Anyone here ever use "packing cubes"

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

I saw these at a travel store recently and wondered how beneficial if at all they really are? I do like the convenience of just pulling out a couple of cubes and throwing them in the drawers and not having to worry about them touching. Do they really give more overall space?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I do not think I have seen these, What do they look like

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

These are not necessarily the ones I am looking at buying but are an example;

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/eBags-Packing...3D301771958332

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

From that ebay listing I don't know how you would save any room in your luggage - seems like the bags would take up room, and make your luggage heavier. I travel with a backpack, and load it by item (socks and underwear on the bottom, then rolled up pants, then folded shirts, etc. Toiletries which I keep in a small bag at the very top so I can run them through inspection easily. I might have to hang things in the bathroom while I shower so wrinkles get steamed out, but I'm betting you would even if using those 'cubes'.

I will admit that this smart luggage might be on my 'things to purchase' list

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

I have a friend that packs using the folder style. http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-Tr...packing+folder
She packs an amazing amount in a very small space and it all comes out looking pressed. I must confess that I usually have her pack my case for the return trip from a heavy shopping holiday!

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

I saw these at a travel store recently and wondered how beneficial if at all they really are? I do like the convenience of just pulling out a couple of cubes and throwing them in the drawers and not having to worry about them touching. Do they really give more overall space?

They're great, I have several sets in different sizes. Unpacking is quick and easy - no need to remove items from the cube. I like being able to find items quickly - all swimming pool clothes and accessories together in one cube, underwear together, t-shirts together, scarves and hats together. The shoe cubes are good too. I don't use the cubes for skirts, trousers, dresses etc that need ironing because I lay those items out, then fold them around the full packing cubes. Buy the good quality ones in a variety of sizes - the zips quickly give way on the cheap ones. The good cubes have a see-through panel to quickly see the contents and they are extremely lightweight. The shoe bags are sealed (I stuff dirty clothes in them too for the trip home.)

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I am a recent convert to packing cubes.
MPizza uses them all the time so I decided to give them a try.

I just did a 10 day trip to Aruba (light weight clothing) using carry on bag and an 11 day trip to Europe with the same bag that I expended and checked. That trip we stayed at 4 hotels which makes the cubes even more valuable.

I kept my underwear/sox in the smaller size, my T Shirts in one medium and my light sweaters/jackets in another and then my pants/jeans in the largest size. I found that I took my 4 pair of pants out of the largest size and rolled them, placing them in the bottom of my suitcase in the "grooves" made by the retractable handle and then put the other cubes on top on the way home. I also split my toiletries/stuff into two small bags which also allowed more flexible packing.

I liked that I could easily identify my "stuff" without having to pull everything out of the bag.
We did stay 5 nights in one hotel so then I did unpack and hang my pants and sweaters/jackets but repacking was quick and easy.

I like this size. Dimensions: 13.75 x 9.75 x 3 - great for folded dress shirts, jeans, t-shirts etc
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00

I had also ordered another set with 1 smaller size, 2 this size and 2 larger. I took one of the larger size ones to Europe and found it was actually too big, it took up the entire interior of my bag. If I were traveling with a larger checked bag and heavier clothing such as sweaters, I might use the large size again.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o06_s00

Found this on Facebook and it is a good read about traveling light. One Bag. http://www.onebag.com/about.html





And remember to use the Amazon link at the top of the page to buy your cubes.

[catwgirl Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close catwgirl]

I use them all the time and love them. Mine are identical to the ones in the Ebay link. They are very well made and it is amazing how much they hold. I can unpack in about a minute.

[mpizza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mpizza]

Yes, I use packing cubes!

On a short trip for work, I actually pack one outfit per cube. Everything is organized for that day!

On longer leisure trips, I pack by type like PatG - pants, tops, undergarments, and accessories segregated by cube. I also bring a hanging mesh insert for items that wrinkle easily, this pops right in the closet.

I also have a toiletries kit and a plane survival pack that contains essentials - change of clothes, socks, extra chargers, snack bars, gum, ear plugs, etc. always packed and ready to go!

Maria

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

Thanks all for you responses, including the link to OneBag. That Smart Bag is a little too cutting edge for me, and I would never be able to take full advantage of it not to mention the price! Think I'll start off with a set of the cheap ones to see if I actually use them. Very bad at buying stuff with the best of intentions and then never using them, so hate to throw away a lot of money. If they work for me and I like them then perhaps if / when they break I'll invest in some more expensive ones.