packing cubes?

[labdogs42]

I'm another eBags packing cube user and I love them. Wouldn't cruise without them! I love how easy they make unpacking!

 

[Deniz]

I've started using the compression packing cubes about a year ago and I find them extremely helpful for me. I like to travel light so selecting the proper clothing and compression is key for me. I also prefer the lighter colored packing cubes because I can see through the material to determine what is inside without having to unzip it. Finally they also work as a place to keep dirty clothing separate from other clothing until you do laundry.

Can you compress them when the cube is full or does it have to be only half full? I watched the video and she did it very easily but it was only half full. These things are expensive but could be very helpful, especially for carry on packing.

 

[anricat]

I bought some before our first cruise and they made a lot of things easier, especially the night before the cruise hotel stay. I could put everything for that night (pajamas, etc.) in one cube and pull it out, then everything for the next morning (our embarkation clothes) in another. That way I didn't have to go rooting around in the suitcases since it was just an overnight.

I also like to have one with workout clothes and one with socks and underpants and bras (since it always seems like they end up going everywhere in my suitcase). Lifesaver, those things.

 

[ludari]

Can you compress them when the cube is full or does it have to be only half full? I watched the video and she did it very easily but it was only half full. These things are expensive but could be very helpful, especially for carry on packing.

You have to leave a little room to use the compression feature but not half. The good thing is you don't have to use the compression zipper if you don't want to and have that much more room to pack your stuff in the cubes. Personally I only travel with a carry-on bag (I've even done a 30 day land/cruise with just carry-on) and I've discovered that these compression cubes are extremely helpful for space and to keep my clothing/packing organized.

 

[PryncessLace]

After reading this thread, I just asked for 2 sets for my birthday in May!

 

[FLpixie]

Is there anyone who has used them and hasn't liked them?

 

[Deniz]

Thanks Ludari I found them on eBags and if you sign up for their newsletter, you get 20% off your first purchase plus if you go through ebates, you get 12% back so I am thinking about ordering them but just need to figure out how many.

 

[Starwind]

We use ebags brand packing cubes and absolutely love them. I have a variety of sizes and colours. I will usually use at least two colours on a trip (eg yellow for clothes, blue for not-clothes), as it allows me to more quickly grab what I need. The bags themselves keep things well organized. Almost everything goes in a one.

We also use Ziploc Big Bags; for example there is one bulky item I bring when I travel and it goes in a Ziploc Big Bag and then I squeeze as much air out of the sucker as possible. I have tried spaceBags in the past but not been impressed - every one we have tried the seal failed and air got in, defeating the purpose of the thing. Ziploc or Hefty zipper bags of any size work much better, IMO.

SW

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Another vote for YES! I bought some Vera Bradley ones before we went to Europe last year and they have changed the way I pack--for the better. The ones I have are mesh and I think pack a little better than the ones that are plastic. My parents used the ones that you use a vacuum to suck the air out of and it was a big pain every time we moved to a new place, but they did hold a ton.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Maybe asking a silly question here, but what is the purpose of packing cubes? How do they work?

 

[southerngirl528]

For years I used the 3 gallon Zip-locs to pack in and still do to a lesser degree since I have started using Eagle Creek's compression packing cubes. LOVE them! I am a meticulous packer because I would prefer to spend the time packing and not have to iron once I arrive at my destination.

I have never had a zip-loc or compression cube opened and/or rifled through a luggage inspection (you know, when you have that TSA paper in your checked luggage saying they inspected your bag?). I've had a suitcase soaked after a tremendous storm hit MCO while the baggage crew was loading the plane (there was lightning so they of course abandoned the bags out in the downpour), but my clothes were safely packed in those huge zip-locs and packing cubes. The packing cubes aren't waterproof, just water resistant like a windbreaker would be.

Here's how I order my compression packing cubes….. I'm signed up for emails from my favorite travel companies like TravelSmith and eBags. When they have a 20% off everything, (here's the great part! you ready, fellow travelers??), I then log onto my chosen airline's website, www.aa.com, then log onto Aadvantage Shopping Mall and see if my favorite travel company has any mileage specials for ordering. Almost always there is a deal for multiple miles per dollar spent, usually around 4 miles per dollar, but it can be less or much more than that! I order through Aadvantage Shopping so I get extra mileage credit AND a special sales price! WOOHOO!!!

With the 3 gallon zip-locs, I carefully fold my clothing items, stack them and carefully slide them into a ziploc, then I close the zipper about halfway, sit on the bag (yes, I said I sit on it! LOL), and finish zipping it up so that I end up with a very compressed bag. Keeps things from slipping around and keeps them nice and clean AND takes up less room!!

Similar technique with the compression cubes: carefully fold and stack into the cube, zip it closed, then zip the compression zipper. One tip: keep one finger pressing down ahead of the zipper so as not to get the soft nylon fabric stuck in the zipper. 'Cause that is NO fun to try and get out!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

FYI, Flight001 has a 30% sale this weekend. SpacePak bags! Use code WEEKEND30.

 

[Michellynn]

I use a combination of compression cubes, and compression bags (think ziplock with a a built in compression capability where you zip it up and just push down on the bag and air is forced out through "one way" vents).

Compression cubes/bags have allowed me to pack more in less luggage, while not exceeding weight limits for checked bags at the airport. Plus...very organized.

(Side note...I always pack several empty compression bags and put dirty laundry in them throughout the vacation)

 

[Aby]

Maybe asking a silly question here, but what is the purpose of packing cubes? How do they work?

Packing cubes are basically small zippered bags, usually square or rectangular, of various sizes that are used for organization of your clothes inside your suitcase or luggage bags. They are used to keep things organized, and let you fit more into your bags in most cases. You can stuff them quite full, zipper them up, and they will still retain their shape and size, so stuff takes up less room. I like to use different cubes for different clothes (i.e. one cube for shirts, one for socks & undies, etc), other people like to put one or two outfits into each cube so they can just pull one each day and it has everything they need. Since they are square/rectangular, they fit nice and neat into luggage, and you can stack them in lots of different ways. I also use a small cube to put all my electronic gizmos in together - my chargers, adapters, etc, so I know where they all are instead of stuffing them in various zippered spaces and forget where they all are. They are especially helpful for those who travel carry on only and really need to maximize space!

Aby

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thank you, Aby.

 

[Julylady]

There are some you tube videos on how to effectively use packing cubes if you need pointers. I bought my first sets prior to a west coast two week trip last summer and just loved them. For my cruise last December, I packed two weeks ahead due to work obligations. Since I was worried I would forget what I packed, I used a 3 by 5 post it notes to list exactly what was in each cube. I then stuck the note To the top of the cube. I was ultra organized on that trip!

What I like best is that I never need to unpack. I just put the packing cubes right in the drawers and unzip them.

One tip- bring an extra empty cube. When you have enough dirty clothes, put them in the empty cube and in either the luggage or on the closet shelf. This makes re packing ultra easy.

 

[kylaura]

I just bought for our last cruise. Were handy to organize outfits for staying in hotel the night before. Not much other good use. I can fit more clothes in a suitcase than the weigh limits allows.

 

[JenPinks]

Just bought me and my son a set. Cant wait to use these for our cruise!! Thanks!!!

 

[WearegoingtoAmerica]

Does anyone not like the packing cubes? There are 8 of us traveling for a month, although the shortest time in 1 spot is 5 days. That's a lot of money for all those cubes. I often pack by days with everyone's tops for the day packed together. I would have thought we could fit more in if we weren't packing around cubes.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Does anyone not like the packing cubes? There are 8 of us traveling for a month, although the shortest time in 1 spot is 5 days. That's a lot of money for all those cubes. I often pack by days with everyone's tops for the day packed together. I would have thought we could fit more in if we weren't packing around cubes.

We traveled with our family of five for a month last summer. Packing was a real challenge for me with three kids ages 10, 9 and 6 at the time. Because we were moving around so much, I felt like the cubes kept the suitcase organized. It was almost like having individual "drawers" for each person instead of rifling through the suitcase. I will always use them now that I know they worked for a long trip like that! Shoes were the fun part though Actually I just saw in Conde Nast Traveler magazine a super inventive garment bag that I will get before our next big adventure!