I've seen those collapsible fabic 'packing cubes' at a lot of online and bricks-and-mortar stores, and I don't quite understand their appeal. Do you really need to pack your clothes into specific bundles, as I have survived pretty well until now without packing cubes. Isn't this just a solution in search of a problem? i'm honestly very interested in hearing from 'champions' of packing cubes as to what practical difference they make to your packing and travels. I'm open to being convined of their merits!
I'm a big fan of them. Particularly because at the end of ten days when I get home, everything that needs to go straight into the wash is in one or two cubes, and I can throw them straight in the laundry, before I pass out face down on my bed waiting for the load to be finished.
Sure, everything clean is usually rolled up, but it also keeps things separated.
Not a solution for everyone, but if it saves me five minutes here and there, I'll take it.
I'm going to add my 2c here, because I used to be exactly where you are now, Tony Boyd (oh, and this looks like your first comment here, so welcome!). I could understand the theory behind packing cubes but really couldn't see that they were necessary and probably resisted them on the basis of "Oh look, here is one more thing somebody is trying to sell the suckers."
Well, I was wrong! A few friends and colleagues regaled me with tales of how great packing cubes were, so I ended up picking up a small and very affordably-priced 'starter set' from a shop in Hong Kong, and I discovered they really can make a difference. They encourage you to pack more efficiently and with a better sense of organisation, and when you get to the hotel, unpacking is a doddle (you can just move some cubes from your bag into a drawer). Packing up to head home is sort-of similar (albeit usually less organised!) and in turn, unpacking when I get home is made less of a chore.
Amazon has a good selection of its own-branded cubes, and at good prices too. I wouldn't suggest you go overboard but I would certainly say they are worth trying to see if they work for you.
Oh for sure. Not a necessity by any means, but if it makes it easier to sleep that few minutes longer, and to unpack that little quicker, I'll take it.
I can’t stand them. When I travel it’s usually not spending a lot of time in any one place so I constantly have to repack and they tend to take longer for me to pack. I tried them once to keep my camera gear sorted but ended up throwing them out halfway through the trip. My suitcase included a laundry bag, so I just throw anything dirty in there and everything else outside of it.
MRYJDrake/David, do you find that packing cubes offer much benefit if you usually travel with a roll-on for business trips ? It seems like a solution that may be better suited to larger baggage ....
In the good old days was a great fan of the grey bags from Woolies. Throw some in there. As the week progresses just use one bag for whites, one for dark etc. By the end of the trip you are left with a few bags and the statutory suit. Just empty said bags into the washer. Job done!
MRYJDrake/David, do you find that packing cubes offer much benefit if you usually travel with a roll-on for business trips ? It seems like a solution that may be better suited to larger baggage ....
If it's a rollaboard, no. If it's a full week or two, that's where I find their benefit.
I was a doubter but then coughed up when I spotted a small set of two on sale. I use them with my rollaboard and they have made travel so much easier. The small one takes my jocks, socks, and other small necessities, and the larger one takes my shirts, pants and a jumper. I get four nights out of them. I have a wash bag that fits the dirty stuff back inside the larger one. David is spot on re the packing/unpacking and I often have my laptop in the case as well so my colleagues don’t get a glimpse of my jocks when I get to the office!
The best endorsement was when getting swabbed at security recently and the guy said I had the neatest bag he had ever seen.
MRYJDrake/David, do you find that packing cubes offer much benefit if you usually travel with a roll-on for business trips ? It seems like a solution that may be better suited to larger baggage ....
I use them even on short trips with a cabin bag, because I just like the idea of having a small packing space for my daks and socks, a larger one specifically for shirts etc. But then, I enjoy writing a packing list / wardrobe list and I enjoy the process of packing, so I'm a bit strange that way :P
Tony Boyd
Tony Boyd
Member since 07 May 2015
Total posts 10
I've seen those collapsible fabic 'packing cubes' at a lot of online and bricks-and-mortar stores, and I don't quite understand their appeal. Do you really need to pack your clothes into specific bundles, as I have survived pretty well until now without packing cubes. Isn't this just a solution in search of a problem? i'm honestly very interested in hearing from 'champions' of packing cubes as to what practical difference they make to your packing and travels. I'm open to being convined of their merits!
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
I'm a big fan of them. Particularly because at the end of ten days when I get home, everything that needs to go straight into the wash is in one or two cubes, and I can throw them straight in the laundry, before I pass out face down on my bed waiting for the load to be finished.
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,021
I'm going to add my 2c here, because I used to be exactly where you are now, Tony Boyd (oh, and this looks like your first comment here, so welcome!). I could understand the theory behind packing cubes but really couldn't see that they were necessary and probably resisted them on the basis of "Oh look, here is one more thing somebody is trying to sell the suckers."
AALF
AALF
QF
Member since 31 Dec 2014
Total posts 8
FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS
StuParr
StuParr
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 01 Mar 2012
Total posts 204
I'm with David and MRYKDrake on this, I am a bit fan of them. It keeps me organised when i'm traveling.
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
Oh for sure. Not a necessity by any means, but if it makes it easier to sleep that few minutes longer, and to unpack that little quicker, I'll take it.
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 182
I can’t stand them. When I travel it’s usually not spending a lot of time in any one place so I constantly have to repack and they tend to take longer for me to pack. I tried them once to keep my camera gear sorted but ended up throwing them out halfway through the trip. My suitcase included a laundry bag, so I just throw anything dirty in there and everything else outside of it.
Pallydou
Pallydou
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
Member since 02 Jul 2018
Total posts 22
I am a fan of large ziplocks and hotel laundry bags for these pack ups. They are collapsible, flexible and can easily to see what's inside.
wdeguara
wdeguara
Etihad - Etihad Guest
Member since 06 Apr 2012
Total posts 94
MRYJDrake/David, do you find that packing cubes offer much benefit if you usually travel with a roll-on for business trips ? It seems like a solution that may be better suited to larger baggage ....
Nick Sydney 2
Nick Sydney 2
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 Jul 2015
Total posts 83
In the good old days was a great fan of the grey bags from Woolies. Throw some in there. As the week progresses just use one bag for whites, one for dark etc. By the end of the trip you are left with a few bags and the statutory suit. Just empty said bags into the washer. Job done!
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
If it's a rollaboard, no. If it's a full week or two, that's where I find their benefit.
sid
sid
Member since 07 Jan 2011
Total posts 209
I tried them out and didn't see the point. I roll my clothes and separate the different types anyway, so they're always tidy.
Boof
Boof
Member since 29 Aug 2013
Total posts 33
I was a doubter but then coughed up when I spotted a small set of two on sale. I use them with my rollaboard and they have made travel so much easier. The small one takes my jocks, socks, and other small necessities, and the larger one takes my shirts, pants and a jumper. I get four nights out of them. I have a wash bag that fits the dirty stuff back inside the larger one. David is spot on re the packing/unpacking and I often have my laptop in the case as well so my colleagues don’t get a glimpse of my jocks when I get to the office!
brettepi
brettepi
Member since 10 Jul 2017
Total posts 86
plastic bags from coles do the trick too
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,021
I use them even on short trips with a cabin bag, because I just like the idea of having a small packing space for my daks and socks, a larger one specifically for shirts etc. But then, I enjoy writing a packing list / wardrobe list and I enjoy the process of packing, so I'm a bit strange that way :P