Compression vs Regular Packing Cubes

DonnaF

Opinions? Recommendations? I found out about regular packing cubes on YLF; not sure that compression ones were widely available at that time. I'm happy with these packing cubes and use the long skinny ones the most which I think makes me a bit of a unicorn. But I'm always curious and looking for shoppertunities. . .

3 months ago

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22 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

Gail

Veteran

I have both types. I use the compression ones mostly as I can fit a lot more in them and they pack much flatter.

3 months ago

Kate

Veteran

Depends on how you use them. I love packing cubes, but use them for underwear, socks, and small non-clothing items, like tech stuff, vitamins and OTC counter meds, etc.

If you're packing sweaters and the like, I can see where compression cubes might be useful. For me, it's easier to fold and smooth down clothing items and corral everything else in cubes.

Donna, I use the long, skinny ones the most too!

3 months ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I use regular packing cubes. I worry that the compression ones would make things wrinkly. I have a friend who travels for tango dancing purposes and swears by a portable steamer, so maybe that would be worth it (if it didn’t take up too much space itself!)

3 months ago

Peri

Veteran

I use the regular cubes and love them. I'm not a good packer and they make it easier to organize things. I'm with UmmLila...I haven't tried them but my first thought with compression cubes is wrinkles.

3 months ago

JAileen

Veteran

I use regular packing cubes to contain things. Mine are from REI. I’ve tried compression cubes but have never been successful with them. Whatever I put in them is too big. My giant monster down coat that I took to Japan would have been a good candidate, but it was too big, and what if the bag fails? Then where are you? I’d like to know what I’ve been doing wrong.

3 months ago

Bonnie

Veteran

I used them on a recent three week trip to corral my undies and socks. It didn't matter if they got wrinkly. I got the small square ones that zip to compress and loved how organized they kept my suitcase.

3 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Love packing cubes! Regular ones work fine for me.

3 months ago

LJP

Veteran

I use compression (ie vacuum ) packing bags to store out of season sweaters, linens etc and don't experience much wrinkling. They are fabulous tools when you are short on space for storage.

3 months ago

RobinF

Veteran

I use regular packing cubes and like the way they help me to organize my suitcase. I considered the compression ones for a recent trip we took but worried they would make my suitcase too heavy, so in the end I didn't buy them. (I always worry that my case will be too heavy but it never is, I am a worrier by nature :))

3 months ago

Irina

Veteran

I have never used packing cubes. Thought about it but couldn’t find a reason that would help me packing my carry on bag. I mostly stay in Airbnb and request an iron and ironing board. Still, I fold my clothes inside my suitcase with as less wrinkles as possible. Maybe if I went on long stay vacations and had to bring lots of clothes it would help but mine are only for a couple of weeks.

So, reading this with interest.

3 months ago

cat2

Veteran

No packing cubes for me. I use a garment style bag so I can keep my things from getting too wrinkled.

3 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Irina - I like packing cubes for organization, but also because I can just unzip the cube and toss it in the drawers or on a shelf at our destination. No ‘living out of a suitcase’ and no worries about the condition of the furniture where we’ll be staying.

3 months ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like regular packing cubes for organization — usually tops go in one, bottoms in another, socks/underwear, etc in another… That way I unpack by simply unzipping the cubes and setting them in drawers if the items don’t need hanging.

I don’t usually bother with compression. I don’t want more creases than necessary and it tempts me to overstuff a bag, especially if I have more than one destination and will need to repack and unpack.

That said, I do have this set. I sometimes zip them compressed and sometimes not: https://a.co/d/cIHgseE

3 months ago

Irina

Veteran

Runcarla, I see. Well, it’s probably not for me, then. I unpack and hang my clothes, often iron all on the first evening after arriving.

3 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have never really used either but my kid likes the regular type cubes for organization.

3 months ago

Laurie

Veteran

I adore regular packing cubes, and don't know how I would travel without them. Have not tried the vacuum cubes, but could see that being very handy for winter travel, compressing sweaters down by a lot.

3 months ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Aurgh! I posted and promptly forgot about it; my apologies. To summarize the responses:

Those of you who have regular packing cubes overwhelmingly said they like them because it helps with organization.

The few who have tried compression cubes did not say they were ditching their regular cubes in favor of compression ones, but I appreciated Janet's point that she sometimes uses her compression cube uncompressed. Lisa (LJP) and Laurie mentioned that they would be good for winter sweaters and storing out of season stuff. JAileen had the same frustrating experience as an online reviewer, that it didn't work for the intended item. Like RobinF, I would worry a bit about going over weight limits, but I own (but have never used) one of those luggage scales.

Peri, Irina, and Ummlila: I don't worry too much about wrinkles; a small mister works for me most of the time. The one reviewer I watched said compression cube wrinkles weren't a problem, but we all may wear different types of clothing and fabrication.

I don't use my large packing cubes as it is, but I can imagine using that size in compression cubes for storing bulky sweaters per LJP. I roll my current clothing pretty tightly into my packing cubes so I don't know how much more room I would get with compression. Truthfully, it's the footwear that takes up all the room!

3 months ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I use regular packing cubes plus roll some things. I tried out some compression ones and didn’t like the shapes they made, with tapered edges. I found I preferred the cube-ish-ness of regular, for packing Tetris- style and for keeping things organized within my suitcase during stay. . The key for me is using the smallest size for the type of item , including the longer slim, and packing them fuller.

3 months ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I use compression packing cubes when traveling. Not the kind where you have to vacuum air out, but the kind that has an extra zipper to compress the air out. I like them and do not find that they make my clothes more wrinkled.

2 months ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I used compression cubes on my recent trip. The ones Karie describes. I found the “compression” angle a bit of a gimmick. I didn’t think it saved much space. Also, I found the 2 zips irritating when it came to unpacking. There is one zip for opening and one for compressing. I was always unzipping the wrong zip or I would have to undo both zips to unpack or repack my clothes. I did like the cubes however, and how they kept my luggage organised. I think next time I might use them uncompressed. (PS I do not think that the compression created wrinkles.)

2 months ago

DonnaF

Veteran

After reading everyone's comments and a few more reviews, I decided not to buy compression packing cubes to supplement my regular packing cubes since reviews were/are mixed. I like to roll my clothes which you shouldn't do with the compression ones, and I wasn't keen on the convex result. I prefer not to overpack, but my major weakness is packing too much hosiery which really isn't too bulky.

2 months ago

DonnaF

Veteran

It turns out DD bought Janet’s compression packing cubes after I put them in her Amazon Wish List. She said one fit the eight dresses she’s taking to Japan. I will get a good look close up and personal when I see her this Thanksgiving.

2 months ago

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