The BEST Way to Pack a Suitcase (carry-on only made EASY)

Packing Cubes vs. Compression Cubes vs. Vacuum Seal Bags. Side-By-Side Comparison to Uncover The Ultimate Travel Packing Method to Fit 3X More in Your Suitcase!

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Join me as we compare the pros and cons of three popular packing tools: packing cubes, compression packing cubes, and vacuum seal bags. Discover the versatility and organizational benefits of packing cubes, how compression packing cubes can maximize space (with a few trade-offs), and why vacuum seal bags are both a blessing and a hassle.

I'll reveal the best packing tips and travel packing gear that will save you so much space you'll be able to pack everything you need in just a carry-on, even with just ONE bag! 2024 is the time to travel light with just carry-on luggage and avoid the hassle of checking a bag at the airport.

I'll share my personal experiences and insights, debunking myths along the way. Plus, I'll reveal the clear winner that combines the best of both worlds. This is the packing method that I used to pack for two weeks in Europe in only a carry on suitcase. Stick around til the end to ensure you make an informed decision for your next vacation to organize your suitcase and maximize space.

Are you Team Packing Cubes, Team Compression Cubes, or Team Vacuum Seal Bags? Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to hit that subscribe button for weekly travel tips and hacks. Happy travels, my friends! 🌟✈️

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Welcome to Portable Professional, your go-to resource for stress-free travel.

Megan here, Hello! I’ve taken well over 300 flights and countless trips in the last decade. I have learned how to have seamless travel experiences without unnecessary stress and anxiety. I’m here to help you also feel confident about your travels while making the most of every trip.

Ready for stress-free travels? Subscribe and join us every Wednesday and Sunday for informative videos full of practical tips. You'll learn how to navigate airport security, pack like a pro, identify scams, and even uncover little-known hacks to take your travel to the next level. (these are my specialty!)

00:00 Introduction
00:12 Packing cubes for travel
00:37 Do packing cubes wrinkle clothes?
00:52 Packing a suitcase (hack!)
01:09 Disadvantages of packing cubes
01:34 Compression cubes for travel
02:04 Disadvantages of compression cubes
02:27 Keep clothes wrinkle-free (hack!)
02:43 Vacuum seal bags for travel
03:26 Disadvantages of vacuum seal bags
04:09 Comparing 3 packing methods
04:42 Bottom line: BEST for travel
05:10 Recommended on Amazon

[tessbee]

I use packing cubes to keep my clothing organized but I always pack an empty plastic vacuum bag for the flight home.
At that point wrinkles don’t matter and it give me the extra space I might need for purchases abroad

[MadameX_]

A friend gave me a fabulous hack. Instead of spending money on compression bags, she told me to buy gallon size ziplock bags and place clothes in them. They worked perfectly and compressed nicely. Was great to see what was in them as I unpacked.

[pennyvangalen]

I went to Peru and knew I wanted to buy yarn so I brought a vacuum seal bag with me. It worked really well and I was able to bring home lots if yarn, taking up very little space!

[suewolf]

I used regular packing cubes for the first time last October for a 10-day Cruise. I loved loved loved the fact that I could just put the cubes in the drawers, and not be concerned if those drawers were sanitized after the last passengers use that cabin. Yes, you need to organize them and I certainly did

[amorellehenry]

I use a combination of compression packing cubes and folding. Being a plus size woman I have been long accustomed to watching out for weight as my clothes are larger, bulkier and heavier. The compression cubes help reduce the size of many of my items so that I can adequately fit others in. Combining both methods seems to have struck a nice balance for me for being able to manage my clothing size/volume and weight of my luggage. I found your tips and info spot on!

[rebeccafield]

I travel a lot. I use regular, albeit oversized, plastic bags. I sit on them as I zip them closed. Been working brilliantly for years.

[tammypearson]

I have all three. I will use the vacuum bag style to compress the air out of my winter coat. The wrinkles don't matter much with that item (also pack my hats and scarves in the pockets of my coat). I use my smaller compression size for socks and underwear. I use my standard packing cubes for everything else, but I fold outfits together so all is ready. A small packing cube goes in my personal bag with a change of clothes. I agree with your ideas in this video very much 👍 ❤

[jeffreyclinard]

I think I have a mix of regular and compression packing cubes. I started using them recently, and love them. I started off by packing stuff by type, like socks and shirts, before realizing that was the wrong way to do it. I repacked, this time dedicated three cubes for specific purposes; emergency clothes, the overnight, and the cruise embarkation day. Emergency clothes were in my carry on, with sweats and clean underwear, socks, and a t-shirt. When I got to my B&B, I only had to open my overnight (sleepwear, toothbrush / paste, razor). The next day, I only had to open the cube with the clean clothes for embarkation, as well as things like my contact lenses, a case with my sunglasses (where I put the prescription eyeglasses away in it; I don't like to fly with contacts in).

I also had a bag for swimwear related items I moved to the carry on I had for embarking the ship.

[whitewater]

I have come up with a hack for plastic compression bags where I never roll them. I simply put all of the clothing I want in, then zip the bag up to where I have three fingers of room left in the zipper. Keep my fingers in the bag and slowly sit on the bag. The air goes out immediately and then I take my fingers out and zip up the remaining 3 inches to seal. I have popped a bag or two not putting my fingers in the bag to vent the air properly so always keep 2 or 3 fingers in the bag to prevent this. Works wonderfully much less wrinkles and stack just like cubes but better and makes packing soo much faster.

[gitakiss]

I like cubes both compression and regular. If I am going on vacation and we are driving there, compression cubes are the best for me as we are 5 people going and weight isn't an issue but sometimes space is. As for flying. I choose regular packing cubes to help us all stay organized and allow me to be mindful of what we pack. :) Each has a different color and cube and it works perfectly

[drwindsurf]

I needed this video last week...I just ordered more packing cubes.
I really like your idea of getting compression cubes and using them as normal packing cubes except when you need the space.

[ddraiss]

The last time I flew, was for a work trip. My part-time job I'm a photographer, and was the lead for an event out of state. Being lead I'm responsible to bring safety vests for all the photographers. I had about a dozen safety vests in a compression packing cube. They were compressed so well, that it showed up as one big blob on the TSA scanner, and therefore got my bag searched! My flight home I adjusted how I packed that packing cube to prevent another bag search.

[GrumpyForester]

After a harrowing couple of trips wth checked bags (delays/canceled flights-rebookings) early in my sudden flurry of flying starting about 7 years ago, I said never again and went to all carry-on all the time, I have always used the regular packing cubes and love both the organizational aspect ant the fact that I can cram a whole lot of stuff into the cubes. I use my carry-on bag for both flying and driving trips and I always use these cubes because - even though they aren't compression cubes per se - I can squeeze lots of extra little tidbits into them and make them compression-adjacent...

[goostador]

Appreciate the video. No one is talking about hanging packing cubes:
Organization
Pack at home, when you reach your destination, hang the cube, no need to unzip multiple bags.
Multiple stops for sleeping? Easy to pack again and hang at your next stop.
Dirty drawers or limited space? There's always a closet to hang the packing cubes

[thegeneral]

I used packing cubes for my recent trip to NYC from the UK and I only really found them useful in terms of organisation and privacy. Coming home it was handy to be able to put all my worn socks and underwear in one cube and thus keep clean and not as clean items separate. I don't suppose it really matters truthfully but I did find it useful. Honestly if I rolled my clothing properly, I could fit more in my case as there's nooks and crannies you can fit things like socks in which are less so with cubes. I didn't worry too much about it though as the checked bags have a 23kg (when you fly econ or prem econ) limit and it's really easy to go over that with a checked rolling bag if you cram it full.

I've subsequently purchased packing compression cubes for the same trip in 2024. Where I'll be staying for a longer period but taking less clothing as the hotel has a 24/7 self use laundry in the hotel. One of the things I will be trying is seeing if I can get my full sized Winter jacket in the largest packing cube and pack it down. I wore it last time as it's a bulky item but not especially heavy and it was horrific navigating roasting hot airports with a jacket that kept me toasty warm in minus 18 weather in NYC during a storm at Christmas 2023. I know the practical advice is to just wear it and suffer but people were fainting in the 30c+ temps wearing Winter clothing and having to stand up queuing for 3 or more hours. Plus you had to get rid of your drinks before joining the queue. Never again! My carry on bag this time is a hybrid backpack convertible to a 2 wheel bag with handle to pull. It's the future for a trip abroad. Wearing a 16kg pack and carrying a big jacket as well as 10kg camera shoulder bag in that heat, never, ever again! I of course over packed in every sense of the word.

My plan is to bring one less bag to check in and put a day bag inside my check in bag which can double up on the trip as, well my day bag and also if needed be an additional bag I can check in when going home as I travel Premium Economy and thus I have the option of 2 checked bags. It also gives me a nice buffer for bringing home gifts, bags of coffee etc. Options are good to have.

I use one of those compression vacuum bags at home to keep my expensive wool items in. I live in an old Victorian building and moths are an issue. So it keeps them off my wool.

[itsnotme]

Always the best travel advice from you Megan!! Not going to lie...when you leaned down and said NO on those compression plastic bags, I couldn't stop laughing. You are 100% correct!!
Thanks for sharing Nik and Allie's channel too! Until your next video....

[christineshields]

Recently we took an Alaskan cruise. I used a combination of all 3. My preference is standard packing cubes. Compression packing cubes are great for less bulky items such as socks, underwear, PJ s, bathing suits, etc. On our recent trip, I used vacuum seal bags for our bulkier clothes. They came in especially handy at the end of our trip for our dirty laundry. I was able to compress all our dirty clothes and pack them in one carry on, reserving the other carry on for clean clothes, purchases, etc.

[ro-zeea.]

I did all 3 for when my daughter was moving into her college dorm, flew cross country. I used the vacuum bags for 2 pillows, saved a lot of room. Used large compression bags for her 1 blanket 1 mattress pad, and 2 sets sheets and 2 extra pillow cases. I had extra space to add an extra throw for those cold winter evenings. I bought moving bags and they were awesome easy to store after unpacking and they were heavy duty. I do recomment duct taping the seems, specially along the bottom, if you are checking them in. In total i used 2 moving bags, that included her clothes, shoes and a few essentials. And she had a carry-on and a personal bag. Everything else we bought at the local target.

[dianeschenkelberg]

Regular packing cubes for me. I roll things tightly and get a lot into one. I feel that compression bags leave you with an oddly-shaped item. I prefer actual "cube" shapes. Easier to organize the overall luggage space. Even if I don't use packing cubes for all my clothes, I will use one for underwear, bra, and socks. It keeps them all together.

[alisong]

I used compression packing cubes for the first time on my recent trip to Spain. I could not check any luggage, so the cubes kept my things organized. Also, I was not embarrassed when I had to open my suitcase at the airport to retrieve something. I will definitely use them for all my upcoming trips!