musicjones

Hello Everyone! I am a "newbie" to this board. My wife and I will be traveling to italy in June for 12 days. In the past we have used the space saver bags which did give us the ability to condense our clothes into our luggage. This year I am using a carry on convertible backpack...the weekender from ebags. My question is this: Which do you prefer, packing cubes or space saver bags? Can the packing cubes pack as many clothes as the space saver bags? If you prefer packing cubes, how many do you suggest for the ebags weekender (about same size as the RS convertible) Also, will the packing cubes keep the clothes from getting wrinkled? I noticed that using space saver bags, clothes can get wrinkled. I would appreciate your thoughts. Also, if this has been covered here before, I apologize for not noticing it. Thanks!

bdjtbenson

I roll my clothes and really don't use either. I do use ziplock bags to organize certain things.

Here's what I pack in my carry-on (includes what I wear on the plane). It may give you some ideas:

http://www.polyvore.com/mens_travel_...set?id=1440268

ShelliDawn

I second the rolling clothes suggestion. I've recently started doing that and it helps with wrinkles (i.e. less of them) and makes a huge difference in how much you can pack. It doesn't make sense to me since the clothes and suitcase don't change size, but somehow clothes fit better rolled.

I've never used packing cubes or space saver bags so can't speak to them, but I posted a couple of weeks back on how I was planning on using the bags that linen comes in (sheets, pillow cases etc.) for my upcoming trip, similar to the zip lock bag idea.

I leave tomorrow and have started my packing and have filled one with socks, one with underwear and another with light shirts (all rolled before going in the bag). So far, I'm really pleased. I finish my packing tonight.

suze

I don't use either. My reasoning is that any kind of packing cube or whatever is just extra fabric/weight in my suitcase that I can't even wear!

I simply fold my clothes neatly and pile them into the suitcase. I use ziplock, both sandwich & gallon bags to organize socks, undies, and misc. loose stuff like flashlight, ear plugs, etc.

annw

I've used both. I mostly use the space saver bags on the way back when space is tighter. Just watch the increased *weight* since you will have denser contents and thus probably put in more stuff.

The last trip I finally tried packing cubes and I now see whey they are a great idea--> organization. Like items, or "outfits," can go together and will stay organized.

Rolling works great for avoiding wrinkles and packing efficiently. But since I am pressed for space on my return trip, I end up packing flat and using the space saver bags to crunch everything down.

So on the way over I use packing cubes or roll. On the way back I use space saver bags and packing cubes. The cubes are lightweight net so that works for me. I use zip locks for small items coming and going and bring extras.

I do carry on only so I am very mindful of weight and size of bag.

suze

I can see why packing cubes would be handy if it's a trip that you are moving around a lot, packing & unpacking (like a train trip thru Europe).

It's when I go to a single destination (the beach in Hawaii or Mexico) and just unpack & repack one-time that I don't feel the need so much.

BabsB

I have used packing cubes and still do occassionally when I use my wheeled bag. I roll my clothes and put them into the packing cubes to keep everything organized. Rolling helps to cut down on wrinkles.

When I am carrying a backpack every oz counts so I don't use the packing cubes but still roll my clothes.

I usually carry a space saver bag so I can compress my dirty clothes at the end of the trip and make a little extra room for souvenirs. It has also come in handy to separate a wet swimsuit from everything else when I travel from one location to another. I have also used it to deliver dirty clothes to the laundy.

Zip lock bags are my friends for undies, paperwork, toiletries, electronics etc. Light weight, see through and you can squish the air out so they pack well.

kathcoll

I use 2 packing folders from Eagle creek - they condense size, helps keep clothing organized,and lets me keep clothing unwrinkled. and 2 packing cubes - one for socks, underware, nightgown; one for toiletries. I bring a couple ziplocks - they come in handy and take up no room. Space is a premium since I travel with just one carryon. for any length trip

LSky

I use ziplocks and roll my clothes. For my tolietries I use old Clinque bags.

BettyO

I am a packing minimalist and I agree with the person who mentioned that these types of things just take away precious space.

I have found that neatly folding the clothes and then jamming the spaces between the clothes and the edges of the suitcase with underwear, socks, shoes, etc. works pretty well.

I NEVER NEVER NEVER check a bag, regardless of the length of the trip (incl. 2 weeks spent in Europe with husband and 5 kids in tow). The key to being able to do this is packing lots of cotton items, dressing in layers when you get there and wearing the most bulky items on the plan.

Good luck!

november_moon

I am a clothes roller and my husband is a space saver bag user. I can't stand those bags - frustrate the heck out of me. But they work for him.

Shar

bags make lots of wrinkles. I roll.......

decee

We used the packing cubes on a trip last year through Scotland. I bought 2 sets of five (different sizes) in 2 different colors-one color for me and one color for hubby. These kept the clothes neat and unwrinkled except for the folding creases and you can get quite a bit packed in them. It was so convenient to just unpack the cubes without having to unpack the clothes each time we stayed somewhere. I have now recommended them to a friend who travels with 4 kids and husband. If some of the clothes were particularly prone to wrinkles, I wrapped them in tissue paper and that worked well too.

Cruiseryyc

I tried the bags last year and won't do it again. By rolling my clothes I have lots of room; plus my clothes were more wrinkled in the bags then rolling. They did come in handy on the way home, just threw in the dirty clothes as I didn't care if they wrinkled or not. But to me, they were a waste of time.

palmettoprincess

I don't worry about wrinkles. Why iron beforehand? I just pack as it. I do use mesh laundry bags available from the dollar store to corral different things. They weigh next to nothing. You can use them to segregate your soiled clothing. If you do go to a laundrymat, toss one sack of socks and one sack of undies int the washing mashine and you are half way done.

toedtoes

I tried rolling, but my stuff came out more wrinkled than if I just folded them, so I don't bother anymore. I use ziplock bags for undies, socks, etc. Otherwise, I just put the stuff directly in my suitcase.

One thing I have learned is not to leave too much empty space in the suitcase. If you keep it tightly packed, you won't have to worry about your clothes getting jumbled (and therefore wrinkled). If you have a lot of empty space, then you might try a smaller bag - or use the spacesaver bags or cubes to keep things from sliding around.

Often, I'll use a small lightweight carryon bag to keep my clothes from sliding around on the flight out, and then use it for souvenirs, etc. on the return flight. It's not a problem to get wrinkles on the trip home, so it's OK if there is a bit of extra room then. I pretty much always check a bag, so that makes this doable.

kfusto

I am a huge fan of packing cubes. They keep me organized, minimize my packing, make unpacking a breeze as I just slide the cube into the drawer/shelf at the hotel. Also, it keeps my things neat when customs decided to rummage through my stuff.

I don't leave home without them, whether traveling for a weekend or a month.

annw

I was just looking at those Eagle Creek envelope style organizers and I am sorely tempted, especially since they are 25% off.

picsandpixels

I prefer space saver bags by Storage Kaddy because they provide waterproofing and an airtight seal - so that I can compress (no vacuum needed) anywhere. Storage Kaddy is a brand not so known but actually one of the highest quality space saver bags on the market. When I travel, I need more space and can actually reduce wrinkling by pressing down (to compress) reather than rolling - which wrinkles clothing. Once I return home I can also use Storage Kaddy as it is resusable...

charsuzan

I use the packing cubes for my underwear and sometimes use a larger one for t-shirts and such. I use the space saver bags to store out of season clothes at home but not in my luggage while traveling.