I have always been an overpacker, which usually is not a problem. Most of our trips were car trips, and we had the room. The longest trip by air, is usually to visit my son, and I use my same medium checked bag for a weekend or a week. I have never just taken a carry on and might have 3 different outfit options for any given day.
I would like to be a more efficient packer and at least use a smaller bag, even if I still check it. That said, I can not seem to find a nice suitcase between an expandable carry on, and a typical medium checked bag, which usually are around 25”. The last car trip with my daughter and family, my suitcase took almost as much room as what they had for 2 adults. My toiletry bag is too big, but I can’t seem to get it to a more manageable size due to what all I have in it, but I am working on it!
Do packing cubes really cut the space being used? Are clothing items wrinkled? Is there such a bag as a small checked bag that is larger than a carry on, so maybe a 23”? I have been searching, but can’t seem to find what I want. I do want spinner wheels as they are easier for me to deal with; other than that, I don’t have a big preference.
I think travelpro does a 24”. You might want to check your nearest Nordstrom rack to scope out sizes. I love packing cubes. Yes, they can save a bit of space, but for me, they provide a bit of organization.
I have an international carry on, it’s too small to do much with.
As far as packing cubes, people are going to think I’m crazy. My daughter talked me into the Thule packing cubes and I’m certain they are superior to other packing cubes. They always compress, they are very durable. My other packing cubes are from TJ Maxx and they are fine
I also have to agree with my daughter and the Patagonia black hole backpack holds a lot in a not so big space.
I do want to say that to pack small, I have to be ruthless in what I pack. I’m not a light packer either but there are times you have to pare down what you bring.
Well, now I’m down a rabbit hole. Those Thules are a little pricey for me –- mine are Buy Nothing gives. lol — but I might put them on my Christmas list!
Agree with whoever said that for some reason rolled up in my cubes makes clothes come out less wrinkly.
I still pack more than I need, but after each trip I think long and hard about what I should have left at home and what substitutes to consider.
Before our 7-week trip last fall, I spent way too much time on the HerOneBag subreddit. Many, many good ideas on what to take along, packing strategies, luggage, etc. It really did help me cut some things out.
My big problem areas are makeup & toiletries. I try to cut back, but I end up with way more than I really need and then don’t use half of it.
We got some compression packing cubes which did make a difference, as well as some vacuum bags with a manual deflator (?) for some warmer things needed for the last week of the trip.
I need to be better with jettisoning worthless items at the end of a trip & not bring everything home with me. (Lightweight tees and cheap sweaters that I have duplicates for at home )
I have been looking at the Away Bigger Carry-On Flex, and the Quince Expandable Carry-On, which is half the price! Quince also has packing cubes, but I have these from Amazon: https://a.co/d/09D8BpKC and need to try them out.
@zeebamom Yes, as I mentioned above, my toiletries seem to be an issue! While I have most things in smaller sizes, even a 4 oz bottle of bath wash, shampoo and conditioner take up more room than I want to spare. I like for most things to be in their individual bottles as I travel infrequently, and hate needing to refill something, and can’t figure out which brand of shampoo or body wash is in the bottle! I usually write with sharpie on the plastic bottle, which ends up rubbing off. Recently bought a label maker to see if that will work better for me.
I like my packing cubes. I don’t have ones that compress. I think they keep things organized. Plus when I travel with my daughter we each fill one cube with some of everything and put it in the other person’s checked bag. This way if one bag is lost that person still has the stuff in their carryon and in the other person’s bag.
This will not be a popular opinion but I am pretty low maintenance so if I am traveling somewhere that will have bathroom items like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc I do not bring mine. For a couple days to a couple weeks I CAN manage with what is provided. I also bring minimal make up - truly minimal - and will only bring 1-2 very small skin care options - if that. If I have a lip color in my purse that’s the only one I bring.
Same with jewelry- I wear a pair of earrings that are versatile - maybe bring one more pair. Wear a gold thin chain with a very small diamond pendant that can be worn with anything.
I never pack shampoo, body wash or conditioner. I either use the usually nice stuff at hotels or Airbnbs…or I go shopping at the destination for small sizes and just leave the rest behind. I have a Travelpro toiletry bag, that can unfold and hang on a bathroom hook. It holds everything I need…makeup, medications, toothpaste. We all have to decide the things we want to have. My motto is…there are stores everywhere!
I’m usually pretty good about packing light, but for my five week trip, I easily packed twice as much clothing as I used, and needed. We are leaving for Phoenix on Friday, and I’m taking a Travelpro carryon, and a Jansport backpack. It will hold everything I need for my 10 day trip.
@deb922 I also have an international sized carry on. I used it for essentials on my recent international trip instead of the travel pro. But it is much smaller, I agree.
I do not have packing cubes, but I do roll my clothes when I pack them. I’d like to try packing cubes!
We have the Away bigger carry-on flex and I’m pretty happy with it. Their compression packing cubes work well - I like how they’re designed to fit in the suitcase.
So understand the hair products; my hair is not happy with the unknown! I will try those bottles; not so bulky. My eczema means special products/medications for face and skin; I don’t even go overnight to my daughters without each ointment as a flare can pop up at a moments notice. I wish I could just use whatever what available, but I even take my own hand soap.
I didn’t think about the packing cubes fitting to their own brand; I will look more closely at that with the Quince. For mostly car travel, I think I would be fine with the Quince.
A couple of ideas - if you need to write on bottles, put clear tape on the bottle and then use a market to write on the tape. You can put another piece of tape over the writing too
I have compressions cubes from REI. They really do save space.
I also have Eagle Creek packing cubes that have lasted forever.
The no-name ones we got for Christmas didn’t last so long, but I’m sure others might.
REI has 2.5 oz reusable plastic containers that are easy to get stuff in and out of https://www.rei.com/product/131776/humangear-gotoob-medium-squeeze-bottles-25-fl-oz-package-of-3
In addition to my packing cubes, I have this from Eagle Creek, which I use for dresses and nice tops https://eaglecreek.com/products/pack-it-reveal-garment-folder-m?variant=44365058211977
More than anything, it’s packing less that’s key. And as difficult as it can be to figure out what to bring, it is very liberating to just have a few options. Pick a color palette, and make sure everything goes with everything else. I also think about what goes against my skin as outer and midlayers will get several wearings before needing to be washed. A t-shirt can be pajamas, then an underlayer, and even gym clothes.
DH is an overpacker because he wants unique items for lots of different eventualities rather than items that can be combined. A down sweater/jacket and a rain shell will cover most weather conditions in fall and spring. The chore coat isn’t necessary!
I always feel afterwards that I could have done a little better, but it’s usually just 1 or 2 things I packed for an occasion that didn’t arise. I too am happy to use most of what the hotel supplies in the way of amenities (except hair care!) and am also willing to pay for laundry at some point ot go to a local laundromat - always a fun culturalexperience! And yes, most things can be purchased abroad. If shopping might be part of the program, I’ll throw in a collapsible duffel that I can check on the way home.
I also may travel with items that are at the end of their lives so that I can throw them out to make room for acquisitions. On a recent trip, I tossed some sneakers whose soles were worn and starting to crack.
It’s a different mindset, but in a weird way, it can be a fun challenge.
My husband got me hooked on packing cubes. I actually use a medium size on inside my backpack (which fits under seat) - I put it inside a small/camper pillowcase. Sometimes I use it behind my back or to lean forward on table… stack of cube, coat, neck pillow if international.
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