Packing cube dilemma

Just a quick update. I bought some packing cubes but found them unhelpful. I only used them for underwear etc but couldn’t close the case. Went back to my previous system of filling every nook and cranny but did take one empty one to put my dirty washing in. They are however, coming in useful for coralline smaller items in the airing cupboard!

Pantglas2

I must be the only one still packing my clothes in max sized layers into the case with the least amount of folding! Hand luggage for all holidays except cruises but principle remains same.

Two folds for long dresses and one for everything else. Sandals are slipped into veggie bags from Lidl/aldi on top and all laundry packed same for going home.

Sandals are slipped into veggie bags from Lidl/aldi

Oh good idea! Yet another use for them as well as yarn, UFOs etc

And vegetables of course.

keepingquiet

Packing cubes? Something else keeping people in jobs I suppose- I still use a suitcase...

Well yes, the packing cubes go in your suitcase. You don’t have just cubes and no suitcase.

Until I read this thread a few weeks ago, I had never heard of packing cubes. It seemed like a good idea so I bought some in miscellaneous sizes to try them.

I've just finished packing for five days away and it took twice as long as usual because, having wodged all my stuff into packing cubes and compressed them, the suitcase wouldn't close! These great, rectangular lumps were far too rigid and unwieldy.

So I reverted to my lifelong habit of folding things loosely and layering them in the case with small items - socks, knickers, chargers, meds etc - just tucked into corners and odd spaces. Wash bag unrolled and draped across the top of it all. Job done.
The packing cubes can go to the charity shop.

I just finished my research into packing cubes and found that although they are good for organising your clothes, they don't actually save on space and can be quite pricey. Expensive ones are no better than cheap ones.
So, I have decided to save my money and stick to my tried and effective method or rolling, folding clothes on top as Pantglas2 does above.

I must be the only one still packing my clothes in max sized layers into the case with the least amount of folding! Hand luggage for all holidays except cruises but principle remains same.

Two folds for long dresses and one for everything else. Sandals are slipped into veggie bags from Lidl/aldi on top and all laundry packed same for going home.

Thanks for your helpful post JackyB. Different colours would definitely be helpful. I sympathise over your tents. I’m trying to declutter but it’s amazing how many times I’ve found a use for something once I’ve disposed of it.

There are so many YouTube videos on this topic. The algorithm notifies me continuously of packing videos. If you watch enough, you will never know if it's objectively better to use them or not, as there are plenty of arguments for and against.

Basically it comes down to your own needs and preferences..

As teabagwoman says, she thinks they would help as she has problems seeing. So she should go for it, I would say. They are made of very light materials so weight shouldn't be an issue.

With impaired sight I would go for the following:

* Get all different colours. Mesh is fine, but if you can't see well, you will see even less through the mesh, so having solid colours should help with recognising which is which.

* Maybe write on each in huge letters what is in them

* Don't skimp on quality and make sure the zips are good ones which won't jam,tear or split. Fixing zips is an annoying and fiddly affair even with good eyesight.

* Compression cubes, which have an extra zip to reduce the size, are only necessary if you tend to overpack or if you really need a lot of stuff. They compress the contents, but don't forget they don't reduce the weight! They also require particular care when folding or rolling as the tendency to crease is of course greater.

I have even found a video showing how to sew your own compression cubes which made me wish I hadn't thrown out our old tents, as they were made of the right kind of light nylon material.

Thankyou Petra- I do travel with my suitcase quite a lot, so yes I may give then a go... they seem to have plenty of fans here.

I love them. Keep stuff tidy and sorted. For school trips you can pack an outfit in each cube. Also, if you need to open your case at customs your smalls are not on display!

keepingquiet

Packing cubes? Something else keeping people in jobs I suppose- I still use a suitcase...

You put them in a suitcase 🤦🏼‍♀️

BlueBelle

Unnecessary imo

I agree......and tbh all those I have looked at were all made in China!

Cornergran, I hadn’t thought of all the uses I could put them to at home. You have convinced me.

Love packing cubes. Most things stay in them while we’re away. Easy to find and it gives me a rare sense of organisation.

They are also used at home for out of season clothes and anything else that is stored under our ottoman beds that will fit in one, anything from out of season clothes to Christmas decorations. Lift the beds and everything is orderly and easy to find. I have added sets to ensure I have the right size available. My latest use is to have a small cube for different colours of winter tights. No more guessing in dim light if they are black or navy. You could say I’m obsessed. .

Our soon to set of backpacking granddaughter asked for compression cubes for her Christmas gift. She’s also borrowed (stolen!) some of my non-compression cubes. They seem work for us.

I love packing cubes, too. When we’ve been away to my son’s, where we don’t have anywhere to unpack into, they keep like items together. So, tops, undies, jeans, pj’s and so on in different cubes, which stops them getting into an almighty muddle. You wouldn’t chuck all your clothes randomly into a chest of drawers so I see it as a mini filing system for clothes. I have a separate cube for laundry, too.

On the back of this thread I've just ordered a set of fairly cheap packing cubes from Amazon. I'm going away for a couple of nights next month with some friends and this will help with the pain of packing/unpacking my small case into drawers. I can just decant the cubes into the drawers so it will hopefully save some of the faff.

The set includes one for toiletries, one for dirty washing and several sizes for clothes and underwear. It was very cheaps so if it's not that useful I can give it to one of my AC, I'm sure they'll find a use for it!

Im very tempted to get some.

I’m another fan, so much easier when unpacking, cube goes straight in the drawer. Also less chance of leaving stuff behind, still sad about my best linen shorts left in Sicily.
I use them at home for keeping socks and tights sorted.
I have given them to friends for present, they all love them.

Packing cubes are a brilliant invention.
Especially good for back-packing according to my 2 travel mad sons.

I'm a fan too. I have a range of sizes. All mesh so I can see exactly what's in them. They fit neatly into my case. It's like filing my clothes!

I find them very handy especially if we are going away for a couple of weeks. Easy to move small items like underwear straight into the drawers

I prefer to travel lightly so my bag is quite small. A colleague suggested compression packing cubes to me and I love them!

Something like this;https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CQC7VZVN?tag=track-ect-uk-734034-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&ascsubtag=ecSEP14qeocjm74zagkd

Packing cubes are wonderful if you are touring or moving hotels. I just use my suitcase like a cabin trunk and don’t unpack at all. Clothes go back into the cubes they came from.

Unnecessary imo

Packing cubes? Something else keeping people in jobs I suppose- I still use a suitcase...