Packing cubes or dry bags

[Cityjune]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

 

[C clearly]

Yes, many of us use packing cubes and/or dry bags, and in various sizes and brands. But everyone also has their own preferred way of combining things. Just like organizing our drawers at home - each person is different. Use whatever works best for you.

 

[trecile]

I really like the Osprey Straightjacket for my clothes.

https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/straightjacket-compression-sack-8-liter-SJCMPSK08_801.html

 

[lovelyshell]

Dry bags stuff better in your pack. For clothes I used a Sea to Summit 10L compression bag.

 

[SabsP]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

Cheaper brand Karrimor works for me. Lots of choices in size and colour.

https://www.sportsdirect.com/searchresults?descriptionfilter=drybags

 

[Jodean]

I use mesh bags, like you use for produce or delicate laundry. Light, small, and I can see what is in the bag. They also do not make any noise when packing.

 

[Anhalter]

I use Sea to Summit UltraSil drybags. 4L for the sleeping bag and 8L for my clothes. They are rather light. They are not crazy expensive. They last for 2 caminos and counting. For the other, smaller, stuff i use zip-style bags (1l or less).
My pack itself is rather waterproof, but i like the redundancy and the bags help organizing stuff nicely. Also you can hang them on many bunk beds with their clip.

 

[mspath]

Check out the many posts in this earlier thread re compression bags and alternates for packing.

 

[Jarrad]

Check out the many posts in this earlier thread re compression bags and alternates for packing.

As noted, lots of good info in the earlier thread.

Personally, I use a mix. I use Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil roll-top dry bags for clothes (one large plus a second smaller one for dirty clothes in case I want to skip doing laundry for a day). I use a smaller Eagle Creek toiletry bag for soap, etc. I carry a few 1- and 2-gal. size Zip-Loc bags that I use as needed for my Crocs and bedding. I'm a fan of the materials Sea to Summit and Eagle Creek use: very light but durable.

On my first camino, I carried a light (40 degree F) down sleeping bag that packed down quite small. I could compress it easily by putting it in a Zip-Loc bag, sitting on it, and zipping the bag shut. Worked like a charm until the last week or so when the Zip-Loc developed small perforations from wear and tear. Either way, I always put the compressed sleeping bag into my larger dry bag with the clean clothes, as I'm cautious about keeping my down bag dry.

This past summer I used traditional mesh/zipper packing cubes in a duffle bag on a route where I used a baggage service. I could see using them to organize clothes inside a larger dry bag, but for me personally that seems like a bit more trouble than it's worth and just adds weight I don't want to carry. HOWEVER, (hypocrite that I am) I have used the Eagle Creek Pack-It cube set to organize my clothes and that worked very well. Ultra-light weight fabric, durable rip-stop fabric and translucent so you can see what's in each bag. But again, Zip-Locs work just as well at a fraction of the price.

 

[Cityjune]

Check out the many posts in this earlier thread re compression bags and alternates for packing.

Thankyou I was trying to look for past threads but couldn’t find it

 

[dougfitz]

I have used packing cells, compression sacks, dry bags and large zip-loc bags over the years. I am thinking of using a combination all of these for my next camino.

 

[Theresa Brandon]

I like the Gobigear segsacs. I use one for clothes and one for everything else. https://www.gobigear.com/product/the-segsac-original/

 

[henrythedog]

Whatever you choose to use don’t get black ones; hard to see inside a rucksack or under an albergue bunk at dark o’clock in the morning.

Bags within bags are either avoidable weight or good organisation, depending on your priority.

 

[isawtman]

I use a waterproof liner that's the same size as the backpack.
Then I have 3 bags inside of that. One is for the sleeping bag, one
is for clothes and one is for everything else. And inside my bag that
holds everything else, I have stuff organized in ziplocks. For backpacking in the
U.S. I also have a tent and a bag for food and kitchen gear. For the
camino, the bag that holds the clothes is also a dayhiking backpack
that I use if I decide to ship my backpack to the next location.
Rope bags work good for this. Hopefully on my second Camino,
my bag will be light enough to avoid shipping it ahead.

 

[Robo]

I have used dry bags in the past.

I now use stuff sacks as they are half the weight and i don't need waterproof.

 

[Kitsambler]

Weigh. Everything. Including. The Bags.
It amazed me how heavy the traditional Eagle Creek cubes were, so I shifted to a mix of other containers. In some lodgings, one must empty the pack, leaving it at the front. So be prepared. Different colors, shapes, and sizes will help you find what you want quickly.

 

[Marcus-UK]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

Save money use industrial rubble bags! At the end of the camino you can also use them for your worn out trail runners and other rubbish.

 

[Former member 92300]

I own both types. I save the dry sacks for wilderness hikes where I must keep my stuff dry because there are no places to wash/dry clothes along the way and I will be sleeping in a tent.

For the Camino - I use 1 packing cube. I think mine are sea to summit. I like a packing cube because I can pull the entire cube out of my bag and then open it like a suitcase (dry sacks you have to dig around until you find what you want). What size you need depends on your gear - but not too big.

I only use my packing cube for all my clothe material items including clothes, towel (when dry), sleeping bag liner, etc). Then I use ziplock baggies and small zipper pouches for my other gear (electronics in one, first aid in another, hygiene in another, etc).

 

[Buz Radican]

I use mesh bags, like you use for produce or delicate laundry. Light, small, and I can see what is in the bag. They also do not make any noise when packing.

I use dry sacks because they are just that, dry. It rained over 10 days out of 35 on one of my Caminos. I never had to worry about anything being wet.

 

[KimR]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

Dry bags keep the dry in and the moisture and bugs out. They are great to take your stuff to the shower and stay dry. They make a great’purse’ in a pinch. You can strap them in the outside your pack and know your stuff is protected. They act as compression bags. I use the utra light sea-to-summit and ultra light osprey bags.

 

[williamlittig]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

Most light weight dry bags are made by a few Chinese factories that provide custom labeling. I have a variety of sizes in different colors to distinguish gear (sleeping bag/blue) Because they have roll-tops and compress I get the next larger size so they stuff easily and then squeeze and roll.

 

[lt56ny]

I use mesh bags, like you use for produce or delicate laundry. Light, small, and I can see what is in the bag. They also do not make any noise when packing.

I use mesh bags too. I think the ones I use are called ironing bags. I may be wrong. But I have 4 that I organize into my backpack.

 

[Landstar]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

I have used a
trash compactor bag for years. They last and are light.

 

[JZA]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

I use dry bags as they squish down better. A mixture of brands and colours and generally 2 or 3 litres in size.

 

[MikeJS]

I just use bin bags….

 

[dbeatriceb]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

Eagle Creek makes some ultralight packing cubes in different sizes. I use 2 ultralight pack liners- one for my down sleeping bag and one for the rest of the pack. I use 2 small ultralight packing cubes, one is for first aid stuff and the other for charging cords and miscellaneous items. I have a separate toiletry bag with toothbrush, etc. that hangs up in the shower.
I used to use a compression bag for the sleeping bag and a separate bag for clothing, but I find the pack rides better if everything sort of settles on top of the sleeping bag in the bottom and clothing is sort of tucked into the empty spaces. The weight of packing cubes can add up, so keep this in mind— those few ounces can become a nuisance. I used to use ziplocks but they are not durable, plus they’re noisy and can disturb others in a quiet albergue dorm.

 

[JZA]

I just use bin bags….

Well. They are waterproof

 

[1elantra]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

I use dry bags for larger item like sleeping bag, but all my clothes are in normal large kitchen zip lock bags. I like to do my best to make sure my stuff inside my pack remains dry, should it get left in the rain by mistake, so whatever works.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I use mesh bags, like you use for produce or delicate laundry. Light, small, and I can see what is in the bag. They also do not make any noise when packing.

Exactly what I do, too. No need to worry about things not staying dry because I use a sturdy white trash compactor bag to line my backpack. I take two of these smallish mesh laundry bags. If there is excess room in them, I roll them up on themselves, and there is no need to squish items as any air releases without pressure. They also weigh nearly nothing.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

P.S. The times when I bring my sleeping bag, it goes in a special compartment in my pack, accessible outside separately with its own zipper. Instead of wrestling to get it back in to the tight fitting stuff sack it came in, I prefer to fold it loosely so it fits easily into a one gallon plastic zip lock bag and I sit on it to squeeze out excess air before zipping it shut(a whoopee cushion of sorts); far less frustrating and takes less time.

 

[Cityjune]

P.S. The times when I bring my sleeping bag, it goes in a special compartment in my pack, accessible outside separately with its own zipper. Instead of wrestling to get it back in to the tight fitting stuff sack it came in, I prefer to fold it loosely so it fits easily into a one gallon plastic zip lock bag and I sit on it to squeeze out excess air before zipping it shut(a whoopee cushion of sorts); far less frustrating and takes less time.

One gallon?

 

[ncwep]

Weigh. Everything. Including. The Bags.
It amazed me how heavy the traditional Eagle Creek cubes were, so I shifted to a mix of other containers. In some lodgings, one must empty the pack, leaving it at the front. So be prepared. Different colors, shapes, and sizes will help you find what you want quickly.

This is the first time I've heard about sometimes needing to leave backpacks at the front door....how often is this the case on the Frances? This will definitely change how I'm organizing if it's more than just occasionally.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

One gallon?

Yes.

 

[henrythedog]

This is the first time I've heard about sometimes needing to leave backpacks at the front door....how often is this the case on the Frances? This will definitely change how I'm organizing if it's more than just occasionally.

It can’t be common as I don’t recall ever being asked to. Poles and shoes, yes

 

[C clearly]

This is the first time I've heard about sometimes needing to leave backpacks at the front door.

I have only encountered this in Salamanca on the VDLP, but have heard of it happening in places in France.

 

[Jodean]

In 4 Caminos, not once have we been told to leave our packs at the door. One place insisted we put our packs in giant trash bags, which they then reused. They said it was to prevent bedbugs.

 

[Lleslie]

It was very common on the Le Puy route to leave your pack in the foyer/entrance and be given a plastic basket to put your gear in to take to your room. A few times we were given large plastic bags to put our pack in.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

It was very common on the Le Puy route to leave your pack in the foyer/entrance and be given a plastic basket to put your gear in to take to your room. A few times we were given large plastic bags to put our pack in.

Yes, it was common on the Le Puy, and on the Norte I recall putting our packs in the large plastic bags once or twice.

 

[Lindsay53]

This is the first time I've heard about sometimes needing to leave backpacks at the front door....how often is this the case on the Frances? This will definitely change how I'm organizing if it's more than just occasionally.

Happened to me last year in the albergue in Alpriate on the Portuguese. Not at the door but just inside. As I use a waterproof liner for my pack and not individual stuff sacks all I did was take it out with all my contents and take it upstairs to the dormitory, leaving the empty pack downstairs.

 

[Former member 92300]

It can’t be common as I don’t recall ever being asked to. Poles and shoes, yes

Poles and shoes - often. But I did collapse my poles and attach them to my pack before entering the albergue and often was permitted to keep them with me

Bag? I agree it doesn’t seem to be a common practice and I did not experience this on the Frances or Norte/Primitivo. I do recall one place - can’t remember where - but out bags were placed just outside of our room (not by the front door).

And I had heard about leaving them be the front door before - just not sure where this is more likely to happen.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Whatever you choose to use don’t get black ones; hard to see inside a rucksack or under an albergue bunk at dark o’clock in the morning.

Good point. I use trash "compactor" bags. In the US they always seem to be in the standard white and are extra robust. I've used the same one for my last three Caminos and it never has had any holes. Plus the dimensions (being longer and narrower than regular garbage bags) work well inside most backpacks.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

And I had heard about leaving them be the front door before - just not sure where this is more likely to happen.

All of my experiences had our packs left "inside" the front door; probably for extra protection from potential weather and thieves.

 

[GGHHI]

I really like the Osprey Straightjacket for my clothes.

https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/straightjacket-compression-sack-8-liter-SJCMPSK08_801.html

That looks interesting. Is there a size you prefer and why?

 

[trecile]

That looks interesting. Is there a size you prefer and why?

My clothes that I'm not wearing fit into the 8 liter size, but I don't take anything bulky like hiking pants. If I did the 12 liter size might be better.

 

[daveag]

I do a combo. Sea to Summit dry bag for my sleeping bag & mesh stuff sack for everything else. REI used to sell some under their own brand--a different color for different sizes. They've worked well for me in organizing my bag... even if things didn't compress down as well as they could. Since I'll be walking with a smaller pack this time, I'm thinking of a compression bag for my clothes but still keep a mesh bag or 2 for the other, few sundries.

 

[hikentravel1234]

Just wondered if anyone uses packing cubes and what size and make ?

Sea to summit ultra dry sil roll top bags (I have used them for years and they are lightweight so I didn't mind paying extra for these) and a compression dry bag for my sleeping bag. ALL bags waterproof and I will bring a big black trash bag in case I encounter a lot of rain. Double bagged zip locks (2) for my money, passport, Brierley book.

 

[DeansFamily]

Zip lock bags are our go to for gear seperation and storage in our backpacks. I prefer the double seal ones we have in Oz that close and seal really well. We try and not overpack each bag and it's easy to exclude air by the old "sit & zip" method. 1 bag for sleep gear, 1 bag for evening wear, 1 bag for socks and spares.
Spare bags are easy and light to store in the inside sleeve in the pack. What ever people decide to use, consider what will work to exclude bedbugs if you are unlucky enough to encounter any. I love ziplock bags!

 

[RJM]

I use 3-4 cheap very lightweight nylon drawstring bags and put socks and underwear in one, toiletries and sunscreen etc in and another and so on. I really don't carry enough stuff that it needs organization. I'm not on a military long distance hike , and I figure if I have so much stuff that it requires organization I probably have too much stuff.

 

[David Tallan]

One gallon?

I also use ziplock bags of various sizes for almost everything I carry. Larger ones for clothes (one for each set - I carry two) and one for my fleece, and smaller ones for toiletries, electronics, fist aid kit, and important documents.

 

[60LifeChange]

I use 3-4 cheap very lightweight nylon drawstring bags and put socks and underwear in one, toiletries and sunscreen etc in and another and so on. I really don't carry enough stuff that it needs organization. I'm not on a military long distance hike , and I figure if I have so much stuff that it requires organization I probably have too much stuff.

Military long-distance hikes.. been there did that. Way too many times.