Packing cubes- Rick Steves or Eagle Creek

I can't compare the RS Cubes with Eagle Creeks because I have only used the RS cubes.

I traveled to Europe for 2-1/2 months this past summer. I found that the RS cubes worked great to separate and organize things in my carry-on-sized suitcase.

I will say the RS cubes are nice and deep. The good thing is that the sides are soft, so if you don't want it to be that high, they squish down, but if you need the room, they expand to accommodate.

I separated my items as follows:

Large cube - T-shirts and tops.
Small cube 1 - underwear, bras, swimsuit, socks, etc.
Small cube 2 - misc. electronic items (camera, cords, computer cords, extra batteries, chargers, electric converter plugs, etc.)

The only things that were "loose" in my suitcase were pants and skirts and bigger items like a clothes steamer (as I was traveling for study, I needed it).

I hope this helps you decide. Maybe someone who has used the Eagle Creek cubes can review them and you can compare our two posts.

Good luck.

I have the Eagle Creek Cubes and the "old" RS cubes. I prefer the EC. The old RS cubes were very flimsy. I prefer that the EC cubes hold their shape but are soft enough to compress to pack into a loaded case.

I hear the new RS cubes are firmer. IT really is a personal preference.

Go to a local store that carries RS cubes--and I'm sure there are plenty in Dallas, and check them out for yourself.

Never tried the RS cubes. I did a RTW backpacking trip and used the following Eagle Creek Pack-It products: Double Cube, Half Cube, Tube, Folder, Medium & Small Sacs.

Because I was going to be gone for an entire year and was going to multiple climates (hot & cold), I brought slightly more than a weeks' worth of clothing and was able to fit/organize everything no problem (despite the cubes being 3" deep vs. RS 5"). I did have plenty of space left in the Eagle Creek cubes before I left and actually started using them to hold small souvenirs (as well as my clothing) I picked up in various countries. I also found the double sided cube was great for sorting dirty laundry from clean and I regularly toted all my dirty clothing to the laundromat in the EC cubes (which all have handles sewn on the side). EC products were well-made, helped keep me organized and the folder was great for keeping shirts wrinkle-free.

my fellow engineer... I have all three: both RS-new and Old and the ECs - i still pref the EC. As stated before - I just use three EC 1/2 cubes... I have a full cube but found it takes a lot more room. but if you dont over fill - it takes normal folded shirts just fine. I just found I take wrinkle free/resist. shirts and pants and fold in 1/2 again. But try it for yourself. I just love the 1/2 cubes. You can have diff color for diff use too if you like (or just stick to one for the Mrs and one color for you). Id buy min 2x 1/2s and 1x full per person- cheap enough to try so go for it. They last.

I have the new RS and the EC. I think I like hte EC better. They just seem to work better in the luggage and are easer to "squish" into places!

Please help me understand the Packing cubes. I understand you put clothes in them to save space. But after I wear something, I don't want to put them back in the cube. So I need to put them in something else. So then I will have a half empty cube and a container for dirty clothes. How does that save space. Am I missing something here>

I've used the EC ones for years and love them. I saw the RS ones in the store and they seemed a little too floppy and "loose." I like the EC ones because they compress the clothes a bit - saves some space. And they're very sturdy and fit well in various nooks & crannies.

When you're traveling light you wear things more than once. I have a separate cube that's for dirty laundry. It helps me keep organized and I know what needs rinsing out.

Sun & Ski Sports in Grapevine Mills Mall sell RS luggage products. You may want to give them a call and see if they carry both the RS cubes and the EC cubes. 972-355-9424

Oh dear. I was at Grapevine mall and didn't know they had a store selling RS stuff. What a bummer!

I am trying to figure out the logic of these cubes though. Isn't that extras in your bag?

Eli, the weight of the cubes and folders is very minimal. As most stated, cubes are helpful for staying organized and minimizing wrinkling of your clothes. I had a backpack and used the cubes and a folder. It helped because I could (for instance) pull out the one cube that I knew held my pajamas without having to root through my entire backpack trying to find them (I buy cubes in different colors so I can easily figure out which cube holds what). I also used a double sided cube to separate my clean clothing from dirty clothing until it could be washed.

Thank you, Ceidleh; you've provided the best explanation, for me at least, about what 'cubes' are all about and how best to use them. Lots of miles on my passports over the years, never used the cubes, but your plan makes sense (sort of). Still not sure about a 'vented' cube containing dirty laundry -does the odour (or whatever) not migrate? What about sticking rolled socks/underwear in 'the corners' to save space? That plan always worked for me without cubes, even when travelling with suits and ties.

Geoff: Do what works for YOU - I've used cubes on some trips and haven't bothered with them on others. It's called 'personal' preference for a reason.

As for your question about socks - there is no rule set in stone that you can't stick socks where ever you want. So corners of your suitcase, fine...inside your shoes, fine...inside one of those tube-shaped cubes dedicated for the packing of socks, fine.

As for your question about dirty clothing odor "migrating" from a cube...unless I've been on the Milford Track in New Zealand hiking for 4 days to remote huts that have limited hot water, I don't tend to work up a stink visiting the Louvre or Buckingham Palace (I'm American, therefore I'm fanatical about wasting tons of hot water by showering every morning and using deodorant). If I did stink after my jaunt through the Louvre, I'm pretty sure I can find plenty of hot water to wash myself and my clothes - so I can't adequately answer your question about smells migrating.

www.campmor.com sent out the new catalog yesterday and they have very good prices on their Eagle Creek packing cubes. Best wishes

The cubes help with organizing your bag more then anything. Instead of piles/stacks/bundles of clothes you can load the cubes, then just place 3 to 5 cubes in your bag like dominos, and your done. They can help reduce wrinkles, and can give some support/shape to soft sided bags. They also help at TSA inspections, because the inspectors don't dig through clothes and leave you with messy stacks to clean up or live with the wrinkles!

Eli: I don't think anyone NEEDS cubes. But I like them because they keep my clothes organized, even if I'm just traveling to one place with access to laundry facilities. It also makes the unpacking process much easier.

I've used the EC cubes for a number of trips, and I like them because they keep things organized and separate, so I don't feel like I'm digging through a grab-bag of wrinkled/tangled clothes.

I use the EC bags as well, for organizing non-clothing items. One of the EC cubes/bags I bought was specially made for laundry, so the odors/moisture won't permeate your backpack/suitcase. Another is made for holding sandals/shoes.

I got a free set of the RS cubes with a recent order of the RS backpack & other goodies (a special offer deal). I'm looking forward to trying them someday soon...

Do the Eagle Creek Pack-It folders fit inside the new RS Convertible bag? If so, which one fits better, the 15, the 18, or the 20? Thanks.

I have both and use both. I really like my EC red double sided one. I may buy another one. I haven't used the Pack It board. I finally broke down and bought one on sale a few months ago. I never understood the concept as I think I know how to fold clothes but hey I'm going to try it later this month. I think it fits into my RS 21 inch. The smaller RS ones are great for underwear,sox small items and tees. I love having different color cubes. I take a separate large ziplock bag for dirty clothes.

If you haven't used packing cubes, they are great for keeping your suitcase organized. I won't leave home without them.

The 15 & 18 will fit. The 20 will be tight (it was meant for a full sized suitcase and a lot of garments.)

I have the 15 and used it. However, I've since switched to the packing cubes and prefer them. I just got an Eagle Creek Double Cube which is about the same size as the 18" folder.

Edit...I use an EC double cube, an EC tube cube, An ec cube and an ec 1/2 cube. All of these, along with my EC koala toiletry kit, fit easily in my carry on and leave me room for by daybag as well. All of the cubes combined are about the same weight as the 15" packing folder.

I started using cubes right after the return trip where the luggage inspectors scattered all my dirty underwear from one end of the table to the other. They squeeze the cubes a little, or once in a while they'll unzip one of them, but I've not had a replay of that experience again.

Has anyone specifically used the packing cubes in internal frame backpacks? If so, what size/type of packing cubes do you prefer? I am looking at buying the Eagle Creek 3 piece set off of Amazon which gives a variety. I just didn't know how many of you used the cubes in luggage vs. internal frame backpacks.

I am getting ready to purchase and a little overwhelmed with all the choices!

Thanks

Jill...you might also want to ask this question at Lonely Planet's Tree Top Forum. You'll probably get more backpackers there.

Frank,

Will the Pack-It 15 fit with cubes in the RS bag?

The 15" folder and the regular cube will fit but only by one on top of the other. That will leave room for smaller cubes as well.

^^^Ok, thanks.

Skip - I like the cubes from ebags.com. They're equivilent to both RS & EC and were cheaper.