I'm always looking for better ways to pack, trying to be more efficient and packing lighter with each trip. I am not above using whatever "travel gadget" is available. I am both an admitted travelaholic and a gadgetaholic.

With our just completed trip to France I used for the first time a rolling duffel and the Eagle Creek packing folders along with my favorite much used Rick Steves packing cubes. I had my nylon Baggalini expandable tote for extra purchases. My husband and I had three folders between us, 2 were 20 inch and one 18 inch.

We left before the restricted carryon changes and I had planned to buy some perfume in France that is not available in the US, expecting to just put it in my carryon upon my return.

Once I discovered I would have to check all my perfumes using only soft sided luggage I was worried. I knew how this luggage was going to be thrown around.

I am happy to say all the perfume survived intact. They were well cushioned on all sides by clothing within the packing folders and the perfume not vulnerable to shifting because it was nestled within the folder.

I also brought home in the larger folder a kitchen item I fell in love with at my hosts home. I bought it at BHV and would have been really upset to find that it did not survive the flight home.

I always figure my luggage could be dropped, tossed and dropped again so I was pleased the perfume and the wood kitchen accessory survived.

I know there have been many discussions about packing methods and packing devices. Just thought I would pass on what worked for me. I think the folders are rather pricey but everything arriving safely made them worth the money.

Just my observations, I will receive no compensation for this endorsement Deborah

That's good to know. I use a rolling duffle too & was debating trying them. Thanks for the info.

What exactly is a packing folder? It sounds like something you'd find in an office supply store

We 'discovered' the Eagle Creek folders about 8 years ago when the tour company told us that we had to use duffle bags on our Tanzanian trip. We figured that within a few days our duffle bags would look like a rummage sale table.

The folders are fabulous and we have added to our collection over the years. Yes they are pricey initially, but they more than pay for themselves, convenience-wise, and last forever. Plus, once you buy three or four, you add others as you go along.

Thanks for the suggestion to put liquid and fragile items in them. Of course those things always traveled on board with us. We use so many Eagle Creek products and they wear like iron. We use their plastic lined zipper bags for liquids, but as I said, they were with us. We were worried about using them this trip in our checked luggage - you have solved our problem.

A tip ... when the hard plastic inserts for the folders, start to chip at the edges and they will after five or six years of travel - just call the 800 number for Eagle Creek and the customer service dept. will send you new one ones for free. We've done this several times.

They really are a great company and they really stand behind their products.

I don't work for them either, but I wish that I did. I can only imagine how hog wild I would go if I was getting there stuff at a discount

Nina

Nina,
Thank you for that tip. I have been using the packs for 5 years and just love them. Silly me, I threw away a couple of the inserts when I first bought them because I didn't know how to use them. I will call the 800 number.

milliebz - you're welcome. Not that I'm telling you to lie, but if it were me, I would just tell them that after five years of use, they chipped or cracked at the edges. Actually that is what happened to mine. They are sending me some, supposedly in a few weeks as they were out of stock when I called about two weeks ago.

They did replace some a few years back, and that is why I called them again. The first time the rep said to send them the ones that needed to be replaced and they would send new ones. This time he said to toss the old ones when I got the replacements.

I hope that we both get our replacements. I just may call tomorrow and see if they received them yet.

Nina

pavfec, to answer your question the Eagle Creek packing folder is more like a packing envelope. Now it really does sound like something you would find in an office supply store

It has a rectangular shape with two fabric sides and two mesh sides that open flat. You lay the clothes in the center of the opened folder and then pull the sides up to enclose the clothing. I think you can pack 20 or more items of clothing in the larger ones and 12 to 18 in the smaller one.
There are three sizes I believe.

To keep my perfume and kitchen accessory secure: I put a few layers of clothing on the bottom; put in the perfume or accessory; then placed more clothing on top. The folder did just what I wanted, it enveloped the items I wanted to protect by the clothing.

Hope this answers your question. Deborah

Thanks Deborah. I've never seen that before. It looks like a really interesting product!