What are Packing Cubes?

[mmouse37]

Magellan's was 4-7 business days. I ordered them today and I will let you know when I actually receive them.

MJ

 

[MAGICX2]

They are the BEST!!! We can now travel for 10 days with one carry-on suitcase per person!!! And my clothes are not wrinkled and if TSA wants to open up my suitcase, nothing will fall out.

I bought a set for me and DH was skeptical. After watching me pack, we had to go back to the store for more for him and DD! Then my DM saw us packing, and we had to go back again for more for her!

I thought they were silly at first, until I tried them. Now I'll never take a trip without them. It has definitely made re-packing at the end of the trip much, much easier as well.

Want to share your secrets to packing these clever little bags?

 

[Davids-Coco]

Want to share your secrets to packing these clever little bags?

Here's our general strategy... DH gets one for socks & undies. I get one for socks, undies, with space to spare usually for a couple shirts. The boys share one with pants, onesies (rolled), undies, socks, etc. We use the flat fold ones for shirts and DH gets one, and the boys and I share one. We then use one of the wet/dry bags for all our toiletries. I try to stack shirts in order of wear and also fold the dirtys after to go home.

I think it depends on what you pack too. But these are super helpful for us. We can fit all of that in our single large bag with a couple pairs of shoes underneath. (We also try to be minimalist where we can...)

 

[sharen24]

Just bought 3 sets from Ebags with one large, one medium, one small, and 3 narrow bags per set. Was able to get them in 3 different colors - blue for DH, raspberry for me, and green for DS. That way we will know who each bag belongs to. Got each set for $42.99 with free shipping. Can't wait!

 

[amyngary]

I just bought 2 sets that have 1 each small, medium and large plus 3 slim cubes.

While there is a sale right now, I found the following coupon code which was an even better deal since it gave me $25 off a $75 order: EMBDAYGIFT. Instead of the above order costing me ~$78, this coupon code made my total ~$70. NOTE: You cannot combine the two.

Happy shopping

 

[sharen24]

I just bought 2 sets that have 1 each small, medium and large plus 3 slim cubes.

While there is a sale right now, I found the following coupon code which was an even better deal since it gave me $25 off a $75 order: EMBDAYGIFT. Instead of the above order costing me ~$78, this coupon code made my total ~$70. NOTE: You cannot combine the two.

Happy shopping

Thanks for the tip. I contacted the company and they are refunding the difference.

 

[mmmears]

Want to share your secrets to packing these clever little bags?

OK, I'll try...

The Eagle Creek folder pack comes with a little plastic "sleeve" that actually has instructions printed on it about how to fold your shirts and pants to fit perfectly in the folder. You fold them over the sleeve, then slide it out, and start with the next piece of clothing.

That sleeve also fits my big cube, so I use it to fold all the clothes I put in there, too. When you have a stack of clothes, they are all perfectly folded into the same exact dimensions -- and it packs really easily.

I use a half-cube and a long, skinny cube for little things like swimsuits, socks, unmentionables...

For me, the key was measuring the inside of our suitcases (international carry-on size, so they are really small) and getting the cubes to fit perfectly. Now I know that if it fits in the cube, it will fit in my suitcase. We now travel with one tiny carry-on each, plus one backpack for the laptop, sweaters, and the DS and games. Not too bad for a 10-day trip!

Hope this helps...

 

[OurOhana]

I just bought 2 sets that have 1 each small, medium and large plus 3 slim cubes.

While there is a sale right now, I found the following coupon code which was an even better deal since it gave me $25 off a $75 order: EMBDAYGIFT. Instead of the above order costing me ~$78, this coupon code made my total ~$70. NOTE: You cannot combine the two.

Happy shopping

We just did the exact same thing last night. We read this thread, thought they sounded great. We bough the three pack, large, medium and small. We also got three slim ones. We also got the toiletry bag. Can't wait til they come in.

We hadn't heard of the packing cubes before reading the disboards. But one of our suitcases we bought before our January cruise has something similar to this. There was only one, but it really helped keep some of my husband's stuff organized. Now we should have enough for most of our stuff, we hope.

We found the same code online, and got everything I just mentioned for $63. It would have been slightly more, I think $77, if we hadn't used that code and instead used their existing promotion.

 

[MommyTo5]

I love my packing cubes!!! Because of these and my discovery of the goodhope travel organizers, I think the 7 of us are going to make it using only 4 - 29" bags (and one very small carry on) for our upcoming 16-night WDW/DCL combo trip!

Between the 7 of us, we're traveling with the following:

13 large ebags packing cubes
7 medium ebags packing cubes
10 small ebags packing cubes
8 goodhope travel organizers​

Everything in our bags will be contained and organized except for some of the shoes. My shoes will be in shoe bags, but the rest will not.


Each of us (Me, DH, DS-13, DD-11, DS-11, DS-9) use:

1 ebags medium packing cube packed with everyday tops *I fold these using a 14" x 10" WalMart thin plastic cutting board with a handle along the top which guarantees a perfect fit!
1 ebags large packing cube packed with everyday bottoms
1 ebags large packing cube packed with dinner clothes *I'll actually be using 2 cubes in this category!
1 goodhope travel organizer which holds undies, socks, PJs, sunglasses, swimwear, googles - plus hair accessories for the girls​

DD-4 uses:

10 small ebags packing cubes packed with one outfit each
1 ebags medium packing cube packed with dinner clothes
1 goodhope travel organizer which holds undies, socks, PJs, sunglasses, swimwear, googles & hair accessories​

We also bring 2 additional goodhope organizers which hold ALL of the misc. (meds, cleansers, laundry needs and soooooo much more). I no longer have a need for a clear shoe organizer or even a toiletry bag on the cruise as we can hang these from a hook in the room and everything is in plain view!

 

[MAGICX2]

OK, so I think I am going to order tonight before the sale is over. I have the combo of the 3 cubes (sm., med.., lg) and 3 slim cubes in my cart.

But, what are the flat, portfolio looking packing cubes? It doesn't look like it would fit more than maybe one folded dress shirt. What are the use/point of these?

 

[MommyTo5]

OK, so I think I am going to order tonight before the sale is over. I have the combo of the 3 cubes (sm., med.., lg) and 3 slim cubes in my cart.

But, what are the flat, portfolio looking packing cubes? It doesn't look like it would fit more than maybe one folded dress shirt. What are the use/point of these?

Most packing folders come with a packing 'board'... you fold your item around the board and then slide it out and move onto the next item. You eventually end up with a nice uniform stack of items that fits perfectly into the folder. Amazingly, they can actually hold several items depending on the thinkness that you are working with! I found it to be MUCH cheaper to buy extra packing cubes (costing less that $8/each) and a cheapy plastic cutting board in the size I needed ($3). Quite a bargain compared to the folders that I originally wanted... they were $25 each!

 

[bahama97]

I'm glad the OP asked this one. I had never heard of these but they sound soo good that I just placed an order at ebags. Just a heads up, if you're a upromise member you get free shipping at $35 and 10% off.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

These sound too good to be true. I want to order one for myself and DH, just not sure if I want to spend the $70!

 

[jonesing]

Also DH travels a lot and only takes a carry on. Half the space is taken with his CPAP machine, so any help organizing his would help.
He always has to take the machine out at security and all of his things staying inside the suitcase would sure help a LOT!!

I'm a 'carry-on ONLY as much as possible/practical (except for the guns)' frequent traveler and I have a small obsession with the eBags cubes They are indeed very helpful. One thing for you DH. Since the core component of the CPAP is of such interest to the TSOs, I know folks who pack that component in a clear container so that it can be examined without having to be touched. (Remember, if a TSO wants to go into your bag you are well within your rights to ask (remind sternly) the TSO to don a new pair of gloves...and NOT ones from his/her grubby pockets!

Do you think if I order them today that I would get them by next weekend....WHEN I WILL BE PACKING FOR MY CRUISE! HAHAHA

eBags is based in the Denver, Colorado area. (Sucked having to pay the sales tax when we lived there ) They are very speedy when it comes to chipping eBags' own branded items. Due to the distance though, I would still spring for the expidited option and I'm sure they'll arrive by Thursday at the latest.

Here's our general strategy... DH gets one for socks & undies. I get one for socks, undies, with space to spare usually for a couple shirts. The boys share one with pants, onesies (rolled), undies, socks, etc. We use the flat fold ones for shirts and DH gets one, and the boys and I share one. We then use one of the wet/dry bags for all our toiletries. I try to stack shirts in order of wear and also fold the dirtys after to go home.

I think it depends on what you pack too. But these are super helpful for us. We can fit all of that in our single large bag with a couple pairs of shoes underneath. (We also try to be minimalist where we can...)

We're getting better and better at not "lifeboating" the kids...meaning packing for every permutation of mishap/disaster/catastrphe imaginable. Rather, we pack for the best case scenario with an eye to small problems. Since DS is starting to have an opinion about his wardrobe (within mommy's limits) his outfits are stored as a "pack" in gallon ziploc bags. One pack is his outfit for the day and he gets to pick which to wear. We can fit the 10 days of his outfits in a large eBags cube. 10 days of DD's stuff, being much smaller, can fit in a medium cube...it's her cloth diapers that take up space in the large cube.

 

[MAGICX2]

eBags is based in the Denver, Colorado area. (Sucked having to pay the sales tax when we lived there ) They are very speedy when it comes to chipping eBags' own branded items. Due to the distance though, I would still spring for the expidited option and I'm sure they'll arrive by Thursday at the latest.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I ordered Sun night at like 11:3pm. ebags said they would arrive by Sept.8. I got an email today letting me know my packing cubes are already en route!

I did not spring for the expedited shipping because it was an extra $35. Since I pack at the last min. anyway I figured the 8th would be fine. Now I expect them by the 3rd! It said they were coming from Memphis, TN.

 

[gmark2000]

So what happens to the dirty laundry during the trip?

 

[es45]

So what happens to the dirty laundry during the trip?

Repack it in one of the packing cubes. Or if wet, that's when I use a plastic bag.

I wasn't sold on the packing cubes entirely so I bought only 3. I managed to pack for a 4-day trip for my family of 4 and everything fit perfectly in those three. Clothes looked great coming out of the cubes.

But the best thing of all? If you are unlucky enough to have your bags checked at the airport, you won't have everything handled and messed up by security. They opened my bag, pulled out the cubes, looked around, and then I was able to quickly put them back in. Not so for the unlucky soul behind me who had to quickly refold things and still had her pink panties hanging out the side of her bag!

 

[disneyland255]

I am thoroughly amazed by these cubes!

I will have to check out the E-Bags. I'm going to measure our suitcases and see. This will be oru first cruise with our little one so we are trying to keep things as tightly packed as possible without bringing too much! LOL I'm so glad I found this thread!!!

 

[coasterwiggs]

ES45 is so right about airport searches being much easier with the packing cubes. Before we got the cubes our bag was searched and we had to hurriedly cram our clothes back into our bag after the TSA released us. I'm sure it would have been easier if our things had been in cubes.

 

[ldalvarado]

I bought two sets of three from eBags. Mine are expected to arrive today. DBF and I are going to Mexico in October and then Europe in 2011, so we will test them out between now and the big trip (and my 2010 DCL trip). I will report back once I return from Mexico!