BootsnAll Travel Community

Does anyone know an alternative to the Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes that is similar but cheaper? I like the design, and although it's easy for me to buy an expensive camera, I balk at spending $12 on a small item like this. I'm looking for a variety of sizes and will probably buy 4.

Thanks!

I've seen other brands around. Check out some of the other travel shops, they might carry them.

I seem to recall that there were similar things available at Target that are intended for women's needs.

I think Rick Steves has some under his own brand, no clue on the cost though.

I will say my Eagle Creek packing cubes have lasted me through 4 years of travel. They've stood up to pretty heavy abuse in my backpack, and I've run them through the washer. The zippers have held up and there are easily several years of use left in them.

I use these for some things. They're more of a space saver than an organizer and not really cheaper, but they're handy.

Cubes are great; they're what I use. But really: they work best in suitcases, not backpacks.
Plain 'ol nylon stuff sacks will work just as well.

try looking at ebags, they have there own brand of cubes and have sales all the time.

Plastic bags have always worked for me - beware the ones with lots of colour as it may rub off - separate dirty from clean because the dirty will smell a bit - but otherwise not spending money on something this basic! Nylon stuff sack is a good idea too and will wash easily. IF you really want the tuff to breath get an ecofriendly cotton bag - that will still cost you a lot less!

Thanks for the help!

I ended up buying this set from ebags, and this set from Rick Steves. They are the sizes I want, and I'm going to split them up with my significant other.

I like the fact that unlike the rolling compression bags, these can breathe and let damp things dry. I've been using the compression bags for a while, but lately just bringing one along as a dirty laundry bag.

After using the packing cubes for the first time, I am forever sold! They are incredible!

First, they do not have the cruncy, crackly quality of the airtight compression bags.

Second, they pack together in a smooth, simple manner. Using compression bags was difficult because you have to squash them together in your backpack/suitcase, resulting in wasted space. All you have to do is toss these into your suitcase/backpack and they fit perfectly.

Third, they hold MUCH MUCH more than you would expect. I rolled/folded all of my shirts into a large cube-shaped square that was almost twice as thick as the cube. I put it into the cube then I put my knee on the cube and it zipped shut easily.

Fourth, they breathe! I put some sweaty shirts into the cube and when I got home they were dry.

I'll stop gushing...