Packing Cubes: What I learned after living out of them for 1.5 years carry-on luggage only

Minimalist packing, traveling with a carry-on luggage only and living out of my travel backpack for the last 1.5 years has taught me a lot about packing and organization. One of the most important lessons I learned is that packing cubes can help to make packing and organizing items much easier when traveling.
But they are not always necessary.
Packing cubes are a great way to store and organize clothes and other items in luggage, but all of them have different use-cases.
In this video, I’ll be discussing the most asked questions about packing cubes:
* Do you need them?
* Do you need packing cubes with compression?
* I will also talk about the differences between folding, rolling, and the Konmari packing method (my favorite method as a minimalist traveler).
* I will also share three packing tips.
So, if you’re looking to organize your travel gear and make packing easier while you travel, then watch the video to learn more about packing cubes. :)

⬇️ MY PACKING LIST:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

00:00 Intro Blabla
00:42 Do you need a packing cube?
02:16 Do you need compression packing cubes?
03:06 It all depends on the shape
03:41 Why I don‘t roll or fold
05:14 My favorite way: Konmari
06:56 3 Tips

[MaggiFuchs]

Do you want to get „Postcards from Maggi“?
I recently started my newsletter where I share some updates and behind the scenes stuff… I think it is a nice way to stay connected outside of YouTube. It‘s published every first Sunday of the month (which I believe is more than enough… 😂 I‘m not that interesting and less is more).
Make me happy and sign up here: maggifuchs.kit.com/signup

[ukallii]

Roll in non-compression cubes to maximize space. Rolling makes the clothes denser and pushes out all of the air so you can get more into the cube.
However! If you are using compression cubes, folding works a lot better because the compression itself will get the air out. If you roll in a compression cube, the bag will become deformed, and then they don't stack as neatly together, meaning you get wasted space between the cubes. It's like putting spheres into a square box.
Remember that the packing cube should still have flat edges when it is fully packed. If it's bulging, you're losing space in your bag where the next item / packing cube will abut the first one.

[MamabearXX]

When I use packing cubes I stick pieces of painting tape on the outside of each and write on it with a marker pen what is inside the cube. (Can be peeled off easily at the end of the trip). So, if I want to find my swimsuit, or my I can see immediately which cube it is in.

[jdmoncada]

I'd never seen anyone rolling outfits together. That was clever!

[dorcasowens]

I have traveled extensively. I started out with standard packing cubes. I down sized to small packing cubes. and only put one to two days of clothes in each. I numbered each cube for the day of use. I found the small cubes fill every space easily. I only have to grab the correct numbered cube for the day. I also carry plastic shopping bags. I put my dirty clothes back in the same cube. As the days go by I move the current days cube to the top. By changing to this system I found I could travel only with "my under the seat" bag or a backpack. Never looked back. I went to Israel for days

[liddlekiddle]

I like to use ziploc-type bags that are clear to see everything and it's easy to get all the air out. Plus they're inexpensive compared to some of the packing cubes.

[MVader]

A good clothes rolling tip is to roll your clothes on a hard surface, you’ll get a much tighter and smaller space saving roll

[claudine]

I think of all the videos out there on packing your’s is the most helpfull. It is different, you show things in your videos that are practical and i like that you choose quality in everything. I don’t understand why you do not have more subscribers because in my opinion your the best ! Hope to see more videos from you and happy travel !

[nanemoon]

Very very good video!
My husband and I do crosspacking. One full outfit of his goes into my checked in suitcase and vice-versa. In case one gets lost. This outfit goes into a plasic bag.
I like to keep tops and bottoms separate, as I always wear my pants several days. I fold my tshirts in a way that is someting in between konmari and army roll. Think of it as army fold, where you do the first step like army but then fold, not roll . Last step is like army roll afain. This fold holds the shape very good, it doesn't fall apart like konmari, and the shirts are stackable I use this method every day, my clothes are always neat in the closet and I can pack in no time. For the little things I use see-through containers. I have a print out packing list in them.
I have tried and true solid products for haircare, deodorant etc. Make sure you test them thoroughly at home before taking them on a trip.

I love traveling, and when the first round of washing is in the machine I put out the lists and check what I didn't use. There are some just-in-case items I still keep, mostly medical stuff.

In general when evaluating a new "travel gadget" I think about how much time it would save me, of there are things I already have that can be used. Most of this influencer stuff is just a waste of money. If I really think, oh that could be good, I put it on the Amazon watch list for a year, reading only the critical reports. Last thing I bought was over ear noise cancelling headphones, and I really love them for nightflights and longer flights. I tested them on to flights London Sydney and back.

[orion]

Zip lock baggies work also....may help eliminate hands of inspection personnel from need to open containers and touch your items.

[raisafrancisco]

Packing cubes changed my life! I got them in Amazon and they were 6 x almost $20, not expensive at all. The packet brings one large, one medium two small ones, and three other bags for shoes, garment, and other stuffs. I just put them in the drawers at a hotel, cruise, or wherever I go and it makes my life so much easier. I would never roll my clothes.

[tanyas]

I’m a big fan of compression cubes. They can be used with and without the compression feature, so I have more options for the specific travel, organization and storage needs at any time. I also switch between the rolling or folding technique, depending on the thickness, stiffness and “wrinkle proneness” of the items I’m packing. But ultimately, I prefer packing in cubes or pouches, regardless of what “case” - backpack, duffle or suitcase - I travel with. It satisfies my need to be neat and organized. - I’m also keeping things in the cubes instead of unpacking. This makes moving between lodgings and repacking so much quicker.

[kscattolin]

I use both packing cubes and ziplock. I also used the compression cubes to pack baby clothes I took for my baby grandson, then I gave a few to my daughter-in-law when she was travelling with the baby which she found very helpful to pack his change of clothes. Zip-lock I use for dirty clothes that I haven’t had a chance to launder, that way the smell of dirties doesn’t contaminate the rest of my luggage.

[brigitte]

Thank you very much for all your information. I am zapping through all your videos and I am impressed by your ideas of minimalism traveling. It helped me really a LOT. 😊

[GlobetrotterGranny]

I love the konmari method of folding. I actually use a combination of all three ways: folding, rolling and konmari. Like you, it all depends on the packing cube or compression cube. Nice video. Thank you.

[Chellebeller]

Thank you for being so detailed in your explanation of how and why you pack. This by far, has been a very informative video!

[roy.mclean]

Great ideas. I travel a lot and have to do laundry. I like to take the packing cubes to the laundry so i can roll and pack my clean clothes directly into them. Something I like about the eagle creek cubes that don't open completely is that I can stuff my rolled clothes into the bottom of the unzipped cube and zip it up as I fill it while compressing the clothes as much as possible. It is easier than trying to compress the whole thing after I fill it.

[stannieholt]

Sachets or “aroma clothes bags” are a brilliant suggestion to keep your suitcase contents smelling sweet. I have several sachets in my bureau and will toss one into my suitcase when packing for my next trip.
I imagine the little bags of activated charcoal, sold for removing household odors from shoes, closets, etc., would also work if you don’t care for lavender/herbal scents or are allergic.
Sachet bags would also be nice little souvenirs to shop for on your trip.

[metteby]

I always use a garment folder, like Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Garment Folder. It has this plastic sheet which you can easily fold you shirt around nicely. It can hold 15 t-shirts or shirts and be compressed when closed. Works better for me for garments that I dont want to crinkle up, and my shirts are as easy to pick out as if they were lying on a shelf. I liked the idea of rolling up 1 days outfit the way you did. Will try that out for short trips.

[stm-on-air]

I travel a lot and today I learned something new. I rolled 5 tee-shirts per packing cube and placed vertically in the bag. Thats a space saver!