Thanks - but those look too complicated for me!
I only use compression cubes. I have two from Eagle Creek that have lasted well over a decade and still look new. I bought a set from Amazon that I’ve used a few times—they work well too.
I always buy packing cubes that have a mesh portion so you can tell what’s in them and less guessing.
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I have a set from Amazon that have the mesh square on them. I like them as then the clothes can breathe. That means they don’t compress (or stay compressed).
I find the biggest benefit is that I can pack like things together - swimming things for a beach vacation, underwear, jeans. My friend (often travel together) just asked if she could borrow mine to try them out this summer as she noticed my repacking is as simple as dumping the bags into the suitcase.
I used to use space compression bags that you rolled the air out of, but they were crinkly and I didn’t find them as easy to pack.
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I am very happy with my assortment of Eagle Creek packing cubes. However when purchasing them I would consider your traveling style/needs.
That said, I knew when I purchased my sets that DH and I planned on traveling a good deal and if circumstances allowed, it would mean over a decade of use. So although I am a frugal shopper, I valued/prioritized quality.
Eagle Creek packing cubes are lightweight and have been very durable…no issues with the zippers or the seams…and I find the compression cubes especially useful. All told I do have a combination of compression, reveal, clean/dirty EC packing cubes. I chose the Sahara yellow (which I don’t think is offered any longer) because I didn’t want to accidentally leave a cube behind.
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I’ve had some of my Eagle Creek cubes for well over 10 years. I got them as a bonus when I got to EC Wheeled duffels, and the store that I got them from went out of business in 2015. The others were given to us as Christmas presents, and haven’t worn nearly as well.
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That’s disconcerting. I find myself purchasing items I really like in multiples because I’m more concerned with quality drop-offs. It can be frustrating.
Does anyone use a lightweight roller bag that can convert to a backpack in a pinch? We have used some great carry-on backpacks over the past 10 years ( 9 x 14 x 22 when full). My back is now getting older, and complains to me many days after using. SO, it’s time to consider a roller bag. But there are instances (old town centers with many steps) that roller bags are an issue, so something that converts would be nice.
I have the Osprey Fairview 36. Convertible roller/backpack. I like it a lot, and it definitely has a place in my bag collection (which also includes a travel pack and a plain old roller).
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I just ordered this, to arrive tomorrow to replace the falling-apart nonrolling backpack I used for graduate school 8 years ago.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SGTYCN4
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I got a Marmot duffle bag from REI with a yearly bonus. It was on sale but still expensive (I think $125 on sale and $200 full price). It was large but did have straps to convert to a back pack, and it did come in several sizes (but not wheeled)
I used it once and it was just too heavy for me. Gave it to my daughter who had admired it and they can use it as a sports bag or a hiking bag for bigger stuff.
So then I got an Eagle creek duffle that IS a roller but converts to a backpack. It would be too heavy for me to use as a backpack all the time but in an emergency I could do that. Used it to go to Spain, and at a train station the elevators were broken and the stairs were steep, but a very nice dad took pity on two old ladies and carried our bags up the stairs for us.
Sort of like this:
It’s pretty amazing, especially considering that it costs less than $50.
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H’s cousin & his wife have wanted to travel to Ireland for years, and they finally went earlier this week. Today, she was crossing the street and a bus started moving … it hit her side, and she has to have a partial hip replacement tomorrow. In Limerick. That’s quite the vacation ruiner. And me being me, I hope that they purchased global health insurance & travel insurance.
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After a friend broke both wrists in a fall on vacation in Greece, nobody in my family travels internationally without global insurance.
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I wonder if it’s because traffic approached from the right, as opposed to from the left like it does here in the states. In Ireland and the UK I’ve seen “LOOK RIGHT” stenciled onto the curb in tourist-heavy areas.
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In London, during the busy holiday season, they actually had traffic cops standing on the corners saying look right.
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We’re headed to Europe (multiple countries) for up to 7 weeks this fall, ending up in France where our daughters, a SIL, and a BF will join us for two weeks.
We just finished up a week east of the mountains and will head out in 10 days for 2 weeks in the south and south east parts of the state. Much relaxing in campgrounds in the 5th wheel and much drinking of wine. (Waaaaay too much of our travels incorporates wine tourism.)
I started the trip insurance for the Europe trip; will add to it once we get air/lodging booked.
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If you are going for up to 7 weeks you may do better with a longer plan. I know GeoBlue has something you can buy to cover all out of country travel for a year.
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That’s awful! My daughter was hit by a scooter in a cross walk when she was studying abroad in the Netherlands. Thankfully, nothing broken - just contusions and road rash. They transported her to the hospital in an ambulance. She didn’t have to pay one cent. The police told her that the scooter driver would be automatically held responsible for any medical bills. They even had her make sure that her computer in her backpack still worked because the driver would also be responsible for paying for it if it had been damaged.
My daughter just flew from EWR to Singapore. No issues for her flight at EWR, thank goodness but I am wondering about the return flight in 2 weeks. She also has a quick one-way back to our home city from EWR. Even if she has to pivot to PHL or one of the NY airports, there are still tons of daily flights to our home city from there. I know she’s really going to want to be home after living out of a backpack for three weeks!
We are just back from 24 days in Europe. It was a good amount of time for me but
My husband felt it was more time than he wanted to be away. We met a couple from Australia who were traveling in Europe
for three months. That’s a long trip! They did have two weeks planned where they were sailing with their adult children.
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I am not sure how it happened. Her left hip was broken. They weren’t able to do the surgery until today, and her H just wants to come home at this point.
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