Shout out and thank you to all the packing cube posts!

I agree, packing cubes really helps you organize your clothes and makes it easy to pack and unpack as you travel. Also try the Eagle Creek Pack-it Folder for shirts and pants, it keeps my clothes from getting wrinkled in transit.

Excellent! Yes, there is definitely a learning curve to packing cubes and each kind has it's own set of parameters as to what works best.

This is when "recreational packing sessions" are helpful, lol!!!!

PS: Editing to add...I am sure you enjoyed the sunshine, warm temps and blue skies of South Florida!

I just "unpacked" my suitcase full of packing cubes for a 2.5 week stay. Two minutes later, I thought "wow, that was easy." So I agree with you!

Great job, Mardee! And good idea to try out different types of cubes to see what works best for you.

I just returned from a 16-day trip to Hawaii and love using packing cubes because it makes everything so predictable. Once you have your packing system decided, it’s so quick to pack: dresses & long pants are always in my large RS cube, shirts & capri in the lime Eagle Creek shoe bag, underwear & nightie are in the medium RS cube, and an extra pair of shoes are in the white Eagle Creek shoe bag. Swimming suit is in the bottom section of my suitcase. Ready to go! : )

Donald, I will check out the Eagle Creek folders - I will probably wind up buying more stuff now that I have the same obsession that I do with buying bags. 😊

Pam, I did not want to come back - seriously! Especially to -10 degree weather in Duluth! 🥶

CWsocial, I know! It's heaven! I was complaining a bit to myself when I packed up to head home because the packing took longer, but I got everything unpacked and put away in less than half the time it used to take me (and the suitcase usually sat around for a few days because I didn't want to deal with unpacking).

Jean, that's a good idea about assigning certain articles of clothing to certain cubes. I'll try that on my Ohio trip next month.

Mardee, Great to hear that you had success with your packing cubes. I too, use RS packing cubes. I have a Travelpro 2 wheel. Another plus with Travelpro is the outer 2 pocket zippered area. At my 1st packing class years ago at RS Travel Center I got my best tip. The instructor suggested packing lingerie, satin pj’s. or any lightweight item in a gallon ziplock bag, remove the air and it lies flat. I have done this for both domestic & international flights.

Mardee,
Cubes are certainly addictive. I also like the RS packable duffel - the small cylinder one that folds up into a pouch. I put my dirty laundry in it. Even when full, it still fits in my carry on suitcase or backpack. I use specific cubes for particular items as well. Some cubes work well for snacks or miscellaneous items like travel guides and brochures.

“Pam, I did not want to come back - seriously! Especially to -10 degree weather in Duluth! 🥶”

Holy cow…recently went to Hawaii to get out of the gray and chill BUT we did not come back to temps that cold!!

I’ve been using the RS packing cubes for about 16 years. I love them. I put pants and anything larger in the large one, a small one for tops and a small one for underclothes. I have a larger a Eagle Creek cube that slides perfectly into an EC tote bag I sometimes use for a short domestic trip, like a long weekend. While I like the cube for that purpose it is heavier than the RS cubes and not as flexible. I don’t travel anywhere without packing cubes. When I reach my destination the cubes stay in my suitcase, or are put in drawers or on a shelf. That’s the extent of my unpacking. The clothes stay in the cubes.

Also try the Eagle Creek Pack-it Folder for shirts and pants, it keeps my clothes from getting wrinkled in transit.

Folders are great and I traveled for decades with four or five. But with cubes, I just didn't use as many, so have given most away to happy recipients. My Eddie Bauer travel blazer still lives in a large folder; keeps the blazer as wrinkle-free as practical and takes up little room in the bottom of the Bihn Aeronaut45.

So many great ideas here! I will definitely try the folders. And bogiesan, I love Tom Bihn bags! I buy the smaller ones since it's harder for me to use a backpack as I get older, but love his products.

Mardee,
Add a valet tray from Tom Bihn and you got it! There’s also RedOxx trays and Mountainsmith dog food bowl that can double as a tray.

Great suggestion, Sun-Baked! I am going to get out my fabric and sewing machine and make my own travel tray.

I recently purchased a set of Compass Rose packing cubes. I like that they are all the same size and are designed to fit in our carry-ons. I failed to order a second set before they went out of stock, though:(

Mardee, we live about 75 northwest of you on Highway 2 and are happy to see another poster from northeast Minnesota.

MNAnnie, I really like those Compass Rose packing cubes. For a while she said she was going to stop selling them (Travel Fashion Girl) but I'd seen them on Amazon after that. Not sure what will happen since Amazon is sold out. She doesn't indicate anything on her website.

There are some eBags Slim Packing Cubes that are similar but an inch longer.

https://www.ebags.com/accessories/packing-cubes/classic-slim-3pc-packing-cubes/117748XXXX.html?dwvar_117748XXXX_color=Aquamarine&cgidmaster=accessories

The packing cubes like this do take some fiddling to figure out the best way to load your clothing but once you figure it out I love the way they fit in the suitcase like books in a shelf.

Thanks, Pam, I might need to order two sets of those bags!

Fashion Travel Girl responded to a post on her FB page about the Compass Rose bags being out of stock, but she thought Amazon would have more by late spring.

The top handle on my husband's Ravenna rolling bag broke off on our last trip to YS in September. One of the screws missed the hole completely when it was attached, but Rick Steve's was quick to send a new bag! The old bag still has the side handle, so I am taking over that bag. It's a little smaller than my usual bag, so I need to be smart about packing.

Well, I wish TFG had hers in Aqua!!!

Sunbaked, I ordered TM's travel tray about a month ago and took it with me to Florida - I love it!

mnannie, wow, nice to meet another person from north MN! This is my first winter in Duluth and I'm ready for spring! And I just realized you and Pam are talking about Fashion Travel Girl - I found out about her from a friend of mine who idolizes her! She's the one whose videos I watched so I could see how to pack the cubes!

And Pam, I agree with you about aqua - it's my favorite color. I ordered these eBag cubes in aqua on Amazon since I couldn't get the Compass Rose, but will probably buy those once they are back in stock.

The Ebags slim cubes are great. I’ve used them for travel guides and brochures: socks and undies: swimsuit combined with flip flops (very flat) and a swimsuit body cover: snacks. The cubes slide vertically into the space between the suitcase wall and another larger packing cube. They can also help in a backpack space. I always try to get bright colors, so that they are easy to see and don’t get left behind. Wish Ebags still made tangerine orange and yellow.

Jeepers, Sun, I turn away for a couple of weeks, come back, and you are Still talking about the Tom Bihn Tray!!!!😄 are you sure you are not commission based?

Ha! I do the same thing - I made my first order from Tom Bihn 12 years ago and have been buying from him ever since.

And Sunbaked, that's why I got the polka-dot aqua - I figured they're hard to miss. I wish the RS cubes were a different color than black.