Packing Cube Recommendations?

[aggiedog]

I've had my luggage lost (and one time innocently taken by mistake - the culprit left their own vaguely similar bag at the shuttle stop), luggage delayed, etc, enough to vastly prefer carryon whenever possible. I can do 2 weeks pretty much anywhere, cold or hot, with my carry on, but I have accumulated a travel wardrobe that packs well and washes/dries easily in hotel rooms.

 

[Erica Ladd]

I completely agree with NannyBeBe.

For two nights, you should be able to fit everything into 2 carry ons and not have to worry about the airline losing your luggage or ruining your bag. Plus... and this is my big thing for not checking bags... you don't have to wait at baggage claim.

I fit 2 weeks of clothing into a rolling carry on with a d-pocket bag over the handle when I went to Europe last year.

I used the Amazon Basics packing cubes in the rolling bag.

The only thing with taking carry ons only is that you need to take small liquid bottles instead of a large sunscreen, for example.

My kids are all old enough to be responsible for carry ons but we are flying Spirit and one checked bag is much cheaper than several carry ons. They will have their personal items )small back packs) but will be taking devices/laptops to do some remote learning and for airline entertainment. Also I have things I always pack that cannot go in a carry on or personal item. Since it’s December we need to be prepared with layers which means more stuff in general ( ie - everyone will need to bring extra shoes). That alone would take up a lot of room in personal items

ETA - DH and I will be there longer and I’m not doing laundry on a 5 night trip!!

 

[aggiedog]

Got it! I hate when airlines charge for carryon. Grrr

 

[wilbret]

Title says it all. Only checking one bag for family of 5 no carry ons. Only a 2 night stay...

Ikea has them, super cheap. If you have an Ikea...

 

[RUDisney]

My kids are all old enough to be responsible for carry ons but we are flying Spirit and one checked bag is much cheaper than several carry ons. They will have their personal items )small back packs) but will be taking devices/laptops to do some remote learning and for airline entertainment. Also I have things I always pack that cannot go in a carry on or personal item. Since it’s December we need to be prepared with layers which means more stuff in general ( ie - everyone will need to bring extra shoes). That alone would take up a lot of room in personal items

ETA - DH and I will be there longer and I’m not doing laundry on a 5 night trip!!

That makes complete sense. I've never flown on a discount airline so I haven't had to pay for carry on luggage. (They just aren't close to my home.) That would definitely change my mind.

 

[Aladora]

Title says it all. Only checking one bag for family of 5 no carry ons. Only a 2 night stay...

I picked up 3 sets of the Gonex packing cubes (different colours, one for each of us) that others have linked here. I tried them on 2 different trips and to be honest, I can pack better without them! My biggest complaint was that the cubes never fit perfectly into whatever cases we are using so it was not very space efficient. Instead, I roll everything and find that I can fit more in without the cubes, although if we have an overnight hotel stay before we get to our final destination, I will use one for our pjs and clothing for the next day so that it is easy to grab. (We often leave REALLY early and stay at my mother's house the night before because she lives closer to the airport so we can cut out half our drive time)

My recommendation would be to do a trial run without the cubes and see how much you can get in by rolling your clothes instead of folding.

 

[KPeterso]

Not sure what ones I got (it was several years ago now). I got different colors for different family members. We go 10-12 days, so it is nice to pull out a cube and know whose pile of clothes it belongs with. also love how organized it makes the suitcase.