Has anyone tried the Pack-Mates? I see Rick Steves has them in his store. Just wondering how they work, is it worth it and do u need to iron clothes that were packed in them?
Thanks
Bev
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
I agree with Steve, Packmates(compression bags)are best for bulky items like sweaters and fleeces. Eagle Creek Pack-it folders are supposed to ease the amount of ironing necessary. Don't know first hand, we just use packing cubes and wrinkle resistant clothing.
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
If you are talking about the packing cubes that the RS store sells, I have a half dozen and use them whenever I travel. They are very handy - separating out underware, socks, pants, shirts, etc. and then being to grab the cube you want without having to dig thru all of your stuff, If someone mentioned that storing stuff in them may get wrinkled, I don't travel with anything that can't hang out of being folded up. I go to Europe every summer and live out of a RS 21" roller bag for about a month - no problems. This web site has a section on the Travel Store and on that page is a Packing video which might be helpful. Happy travels. charlie
Posted by
Franklin, TN, USA
15 posts
I have used the pack mates compression bags and they work great for saving space but remember, things weigh the same. I packed a winter coat for Alaska and it didn't wrinkle, but I don't know that it would have anyway.
The Eagle Creek envelops work great and things do not wrinkle but they add a lot of extra weight. I placed all the cubes, envelops and other organizer bags on my scales and they weighed 5 pounds!!
The Rick Steves packing cubes work well for organizing small things and don't weigh anything.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10607 posts
As others have mentioned, using the compression bags are good for bulky items. I personally would not use them to try to cram more things in my suitcase. I use packing cubes for organization. I'm always paranoid that the compression bag will spring a leak, and then I would be up a creek...
Posted by
Atlanta
1358 posts
I have compression bags and packing cubes. Love 'em both. I roll my clothes, can fit all of my clothes in my big cube and underwear and socks in the small one. I use the compression bag for my dirty clothes. So I take it over empty, then compress my dirty clothes so I have room for souvenirs. When my kids were in diapers, I'd put the diapers in the compression bag coming over.