[First, let me be clear--one needs to read the post from 2014 in order to get the whole picture. Go to the post: "Packing for Almost Everything..." or click here: http://nana-bs-super-travel-packing-tips.blogspot.com/2014/01/packing-for-almost-everything-cubes.html . Many details, including overall theory of using cubes and cube-size definitions are included in that post.]
This trip will require my full complement of suitcases/luggage ('cases'). This is as many cases as I use for 6 weeks or longer, and is the maximum amount of cases I would take for a trip of any length because it is all I can successfully negotiate on a trip with no assistance from anyone. Again, please see "Packing for Almost Everything..." for details on configurations for smaller trips--all of this packing-in-cubes data will still apply.
Total pieces to manage on this journey:
- Two 22-inch cases being checked (photos later in the post):
- American A/L
- TravelPro
- Eagle Creek Lync® 22-inch truly lightweight case as my carry on (in the overhead bin)
- The Eagle Creek Lync® bag also has backpack straps, but it would be too large a daypack for me so the straps will stay at home.
- It's wheels and extending handle also come off and the whole thing can be collapsed and stored in it's on smaller sack; I will leave the wheels on.
- Osprey 24-liter backpack ("personal item", contents under the seat in front, backpack in the overhead bin)
- It has the lightweight "frame" that has a mesh cover which holds it a bit away from your back and stay cooler. Thus it does not fit under the seat in front. See below where I described how this works with a tote inserted.
- TIP: NEVER buy a backpack online unless you have tried it on in person in a store and made certain it fits you properly!
- You are allowed ONLY two items on the plane, thus the need to get everything not in the case into the backpack until you are ON the plane.
- I have previously used smaller cases by IT for my carry on, and will likely do so again in the U.S., but for this trip, I needed a slightly bigger one.
- The Eagle Creek is made of more durable materials than the IT ones as well.
- Although the Eagle Creek is larger, I will not make it heavier, because I have trouble lifting and removing heavy cases from the overhead bins without fearing I will clonk the passenger in the seat below on the head!
- However, upon arrival--once we begin moving about every couple of days, I will pack my CPAP and sufficient clothing for those activities so I do not have to carry into lodgings all of my bags
- Unless for security I need to do so--then I will only have to roll them in, not unpack them all.
Many people travel with 24-inch, 26-, or larger cases. If I did that, I would overfill them and exceed the weight limitation (hazard of being a very efficient packer), AND I cannot lift a heavier case into the trunk of a car.
- In my American A/L 22-inch case, I can put the allowable weight maximum when it is fully expanded--that's ok on the flight home, but not moving about on the journey.
- My new lighter-weight TravelPro 22-inch case is unlikely to hold the maximum.
Cubes:
First, I organize my space with the cases on a bed and all cubes and mesh bags readily at hand.
I am using three categories for the regular-size Eagle Creek cubes: Bottoms, Tops, and Sleeping
Folding guidelines:
General--
- If you are taking some things you won't wear very frequently, put them on the bottom of the stack in the cube.
- If you have folded as described, you can "slide them out" without disturbing the rest of the stack.
- Another alternative for varied destination trips is this:
- For instance: if you know the mountains are going to be cold, but no other place is:
- Put all the mountain clothes in one cube and put the rest into other cubes, even if you have to mix categories.
- Then put the mountain cube on the bottom of the case where you can ignore it until it is needed.
- This same alternative can be used if you know one period is going to be all sight-seeing, or all on the beach, whereas another period will be hiking, etc.
- It's YOUR cube, your case, and your TRIP--do what works best for the way you live!
Cubes are often pictured with neat, or not so neat, rolls of clothing in a row. If you want amazing results (tidier clothes) and to fit more in the cube, do not do that!
- Mine do not look wrinkled or mussed (like rolling does).
- DESPITE what you have heard some well-known frequent travelers say, a recent side-by-side test by an independent group proved that they could get two more shirts into a cube when folding than they could when they were rolled. I could have told them this years ago! ☺
Trust me! You can fit more in more items if you fold your clothes as follows:
As you fold each "layer" of a garment, quickly run the flat of your hand right across (as though you were ironing) each fold.
- If you do not "compress as you go", no amount of compressing when you have them stacked up will be as effective as if you use this method.
- Yes, this takes a few more seconds for each garment, but pays handsome dividends when you want to stuff your luggage!
Fold shirts and tops like the dry cleaners or stores do--they will come out tidier and you will fit more in.
- By this I mean, don't fold a shirt "down the middle" and lay the sleeves over to one side.
- Make a fold each side of the center so that the finished item is about the width of your packing cube, remembering to compress after each fold.
- Then adjust the other folds so it fits snugly into the cube.
Fold pants in half, one leg over the other (except those with creases: for creased pants pleat the waist to the width of the trousers when creased).
- If the crotch area sticks wider than the cube, fold the excess over the leg.
- The closer the item is shaped to the shape of your cube, the more you will fit in and the tidier your clothes will be when you take them out.
- Then fold them lengthwise with enough folds to fit snugly into their cube.
- Number of folds varies by the size of your cube and how long your pants are.
Pack a cube until it fills up completely--a little over-filled is best (1-2" above the end of the cube top; otherwise, it will not "compress".
- If you do not have enough of one type of clothing to over-fill the cube, move some other things into it.
- It will hold your clothes tidily ONLY if they are not lose or sloppy in the bag.
Closing the cube: with one hand over the top to hold clothing in place, place the lid over clothing, pulling slightly to compress, and zip. (This renders it almost as effective as the Packing Folders described in "Packing for Almost Everything...)
For undies and socks, fold them so they can be easily accessed while in the small cube
- I.e., fold them as flat as possible,
- Then stand them on their sides so that an edge is "up".
- You can then remove the items you need without making the whole cube become a mass of straps, hooks-and-eyes, undies, stray socks, etc.
- Like removing a file folder from a drawer full of folders.
- This will enable you to compress them with one hand as you stack them in the cube, then compress them again as you zip it closed.
We begin with tops (and repeat the process for the other categories). As discussed above, quickly SMOOTH down each fold as you prepare an item to go into the cube--it only takes seconds. (If you do not smooth them down firmly, you will never be able to compress fully or tidily as described.)
Quickly smooth again with each fold. This one is now ready to go into the cube.
Filling cubes:
Tops cube:
In this cube, I put long sleeves on the bottom, short/elbow-length sleeves next, then cap sleeves and tanks (all of these can be layered in all sorts of configurations).
- They can go in any order--I use sleeve length order so I know exactly where in the stack to find things when I want them.
- On the very top will go lightweight, long-sleeve shirts--a MUST HAVE for wearing and layering.
- If we were going to the mountains first, I would pack in a different order.
- When I arrive, it should not be necessary to get to things on the bottom for a while.
- When over-filling a cube as I do (on purpose), turn the fold-end of each item in the opposite direction from the previous one to achieve a "flat" cube when finished.
- Otherwise you will end up with a cube that is very tall on one end and very short on the other--a mess in the making!
- When I have an under-filled cube, I check for other flat items which could be added.
- While traveling, I can sometimes carefully slide an item from down in the stack without messing up the other items.
You can see the stack is now taller than the cube. You can also see a very thin "modesty top" (taupe and red) folded/rolled and inserted at the back of the stack. There are is another very thin crocheted one underneath that one (let's party! ♥). They are so small and do not wrinkle, so they lend themselves nicely to filling in the tiny space left when the stack goes in.
- You do not want to catch those fine fabrics in the zipper.
- If other items are zipper-susceptible, place them lower in the cube!
- Tops are the most likely to rumple and the most obvious when worn. As stated above, place one hand at the back (near the lid) of the stack and carefully tucking and smoothing corners and edges as you go, press DOWN smoothly, then zip the 'lid' closed. (Watch those fine fabrics!)
Repeat the process for your various categories of clothing--whatever they may be--always striving for quick tidy folds and tidy "stacks".
Bottoms cube:
In my "Bottoms" cube, I always put skirts on the bottom because I do not wear them very often. Place the stack towards one end (not in the middle of the cube.) Pants do not conform perfectly to cube size.
- For trips of a week or so, I would have both Tops and Bottoms in the same cube, and probably a sweater, Sleeping, Undies and socks in a second one.
Five pairs of socks in place:
NOTE: ALL of the pants for this trip are "travel pants", i.e., quick-drying.
- No jeans or cotton ☻, which I prefer, but those take up too much space and dry very slowly. Also if it rains on you, they will be wet for the rest of the day. I have sworn NEVER to wash blue jeans in a bathtub in a hotel again, ever!
- One pair is truly lightweight and are convertible walking/climbing pants (zip-offs to make shorts for walking).
- The other three pairs are not convertible, but suitable for walking in the hills, hiking Hadrian's Wall, strolling through cities, or dining with friends. These all have some lycra so they have a little stretch.
- All three pairs are slightly heavier than the convertible pair.
- They are all designed not to be HUGE in the knees/legs, and look tidy enough to go into a fairly nice restaurant. (There two skirts on the bottom of the stack.)
- None of them have cargo pockets--their pockets are tidy. The lower ones (if any) have tidy plackets and zippers so they are not so obvious.
Sleeping Cube:
My Sleeping cube often also contains sweaters, but for this trip only sleeping items will fit.
With weather everywhere from hot to potentially snowing, and sleeping in everything from homes and hotels to a hut, I need a variety of things to sleep in, including a knit tank (shell colored, folded/rolled in the spare space on the right end) and fuzzy knee socks (across the back):
Usually one of the cubes comes out "taller" than the others--so I place it on one side of the case, and stack the other two on the other side (so as not to exceed height limitations).
You see that there is a spare "empty" black cube on the top of the stack. It is for re-packing unwashed clothes as is sometimes required. (I have the "laundry bags" I mentioned in the first post for sorting as we go, but if you have to take public transportation, everything must fit into the original cases for travel.)
- The spare cube is not heavy, nor does it take up much space.
Upon arrival, when staying in one place for a while, take out the cubes, open their lids, and they become "drawers". (If there are drawers, they go right into the drawers with their lids open. Organized and tidy!)
When it's time to re-pack, the clean clothes are still in place. Just zip and close.
- The dirty ones will be in the "spare", as shown in the photo.
- If you are flying and shove dirty things into a cube without folding, it won't compress sufficiently to close your case (unless you are one of those people who travel with a half-empty case).
- Eagle Creek has brought out versions of these cubes which are supposed to "compress". I just ordered a set (a regular size and a small cube) of Pack-It Compression Cubes® and tried them out. I will make a separate post demonstrating why they are now on their way back to Amazon.
- A letter will also go to Eagle Creek detailing my experience, measurements, and lack of success in actually utilizing them.
- Also, Eagle Creek brought out a line of lightweight nylon (rip-stop looking) ones for putting into backpacks. They are called Pack-It Specter Cubes®.
- When I first saw these, I thought 'what a great idea. I can use those in my suitcase sometimes as well.'
- Upon close examination, it was immediately obvious that I would probably NEVER use them as currently designed. While they are much better than stuff-sacks which you have to empty to find stuff while backpacking, they do NOT do the job of the normal ones because they did not design the lid to be zipped off three sides and laid back--thus they are completely unsuitable for organizing as "drawers" when staying in one place--either for backpacking or travelling.
- You still have to dig down under a partially opened "lid".
- I have already written them and explained why the partially-opening lid cannot do the job as well.
- They have also created a compression version of the Specter® cubes. Those have the issues of the Specter®, PLUS the issues of the compression design.
(This is the period time where I record details on my Pack List for this trip. It is also when I took the photos for this Blog post.)
I had already accumulated most of the small items which go in between the rails on the bottom of the cases. First I filled those spaces completely creating a flat-ish surface.
Filling the 22-inch American AirLines case:
Partially filled spaces:
Closing:
After filling all of the space between the rails, place the cubes in the case.
- This is the tallest cube and will go on one side, with the other two stacked on the other side.
- My undies small cube goes into the other case, although it's possible to put them all into one of the outside pockets of this case.
- Please note that the carrying handle is turned to the INSIDE of the bag. You don't want to have to extract a handle from the case zipper!
Below on the left, you see a small collapsible red duffle on top of the fattest cube. I will use it for purchased food, supplements, etc., once we arrive. This makes it easy to move from one lodging to a new place quickly and easily. (Please see small Duffle Details below.)
On the right are the two slightly less stuffed cubes. Across the top, my Eagle Creek travel purse--unhooked and completely flat. (Please see Eagle Creek purse details below.)
When everything is in the inner compartment, carefully pull the straps/mesh up over the whole thing and close. Hook the straps and pull until you are convinced they are as tight as they can be (without wadding up your clothes). You can see the black and white cube is not very scrunched in this photo, but those straps are quite tight.
Then close the zipper. In this case, I will press down very hard to close it--especially on the right side where the cubes are clearly sticking up a bit--as I do not wish to expand it until I am on my way home. (This allows for bringing back a few treasures!)
At the last moment I threw in a "coolie bag" on top of everything else. If the lid won't close, I'll remove it in the final round.
External pockets:
The American A/L case came with this VERY strong strap and buckle system to "tag-along" other cases or totes. One half of the buckle is permanently mounted on the outside of the case near the handle; the rest unbuckles and lives in the case.
The two upper external pockets:
The two lower external pockets:
For final closures, I bring all of the zipper tabs around to the front of the case for rapid opening at the other end.
By now, you may have the idea that one actually COULD go all the way around the world with just this one case and a daypack. I'd have to wear my boots on the plane, but it's very doable.
You can see the expansion zipper on this case is STILL closed--mission accomplished! (I opened it a few inches for the photo so you could see what I was talking about.)
And whah-lah! It's ready to roll (almost):
This case has SO many wonderful features! Unfortunately, I purchased it long ago and NO ONE is making anything like it today--trust me I have TRIED to find such--even contacted the manufacturer and ended up sending them a 4-page tightly typewritten letter detailing WHY it is so wonderful and what one would really LIKE to have in a bag.
- I love it SO much, that when it's telescoping handle finally completely stopped working after nearly 30 years, my husband researched until he found a replacement one and installed it so I can continue to use this bag. Good man!
- You can believe me when I say that IF I could find THIS case (never mind that it is heavier) I would purchase another in a heartbeat--so well designed and well built.
Filling the second case (22-inch TravelPro):
Cases today almost all have rounded corners (rather than the almost square ones as in the American A/L case). They are often tapered, and the new lightweight ones often come with expansion zippers, but the expansion gusset is significantly smaller than previously and usually tapered.
- I personally do not like hardcase types--they are not sufficiently flexible when I STUFF bags the way I do.
- This new bag has an expansion gusset, but it is tapered from the bottom end to the top and does not have very many outside pockets.
- It's really nice and light, but over-all I believe holds probably 1/3 less than the American A/L case.
ALL of the jewelry for this journey will be compacted into this very tiny Travelon cube which fits between the rails of a case. If it doesn't fit into this bag, it will stay home. I have separated items into tiny plastic zip bags so they won't get tangled up. You'd be surprised at how MANY earrings, necklaces, etc. are included.
Jewelry cube partially filled:
It is full, so I'm done with jewelry:
Each boot is filled with the socks required for walking.
Then I put each boot into a plastic grocery-type bag.
- If I put them into their own shoe-bag cube, I will not fit as much into my case.
- The bags are great when packing boots that can't be properly cleaned off as well.
ALL sorts go into this one (more tidily--it's waiting for a couple of items that have not arrived):
Believe it or not--when tidied, that mess goes into the case without opening its expansion gusset.
- You see here the evidence of my mega-collection of mesh bags.
- When I get to the other end, my bag will not "vomit" a thousand small things.
- My things will be tidy, not jumbled up and falling all over the place.
- This bag also has my Sea-to-Summit most amazing TINY duffle, PLUS a Chico Duffle. Each of these may be used as either carry on or checked baggage for bringing home treasures. Despite the price of extra luggage, I find it still cheaper than shipping things home.
Eagle Creek Lync® 22-inch carry-on case:
I use a CPAP (breathing) machine which always has to go into my carry on case, along with my computer (when I take one), enough clothing items to sleep overnight and go for a day or two in case my bags are diverted--learned that the hard way, also a tiny set of travel-size toiletries, toothbrush, etc. In this case, I also have a travel blanket--it will remain if it fits.
EC Case with some of it's items--it's too soon to pack them all. Here you see the teal travel blanket in it's stuff sack, several CPAP machine parts, and the cube with a few clothes. The blue bag for the actual machine (shown below) fits in over the machine parts:
We are flying overnight this time. I do not sleep well on planes, but I now have a very small CPAP machine with a battery which can be used on the plane. I am packing just the bits required on the plane in a small re-purposed bag for quick retrieval during the flight.
- ALL of the parts and supplies for the CPAP go into this case, although only the ones needed for in-flight sleeping go into the little blue bag. (Please see CPAP Details below.)
My trusty luggage scales are lying on top of the closed bag (photo below). They'll go into one of the bags just before I walk out the door to go to the airport.
- Everyone in the family laughs at me for taking my scales. But at the other end, they ALL borrow them before flying home!
Osprey 24-liter Backpack:
My backpack will be my "personal item". It is (hopefully) small enough that they won't fuss. It's a bit larger than my previous one which they have always allowed.
When using a "fixed frame" backpack as a "personal item" on a plane, one has the issue that it does not fit under the seat in front. Quite by chance I came up with a really helpful way of solving all aspects of this issue.
This Baggallini tote is tough, waterproof, and zips into a very small square for a handy "beach bag" when going to Hawaii, or for shopping or laundry. Most importantly it has a full zipper closure--shown here closed. (They no longer make this model.)
The tote bag fits into backpacks AND slides under the seat in front. Because it has the zipper closure, things do not fall out all over the floor.
Method:
BEFORE putting anything into the tote bag, slide it into the backpack.,
THEN fill it.
- This tote will have a jacket or sweater, back pillow, neck pillow, Kindle, a mesh bag with my purse contents, some food bars, etc.--everything you would want on the plane in your purse/personal item. (But not my CPAP.)
- I have a tiny passport bag with a long strap which is worn around the neck, even in restrooms, so you never risk loosing it while flying. It has room for a tiny notepad, a pen, a small mesh bag that holds credit-type cards and cash, checked-bag receipts, etc.
- (TV remote shown for size perspective.)
- Any similar passport holder/wallet will do.
- Many of these are now "security" bags.
- Some have an RFID protective mechanism so your identity cannot be stolen from credit cards, etc.--sometimes necessary, depending on where you are travelling.)
- The security ones are often similar to mine, but a bit thicker and heavier because the fabric is also resistant to knives.
When the tote bag is full, zip it closed, then close the backpack.
When you get on the plane, take the tote bag out of the backpack, slide the backpack into the overhead bin, and slide the tote under the seat in front. Problems solved!
Packed! Now you're ready to roll (literally):
The American Airlines bag with it's "tag-along strap" buckled on:
Turn the bag around to the direction you will pull it. (It's hard to turn it around after you have attached a tag-along bag.)
Then attach a second bag using the tag-along strap.
The Eagle Creek carry on is now attached to the American Airlines case:
Ready to roll!
The "tag-along" system works when the second bag can keep it's own wheels on the ground while the bag is tilted for towing, as shown in the photo above.
Now put on the backpack. Tow the tag-along set with one hand and the other case with the other--you never have to leave any bag unattended even for a moment. And you're off on your next adventure!
Note: Actually my TravelPro also has a tag-along strap, but it is not nearly the quality of the American A/L version--just a narrower lighter weight strap with a small buckle. It is not permanently affixed to the outside of the case--it just loops around the handle. It works, but not as well. Technically, I could tow one more case, but my experience says it would not be satisfactory in any way. It is sufficiently challenging to guide one tag-along set around obstacles and corners, etc.--two sets simply would not work.
- What I have done many times is attach whatever is my "personal item" to one case's pull handle and let it "ride along" on the top of the bag so I don't have to have it on my shoulders.
- Once I have checked the two heavy bags, I use this system to move between gates and terminals in airports.
- I will attach the "carry handle" of my backpack to the pull handle of the Eagle Creek when needed. (I have a clever heavy-duty kind of "cable" I can use to affix it.)
- (PHOTO NEEDED)
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DETAILS SECTION:
The Eagle Creek Purse:
The Eagle Creek purse has proven to be my best option so far, as a flexible purse for really big trips. I cannot use it on the plane because my backpack must be my "personal item" this time, so it must be packed. It's not a style I would normally choose at home.
- It comes with both a "purse" handle/strap, and an adjustable length woven strap to wear as a cross-body or on one shoulder.
- In addition to the usual uses for this purse, most museums and some cathedrals do not allow backpacks, so using it while walking the streets of a big city, visiting museums, etc., works very well.
- Normally I do not like a large purse--this is somewhat larger than I would use at home; but it will hold what one needs for an entire day "touristing" and packs completely flat.
- It does come in handy for going to museums at home.
- I can put a down jacket in its stuff-sack and still have room for regular "purse" items.
For the other configuration, hook its side hooks:
With it's lower hooks hooked and the bottom expanded to it's full width:
Small red duffle details:
I got this duffle some years ago at TJMaxx and I have NO idea where one could be purchased now, but if you keep looking, you will find something similar. The difference between it and most collapsible duffles is size--it is MUCH smaller. (It opens to about 15-16 inches long by about 7 inches wide, maybe 9 inches tall.) It is quite strong and has been extremely useful on road trips, extended stays in places, etc.
CPAP Details:
Z1 by HDM (Human Design Medical) sitting in it's battery housing (battery is underneath), special 4-ft hose to use on the plane in green mesh bag, required adapter for hose in small orange bag, and HME (Inline Heat Moisture Exchange) in Ziploc (for self-humidification):
Small mesh bag with fabric SleepWeaver® Mask on right:
Closed! (Can't believe I got it all in there.) Re-purposed bag:
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Lest it appear otherwise, neither Eagle Creek®, Amazon, nor any other manufacturer or supplier contributes ANYTHING to me! I mention brands and sources so people do not have to write and ask 'what brand was that?' And 'where did you find it?'
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