using packing cubes, folders etc.
 

I am trying to do my best to pack in one carry on. It has been suggested that I make use of packing cubes, envelopes or folders for my clothing. I don't know whether it is an advertising gimmick or really a great convenience. Could someone please tell me if this would actually be a worthwhile investment? Any other packing suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you, Peaches

Some people love them for organizing and keeping outfits or types of items together (i.e. a cube for socks, a cube for undies). I've never used them and never felt a need for them. Anything I want to keep together I simply put in a quart or gallon size ziplock bag.

Packing cubes etc. are very nice for organizing things inside the bag. Easier to find what you need. Some people use a sort that they can remove excess air from so they can pack more things in the bag.

Unfortunately, they also add weight to the bag.

So if the airline has strict and very low weight limits it may not be a good idea to use those nice packing cubes.

I use the packing cubes and I just bought another small one the other day. I don't think they add that much weight. I looked at the folders too at REI but I think that would be too much.

I still use small ziplocks, but I like the cubes. I use one for undies/socks, another one for a small towel and bath things, etc. They have a little bit of structure to them, but are squishable. I travel with one carry-on and my suitcase is more organized with them

They're not that expensive, and if you got a small one for toiletries, you can see how you work for you.

The mesh packing cubes aren't heavy like other packing cubes. I use lots of large (1 and 2 gallon) zip locks.
http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Pa.../dp/B0009U7QPS

Personal choice & depends on the type of trip.

I don't use them as I figure they just add weight to the bag... and you can't even wear them :-)

I use various sized ziplocks. For everything else, simply neatly fold and stack into the suitcase.

I think the cubes might come in handy, say for a trip around Europe by train, if you were packing & unpacking every day or two. To go to a single location and unpack once, I don't see the point.

right suze, I agree - that's kind of how my last trip was and I found them helpful, but not necessary for staying put.

If I were going to try them, I'd go with the mesh ones rather than the more structured folders. Actually I do have one mesh zippered one someone gave me as a gift, that's great for rounding up little miscellaneous stuff like corkscrew, pens, bandaids, swiss army knife, etc.

Whether you use cubes or not, instead of folding your clothes, roll them instead. It minimizes wrinkling and you can fit more clothes in the same space. I'm not sure why, it seems to me the same clothes should take up the same space folded or rolled, but it can make a big difference.

I use 4 mesh bags. For my undies and socks (1 for clean, 1 for dirty), tops, and "less used" (shorts, swimsuit, dressier top). I roll my pants and lay them on top. I also take two Eagle Creek black plastic toiletry bags with smallish plastic bottles for things like shampoo (photo at http://tinyurl.com/ybn8ehb

Sorry I'm a long-time folder, not roller. People can try it for themselves, but I just have better luck making neatly folded stacks of clothes, then setting them like that into the suitcase. I've never been able to get with the rolling-method, though I do see it often recommended.

I do very much like the packing cubes--the ones kybourbon recommends (Rick Steves). I tried other ones first, but these are so lightweight I ordered a couple more sets and the others are now relegated to lending out to friends who aren't concerned about weight or how many suitcases they are taking but are about organization.

Depending on what trip, or the kinds of clothes I'm taking, I use all the good suggestions above, including rolling. I just roll or fold into the packing cubes. They work well in a suitcase, and especially well when I'm journeying with a backpack only (no scrambling about and getting everything churned up). Also helps immensely when the customs/security folk want to take a look.

When we took a trip last summer with our two oldest grandkids ages 12 and 13, (backpacks only for all of us), they thought the system was great, both for finding things, and for repacking.

I've used mesh cubes for years - got mine at REI years ago by a brand called OR - Outdoor Research. They don't make them anymore though. Ziplocks would work fine, though the air pressure changes might cause them to expand in a flight. They make those perforated ziplocks now for salads and such - I'll bet those would work great as packing sacks.

I've used the cubes for my past few trips - got some on sale at ebags. They are very nice for organizing. My husband & I each put one cube in the other's suitcase with several outfits - that makes it easy to divvie back up when we reach our destination. Also, I feel like clothes wrinkle less even though I'm a folder not a roller. Maybe they can slide around and not just get as mashed as if everything's packed all together.

I love the packing cubes. I have several kinds, but prefer the mesh sided, Eagle Creek because they come in smaller sizes and are the lightest weight I've found. The sets always have some that are too big, and don't get used, so are a waste.

What I like is this: When I need something out of the suitcase, I am dealing with only one package, not having to lift out a bunch of other things to get to something. Even if I take them out and put them on the bed, it is so much easier to put them back in the suitcase.

I even have some small ones pre-packed for trips, so just grab and go.

The envelopes are great too for flat things, like shirts, for the same reasons.

I use the 2 to 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags which are at Target and grocery stores. I can fit 3-4 golf shirts in one and 5-6 of my shirts in another while socks and undies go in another . Make sure the air is completely out so that you are not packing air! They allow me to use a smaller suitcase.

I make 7 trips a year and have WONDERFUL success with the Eagle Creek Pack-It Folders (Samsonite makes them too). Everything folds flat: slacks, shirts, skirts, etc. The wrinkles are uniform. Like a new shirt coming out of a package. What causes wrinkles is the "sloshing" around in your bag. THE CLOTHES CANNOT "SLOSH" WITH THIS and with the plastic "thing" that comes with it, you can "lift" what you need from the stack neatly.

We always feel "neat and tidy" and have traveled the world with this for YEARS attending meetings, "fancy dinners", and pure pleasure. My husband's black suit even comes out looking good!

I've got the cubes though and prefer ziplock bags for undies and socks. I mostly zip them shut and then sit on them to remove the air and then zip the rest of the way.

Anyway, for what it's worth. . .

I love my packing cubes. I travel with my grandkids, and don't want too much luggage. We each take one cube filled with our clothes. They can only take the clothing they can fit into a 14x10x3 inch cube. (Not counting an extra pair of shoes and jackets) and yes, we have gone on trips to New Zealand, Cambodia, and Europe with this plan. You wouldn't believe how much clothing you can fit into the cubes! We roll t shirts, shorts, long underwear, pants and then neatly fold a button front shirt and a fleece on the top, then zip everything into the one cube. Viola, packing light! Having clothing that sheds wrinkles easily, and being willing to do some washing in the bathroom at night is essential to our packing in a cube plan.
The kids are happy, because I can carry their clothing and mine and they can use their backpacks for their souvenirs.
And with packing cubes you can just set them in the dresser drawer and not have to unpack them..
Ultimately, however, you need to just go with what feels good for you. I did start with zip top bags, and they work well, but I have refined my cube packing to a wicked science! LOL

I like the Eagle Creek "folders". It is the only way I have ever been able to keep my shirts from getting wrinkled. I tried rolling them one time and it was a disaster. I guess I just didn't do it right.

We use packing cubes on long trips when we pack our rolling duffle and it makes staying organized much easier. Hiking clothes, or types of clothing we might only need in one area, can go in one duffle and never come out until needed. This is great for travel when you might go from beach to snow in the same trip.

This last trip we got even "smarter" and packed by color - I had 2 blue cubes and my husband had 2 white ones. We also have a smaller bag that we call the "big bag of junk." It holds the various converter plugs, chargers, laundry line etc.

We use the extremely light weight cubes from REI that we already had for backpacking.