I use various sizes of zip lock bags................just aseffective and cheaper!

My SIL gave me a packing envelope for a gift, I didn't think I needed it but I used it and really like it. I ironed my clothes before leaving on a business trip and they looked great when I arrived.

I also use various sizes of zip locks. I like to be able to see what's in there and if someone needs to go through my suitcase they can see what's in there.

I thought your bag was carry on.. that's why I mentioned the weight on European carriers.

I have never seen anyone weigh anything besides carry-ons at check-in except the ryanair type airlines.

LSky, I agree the envelopes/folders can't be beat for anything you want to keep tidy -- slacks, suit jackets, slippery silk blouses, mens' shirts.

DH was given a set of the Eagle Creek packing cubes ages ago and used them for a while, but now only uses them for his toiletries when he is not flying.

When we fly, we do carryon only and use the Rick Steve's 21" rolling bag. I prefer to use different sizes of ziploc bags for some of the organizing. That way they take up no space, and at lighter, which when doing carryon only becomes a priority for us.

Adrienne - I, too, always find shoes the frustrating part - but my daughter is 20 and wears a size 7, I'm a 6.5. On the smaller side for women, for sure, but not unusually tiny! Anyway, they were flat sandals so I always find those easy to lay together and fit in another pair somewhere in my bag - traveling in the winter requires much more restraint on the shoes!

We have also never had a problem with weight for our carryons. Not sure we have ever had anyone weigh them, though I do before we leave to make sure I can lift it over my head.

WOW!! Thank you SO MUCH, all of you, for your invaluable input! Because we are driving through France and staying 1 or 3 nights in each location, I think the packing cubes will definitely help keep me organized.

Thanks again!

Judy

Some packing cubes weigh more than others. The Rick Steves' cubes weigh less than the LLBean. The RS cubes are mesh on top and sides. Only the bottom is material. The LLBean are only mesh on top so weigh more because the all the sides and bottom are material. RS also seems to use a lighter weight material than LLBean.

Kybourbon: Yep, the Eagle Creek cubes are mesh on top and cloth material on the sides & bottom, and so do add to weight. They've introduced some ultralight stuff, but I think it may be only for the bag-shaped components, not the cube ones; not sure.

Purchased packing aids come in their size and have weight. I doPurchased packing aids come in their size and have weight. I do-it-myself using those filmy bags they put over the dry cleaning. I pack modules for myself and my wife in units containing a bottom (pant or skirt), two tops, and 4 sets of underwear, folded with the different sized components stacked to make a thin pile, which is then placed in the plastic bag. I squeeze out the air, fold over the excess plastic, and the air stays squeezed out.

By keeping each module color and style coordinated, living out of a suitcase becomes easy. Meanwhile, by keeping the modules sized to the dimensions of the bag, packing and unpacking is also easy.

I use the space inside shoes for packing small things. I also discovered that due to our size disparity, my wife's shoes fit inside my shoes! The small things then go into hers. It's the turducken of packing!

Huh? There was a glitch there for sure:

Purchased packing aids come in their size and have weight. I do-it-myself using those filmy bags they put over the dry cleaning. I pack modules for myself and my wife in units containing a bottom (pant or skirt), two tops, and 4 sets of underwear, folded with the different sized components stacked to make a thin pile, which is then placed in the plastic bag. I squeeze out the air, fold over the excess plastic, and the air stays squeezed out.

By keeping each module color and style coordinated, living out of a suitcase becomes easy. Meanwhile, by keeping the modules sized to the dimensions of the bag, packing and unpacking is also easy.

I use the space inside shoes for packing small things. I also discovered that due to our size disparity, my wife's shoes fit inside my shoes! The small things then go into hers. It's the turducken of packing!

Don't like sharing a suitcase, though we do each give the other a small packet of stuff with one change of clothes in case one suitcase is lost. Otherwise, DH and I pack separately. I like all the tops rolled/folded in one pack, socks rolled in another, etc. all little rectangles that fit together, and can be put into a drawer or shelf without taking anything out of the cube. It is great how we all find our own best way.

I don't use them.

My thinking is that even the lightest weight ones, only take up extra space and weight in the bag, and you can't even wear them. I'm a neat packer and really don't see the point.

I do use a few various sized ziplock bags to corral up smaller items.

I use them on trips when I am moving around alot. It makes it very easy to just pull out the cubes and throw them back in my suitcase to move to the next destination. I don't find they make much difference in terms of how much can be packed, but can help in the organization.

I LOVE mine! I got a beautiful set from Sequoia, a French handbag/suitcase brand. Then I add fun shoe bags and some matching reuseable shopping bags from Monoprix for my shoes and swimming gear. It makes unpackingneasy and kind of fun, keeps our hotel organized and I don't loose stuff.

Here's what it looks like:

http://findingnoon.com/?p=635

I use the cubes a great deal; I don't think they add more weight than value/convenience.

I tried the ziplock bag routine and it is OK except when they somehow become UN-locked and because of their shape and edges I find them less convenient than the more flexible cloth/mesh cubes but to each their own.

Regarding compression bags:

My DH placed 3 sweaters in a large Eagle Creek compression bag and after rolling it up to squeeze out the air, found that the bundle does not reduce in size, just wrinkles the sweaters instead.

Do the sweaters need to be folded in a certain way? We can't figure out how the compression bag saves space.

Just fold them like you would to put them in a drawer. One needs to roll the bag tightly on one side, then flip it over and roll it again. Use a fair bit of force. The air will gush out and the volume should reduce about half for low pile/dense-ish sweaters (like cotton knits) and much more for plush items like fleeces, cashmere sweaters, down vests.

Be sure the bags is <u>totally</u> sealed before you start rolling it. also - it is possible your bag may have a hole so it leaks.

Oh -I meant to add. I only ever travel w/ carry ons and don't check a bag. I don't use a space/compression bag (don't need to since I can get everything I need in my rollaboard). But I do often take an <i>empty</i> space bag and then on the trip home I can compress some of my clothing which frees up plenty of space for any treasures I buy along the way.

That way I don't have to expand the rollaboard and it is still carry-on sized.

Oh and <i>another</i> pps . . .

Just in case you missed it . . . On your restaurant reservation thread, don't access that new website that was recommended. That was a spam/scam poster who was advertising.