Packing cubes, y/n

For most of our family trips, we've gotten down to large backpacks that qualify for carry-on. It sure helps keep things organized. We have cotopaxi brand stuff and their packing cubes are not compressible in a vacuum sense but are made of very lightweight ripstop nylon and some mesh to help squish. They take up virtually no space and no weight.

Nice to dig into your carryon while waiting and not have your underwear spilling out at your gate.

I vote yes. My wife bought packing cubes a couple of years ago and a laughed at her. Now I will not travel without them. I love having my different types of clothes separated neatly in their own little cube. I leave everything in the cubes even when I put them in the drawer / closet wherever I'm going. It just keeps everything in order.

I used compressible for multi month trips, but stopped because work was paying for laundry anyway. I tried non compressible too, and they did nothing. Most of my stuff is microfiber (undershirts, undies, etc) so they essentially disappear in the suitcase.

Don't forget you can ask the concierge, or almost anyone in the hotel where you can have laundry done for cheap. The way the Japanese are, you could probably walk into Marriott that you're not staying at to ask, in case you don't have a concierge, and they'll still tell you where to go. Also, get a collapsible water bottle, like a Platypus, and fill it after security. Depending on the airline (I'm assuming Delta or United,) sipping 8oz cups of water every few hours from the galley on a 13 hours flight is not enough. Congrats on not scheduling a trip where Tokyo will be sweat hell, great foresight!

One thing I absolutely insist on, is packing mesh zippered bags in the carry on. Need to hit the crapper with Wet Ones and butt wipes? Grab the orange mesh sack. Need medication, contacts, etc., pull the pink bag. All the chargers and cables go in the black bag, etc. I've been using the ones from "Vaultz" which I bought on Amazon over a decade ago. Particularly in EU airports, they get nervous as to why I have so many batteries and metal cables, so I just yank the black mesh bag out and send it separately through security so it causes fewer re-scans.

They also help to train your kids (not sure how old) to have to do three or four "checks" to make sure they have their crap, not looking for 12 cables, batteries, Kindles, etc. Also, buy a label maker to put on anything you might leave behind, such as this. Put your phone number (include the US country code (+1 122 555 1212), on everything that is valued. The Japanese will absolutely send you a text if you leave something, anywhere.

Get bright colored or distinct cases for all electronic devices. People leave black or grey devices in seat backs all the time.

I chose a luggage option that is designed more like packing cubes to avoid the need/use of a cube. But, I am not someone who tries to avoid checking luggage.

The samonsite Detour in 29" plus a carry-on is more than enough space for me for a two week trip.

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Definite game changer for me. I got some compression ones from Amazon and have been very happy. It's nice to put all your dirty clothes in the big one at the end of the trip and then just take one bag to the laundry room when you get home. My set came with a shoe bag that keeps your shoes from getting everything dirty. I'm able to pack for 4-5 days in a carryon bag.

Amazon packing cubes are my go to for travel.

You can even keep one cube as ‘dirty clothes’ and just wash the whole bag with the clothes inside.