The Daily Valet. - 11/16/19, Saturday
✔️ Weekend Reading: Pack Like a Pro
Weekend of November 16th
People who travel a lot have very strong opinions about packing. Folding vs. rolling your clothes and carry-on vs. check. The one thing they all agree on through? The importance of packing cubes. These little organizational wonders are going to change your travel routine for the better.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Weekend Reading
The Secret to Packing Like a Pro
The best packing cubes for all types of travelers
It might seem counterproductive or adding more work to the already tedious chore of packing, but these little organizational wonders are going to change your travel routine for the better. You want to stay organized while on the road? Want to unpack in less than a minute? Interested in keeping your clothes in peak condition so you don't have to iron or steam your shirts once you land? Perhaps you'd just like the option to pack as much as you can physically fit into your bag. Whatever your travel need, these packing cubes are the solution.
Especially this time of year, when travel means bringing along plenty of clothes and outerwear in order to stay warm and look presentable for holiday occasions. You might even be toting a few gifts back and forth. These lightweight nylon bags let you efficiently roll up puffy jackets, compress thick sweaters and pack up pants into a compact cube that fits neatly into your suitcase. Use each cube for a different clothing type (sweaters, underwear, pants) and peek through the mesh top to quickly identify what's in each bag. Whether you're packing a hard-sided roller or just a simple duffel, these essential packs keep you streamlined and organized.
Best All AroundIf you've got one of Away's beloved suitcases, these packing cubes are pretty much a no-brainer. They come in six different shapes and are made from waterproof nylon with a soft mesh top to easily see what's inside. And unlike some mesh-topped packs, these won't get caught or snag other items. Not only are they sized to fit perfectly within the brand's suitcases, you can color coordinate them with your bag's interior.
↦ Get It $65 (for a set of six), by Away
For OverpackersOnce you've packed these innovative cubes, you can actually compress them from four inches to just one inch—allowing for both flatter packing and more optimized space in your suitcase. Worried about creasing? Don't be. The reinforced walls and durable fabric help to reduce the risk of wrinkles during transit. Here's how we used it: packed them for departure without compressing and then used the compression on the return flight to make room for the clothes we bought at our destination.
↦ Get It $29.99 (for a set of three), by LeanTravel
LightweightDespite being ultra-light (the entire set weighs just 8 ounces), the soft cubes are incredibly durable thanks to the siliconized Cordura nylon. They come in two sizes, which configure nicely in a range of different bags (including backpacks and duffels). Because they're so light, the spring-loaded frame design, which holds the shape while you're filling them, comes in handy. It's also nice to help compress them down for easy storage.
↦ Get It $44.99 (for a set of four), by eBags
For a DealYou know Ikea is where to go to get a deal. And this is true even for travel gear. This set of six different travel bags will only cost you ten bucks. The bags themselves are thinner, but that can be an attribute for light travelers and the longer, leaner bags are great for organizing underwear and accessories. For those who want a no-frills packing cube solution, this set will do the trick.
↦ Get It $9.99 (for a set of six), by Ikea
The Sturdiest SetEagle Creek is a well-respected travel brand that makes some pretty serious bags for adventure travelers. Their packing cubes are sturdy enough to keep clothes crisp in transit and move from suitcase to hotel drawer without flopping around. They're made of 300-denier polyester lined with nylon and stay upright when empty, which makes for easy packing and unpacking.
↦ Get It $27.69 (for a set of three), by Eagle Creek
FYI
According to AAA, more than 112.5 million Americans will be traveling over the Thanksgiving to New Years season, the most since the company began tracking holiday travel.
See you Monday.
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