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 completely agree that they are a game changer. However, you have to be careful using them in a larger bag that you are checking. Their efficiency makes it easy to add weight and go over 50 lbs.

I bought some off Amazon called Shacke Pak and they have worked well.

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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.

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Absolutely. You'll hate your life if you travel without a packing cube once you use them.

It also makes unpacking a breeze. If I'm just casually traveling as in no hang up clothes I will have 3 packing cubes: pants, shirts, underwear/ socks, and then my toiletries. Unzip my back, toss all 3 items into the dresser and the toiletries to the bathroom and I'm done.

It also saves a hell of a lot of space I find, probably 25-30% less space just being able to toss everything in a cube and zip it up tight.

If you ever travel with a random item like a portable phone charger or whatever it also makes finding it in your bag a hell of a lot easier as you only have 4 packing cubs and not layers and layers of clothes.

Thanks all. We are traveling light, everyone get a carry on size bag and their backpack (teenagers…) and what I was thinking

/trip is 17 days to Japan…and yes bring expandable duffel bags for way back!

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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The Samsonite Detour

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Interesting looking bag. Hadn't seen that one. So, you check that one in. What do you like about it?

That's a nice design. My wife's bag is a backpack but similar compartments. It's a really great carry on bag that does well for 3 day trips for her.

Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack 35L

I used it for a two week Asia trip including hopping while there without issue. It's a cloth exterior so obviously a bit more exposed to tears or rips but so far I have had no issues with it's durability.

SLC - MSY
MSY - SLC and back
MSY - LAX
LAX - Taipei Taiwan
TPE - Phillippines
Phillippines - Singapore
then from Asia back to NOLA

Do you by any chance have a Samsonite outlet near you? They usually havre the bag there for the same price online if you wanted to take a look.

The one thing I would suggest is getting thr 29" and not the larger 34". The 34" could easily get over 50lbs

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.