Paking cubes worth the $$$?

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I hear a lot of people swear by packing cubes. Do you think they're worth the price? What are the advantages of using them?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I saw these at Target today. Sorry I don't know the price

http://www.target.com/p/ziploc-big-bags-xl-4-ct/-/A-12971772#prodSlot=medium_1_10&term=ziplock

 

[JillyBean1899]

Yes, yes, OMG YES!!

Wow, that doesn't read the way I intended it to sound ... so, moving on ...

Packing cubes are amazing. I typically use the small ones and put one outfit per day in each. That way when I get to the hotel, I just toss all the bags in the drawer, then pull one out each day. Some people use ziploc bags instead, but the eBags packing cubes I use have mesh for part of the front, which lets air circulate. This is very useful for me, because I tend to pack a week or so before the trip (because if I wait until the day before, I *WILL* forget something important ... like underwear ), and clothes that have been zipped up in a ziploc bag ... well, I think they smell a little odd.

For small kids they're great to get in different colors, that way when mom opens the big suitcase, Tommy knows his clothes are in green, and Suzy knows hers are in purple, and they can get their own stuff out without any problems.

Then again, I also color code all my class stuff, from the divider colors in my binder to the ink I use on my wall calendar at home and the highlighters I use on my notes/handouts to the colors of the categories in Outlook and StudyMinder.

 

[jemmi]

Packing cubes are definitely worth it! I used them for the first time in January and was amazed how much I could get in my carryon going and coming home. They hold so much and keep your suitcase neat and organized.

 

[djmeredith]

I saw these at Target today. Sorry I don't know the price http://www.target.com/p/ziploc-big-bags-xl-4-ct/-/A-12971772#prodSlot=medium_1_10&term=ziplock

This size Ziplock bag is HUGE! I use the smaller Hefty ones (I think they are 2.5 gallon size) and they will hold one complete days worth of adult summer clothes with room left over. They serve the same purpose as cubes but are much cheaper, and can be used over and over, or used for other things while on the trip.

ETA: I get the Hefty ones at Target. My Walmart has never had them.

 

[kjs1976]

YES! I love them! Been using them religiously for DD and I on longer trips. I love always having undergarments and socks in one place where I can find them. They save space and time for us. I got ours on ebags with a deal and then bought more when another deal came around.

 

[MickeyManiac]

I just bought our first sets (a different color for every person). They will be delivered Thursday. I have a friend who swears by them so I decided to get them for my sons upcoming trip to Cancun.

I bought them from ebags using the Ebates link (12% cash back). I looked at them several times before deciding to buy, they ranged from $26 to $29 for the small, medium, large set. I put them in my shopping cart and let them sit for a couple of days. Low and behold ebags emailed me a 20% off coupon. I was able to paste the code after going through Ebates so I ended up paying $21 per set + I'll still get 12% cash back. I'm excited to try them.

 

[3boymthr]

If you've never used them try the 2 gallon Hefty Bags first instead. I used the 1 Gallon for the kids when they were little. I put one outfit in each bag. seal 75% of the way, roll squeeze out the air and seal the bag, flatten it out and then put it in the suitcase. You can definitely fit way more stuff this way and for some reason it doesn't really wrinkle. I find the ziplocs to work well enough that I can't see swinging the extra for the packing cubes. I might if I traveled more than once or twice a year though as the ziplocs only seem to three or four trips but at @$8 for enough ziplocs for the entire family vs. two or three hundred or more for packing cubes for the family.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

If you've never used them try the 2 gallon Hefty Bags first instead. I used the 1 Gallon for the kids when they were little. I put one outfit in each bag. seal 75% of the way, roll squeeze out the air and seal the bag, flatten it out and then put it in the suitcase. You can definitely fit way more stuff this way and for some reason it doesn't really wrinkle. I find the ziplocs to work well enough that I can't see swinging the extra for the packing cubes. I might if I traveled more than once or twice a year though as the ziplocs only seem to three or four trips but at @$8 for enough ziplocs for the entire family vs. two or three hundred or more for packing cubes for the family.

I don't love packing in ziplocks. I found they didn't stack well and kind of slid all over the place. I also didn't pack by outfit but by clothing type in the ziplocks (and would in cubes as well) and getting in and out of them was a pain and a bunch of them broke. I found the lack of depth to the baggies really bothersome for packing :/

 

[lucyem]

We use them and love them. Each family member has their own color which makes it easier when sharing a suitcase. I pack a different type of item in each bag. T-shirts in one, pants in another, underwear and socks in another. I do find less random clean clothing tossed around the hotel room because the kids are not digging through a suitcase for a particular item. Instead they pull out their 3 cubes and open the one they need. :good vibes Even on an overnight trip I will use them to sort everyone.

I also find it much easier to locate something I need quickly. I also have a couple of random ones I bought at TJMaxx. I use those for things like bathing suits for everyone.

I never got into using zip locks or an outfit a day thing. I found when the kids were little they managed to go through so many t-shirts in a day that it was easier to just go with clothing type. But for some families that works out well if the kids are little and do not travel much.

I also recommend the eBags cubes bought via the eBates link for the best price.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Thanks for the replies. I just pack for me, no kids to worry about. I'm pretty particular, let's say, about my house and my car being meticulous but for some reason when it comes to packing I've always been a just throw random things in the suitcase at the last minute type person lol.

I once arrived in Europe with practically nothing to cover my lower half haha. It was one time I'd say I *had* to go shopping.

I will check out ebags. I don't have ebates and doubt I'll sign up for such a small purchase but the consensus is that the ebags cubes are good.

What are they sizes like? I take two big trips/year (at least a week) and 6-7 long weekend-ish getaways. I usually just bring a "weekender" type bag (usually a Vera Bradley) rather than a full suitcase (unless I fly) so I don't know of those would work in that situation. Thanks again!

 

[niclodn]

I love packing cubes! I had never used them before, but when I bought new luggage last year the set came with 2 bonus mesh packing cubes. It is amazing how much stuff you can fit in a suitcase by using them! I just picked up a couple of sets at Ikea for about $7.

http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/60235114/

They work great!

 

[MAJPLO]

I love them. We all have a different color. I travel often with just myself and my kids so it makes packing, unpacking, and getting dressed much easier. For myself I prefer the mediums but use a small for underwear and socks and things like that. For a weekend trip I can usually pack everything I need for myself (clothing, not toiletries or shoes) in one medium and one small. My kids would usually have two or three smalls for the weekend trip. Sign up for ebags emails and you will get discounts. I have also bought them through amazon a couple of times because they were a little less or I needed faster shipping for an emergency gift. I will not buy them full price.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I have found them most useful if you are staying at more than one place in a trip. Just pull your cubes out of the drawers, toss them in your suitcase, go to new place, pull them out and place them in drawers!

 

[wiigirl]

Packing cubes are definitely worth it! I used them for the first time in January and was amazed how much I could get in my carryon going and coming home. They hold so much and keep your suitcase neat and organized.

 

[JanaDee]

I don't get the point. You are packing your stuff in a bag, to then put them in another bag. I understand using Ziplocs for an outfit, but not packing cubes.

I am a neat packer to start with, so I have no need for them.

 

[Jerseymomof2]

I am hesitant to get them. Do they really work that well? we go in summer so it's not like I have any bulky things to pack. also our luggage is pretty close to the 50 lb limit. I am afraid using the packing cubes will put us over the top.

But I may try them. LOL what brand does everyone have? which ones do you like? I know ebags has them. Is there anyone else who makes good one?

Thanks

 

[Angeni11]

I got some and love them.

When we go to the UK to visit family we stay in at least 3 different hotels. I find taking things out to find what I want and putting them back takes less time. I don't feel like I am spending all this time every day unpacking and repacking. I just pull out the bags I need grab what I want and put them back in. I don't have to worry about refolding everything every day. I love that all socks are in one bag for each person and the same with underwear.

We have several sizes of the ebags (mostly larger ones) and Ikea also has a set that we use too here that is only $8. I have the pink set and I even bought a set for my parents to use.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30235115/

 

[tinkerone]

I don't get the point. You are packing your stuff in a bag, to then put them in another bag. I understand using Ziplocs for an outfit, but not packing cubes.

I am a neat packer to start with, so I have no need for them.

its not only to make packing easy, which it does, but i like the fact that i can pull them out of the suitcase and put them directly in the drawers without taking the clothes and putting them directly in the drawer. i'm not sure what was in the drawer last, someones dirty underwear?? i just unzip and tuck the lid under the cube, use what i need and then zip it back up when i'm ready to leave. easy peasy and much more sanitary imo. also, without the packing cubes i find my items are all over the place when i get home as well as wrinkled. i use a small packing cube for toiletries and skip the baggies.

we have a different colour for dh and my self as well as a black set. the black set is to put any dirty clothes we may be taking back home with us in. this way we know what can be put away and what needs to be put in the washer. i used to try and organize dirty clothes in a bag but it is so much more bulky, the packing cubes just take up so much less room.

you will honestly be amazed!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I tend to use mesh zipper bags instead of packing cubes. Much less expensive at about 2 for $1. I also find packing folders to be really helpful. --Suzanne