and undies in the small one for my December trip last year. I also have some "slim cubes" that are great for undies and socks.

Use them for things other than packing for travel, too. I had a small pink one monogramed for my DGD and my DD keeps this in the diaper bag with DGDs change of clothes--keeps them neat and clean and not balled up at the bottom on the diaper bag.

I use another as an overnight bag when I go to DD's house to spend one night--pj's, toothbrush and a few other things fit well and the ones I got from ebags have a little handle--works great.

I'm sure you will love them, too.

 

[mgibson301]

I either must not get how to use these or mine are too small. I do love them to keep my things organized...I use them for socks in one, PJ's in another and undies in a seperate one. I have never used them for formal things though. I have the Rick Steves set and a few more but like I said they are pretty small. I'll have to relook at these since you all are raving about them! I would think packing in a duffle or backpack, these would be ideal...not sure about cruising though.

 

[Anal Annie]

I don't go by Anal Annie for nuthin'!! I've done numerous test packs in preparation for our Europe / Med trip this summer. This is a standard 21" carry-on packed with a weeks worth of my DH's clothes using 2 large and 1 small cube. The cube on the bottom has 1 bathing suit, 1 pair of zipoff convertible cargo pants and 4 pair of shorts. The cube lying in front of the suitcase has 2 layers of shirts (a mix of T-shirts, polos & long sleeve T's for a total of about 12 shirts between the 2 layers). The smallest cube has ankle socks & boxer briefs for a week.)

They all fit neatly into the suitcase like a tetris puzzle (along with a spare pair of sandals).

This cube has a pair of my dressy capris folded in half on the bottom of the cube, under the rolled items. The rolled items on top include a casual pair of capris plus 7 pair of shorts.

This cube has 15 womens (summer) tops in it (mix of tanks, t-shirts & cap sleeve shirts)

Both will easily fit into a standard 21" carry-on that is accepted on most US domestic carriers. International airlines often limit carry-ons to more like 17" and I've found I can get 1 large (packed with only 1 layer) and 1 medium cube + a small toiletry bag & a spare pair of sandals in the smaller bags.

I typically use the packing folders for dressier clothes (slacks, button down shirts etc.) They will easily hold 12-15 items too. For our Med cruise I will bring 1 rolling garment bag for DH's suit, dress shirts & my dresses.

(Tip - wear your tennis shoes or heavier shoes & heaviest slacks or jeans).

 

[Momtotwogirls]

I just received my packing cubes and slim cubes. I am waiting on the packing sleeve and then we should be all set for our cruise. I have been wanting to try these for the longest time since everyone here raves about them.

Annie- Thanks for the visual!! I love it! So, when you roll your clothes, they don't wrinkle? How do you do it? Fold the sleeves on top of the shirts and then roll? Thanks!

 

[IWannaBeAMousketeer]

A few weeks ago we had our first cruise/vacation using Packing Cubes...what a difference they made! We were at a hotel for a few days prior to the cruise and it was so easy for everyone to pull out what they needed from their cubes. Plus, when we needed to move things around pre & post cruise (what we checked with the airline was not necessarily what we checked with DCL) it made switching things around so easy! I ordered a set of ebags (the set with the large, med, small) in a different color for each family member. I also ordered a set of 3 mediums and 3 slims. We packed casual clothes (shorts, tops) in the large, swimwear (with coverups) in the med and undies & pjs in the small. We used the extra mediums for dress clothes (rolled). The slims I grouped cords and other misc items.
My favorite part was when we got our luggage, I took the large cubes with our casual clothes, unzipped, folded the top underneath and placed it in a drawer...done! Unpacking was never so simple! I vow never to travel without the cubes again!

 

[gfolchick]

We've been debating this over on our cruise meets thread so I went ahead and ordered from Ebags (received this morning) an assortment of sizes. I bought for myself, and maybe I'll share, the 3 pc set, a set of medium bags and a set of slim bags. For my DD who is attending a 2 week summer camp I bought her the 3 pc set and a set of slim bags (she can borrow some of mine if she needs to supplement for camp).

Annie-THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PICTURES OF THE BAGS IN USE!!! I, too, have been wondering if they are really going to help and I think you just sold me on them. Can't wait to put them to use soon.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I am a big fan of the packing sleeves. I use them for both casual and dressier clothes. We will also use an extra small one for a set of overnight clothes for the entire family, if needed.

We put socks, underwear etc in mesh zipper bags that you can get at the $ Store for washing lingerie. I find these to be more flexible than the packing cubes or ziplock bags, allowing you to shove things into small corners.

If we check luggage, we always intermingle each family member's clothes in each bag. That way, if a bag is delayed, we share the pain. -- Suzanne

 

[Mjasp]

THANK YOU ANNIE FOR THE VISUAL!!!

A few weeks ago we had our first cruise/vacation using Packing Cubes...what a difference they made! We were at a hotel for a few days prior to the cruise and it was so easy for everyone to pull out what they needed from their cubes. Plus, when we needed to move things around pre & post cruise (what we checked with the airline was not necessarily what we checked with DCL) it made switching things around so easy! I ordered a set of ebags (the set with the large, med, small) in a different color for each family member. I also ordered a set of 3 mediums and 3 slims. We packed casual clothes (shorts, tops) in the large, swimwear (with coverups) in the med and undies & pjs in the small. We used the extra mediums for dress clothes (rolled). The slims I grouped cords and other misc items.
My favorite part was when we got our luggage, I took the large cubes with our casual clothes, unzipped, folded the top underneath and placed it in a drawer...done! Unpacking was never so simple! I vow never to travel without the cubes again!

So you didn't take any of your shirts out and hang them up? I think I am really going to like these.

So all those who have these, I will be taking one large suitcase. Would you buy a 3 piece set and a set of large or medium cubes, or would you think the 3 piece set with small, medium and large is enough? I have to admit, I do overpack.

 

[DisneyBasket]

So all those who have these, I will be taking one large suitcase. Would you buy a 3 piece set and a set of large or medium cubes, or would you think the 3 piece set with small, medium and large is enough? I have to admit, I do overpack.

If you tend to overpack, you will be happier with more medium and large cubes than small ones....speaking from experience from another overpacker! We packed the same way that Annie did, plus folded/rolled my formal clothes and laid them on top of the cubes before closing my suitcase. The only things I hung up were the formal clothes, and I did that as soon as we arrived.

Enjoy the planning!!

 

[NC State Tigger]

One thing I forget to mention---the cubes seem to hold so much that it is sometimes easy to forget about the weight of the suitcase. Be careful about weights for checked and carry-on suitcases "loaded" with well organized packing cubes

 

[Anal Annie]

Annie- Thanks for the visual!! I love it! So, when you roll your clothes, they don't wrinkle? How do you do it? Fold the sleeves on top of the shirts and then roll? Thanks!

YES - shirts face down & fold the arms/sleeves back as if I were folding them to stack on a shelf in a store display...but then instead of folding them in half I roll tightly. I try to make stuff the same width so that the rolls are the same size.

Annie-THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PICTURES OF THE BAGS IN USE!!! I, too, have been wondering if they are really going to help and I think you just sold me on them. Can't wait to put them to use soon.

THANK YOU ANNIE FOR THE VISUAL!!!


So you didn't take any of your shirts out and hang them up? I think I am really going to like these.

So all those who have these, I will be taking one large suitcase. Would you buy a 3 piece set and a set of large or medium cubes, or would you think the 3 piece set with small, medium and large is enough? I have to admit, I do overpack.

NO Problemo! I am a visual person too and I think that pictures really do help explain how nifty they are!! We have about 9 larges I think & about 6 mediums & 3 smalls I think (family of 3) plus one 15" packing folder each.


I do not "unpack" anything. I just set the cubes in the drawers. I iron stuff before I pack it & I bring a travel size Downey Wrinkle Release with me. I WILL hang up our dresses & suits out of the garment bag once we get to the ship.

 

[Mjasp]

Ok What do you all think, let me know before I press submit order.

There are 4 of us, me, 2-dd's 19 and 15 and dh.

I have in my shopping cart...
1- 3 piece packing cube set for each of us
1- 3 piece medium packing cube, guess DH is out of luck LOL
1- packing sleeve
1- pack it flat toiletry kit, which I've had my eye on for a while

BTW, like most of you, I can't resist a bag LOL

 

[BlondeJungleBookFan]

I love the e-bags.
I have the Large,medium and small
I use all 3 and I also use 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags

I also take different sizes of zip locks to use through my trips.

I think a set for everyone is a great plan.
A different color for everyone.
So easy to organize and keep things neat.

Let us know how you like them!!

 

[uncw89]

Annie, Thanks for the visual!!!!
I'm glad I saw this thread by my cruisemate!! We've been talikng about them over on the thread and now I was thinking that I might need some too!!!! I too tend to overpack and like bags!!!! There are 3 of us, so maybe I will order the set of three for each of us. What are the packing sleeves/ folders? I've just started looking on ebags.......