I just read an article on packing cubes in my Sunday paper. I've heard of these and seen them before and I've always kind of scoffed at their usefulness, but this article really seems to think they are something else.

When I pack, I tend to roll and use those air bags to get the most out of my one carryon that I take.

How do these help aside from keeping things perhaps less wrinkled and organized? Do they really maximize space more than what I am doing now?

Just looking for experience...good and bad.

Thanks folks.

I love the packing cubes but then, I'm of German descent and love organizing things.

I use the flat packing envelope and it turns my entire wardrobe (all shirts, t-shirts, pants, skirts) into one very flat and compact object. I use the cubes for socks and underclothes so they're all in one place. I think the packing envelope totally mazimizes space, the cubes just make me happy that everything is where it belongs.

Do either of you have a link for the article on the packing cube and envelopes?

I use the vacuum bags myself but am always looking for a better way to pack.

I, too, am interested in the packing cubes. For now, I use gallon ziplock bags for undies and socks, pressing the air out as I go. I started this when increased security measures meant someone could be rummaging through my suitcase. I'd still be interested in opinions from others who have used the cubes and envelope system.

I tested the vacuum bags at home, and the wrinkles were unacceptable.

Ordinary zip lock bags are very useful for organizing your clothing and other items - and also handy to have along for other purposes during your travels.

While waiting in line to check in for a trip to Paris, a young French lady in front of us had a huge envelope of papers and the envelope had split at the seams. I gave her the perfect size zip lock for her papers and she was most appreciative.

Several years ago when they came out with those vacuum bags I did use them for a while, however the more air you got out, the tendency was to pack more and your suitcase got heavier. Now I generally use the 2 gallon size zip lock bags AND more importantly, from Walmart or target for instance, there are I believe called sweater bags 2 or more to the package, like the cubes, about 2 to 3 inches in depth zippered plastic and I put all undies in one, tops in another, etc and you cannot believe how neat my suitcase is, everytrhing encased in something and when you arrive, just take out the bags (or cubes) and work out of those, perfect. Only thing is, IF they do open your suitcase at security, try to remember to put the straps from the bottom of your suitcase OVER the bags as they get slippery and could slide out upon opening. But to ME it is packing perfection. However each of us is different. Have a good one. Halfpint

I've used the packing cubes for a long time. I like that they keep my suitcase neat - and it also helps me to pack light. I am allowed to take only what fits in the cubes! They compress the clothes so they take up less space. I also think that they cut down on wrinkles. I have tried the rolling method but find that I can't keep it neat and organized when I roll - and I am sure I am doing things wrong because I end up with lots of wrinkles. I've tried the envelopes but typically use the cubes.

I use one or two for tops, one for bottoms, one for socks/undies. Then I take an empty one and use it for the dirty clothes so they stay separate.

I've bought the ones from Eagle Creek but there are other brands.
http://eaglecreek.com/accessories/packing_cubes/

They look better than plastic bags from my local supermarket, otherwise I don't thing there's much advantage to them - I'd rather spend the money on something else

I love the packing cubes! They sell them on www.ebags.com.

I bought them last year and the husband was skeptical, but has fully embraced them at this point.

They really do save room and make it easier to organize, especially if you are doing a multi-city/country trip and are moving around a lot. You can just take the cube and put it in your hotel/apt closet shelf or drawer and take out what you need while still keeping everything fairly packed.

I guess some people organize by outfit, but I do mine by item, i.e. shirts in one, pants, sweaters, undergarments, etc. At the end, I make a "dirties" cube and just dump the contents into the laundry basket when I get home.

I don't, however, think they are worthwhile for wovens that need to be hung or folded--they are really best for items that you can roll. Otherwise you aren't really maximizing the the whole space saving thing.

They also work well if just taking clothes to the gym as they have a small handle at the top.

Jeez--I sound like I should work for the company.

I have never tried them, doubt I ever will. I can't get past the idea that they are simply more stuff in your suitcase, and you can't even wear 'em!

I do use oversized ziplocks to make packs of clean undies or socks (sit on them to get the air out, then zip) at the beginning, then dirty clothes into them as the trip goes along.

I have used the envelopes and the small cubes for several years now, and I love them. I don't have as many wrinkles, and I can get enough under things in one small cube to last two weeks. In a second small cube, I put belts, socks, and other small miscellaneous items.

Another plus is that when you have that notice in the top of your luggage saying Customs has checked it, you can't tell anything has been moved. I guess they just lift the envelopes up and put them back down.

I gave some to a niece for a combination gift for Christmas and her January birthday, and she loves them, too.

whether one uses cubes or the ziplock bags, organizing the suitcase with these makes it very easy to contemplate frequent hotel changes. Much, much easier to pack and unpack quickly. Using the ziplock bags to organize was the greatest tip for me!

I found 2.5 gal Ziplocks at Target and that is what I use. You can squeeze as much air out as you like. I find that leaving some air prevents wrinkles somewhat.

Actually, the brand is Hefty.

We use the packing cubes all the time and have founf them to be more durable than plastic bags and because of their shape and design, they are easier to put stuff into which is folded.

There is no need to squeeze any air out of them, either, which i simply find more convenient and they always close and stay closed even when they are jammed full.

We have found that using large-print computer-produced labels for what is inside is also helpful..such as "underwear" "socks" etc., etc.

They are absolutely great especially if you use any sort of duffle-type luggage and you can also stack them up when full on a dresser, a bed, etc., in a hotel room if you don't wish to put things in drawers.

We have some of those airbags and found that they often don't hold a good seal.

And I mdisagree that using these systems fosters "overpacking"..what it fosters is more efficient packing IMO.

Just chiming in to say I have used the eagle creek cubes for probably 5 years and love them. I got to them point on some trips where I was tired of even carrying my carry-on up four flights of tiny stairs in old hotels, so (if we were travelling by car) I would leave the suitcase in the car, and just grab the cube and my kit! (only in safe areas, I promise!)

Again, if you are already using some bag system, I don't know that these are any "better", it's just a matter of personal preference. I am a "by outfit" person, only because we tend to move around a lot on vacation, and it is much easier to not have to dig or unpack everything to get what I need.

Are they more efficient? With a little practice, I think so, but I don't know that they give you a ton more room-- but then neither do zippy bags IMO, unless you pack lots of fluffy stuff (the only real bulky thing I take is a fleece, and I generally wear that on the plane.)

But I will say that the eagle creek bags are durable, they have easily been on 100 trips between DH and I (I travelled for business) and they never developed a funk, the zippers still work great, and I have no complaints. HTH (I bought mine on sale at REI, if that helps.)

llbean.com is also a good source for packing stuff, cubes and more. I am a ziploc gal and find I can keep all my stuff squared away in a small rolling tote carryon with that system. lynda

I resisted packing cubes for many years because I thought they'd just take up extra space and provide little value. However I bougth a couple at half price and find that they are useful for certain circumstances. I like to use packing cubes when we're moving around a lot--keeps clothes organized and makes for easy packing and unpacking since you can pull out the entire cube with your tee shirts or whatever. I have also used the vacum bags esp for sweaters and items that take up a lot of room. They can lead to overpacking as mentioned. I don't notice that the packing cubes help to prevent wrinkling, but think the vacum bags do cut down on wrinkles.

I'm another huge fan of the Eagle Creek cubes. My husband and I each have one large cube that is used for shirts, sweater, skirts, shorts etc. and a smaller cube that is used for underwear, socks, scarves etc. Then we also have a couple other sorter bags we use for miscellaneous items to organize our packing. Opening an organized suitcase is much nicer than digging around for everything. This way we just need to open the appropriate bag and look in there.

Ditto Dukey. I use a rolling duffle-type checked in bag & they're great for that. Keeps everything neater & easier to unpack. I don't know about saving space but it's sure tidier.