Sell Me on Packing Cubes!

[msp2mco]

I didn't think I would be a big convert to packing cubes, but I am. They help me save space, but I love the added benefit of having my clothes organized and knowing only a few things will fall out of my bag if TSA opens it up. I also keep things in the cubes when I get to the hotel--just unzip them and take things directly from the cubes.

 

[marthachick]

For those using vacuum bags, how do you get them vacuumed when you are ready to return?

 

[cwis]

Vacuum bags designed for travel do not need vacuum cleaner, you just "roll" them and the air is popped out. It's very effective though I must admit I was kind of skeptical before seeing it works!

 

[marthachick]

Vacuum bags designed for travel do not need vacuum cleaner, you just "roll" them and the air is popped out. It's very effective though I must admit I was kind of skeptical before seeing it works!

I wondered how that worked! Thanks for the reply!

 

[carolynwi]

Yes mine were the kind that you roll.. only downside is it loses its effect after awhile. Then again I used mine multiple times a year for about 4 years before they basically just became plastic bags!

 

[mousekatool]

I love my packing cubes! I got mine in a 5 pack from Amazon and used them for a beach trip recently as a test run. They worked great! I think they really helped to conserve space in the suitcase. I rolled everything and nothing wrinkled! Plus, each kid has a cube of their own, thus keeping all their things together and organized. I packed their clothing in outfits, so all they had to do each day was unzip and unroll. They are currently packed in the suitcase waiting to leave tonight on our trip to the Dark Side, lol! I got 8 days' worth of clothing for myself and the 2 kids in 4 cubes and there was plenty of room in the suitcase for shoes, toiletries, etc. Plus, the neat freak in me loves how tidy my suitcase looks!

 

[johnsonet]

http://www.ebags.com/product/eagle-...ompression-cube-set/260545?productid=10262650
LOVE these compression packing cubes. You cannot believe how much you can fit in these babies

 

[phillymummer]

I LOVE my ebags packing cubes. I have 3 medium and 3 small. I originally got them for my daughter to help her keep organized when she packs, but she didn't like them. I now use them. I never go anywhere without them! I use the medium for similar items- one for tops, one for bottoms, one for PJs. I use the smaller bags for undergarments, bathing suits. Sometimes I will pack a single outfit in one bag. Just depends upon the trip and the room arrangements. They are versatile.

 

[tonya clayton]

I love the cubes for my Disney trips. I pack each cube with similar items...pants..shirts..socks. Stack them in my Eagle brand suitcase. I can pack alot with the cubes. Then when I arrive I just pull the cubes out and put them in the drawers of the dresser in my room at Disney. I take a pop up hamper. Put dirty clothes in it. I may do laundry while there. If not I put the dirty clothes all rolled up in a plastic bag, back into the cubes. I use the Eagle Cubes. Have had them for several years. Work wonderfully, and have mesh for venting and compression.

 

[Marypoppins11]

Never thought of these...this is helpful!

 

[azromanroxie]

I bought packing cubes from TJ Maxx for my warm weather cruise. I packed them into my carry on bag. I decided to carry on a bag and pack light for my cruise, I wanted to keep my stuff with me at all times. I didn't want to risk my suitcase getting lost.

The airline we flew was being so strict with ANY carry on, they were making almost EVERYONE check them in. My bag was within the airlines posted guidelines, however, I wasn't going to argue with the counter lady at the gate. I opened my suitcase and put my packing cubes into a folded up shopping bag and carried it onto the plane. They took my "empty" suitcase and checked it in. The packing cubes made it easier to grab all my stuff out of the carry on suitcase, instead of an armload of clothing and underwear falling out everywhere and trying to stuff it into a shopping bag. After this incident, not only will I NEVER fly that (AA) airline ever again, but it confirmed my purchase of the packing cubes!

I will use my packing cubes for my upcoming WDW trip!

 

[java]

I used packing cubes recently and loved them! I packed shirts in the big one bottoms smaller one. Bathing suits cover ups and pj in another and underwear in the smallest. It made it so easy to repack too!

 

[iheartglaciers]

I love packing cubes! I have the regular Eagle Creek ones (not the compression ones--those can fit more, but wrinkle your clothes). I got them on sale on Sierra Trading Post (they are a closeouts web site, so they may not have them anymore).

I roll and generally put tops in one and bottoms in another, but I don't necessarily neatly categorize if one has extra room and one is at capacity. The rolling isn't like the Konmari folding method. The cubes are great for keeping things organized if you're living out of your suitcase (I'm not a person who transfers their clothes to hotel room drawers, but you could just stick the cubes in drawers if you wanted). It minimizes searching since you can find things quickly.

 

[jenniy122]

I use big ziplocks, I'm looking into the cubes for next trip, however I pack outfits in each rather than by type of clothing. It's been known to happen that TSA "forgets" to put the bag back in when checking the suitcase and I'd hate to end up with no undies at Disney!

 

[Westcoastwild]

I bought packing cubes from TJ Maxx for my warm weather cruise. I packed them into my carry on bag. I decided to carry on a bag and pack light for my cruise, I wanted to keep my stuff with me at all times. I didn't want to risk my suitcase getting lost.

The airline we flew was being so strict with ANY carry on, they were making almost EVERYONE check them in. My bag was within the airlines posted guidelines, however, I wasn't going to argue with the counter lady at the gate. I opened my suitcase and put my packing cubes into a folded up shopping bag and carried it onto the plane. They took my "empty" suitcase and checked it in. The packing cubes made it easier to grab all my stuff out of the carry on suitcase, instead of an armload of clothing and underwear falling out everywhere and trying to stuff it into a shopping bag. After this incident, not only will I NEVER fly that (AA) airline ever again, but it confirmed my purchase of the packing cubes!

I will use my packing cubes for my upcoming WDW trip!

Have you lost a bag before? I'm just curious- it seems to be a rather extreme reaction to remove everything. I'm not sure the forced gate checking is an AA thing, specifically- that's happened several times to me, and it seems to be a specific airplane size thing more.

 

[nkereina]

I used to hate packing cubes because I couldn't wrap my brain around how adding something extra to your suitcase would save you space. But I'm a sucker and decided to try them and am glad I did! All of mine are from eBags and I bought various shapes and sizes. It does help conserve space, but I like them more for the organization. I'm currently packing for two weeks in Hawaii - I have two large ones with all pants in one and all shirts/tank tops in another. I have a small one for underwear. For socks and any misc. items, I put them in gallon zip lock bags and squeeze the air out.

 

[iheartglaciers]

I used to hate packing cubes because I couldn't wrap my brain around how adding something extra to your suitcase would save you space.

It is true if you're extreme light weight packing... I went to Japan for two weeks for a snowboarding + sightseeing trip in the winter. I only took one small carry-on luggage and I had to ditch the packing cubes. Rolled clothes without the cubes takes up less space, because you can fill every gap (this is harder to do with cubes).

But for more normal vacations, I always use packing cubes!

 

[Dashzap]

Have you lost a bag before? I'm just curious- it seems to be a rather extreme reaction to remove everything. I'm not sure the forced gate checking is an AA thing, specifically- that's happened several times to me, and it seems to be a specific airplane size thing more.

If you wear an unusual size of clothing or shoes, you know you can't just pick up replacements at your destination. I've carried on instead of checking luggage outbound sometimes due to that concern. Homebound I worry less about it.

 

[trouttigger]

I like the idea of my clothes not falling out of my suitcase if airline handlers decide to open it. However, how do you organize your things?
Pants in one, shirts in another?
Or full day's outfits in one?
Just curious how you pack them and logic behind doing it that way.
Also, should I get 3 cubes for a suitcase that's just one size bigger than a carry on?

I'll be going to Ireland for 10 days with numerous overnights in different towns so I'm wondering how I would benefit using the cubes. TIA!

Keep it simple. I use 2 cubes: One for socks & undies, and one for misc. items like medicines, charging cords, plastic fork/knife/spoon, any other random things that I don't want loose. Side by side, they cover the top of my carry-on. They got on top. Clothing articles underneath. Extra pairs of shoes in plastic produce bag packed in suitcase also.

 

[Janie Eyrolet]

At Walmart you can buy Hefty Shrink-Pak Travel. It has 5 LG size bags and NO vacuum needed but it does exact same thing as vacuum sealed. I couldn't believe it first time I used it. I packed 8 pairs of capri legging type pants & 8 shirts in 1 bag and it was just AWESOME! I has SO much room left in my carry-on