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Tell me about packing cubes?

22 replies

Pinkfoxglove · 14/08/2019 15:55

I normally take a wheeled hold-all filled to the brim. We tend to do sporty holidays so sports equipment takes up quite a lot of room.
If I could squeeze more clothes in it would be worth the investment or are they just a fad?
If you're a convert can you recommend a brand?

OP posts:
Windinmyhair · 14/08/2019 16:09

OMG I love my packing cubes.
DH and I have a set each and the children (youngish) share a set at the moment.
www.amazon.co.uk/G4Free-Packing-Cubes-Value-Travel/dp/B019OF87V0/ref=sr_1_6?s=gateway&crid=1OXNW9HUD7KMH&keywords=packing+cubes&sprefix=packing+%2Caps%2C134&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1565795188&sr=8-6

I can organise into types/days of clothes as works for the holiday and things can stay relatively crease free.

I pack not all in one go so it is easier to assess what I have and what I don't already.

It is so much easier to unpack when we get there as well - stops us living out of suitcases!

fraxion · 15/08/2019 06:26

I love packing cubes too, we've been using them for years. Fold and roll your clothes when packing, prevents creasing and saves space. Considering buying new ones for our January long haul as we will be staying in four different locations over 3 weeks.

Myfoolishboatisleaning · 15/08/2019 06:33

How would it enable you to squeeze more clothes in OP?

RainOrSun · 15/08/2019 06:42

If you really want to get more in, you need a compression set of packing cubes. Fill it. And then there is a second set of zips to squish the air out.

Myfoolishboatisleaning · 15/08/2019 06:50

Hmm. RainOrSun I totally need those in my life. Any links please?

madeyemoodysmum · 15/08/2019 06:55

I love them.
I do tips in one
Bottoms in another
Hoodies in another
Undies and swimmers in one
Then all I need to do it walk them on a shelf as is.

We use them for uk holidays. Norfolk broads boats holidays. Skiing

Not so much for beach hols as I take more creaseable clothes then

But for the price just try it.

AesopsMables · 15/08/2019 07:00

Love mine

Have two sets in different colours

On business trips I pack workwear in one colour and casual in another, roll lightly and they stay crease free in cube for total stay

DoIjusthavetoputupwithit · 15/08/2019 07:12

They look like a cross between a hold-all and a suitcase with no wheels. I (hastily) bought something similar years ago and unless you filled it full to the brim you ended up with a saggy case where everything moved inside despite clips.

Also a PITA to carry round.

fraxion · 15/08/2019 07:14

Not so much for beach hols as I take more creaseable clothes then

We mainly go on beach holidays and I have yet to even think about an iron, never mind use one. Any minimal creasing falls out once they are hung up. However I use tissue paper too when packing most of my clothes Blush. Fold and roll every time.

DoIjusthavetoputupwithit · 15/08/2019 07:14

The compartments in these newer versions look sturdier though.

fraxion · 15/08/2019 07:16

Some choices here www.t3.com/features/best-packing-cubes

stimulatemymind · 15/08/2019 07:20

Love mine!!! Put same types of clothes in each cube.Also use one for the washing

fraxion · 15/08/2019 07:34

We use the smaller cubes for cables, adaptors etc, keeps them all together.

RainOrSun · 15/08/2019 07:47

We have these currently, Myfoolishboatisleaning

Personally, we put a couple of full sets of clothes in each bag, then put some of everybodys clothes in each case. Me and DH have a different coloured set to the kids - so when we get somewhere, I know if I put a grey bag in our room, and a green bag for the kids, everyone will be ok.

CocoLoco87 · 15/08/2019 07:54

Love them! They were a game changer on our holiday this year. I didn't need to 'unpack' for me or kids, I just put the packing cubes in drawers and unzipped them. They kept everything so organised. It was nice to have extra pouches for shoes, suncream, and chargers / wires. I bought 2 lots from Amazon and will get a 3rd set for next year.

buttermilkwaffles · 15/08/2019 13:12

Packing cubes are great for keeping things organised and for taking out and putting in a draw at the other end, but if you want to pack more stuff in then you need plastic roll up vacuum bags. The ones with a plastic zip that you use to seal them then you hand roll to get the air out, not the ones you need a hoover or a handpump for.

I use a combination, an Alpkit padded tube for plugs/adapters, a cheap AliExpress cables bag for USB cables, charger etc, slim packing cubes for underwear, socks, t-shirts and then the vacuum bags for bulkier stuff. Amazing how small you can compress a jacket to for example.

I don't think which packing cube really matters, the better quality ones are a bit bulkier and heavier, the cheaper ones tend to be lighter, but look less likely to last? Also depends what you are packing them in as to how you maximize use of space, I found the slim ones the most flexible as you can pack them side by side, or on on each side or top and bottom with other stuff in the middle or on on top of the other. The bulkier stuff is in a vac bag, but you could use a square or rectangular packing cube instead.

I have ebags slim ones which no longer seem to be available in the UK, but looks like the Amazon basics are a copy of those, also have a couple of Decathlon ones which are cheap but are still quite good.

gowgow · 15/08/2019 18:13

They're wonderful. I bought some for a 3-week tour, where we were only staying 1-4 nights at every hotel. No need to unpack, the mesh top means you can see what is inside. I used to hate sharing a suitcase with DH when we were flying Sleazyjet, but using different colours works well for us.
I also use these www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01DWAWHY6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8
but not for clothes. Hairdryer & styling products go in one, make-up in another, etc

timshelthechoice · 15/08/2019 18:47

Absolute game changer! Each member of the family has a set in a particular colour (we like to travel, so each family member has a storage container with their cubes plus other travel accessories particular to him/her). We have the Gonex ones, too. I wash whilst on holiday but always carry a dry bag for any dirty clothes as that way they won't stink up your case or holdall.

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 16/08/2019 15:29

As a previous poster has already pointed out, you need the compression cubes so that you can fit more clothes in.

Something like these ones from Amazon

Soontobe60 · 16/08/2019 15:34

@DoIjusthavetoputupwithit

I think you're talking about something else completely! Packing cubes are small thin nylon cuboid bags with zips varying in size from A4 to A6 that go inside a suitcase, used to organise your clothing.

JocastaJones · 18/08/2019 09:12

Cannot travel without them. So easy to pack and find all your stuff when you arrive. For uk breaks just chuck the packing cubes in the car/Ikea bag. Don't need bulky suitcases taking up boot space.

BooksAreMyOnlyFriends · 20/08/2019 13:21

Love them. We do a lot of road trip holidays and they are brilliant and there's no digging through luggage to find everything. Before they were a thing though I just did the same with carrier bags but these are much more practical.

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