I too use cubes for undies, socks, swimwear, and exercise clothes. I do not like the idea of TSA pawing over my undergarments if they have to check the contents of the bag (happens even to TSA pre people once in a blue moon).
How badly are the clothes wrinkled with rolling tightly? Of course, I know it depends on the material. I will be traveling in late summer, so my clothes will be all different, some cotton, some rayon, etc. Just curious. I’m thinking of taking some of that wrinkle release spray, has anyone used that? I do think I’ll take a small cube for the small things. My RS bag weighs 6.2 lbs, and will expand 2 inches. I will most likely be expanding that on my way home with new things and just check it. This will be so different packing like this. I’m used to taking whatever I want…not limiting myself to one, maybe two necklaces, etc.
The wrinkle release spray works pretty well, as long as you aren’t rolling 100% cotton (or linen, which wrinkles for me if I even look at it), and you’re willing to overlook the occasional imperfection.
Hmmmm…side business…efficient suitcase packing for travelers. Customer lays out the things they want to take on a trip and the person hired enters and rolls, tucks, uses all nooks and crannies and weighs the suitcase out to meet weight limitations. Think anyone would pay for that service??? I’d even pop a wrapped, unmeltable mint on top for an extra touch. 
Nah … I’ve stayed at super fancy hotels with “butler” services that included packing and I never used it. I don’t like people touching my stuff. Actually I did use if once. They stuffed everything with tissue paper. No rolling. (That was in my old life. I don’t have access to that kind of thing any more.)
I use cubes or even just ziplock bags to keep my meds & toiletries sorted, but that’s for traveling by car where I kept my myriad supplements in their original containers. If I am flying, I take less. I always roll, because for me it is much easier than folding. Wheeled bags are easier to use than a backpack. I have an Eagle Creek 22" bag that is light enough to carry by the handle when I am staying where I can’t roll it. ( on gravel/snowy/muddy surfaces)
I use my daypack as well, because I only go where there is recreation involved, and stuff a small handbag or tote into it to use when I arrive. If I don’t need books/ papers until I get there, I put them in the outside pocket of my wheeled bag.
I also will wear my bulkiest shoes. So if I need tall or hiking boots, I wear them onto the plane. The slight hassle of having to take them off if necessary at the airport, is offset by having less weight/ more room in my luggage.
( I also reassure myself that if there is a crash and I have to step over broken metal, my feet will be more protected than if I was wearing flip flops, like Ive seen on other passengers)
“The wrinkle release spray works pretty well, as long as you aren’t rolling 100% cotton (or linen, which wrinkles for me if I even look at it),”
This method might not be a good solution for people who already have enough liquids in their allowed ziplock baggie with liquids.
The hotel shower trick is a good alternative to packing a de-wrinkle spray: put your items on hangers and hang them in the bathroom after taking a hot shower. The steam in the air will remove minor wrinkles. This works best for knits.
I have excellent luck with wrinkle prevention using the dry cleaning bag roiling packing technique. For dressier clothes or “important” outfits, rolling more loosely and positioning the roll in the least likely to be crushed part of the packed suitcase, works very well. I have also ironed items extra prone to wrinkle with a light spray starch before rolling. Linen will always be linen, yet the starch can help. If the collar looks neat, the whole shirt is more passable.
I think the wrinkle spray can work somewhat, yet prefer the hot shower refresher over it for items that are delicate. Worry it could damage or discolor the fabric.
Enjoying all the tips. Agree about the weight of the empty bag as a few pounds make a big difference. I have bags across a variety of styles and price points. Anything that is checked has a limited time of looking good; the carry ons suffer less abuse. Therefore, I am more likely to spend on a lightweight, durable carryon and view checked bags as items that would be replaced more frequently. Often find them at TJMaxx, like others here.
Just came from a luggage store: deciding between a cheaper Travelpro and a Briggs and Riley; also going to give them my old Hartmann Tweed to see if they can repair it.
FWIW, I once bought a Travelpro cabin-sized briefcase roller for Mr. as a gift - at Macy’s. During his first trip, Mr. had to get a piece of string to tie it together because the zipper came apart while Mr. was removing his laptop to go through the TSA checkpoint. It was rather an embarrassing situation, and Mr. almost missed his flight. Travelrpo? Never again. We have a large-ish B&R and love it. I took the unfortunate Travelpro back to Macy’s.
Ten years ago I got Mr. a Tumi Tech 21" roller and a matching messenger bag. That roller flew more than 300,000 miles, mostly short trips, both checked in and not, and the messenger bag just started to fall apart - after 10 years of daily use. I’m looking online for a replacement, and I have fears that the newer stuff might not be as durable as the good old stuff.
Question for you rollers…do you fold lengthwise and then roll or just roll the width of each item?
I spent a lot on luggage in the past when I traveled (business) much more. I’m talking 15 years ago or so. I had an expensive Andiamo which back then could be carry on (probably too big by today’s rules) or checked. It lasted about 13 years. I also had a nice Tumi that held up really well until it was just too beat up. Just as we were going to ditch it the accident with Southwest running over it with the baggage truck happened. The new Tumi seems a lot smaller, but is nice. It is a spinner.
For bags that do not squish easily, you may want to measure or compare the bags’ exterior sizes, including any handles, wheels, etc. that stick out. Sometimes, the extra cm that something sticks out may prevent the overhead bin door from closing, forcing you to try different orientations (wheels up/down in/out) or gate check the bag. If your old bag does not have this problem, then compare the potential new bags to the old bag for size.
Of course, weight of the empty bag may be an issue if you fly on airlines with small weight limits.
I mentioned my need for a new carryon to a friend and she referred me to a luggage store where the guy had a huge selection and was super helpful. I came away even more convinced I don’t like spinners OR hard shell.
Kajon - I fold the item as if I were packing it flat, then start to roll. In other words, each item ends up quite small. I then use the space at the back, in between where the “ribs” of the handle protrude into the back of the suitcase, to lay down a few things. But I wear business casual or casual - casual, including a lot of tees, sweaters, etc. this wouldn’t work as well if I were wearing dress blouses or business suits.
This is a great price for the Tumi I mentioned up the thread:
GMTspouse surprised me w that particular Tumi rolling bag. It’s super lightweight, but offers no squish protection. When I ungraciously groused about the gift, GMTspouse challenged me on whether I truly need the squish protection.
Dear spouse also got me the matching tote bag that you can loop over the rollaboard’s handle. It’s an attractive tote and is more useful than a Longchamps tote. But I’m a creature of habit, accustomed to all the compartments in my ugly black computer backpack.
I still haven’t decided if I like or hate the Tumi set. But I grant you that it’s ultra-lightweight.
I have 2 of these bags, GMT! One is a snake print… so what… it was on sale at TJ. I agree that they are not the best when half-full. But I stuff mine to the gills, and it works just fine. It fits more stuff than a structured bag would. I also have the tote in pretty burgundy color. It is so light that I can stuff my smaller tote inside and play luggage matryoshkas without killing my back. Then I can check my suitcase with my Napa “souvenirs” (in the abovementioned softsided suitcase; so far, Menzies handled it gently enough for the vino to survive). I wrap the bottles in dirty laundry and a fedex box, LOL.
I still can’t get over the fact that Tumi killed Mr.'s favorite T-Tech line. He is a creature of habit, too… So what do I get him to replace the old messenger he carries daily?! Heeelllppp…
I stuff mine to the gills, also, but I’m worried about the zipper strength.
I have on occasion stuffed a Napa “souvenir” in my structured rollaboard and checked it. But I’m not so confident about putting a bottle in this unstructured bag, and we can’t pass a carry-on bottle of wine past security any more.
Oh dear, I just realized my luggage criteria is now being driven by merlot.
There are some videos on how to roll on YouTube. A couple of ehow ones that were good.