I LOVE my packing cubes. Like a poster upthread everyone in my family has a different color or pattern. When we take multiweek trips where we check bags we mix cubes in different luggage. We typically travel carry on only and the cubes help with compression and maximizing space. My college student loves hers as well and people that she travels with for her EC have commented about them. I can’t imagine traveling without them now that we have them. We purchased from eBags with coupons. Prior we used ziplock bags.
I used to roll clothes for packing but now I fold them Marie Kondo style so my suitcase looks like a file and I can find or pull anything out without disturbing the rest. I use packing cubes in a tote bag.
I love my packing cubes. I roll inside the cubes. I use a small one for undies and socks. A slightly larger one for pajama. I put exercise and swim wear in another. I also like that when m doing a trip that is two different types of clothing requirements I can separate them out. I do as the trip goes on consolidate and put the dirty clothes in one of the larger cubes. My H will use them on occasion but he likes to just use stuff sacks that he uses for camping. Prior to the cubes I used ziplock bags.
My D and DIL love the packing cubes I got them. I like the eBag brand. The newer styles are a lighter more pliable fabric.
I used compression packing cubes for a 11 day trip overseas and for everything in a small carry on! I could not believe it! I have both Lewis N Clark and Eagle Creek. The Lewis n Clark are a little bigger. I couldn’t believe how much I fit. Discussed this elsewhere on cc at the time (a few mid ago). I’ll be packing tonight for a 5 day trip and will use them again. Highly recommend!
I use cubes (got Eagle Creek brand) mainly to keep my things organized. They help me keep my categories easily located and not strewn all over the suitcase, as I tend to live out of the suitcase and never really unpack.
I do NOT put dirty items in my cubes – prefer to spare myself having to wash the cubes.
Dirty/needs laundering items go in a plastic bag, either hotel’s or one I keep inside my suitcase. If a short trip, I will re-wear items to save on laundry. If a longer trip, I will hand-wash items in the evening and let them dry overnight.
Works for me!
I’m now on the fence about them. I have NOT used nor consciously acquired them, but have some items that could be used as packing cubes. I have several upcoming trips where I will be staying at several different places. Will see if packing in cubes helps me stay better organized.
A friend lent me hers before an overseas trip this winter. I’m a convert.
In the hopes for future travel with carry-on only, I bought myself the very lightweight PRO packing cubes from Amazon.
If I will check a bag, I put one small cube with a change of clothes in my backpack, as insurance against lost luggage
I have been using them for about a year now. I have a few different sizes, but find the ebags medium to be most versatile. I LOVE them!! I found it easier to keep things organized and together as activity or use: pants, tops, dressy occasion stuff, exercise clothes and ‘stuff’, etc.
I can’t remember why I started. I think it may have been based on travel packing tips by airline attendants when I last went to Europe.
At the same time, I switched from my long-loved make-up/toiletry bag to a flat one by e-bags and really loved that change!! It is great for traveling! Takes up much less room and is even more handy than my original one.
I got an email saying the container store has a sale on travel related things, and I thought of this thread. May be worth checking out.
I looked up a few on Amazon - for some reason I was thinking they would be more clear in appearance so you could see what is inside - but they don’t seem to be (???) Anyone have a link the Ebags ones so many people have mentioned?
I’ll also have to check TJ Maxx. I like the idea of rolling into the bags and also the separation of certain items - like exercise clothes in one, socks and undies in another…
https://www.ebags.com There is mesh and you can see inside the packing cubes.
I recently splurged and got the Away carry-on and their matching set of packing cubes.
@raneck - we bought ds an Away carry-on and the other slide-on-the-handle bag for gradation. He already had packing cubes. I am eyeing Away for us if we ever upgrade our luggage. I hope you like it.
I like them. They keep stuff from getting all tangled and disorganized. They also allow me to get more in the carry-on suitcase - for most trips I use that and backpack (no checked luggage).
In the largest rectangular “cube”, I roll many shirts and arrage each across the short dimension. Often there is room on the top for another item. I put it in the lid zipper compartment. In the space a the end of the compartment, I tuck in my nightgown for quick access at the destinatinon. Then the main area of the carry-on has plenty of room for pants, cubes of undies and other stuff, shoes etc.
Confession - it’s hard to pack as compactly on the way home. For each Europe trip I’ve packed a shirt or two from the give-away pile and leave it at destination. That leaves more space for souvenirs 
Well, I took the plunge and ordered a 2-piece of Eagle Creek compression cubes from rakuten.com (formerly ebates). They were on sale + got an extra 6% rebate for using the site. It should be 3 day delivery so I’m hoping I love them—got notified that they’re on the way.
I am usually good about packing neatly and compactly on the way to the destination but get lazy and messy heading home as well.
I just used mine. The Lewis N Clark small and medium compression cubes are bigger and hold more than the Eagle Creek ones, but they should be fine. I put tops in the smaller one (Eaglecreek) and pants in the bigger one (Lewis N Clark) (or a combo of pants, bulkier tops).
@Hoggirl I got them just before memorial Day, so they have had one “test run” while I was at my sister’s for memorial Day / baby shower. The compression system is nice for those of us without the moral fortitude to roll all of our clothing 
. The battery is neat, but it’s not like I did not have like three battery bricks in my bookbag anyway.
The luggage is very well built. I did not get one of their add-on bags, since I already have one from swissgear.
I have experience with the ebags, Eagle Creek compression, and cheap ones from Amazon. I started using them in assigned colors when the kids were small so that I could keep our clothing differentiated.
The ones I reach for first are the ebags. They have the most utility for the price.In the largest size I like to put dresses and nice slacks and any other things that I want the least amount of folds. They have held up well for 20 years and I regularly give them for gifts.
The compression Eagle Creekbags work best with light and fluffy things like winter scarfs and hats, socks and underwear.
The generic one purchased on amazon do not have the same quality. The fabric is cheaper and thinner and the zippers are not as sturdy.
For dirty clothes I use a product that looks like an oversized ziplock bag. You fill it will clothes, not too full, seal it, and then roll the excess air out through a valve. This really shrinks the items down and gives me room for my souvenirs. Only caveat is that one needs to keep in mind weight limits because you can fit more into the suitcase.
I am coming back to this as I just helped both my dd17 and DS20 pack for two different destinations this week. Using the ebags long cubes DD packed heels and flats. In between the heels she was able to put socks and tights. The cube kept it all together. They each use a small bag for cords and chargers and another small for toiletries. Underwear and pjs in another. They mix and match the long thin ones and the small traditional like a Tetris game. Medium are great for rolling casual clothes and fitting in a lot. The large is perfect for dressier clothes; slacks, skirts, tops, dresses. I thought of this thread while I watched them pack. I can’t imagine traveling without now. It was mentioned upthread but we also take a small pack in our carry on when we are checking luggage with one change of clothes and essentials in the event that are luggage is lost or delayed.
Okay, you all have just about convinced me. Though, Idk how to figure out which ones I need! Gosh! There are sooooooooo many!
@“Snowball City” - can you link to the product for dirty clothes, please?