Packing Cube Showdown | Find the Best Packing Cubes for Your Needs! 👚 ✈️

[@NoraDunn]

🧳 Save luggage space and fees with this FREE Travel Gear and Packing List CHEAT SHEET! bit.ly/3AFfiTq Includes special discount codes up to 25% off the things you need. 👉🏻 PACKING CUBES I DEMONSTRATED: Peak Design - peak-design.pxf.io/DKLBma Well Traveled - amzn.to/3pMQhmj Knack Bags - knack-bags.pxf.io/jrrWZ5 Compass Rose - amzn.to/3IfGBa9 Standard Luggage (hanging travel dresser) - bit.ly/3rM6klA

[@gtdmouse]

When buying packing cubes, one of the most important things to look for is the dimensions of the cube that will go best with your luggage and not waste space. I've found that the Peak design ones are the most versatile size to go with all the luggage I have and not have weird extra spaces left over and unused. This includes a large suitcase, a Minaal travel backpack, and a couple Peak Design bags, which these cubes are made to fit with perfectly. With the other brands I looked at online, you usually have to buy a set with a bunch of sizes that you don't need to get the size you want. That just ends up being wasteful, especially when you're trying to pack a suitcase. With the PD ones, you can buy them one at a time. I bought packing cubes a while ago, and for me, the peak design ones are the best by far. Yes, they are more expensive, but totally worth it for the build quality and the features. You'll be less likely to have to replace one later on due to a zipper breaking or something like that. They've got good compression, and the tear away opening feature is far more satisfying than you would think until you use it.

[@NoraDunn]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Peak Design cubes! Their cubes are differently sized from many/most other packing cubes out there. I also find they're larger than most others, which may or may not work well for some people. Great point about making sure the cube fits the bag/case well.

[@carolinacadabra8278]

I roll inside the packing cubes. It prevents wrinkles and makes it easier to see what you have in there. Unlike you, I always use the same packing cubes with the same organization for every trip, although my trips all tend to be of similar length. Totally agree that cubes are invaluable when they pull out your bag for examination.

[@NoraDunn]

+1 for rolling inside packing cubes! :-)

[@kathryncashner3294]

I bought compression cubes for my next trip....and your trick of turning them on their side made a HUGE difference in my packing strategy. It opened a HUGE space so I don't need to put shoes in my carry on!!!!

[@NoraDunn]

Wow!! Thank you so much for sharing, Kathryn! I'm thrilled that tip helped. I remember when I starting doing it myself....it made a difference.

[@elyseb674]

Compass Rose was the first set of PC I bought, 3 years ago. Besides being a woman owned business, they have YKK zippers, and do the job very well. Compass Rose now has larger PC in their collection.

[@NoraDunn]

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

[@HabaneroTi]

For the past few years I've visited and stayed with relatives abroad for an extended period, anywhere from one to two months. There was no spare storage space for my things so I basically lived out of my suitcase and carry-on, and it was quite frustrating keeping things organized and not getting all mixed up in these big messy piles of clothes, cables, devices and whatnot. Whenever I needed something I had to dig through these piles to find it, and reorganizing things was pointless because it would all get messed up again in no time. And when you travel staying organized is a challenge, of course. So on my most recent trip I decided to get a set of packing cubes, a cheap, non-compressing one I got for around $20 on Amazon, to organize my things. E.g. underwear in one cube, socks in another, shirts in another, and so on. It also came with a really nice hanging toiletry case with lots of zipped pockets that I found really useful. It made keeping things separate and organized SO much easier, it was just night and day. I still rolled things up as it made access and selection easier, but no more piles of everything thrown together. Whatever I needed, I knew where it was and could get it. It wasn't quite as good as a steamer case that doubles as a chest of drawers, but it was also a lot cheaper and lighter. I'm sure that it's not the best solution for some situations, but for staying in a given destination where you don't have storage there, it's about as good as I could expect. The only way to improve on it that I can think of is suitcases with multiple zipped compartments that serve the same function as cubes, but I don't feel like splurging on a new set of luggage right now as I don't travel that often. I wonder if anyone makes suitcase and carrry-on sized inserts that effectively turn your luggage into such things. But cubes are working for me and I'm glad I got them.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks for sharing! Indeed, the organizational capacity of packing cubes is significant. I believe Solgaard makes a hard-shell suitcase that has a packable shelf system that looks pretty cool; they call it a "carry on closet". Not sure how well it works in practice, but it looks like it might serve your needs!

[@HabaneroTi]

@@NoraDunn Thanks Nora, I'll look into it. To pack is human, to organize is divine!

[@NoraDunn]

@@HabaneroTi OMG That's such a great way of putting it! I may need to use that ;-)

[@tarahpi7821]

This has to be the absolute BEST video I’ve ever seen on packing cubes! So thorough yet concise and chock full of excellent information. This really answered every question I had going into my first purchase. Thank you BIGLY for a great video! 🥰✈️

[@NoraDunn]

Wow - thank you so much! You made my day.

[@kauaiboy5o]

I use packing cubes so that if my bag is inspected, my stuff won't be all over the place and lose stuff. I aso use them for my electronics and miscleneous items. I like the transparent Eagle Creek and Peak Design that goes into my Peak Design travel backpack

[@NoraDunn]

Nice! I also like having my things well organized in case my bag gets inspected.

[@crrizello5157]

Me too. I have had to quickly remove items and it was a breeze to get what I needed with packing cubes

[@NoraDunn]

@@crrizello5157 Exactly!

[@barryhaley7430]

Most of our recent travels have been cruise ships or river cruises. That means that I arrive and unpack into provided storage. So just unpack once. So folding and rolling works well in carryon. But if traveling where you change locations every day or two I’m guessing packing cubes would allow better organization. Love your videos by the way.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks Barry! Indeed packing cubes are really useful for organization, especially in larger luggage!

[@aminor7476]

I love my compression packing cubes! Thank you for great information!

[@NoraDunn]

Me too! And you're welcome :-)

[@FHunt-mt4bf]

Does compression packing cubes cause more weight than regular ones?

[@BetsyDudash]

I really like the Thule compression cubes. Two mediums fit perfectly in one side of my carry-on suitcase, then I use one small on the other side and one in my personal item bag.

[@NoraDunn]

I've not heard of Thule! I'll check them out.

[@comboga]

I roll for space. If your clothes are wrinkle and you don't have a clothes iron in the hotel room. Hang them up on a towel rack in the bathroom and turn on the shower on hot for 15 minutes or till the steam unwrinkles the clothes. It works great.

[@NoraDunn]

Great tip!

[@TheCocotennis]

Most hotels and airbnbs provide irons. 15 min of hot water running is pretty wasteful! Downy Wrinkle Release spray works great, too!

[@NoraDunn]

@@TheCocotennis I agree! I'll only do the shower steam trick if there's no other option.

[@leslie-annepepin8927]

Love packing cubes. We have about 7 sets, different colours and not expensive. They are GREAT for camping, especially in a camper van.

[@NoraDunn]

Ooh - yes, camping! Another great application.

[@mattlawrence7130]

I have 3x of the original Nomatic packing cubes as well as 2x shirt organizers. The compression cubes are double sided, so it is easy to organize socks on one side with tshirts on the other. They fit well in the TravelPro rolling duffle. I pack my jeans separately, because they are bulky and fold irregularly. I pack gym shorts, swim suits & towels around the edges of the cubes. Weight can be an issue, it's easy to go over the 50 lb limit, even with the smaller of the rolling duffle bags.I think it is important to know what size your clothes fold up into. I'm 6'2 & 200 lbs (188cm & 95kg) and tend to wear clothes made out of heavier fabrics. I'm still figuring out the best way to pack toiletries & vitamins/supplements.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks for sharing, Matt! For toiletries I'm all about solid options (which I talk about here kzbin.info/www/bejne/g17UY4KBhdZsj5Ysi=geZUjMo06KfadzDw ) and for supplements, I tend to decant them into a ziploc bag and I put the label from the bottle inside the bag. (I'm pretty sure I discuss that in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6jSZ5KfbZmkeassi=Vgw3i0zHyiGsZNKB ) Although some people say it's important to keep supplements in their original bottle, I've never had trouble. Prescription medications, yes, I'll keep those in the original bottle.

[@cindyk3076]

Great information, Nora, thank you! You have given me things to think about that I hadn't considered previously!

[@NoraDunn]

Awesome - thanks Cindy!

[@MiaHessMusic]

Thanks, Nora, love your channel!

[@NoraDunn]

You are so welcome, Mia!

[@julieanncheshire9960]

I find that I have to be careful with compression packing cubes because I can pack so efficiently that I end up with a 60-pound carry on bag. I have been able to get away with this so far, but it's not great at the destination unless you are going to one place and staying at the same lodging the whole time. For my next trip, I am trying a new suitcase that has built-in compression features, along with non-compression cubes for organization. I love the idea of cubes that can be labelled! For now, I am using homemade labels--sharpie on masking tape--to keep things under control. So far my favorite packing cubes are cheap ones from a brand called Alameda that I got on Amazon. I use these in everyday life to bag outfits in my gym bag--I go directly to the pool from work and need a top, sports bra and yoga pants to change into for the trip home--packing cubes separate these out well from all of the other items in my gym bag, then I can fill them with my work clothes so that those make it back to my laundry at home rather than lingering in the bottom of my gym bag.

[@NoraDunn]

I love that you use packing cubes in everyday life too! Great idea.

[@cs4849]

I may someday invest in packing cubes because I like the idea of them but for my next trip I was busy investing in merino wool clothing instead! So my plan is to use different sizes of Ziploc bags (I found some 2.5 gallon ones) as packing cubes. Lightweight, see-through, and they’ll keep my stuff organized.

[@NoraDunn]

Step by step! The merino additions will serve you better overall I think, and you can get by with Ziploc bags quite well.

[@lauraezell7723]

I've used ziplock bags (those 2.5 gallon ones) for years as they're cheap and you can see through them. I"d always leave them slightly unzipped to squeeze out the air when packing. That said, I found them to be slippery in my suitcase so I've gradually been acquiring mesh pouches and squishable lightweight cubes from good ol' TJMaxx because organization of my suitcase puts my mind at rest while on the trip. I'm a geek that way.

[@cs4849]

@@lauraezell7723 I’m going to have to check at TJMaxx now!

[@CGC1954]

Being able to see what’s in the packing cube without unzipping I like ones with mesh on at least part of the top

[@NoraDunn]

I do too.

[@stephanier9820]

I use packing cubes for any trip. I have tripped brand that compress but Don't always compress them. I don't travel often but more road trips than flying, flew once. Eventually I might get a decent suitcase but unsure

[@NoraDunn]

Nice! I'm currently testing out Tripped Travel Gear's packing cubes and I like them so far!

[@JA-tw8pv]

Another great video ! Thanks.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks for watching!

[@barbhayes5613]

I like packing cubes, but haven't (yet) invested in compression cubes, which I will for my next trip. Thanks for the rundown! (I only counted FOUR uses of 'negligible' which would have probably gone unnoticed had you not pointed it out.)

[@NoraDunn]

LOL! Maybe I just noticed it in editing while watching the video over and over again that I thought I said it more. ;-)

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

I think the security that packing cubes bring to the game. If your stuff is in PC it’s harder to steal

[@NoraDunn]

True!

[@cafeapaka7501]

Isn’t that a medium Peak Design Packing Cube? The rectangular Peak Design Packing Cube is called the small- two small peak design packing cubes equate to one medium peak design packing cube. I have not seen any real “Waterproof Packing Cubes” other than Vacuum Pack Plastic Bags for clothes and Zip Lock Bags - waterproof Packing cubes may be redundant especially if you place them in a Water Resistant Luggage or a Water Resistant Backpack. There few real waterproof luggage- especially ones with zippers as it is difficult to keep water from passing through zipper joints.

[@NoraDunn]

I think the material needed to make packing cubes waterproof would be prohibitive (in terms of weight, bulk, and cost). Water-resistant would be the most I would shoot for; like you say, if you're packing them into a water-resistant/proof case, you're good.

[@WhatsBliss]

Even if I'm not using packing cubes for all my clothes, I always use packing cubes for the smallest items like socks and underwear. Loose clothing in my luggage invariably becomes disorganized and digging around for a clean pair of socks is just annoying.

[@NoraDunn]

Totally!

[@pandarush.]

Do you use insurance for the electronics and cameras and phone? In case they get stolen.

[@NoraDunn]

Great question! I used to have property insurance, but eventually I decided the annual premiums were enough that they would pay for the stuff I was insuring within 8-10 years, so instead I decided to take good care of my stuff and "self-insure" if it got stolen. That said, some premium credit cards have special insurance for items that you buy on the card. Also, some travel insurance policies have baggage lost/theft protection.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

Nora: do we have to add packing cubes to our rucksack and flashlight disorders? You know you can tell me… And yes I have several too… :)

[@NoraDunn]

😂 I've had a packing cube affliction for quite some time now...hence this video. There aren't even all the packing cubes I own! I have more...... 🫣

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

@@NoraDunn I just treat it as an extension to my stuff sack compulsion…

[@BROWNBROWS]

The only who didn’t mention Tripped during this timeframe lol

[@NoraDunn]

I know, right?! I JUST got my hands on Tripped Travel Gear's packing cubes and toiletry kit, and....well....stay tuned. I loved their stuff enough that I asked them to sponsor an upcoming video 😂

[@MariaDeLuzSaldivar]

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[@NoraDunn]

😁