Packing tips...

[Prost]

Hello there everyone,
I've been lurking for a while and just recently got my Tom Bihn Aeronaut and accessories. I'm not taking my next big trip until November (I got a little nervous on the backorder situation in July), but I'm slowly realizing that the way I've always packed isn't the most efficient way especially considering all the packing cubes. Does anyone have any websites to give some hints on packing, specifically using cubes and the like?

I've already seen the One Bag website and One Bag, One World. And I also think that the type of trip I'll be taking won't really lend itself to the bundle method. Thanks in advance!

[Moose]

Hi Prost,
You might want to take a look at travesmith.com. They have a travel center "button" that will link to two or three videos showing the use of packing cubes.
Happy travels,
Moose

[maverick]

hi prost!

welcome to the forum!

i've used cubes by folding my clothes flat in the cube. i'll fold the pants in three parts, and shirts in two parts. if the third fold for the pants (or second for the shirt) isn't the length of the cube, then one side is thicker than the other. in that case, just alternate how you place the clothes in the packing cube.

i've made an attempt at a diagram if that helps.

you can pack a lot into a packing cube. or you may want to not pack the packing everything in one packing cube and separate clothes into multiple packing cubes. this is great if there are two people traveling in a single aeronaut - when you get to your destination, each person gets their packing cube out with their stuff.

i put socks and underwear into the sides of the main compartment of the aeronaut if there is a bit of space there. or i put them into a smaller packing cube. but certainly, if you prefer, just lay them into the sides of the larger packing cube or even lay them flat in the larger packing cube.

let us know what methods you try and how they work out for you.

[Frank II]

I can tell you what I do....use packing cubes. For everything. It keep your bag organized, is easy to find things without unpacking everything, if you should get stopped at security, there is no need for them to take everything out and is then easy to repack, and I rarely leave things.

I roll most clothes unless I'm taking business shirts in which case I take a packing folder. One cube for shirts and a sweater, one for undies, socks, and gym shorts. One for misc stuff (sometimes two depending on how much I need to take). Pants are neatly folded with the packing cubes going on top. I also take a seprate toiletry case.

My day bag carries my electronics, meds, and anything else of value just in case I have to check my main bag. Since it's already in there, no need to start repacking at the gate.

[JustIain]

Almost without Cubes

Hi Prost,

I have the Smart Alec and use a Eagle Creek 15" Pack-It Folder for my shirts. I then rolled pants and then added stuff to the empty spots. 1 Side pocket dealt with socks while the upper interior worked well for underwear. I have one Eagle Creek cube that I used for a Down vest that went into the water pocket along with the last of the socks.

This was to carry 6 changes of clothes, sweater, down vest and one pair of shoes for a 16 day trip to England this summer. Mind you, the pants were wrinkly but it all fit without issue.

Iain

[pretzelb]

I do what Maverick posted but I am debating a rolling method (which probably means no packing cubes). If you Google for "rolling clothes packing" and then click videos you get some results. I once saw a flight attendant pack the same items by folding then rolling and showing how much extra space she had with rolling but I can't find that link anymore.

[eastercat]

That was on NYT's web site. If you go through old posts of 1bag1world.com, they have a direct link to it.

I once saw a flight attendant pack the same items by folding then rolling and showing how much extra space she had with rolling but I can't find that link anymore.

[moriond]

Hi,

I do what Maverick posted but I am debating a rolling method (which probably means no packing cubes). If you Google for "rolling clothes packing" and then click videos you get some results. I once saw a flight attendant pack the same items by folding then rolling and showing how much extra space she had with rolling but I can't find that link anymore.

You can find the link to the NY Times slideshow,"10 Days in a Carry-On" from May 6, 2010 here

Also, I like this Flyertalk Packing tips Masterthread compilation of useful links. (This includes the NY Times link if you track through the thread; also, many of the links are to 1bag1world, but there other linked sites, too.)

You can also use modified bundle wrapping in the packing cubes, as shown in eristick's forum post.

moriond

[flitcraft]

I combine rolling and a packing cube. I can get all of my clothing in one handy place, but unlike folding methods, each piece is easily accessible and easy to see what is what. Works for me...