Packing Cube Love - YouLookFab Forum

I recently returned from a trip to San Diego where my MIL lives, and for the umpteenth time, I packed for cooler temperatures despite checking the weather forecast ahead of time. I need to remember that the same temps feel warmer down there than in my house which stays cool due to open windows at night that bring in breezes in the 50s and thick stucco which keeps my house cool the following day. I still can't believe that at the last minute I decided to leave at home a really cool top after saying to myself that it worked in SD in July so probably would be too cool in September even with an Airism undershirt.

Unworn: The camisoles, Airism undershirts, and jeans jacket thrown in at the last minute in a paroxysm of paranoia, plus a long linen cardigan packed in fear of arctic AC as well as knee high hose and fishnet type stockings. I swear, all this took up about one-quarter to one-third of my luggage.

The good news: This was a car trip so space and weight was not at such a premium.

The better news: I used packing cubes so I was able to separate out all the items I knew I was never going to wear so I didn't have to paw through them day after day or pack them with dirty clothing later.

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AmazonBasics 4-Piece Packing Cube Set - Slim, Sky Blue

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6 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Thanks to YLF, I bought packing cubes last year, and I really love them! They sure can simplify packing.

Style Fan

I have heard so many good things about packing cubes. I use ziplock bags instead. I buy jumbo and extra large ones with the zipper. This method works well for me.

rachylou

I debate this with myself... because the packing cubes themselves take up room...

Joy

I love the packing envelopes even more than the cubes. They hold each piece folded and snugly so that they do not wrinkle, and compress a stack of garments to take up less space. Rachylou, my sons are the best packers ever. They buy the cubes to fit the bag exactly. The result is a thing of beauty. DS2 spent 2 months traveling out of his high school backpack as his only luggage.

Rachy, I decide to go with ziploc bags instead of packing cubes for many reasons. One was the size of the packing cubes and how limiting they were.

Anonymous

Another lover of packing cubes. I don't know how I managed without them in the past.

Runcarla

I love my packing cubes too, though I pack using a hybrid system of cubes, ziplock bags and free form. If staying in one place for any length of time, I just pop the cubes in the drawers.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Joy, which packing envelopes do you have?

JAileen

I’ve used giant zip lock bags to put like things in. And then sit on them or roll them to get the air out. I’m very interested in the cubes, though.

Laura, I have Eagle Creek and have used the same ones for many years. DH used them first for business trips. They do not wear out.

Interesting about ziploc and envelopes. I was really wishing for something like packing cubes while in vacation. I took my backpacking pack, even tho we weren’t hiking... everything became a jumbled mess inside the first time I went in for some socks...

So interesting that you posted this. For 2 months now I have been on Amazon putting in and taking out of my cart/shopping list———packing cubes. I currently use ziplock baggies but tired of the camp feel. Would be interested in hearing more from you and others on it.
And yeah- I have had a few of those trips

ChrisM

Love my packing cubes! I suppose ziplocs serve the same purpose, but I like the little bit of structure in a cube. Seems to keep everything from jumbling together so much.

Greyscale

For years I thought I didn’t need them since I’m a light packer with a small carry on. Then my brother got me some for Christmas and they’re amazing. It really helped keep all my interview outfits from wrinkling.

He got me black amazon basics cubes, knowing my preference for black. But I might switch to a color, to help me see things. Else my suitcase is basically a black hole.

Ginger

I love packing cubes. Vs. ziploc, I like how they have a "lid" instead of a slit opening on one side, and are true rectangles so I can stack things neatly inside the cube instead of mashing them. I like that they are not airtight, too, so I don't have to worry about how much air to leave inside.

I'm a very organized, skilled packer. I don't need packing cubes to get stuff in the suitcase. But they enable me to pack neatly and with FAR less stress, since I can organize within the cube and then move things around in the suitcase without starting over. And I can live out of the suitcase (when sharing a hotel room or staying with friends) without the suitcase turning into an unfolded mushpot of all my belongings.

In reference to Rachy's comment about the cubes themselves taking up room: Yes, if space were an absolute premium I would not use them. To date, that has not been an issue for me. (I'm more likely to hit a weight limit when traveling for a long costuming trip.)

Thanks, joy.

Gail

Love my packing cubes, bought them a couple of years ago from amazon.

DonnaF

I confess; I haven't ever tried the ziplock bag method. I think those would work the best for duffel bags and backpacks. I am going on a church retreat this weekend that will be (barely) a step up from camping so I may take a daypack and try this method.

I prefer the double zippers and breathability of packing cubes. I actually bought the variety pack shown below in Finds. The largest size is way too big for a carry-on suitcase as well as way too big for my clothes. The long skinny ones and the one shown in the very front are the most useful to me in terms of what I wear, and the long skinny ones (shown in my initial post) are the easiest to jigsaw piece in a small suitcase.

I also have the envelope below which works well for my shirts and shirt dresses. In the reviews, I think big men complained that it was too small -- which means it is just my size! It has a ton of velcro, so I have to careful not to have anything near that the velcro will grab.

FAMI Luggage Travel Gear Garment Pack Folder Sleeves Anti-wrinkle Shirt T-shirt Dress Travel Packing Cube

AmazonBasics 4-Piece Packing Cube Set - 2 Medium and 2 Large, Sky Blue

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