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Do you use packing cubes? If so, do you use the compression-type cubes?

Regular cubes seem like they'd waste space. You've got the stuff you want to pack for use, and then you've got the cube. Do they waste space?

The zipper-type compression cubes look like they save space but not space that's very useful, because they are not rectangular after compression. What's your experience?

Thanks in advance.

Not able to advise, other than it's axiomatic that whatever you find out you need first at your destination will be at the bottom of the first thing you'd packed. Second law of packing physics, right? 😀

I love packing cubes. They are super thin, so worth the very minor space for the organization and less wrinkles. I organize by outfits or by clothing type (shirts,pants, etc.) so it’s easy to pull the right one out, take what I want, then neatly put it back. No more pawing through my suitcase for what I want.

I have not tried the compression ones but have thought they might be good to use without compressing on outgoing trip because I always seem to add something when I am headed home and that might free up just enough space.

They are pretty cheap on Amazon or at TJ Maxx/Homegoods, so maybe give them a try and see what you think.

I used them on our 10-day trip last March. Get cubes that fit your luggage. You want to be able to fill a side with them and cover with remaining items like coats. My didn't match my suitcase well. Beat them after zipping them down and that will flatten them back out. They tend to round out after being zipped. They're nice when you need to get something out as you can easily pull them out of the way without having to unpack the entire case. That makes them worth it in my mind regardless of any space saved. Things I would do differently. Separate by outfits. Not by type of clothing. That way you can pull what you need for a day or two easily. I packed all shirts in one, etc.

[This message edited by grubs at 10:06 PM, Wednesday, July 24th]

Hope you have safe and enjoyable travels.
I don’t find the space these things take up to be consequential.

I am a bit ocd and/or neurodivergent so love packing cubes. And little travel organizer mesh bags for inside my personal item too. I also like the clear (same brand as my suitcase so they are good quality and don’t pop) plastic compression bags that you roll to get the air out (especially for "dirty" clothes).

Now the however…

However, keeping in mind the laws of physics and the maximum allowable weights of bags..you can stuff a lot in your bag with them so it can get really heavy with packing cubes that compact.

I agree that packing cubes etc that fit your luggage is important. I also have shoe bags that are good for filling in spaces with a shoe or 2.

I travel regularly from the Northeast to Florida to our retirement home and vacation and to visit our granddaughter.

I've always been an over packer, last trip I invested in some zip packing cubes and they were a godsend. I didn't realize how much STUFF those things hold, and zipping them didn't really cause anything to wrinkle. I purchased different sizes and was able to keep my belongings very organized.

Before every trip I buy a few clothing items for my granddaughter as well as some little trinkets for her, and they were easily stashed in one cube and not all over my suitcase.

They are not the compression ones.

De-lurking to recommend the type of packing cubes that press the clothes between two plastic sheets in a nylon envelope secured by Velcro. I used to pack using flexible zippered cubes, but I found it was very fiddly to have one cube for socks and underwear, one for outfits, etc etc. Now I pack all clothes items for a single day in one layer, with smaller items inside the larger ones; the loose plastic sheet is a packing board to keep each day’s set of clothes a consistent rectangle. The whole envelope can hold 5 or 6 days of outfits, and it fits into all sorts of bags. Depending on the carryon, I use the older flexible bags for sweaters.

Thanks for sharing. We'll have to try them to find out if they work for us. I have high hopes.

[This message edited by SI Staff at 7:49 PM, Thursday, July 25th]