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.

We used to use Ziplock bags, but it was always a pain reaching in and trying to find something. The packing cubes are much better. We seem to get more into the suitcases (important with carryons today) and as the top lifts up, you can easily get into what you want. We often just put the cube in the dresser drawer and never unpack it. Clothes are less wrinkled with cubes than with bags. We use the ebags brand.

Another fan of ziplock bags. I like that the zip locks are transparent so the security people don't have to open anything in my suitcase.

On my last trip I used the large space saver vacuum bags (found in the storage section of Target) and I felt they helped with organization.

I packed whole outfits together and made a master list of what was in each vacuum bag and then just took them out day-by-day and checked them off the list. That way I did not have to sort through all the clothes to find the outfit that I wanted.

I put "dirty" clothes in a separate vacuum bag with a dryer sheet (which helped reduce any smell issues).

They came in handy when it was time to pack near the end of my vacation and I had acquired a few more articles of clothing than I had brought.

I like the ziploc type bags but the ones designed for packing as they can squeeze out more air. They are more robust, have a special air release valve and a double ziplock closure.

The first trip I put trousers in one, shirts in another and underwear and socks in a third.

I realized the error of my ways when I went to change for the first time... had to open all 3 bags. Since then I pack a couple of full outfits... shirts, pants, socks underwear per bag and have another spare for worn items.

2 weeks of clothes no problem and in a 21 inch roll-a-board bag I have never hit a weight restriction.


Rob

We also use large FREEZER ziplock ... they tend to be a little stronger than regular. Pack by outfit and squeeze the air out.

I like that they are see through for security inspection and ease of access during the trip.

They come in handy for other uses during the trip as well, separating dirty clothes from clean, keeping electronics safe if out and about in the rain, keeping picnic leftovers for a later snack ... Several uses.

I use the all the above depending on where we're going; used the folders/envelopes last fall while out for 3 weeks at 8 hotels-- I put in my two blouses that were intended for the end locales; didnt want to rummage over them in earlier pack/unpacks. They were great. They are sold in numerous places but I picked up mine at a national discount chain (TJM). I would use them anytime I want something staying unwrinkled and unpacked. If you can unpack and hang at every stop, you can probably do without. Also purchased a hanging multi-zipped bag designed for smaller items but not cosmetics-- used it for all underwear & socks and scarves, just grabbed it out and hung it over doors. Ziplocks work great however, as do zippered bags that sometimes come w/ bedding, tablecloths, that I keep for many uses. You see through the stack and makes finding things a dream. Also keeps your clothes out of questionably clean drawers etc.

I have old Eagle Creek packing folders that are half mesh. I got them years ago at Marshall's and I love them.

I agree that they keep clothing more organized and help fend off wrinkles. I also use a little tissue on certain likely to crease or wrinkle items. Not too much, because I travel with a 20 or 21" carry on, and like to keep it light.

I love when I can just lift the folder out of my case and put it in a drawer.

We are staying 3 places in 9 nights next month, and the folders will come in handy.

I have just returned from a holiday where I used packing cubes for the first time. I am a convert!

I have always thought I was a good packer. I usually fly carry-on and expect to be able to easily manage my own gear (I am 5'2", mid-60s, female). My travel wardrobe is well edited/coordinated to cover my planned activities without looking like I'm living out of a suitcase.

I was amazed at how much the cubes could hold and maintain neatly. I bought a set of three zippered mesh bags from Magellan. The larger bag held 2 cashmere sweaters, three long-sleeved blouses, 2 pairs trousers, 1 polo shirt. One of the small bags was used for underwear, sox and nightgown. The other held the small loose stuff that usually gets tucked into corners - flashlight, first-aid items, tape, brush, umbrella, market bag, electrical adapters, batteries, gloves, extra eye-glasses, scissors, phone charger, et al. I had liquids in a separate 1 qt zip-loc as required by TSA. A second pair of shoes was in an outside pocket. This all was a perfect fit in my roll-aboard bag. And there was space to spare for travel treats and gifts. For the first time ever, I did not need to use the expansion area (which might not meet the carry-on size restrictions) coming home.

Unpacking/repacking was quick and easy. Nothing was tucked in a hidden/forgotten spot.

The cubes enforce the editing process but I didn't find that I was missing anything I needed.

I also bought the cubes for my husband. He did NOT use them because he is a real stickler for well pressed shirts and trousers and thought the cube size wasn't going to work for him. Hemay also be a convert however. At the end of this trip he commented on how my things were not wrinkled but my pants had maintained their crease.

For those who are concerned about the extra weight (for extremely light packers), the 3 cubes weighed less than the one more shirt you want to add "just-in-case".

We use packing cubes. We have some of the Eagle Creek ones, as well as some from Samsonite and Ikea. The Eagle Creek bags are the best. The Samsonite ones are okay, but have a flexible "frame" that is a bit of a hassle and of little use. The Ikea ones, on the other hand, are so lacking in structure that they don't keep things as neatly in shape.

We also have the envelopes. We use these less regularly, but they are very nice if you have dress shirts, or even suits to pack.

In addition to helping organize, I think they do save space and they make packing and unpacking easier. They also work well for us, as our wheeled carry-ons are ultra-light and don't have any internal organization, just straps on each side to hold stuff in. Two cubes fit perfectly on each side.

I've never been much of a fan of either ziplocs or the vacuum bags for packing clothes. For toiletries, we use purpose-built travel "ziplocs" that are much more rugged. We have some that are mesh-reinforced for checked luggage, as well as carry-on specific bags.

I like using packing cubes. They do help to organize items, but also seem to hold things in place better so they don't shift around and get wrinkled.

I've been rolling since I started a heavy travel job in 1991. My wife uses plastic organizers that she sits on to get air out of so she can stuff more into them. We're currently on vacation. I convinced her to let me roll her stuff this trip since she was up to 2 bags and would have to check one for $35. I got everything from both bags into one that easily went into the overhead. She's now a convert to folding!

I use packing cubes and envelopes (Eagle Creek - they're at least 10 years old and have been around the world many, many times) in addition to mesh bags (Rick Steves) for dirty laundry. It's the only way to be able to pack/unpack quickly when you are moving around, and to keep his/hers stuff separate if you are sharing a bag. If you are taking so much stuff that the weight of these fantastic gadgets would put you over the limit, you are doing something wrong. Edit edit edit. Also, the envelopes are the really the only way to keep shirts from wrinkling, especially if you are on business.

If you're going to invest in cubes, I would try Rick Steves mesh cubes, but go with the Eagle Creek envelopes.