Tell me about packing cubes

[Ellajoan]

How do they work? Do you recommend a certain size? How many typically works for a family of 5? I just ordered a set of the large (3) and medium (3) off of ebags for an upcoming trip, but wonder if I need more for each person to have their own? Share you experience w/ packing cubes.....

 

[mouserus]

Packing cubes are great! I just used them for my son who went on an overseas trip for 20 days, without any family. He had to keep himself organized by himself. For a 13 yr old boy that's not easy. The cubes really helped him. He stayed in different hotels every 2 to 3 days so he couldn't go get unpacked in any one place. I helped him pack but made him actually pack so he knew where everything was. He had 1 cube for socks and underwear, one for shorts and 1 for t shirts. He rolled everything into his cubes. I also sent 1 empty for dirty laundry. He also had to do his own laundry mostly in the sinks of the hotel. He just got back this weekend and when I opened his suitcase everything was still neat and organized. He said that the cubes worked great!
Also when my kids go to camp, I pack each days worth of clothes in different cubes. It just makes it easier and quicker when they just need to pull out a new cube each morning.
The best thing is that they keep everyone organized and really don't take up that much more space.
Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Local_Girl]

Thanks for sharing your experience mouserus!

I've been seriously considering purchasing some of these also. I was thinking we could buy a set of 3 (sm, med, lg) in a different color for each family member. I'm also thinking of purchasing a few extra to help corral little misc. stuff that never seems to have a place. I love the idea that everything is organized and kept together, and that the cubes can be taken from the suitcase intact and put directly into a hotel room drawer. It will be a bit pricey to buy this many cubes at once, but I'm hoping they will last a long time, and I'm sure they will be well worth the investment.

 

[campingdawgs]

We have found that we can fit more in a suitcase if we don't use the cubes. The cubes are great, though, for airline travel. I pack my undergarments (my daughters do this, too) in one of the mesh cubes. If I get picked for a random security check, it is easy to see what is in it without having undergarments tossed everywhere for all to see.

 

[Ellajoan]

Thanks for sharing your experience mouserus!

I've been seriously considering purchasing some of these also. I was thinking we could buy a set of 3 (sm, med, lg) in a different color for each family member. I'm also thinking of purchasing a few extra to help corral little misc. stuff that never seems to have a place. I love the idea that everything is organized and kept together, and that the cubes can be taken from the suitcase intact and put directly into a hotel room drawer. It will be a bit pricey to buy this many cubes at once, but I'm hoping they will last a long time, and I'm sure they will be well worth the investment.

Localgirl, ebags has some on sale today (set of 3 in different sizes) 20% off w/ free shipping. They were 23.99, but there were two colors discontinuing at 15.99 (orange and lavendar), which seemed like a good deal.

I'm excited to try them, but I'm curious to see how much will fit in each and if it does cause your suitcase to hold less, like the previous poster reported.

 

[rbdiaz]

Used them for the first time in a recent trip. I thought they were kind of unnecessary at first (DW bought them), but they made the packing / unpacking feel much more organized. Easier to keep things "in place" when in hotel room.

Especially with kids, allows you to delegate.

 

[dj2]

We have found that we can fit more in a suitcase if we don't use the cubes. The cubes are great, though, for airline travel. I pack my undergarments (my daughters do this, too) in one of the mesh cubes. If I get picked for a random security check, it is easy to see what is in it without having undergarments tossed everywhere for all to see.

yep - i always pack underthings in ziplock bags, so they are less likely to be handled if the suitcase is opened.

 

[aubriee]

I love the packing folders and cubes, but use the folders more. I bought my first ones at ebags, but then found them much cheaper at TG Maxx of all places. I usually pack underclothes in one of the long slim cubes. Then pack odds and ends in a small one. I will occasionally use a medium one to pack clothes, but usually prefer to pack all clothes in a 18" packing folder. I then carry an extra 20" packing folder to pack the dirty clothes back into every night. The large packing cubes I don't seem to use any more, and the medium ones I use very seldom, but I love the slim ones and the small ones. I really love the packing folders though. I can get a weeks worth of shorts and t shirts in a 18" packing folder and it then fits easily into one side of my carry on bag. I can then snap the divider in place and put my swimsuit and coverup in a small cube, bras, panties, night gown in two slim cubes, and odds and ends in a small cube (few toiletries, battery chargers, etc).. The cubes and a couple pairs of flip flops and a pair of sandals then fit in the other half of my carry on and I'm all set.

 

[smidgen21]

I just ordered a set for me and a set for DH. We are hoping to take one checked bag for our 4 day trip and this will help make that easier.

 

[LadybugMomma]

I have posted this before but this seems like the best place. How do the cubes compare to the compression "space saver" bags? We can pack a ton of stuff in those.

Thanks!

 

[whamma]

I have posted this before but this seems like the best place. How do the cubes compare to the compression "space saver" bags? We can pack a ton of stuff in those.

Thanks!

IMHO packing cubes serve a different purpose than compression bags. My problem with compression bags is that fitting more in the suitcase just makes the suitcase heavier--and over 50#. If you are using a smaller suitcase or carrying on, I can see how a compression bag would be helpful. I like the cubes for organization and ease in unpacking at my destination.

 

[ilovepete]

We LOVE our packing cubes! Each person has their own color for a L/M/S and I have a couple of extras in the small size in another color.

Even my DH, who was skeptical, uses them. They really do help to keep us organized. Totally worth it, IMO!

 

[AlyJoy716]

I guess I don't understand the whole packing cube thing. What's the difference between packing your suitcase and packing a packing cube?

 

[ilovepete]

I guess I don't understand the whole packing cube thing. What's the difference between packing your suitcase and packing a packing cube?

I didn't understand it either until I tried them. It really makes everything easier to find, keep track of, and organize. It makes things easier to pack ahead of time as well, I find. Then if you need to move something or get something you know right where it is rather than having to go through everything in there.

And for us, we all use one big suitcase, so it keeps everyone's things separated.