Bye bye, disorganization!
I don’t usually write reviews as soon as I open a product, but in the case of my new Shacke Pak packing cubes, I decided to just go ahead and do it. First impression: I love them! The color is beautiful, they appear to be very well-made, the zippers have cool pull covers on them, the mesh windows are great for seeing what is packed inside, and the little black handle for carrying is a nice touch. These are my first packing cubes, so I have nothing to compare them to, but my husband has been using cubes from eBags for years, and said that my new ones appear equal in quality. Even the literature that came with, is nice and thoughtful. They provide you with a nice sturdy almost-laminated “Quick Start Guide” with tips on how to use your new cubes to pack for 3 days, 5 days, and 10 days. Also they invite you to watch their tutorial videos and an interactive trip planner provided on their website. Very nice, and so rare these days. (I do question their claim that you need to register online, in order to secure your product warranty. I stopped registering for warranties years ago unless it’s a major purchase, because I found that it was just an excuse for these companies to get your email address and start sending you spam. According to all legal authorities, you don’t have to register for any product warranty to be in effect. I’ll take my chances on a $40 purchase!)I realize, however, that they still need to stand the test of time. I read a 1-star review here that said they pretty much died by hand-washing in cold water, and that may be true. But honestly, I see no reason at all to wash them right off the bat. That reviewer said they smelled “plasticky,” but I smell nothing at all. Maybe the slightest hint of new plastic smell, but only if you really stick your nose on them and try hard to smell something. And this is coming from someone who is extremely sensitive to scents. I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and I can smell chemicals a mile away. My 8 new bags are sitting on the floor here, right next to my desk… I can’t smell a thing, even though they are only about 2′ away from me. Believe me, if I smelled anything obnoxious, they would be going back. So I don’t see the need to wash these anytime soon, except maybe the laundry bag after each use (which I didn’t even realize I was getting, so thank you!).For years, my husband has been trying to convince me of the virtues of these packing cubes. He travels for business, and I’m always amazed at the small “overhead bin” bag that he brings on week-long trips. Even accounting for sex differences in luggage requirements, it seemed to me that he was traveling unusually “light,” but he always attributed it to the great organization he achieves in his packing, via cubesAfter going away recently for a girls’ weekend, I decided that my inefficient packing habits just have to change for my next trip, which is in August. I get to my hotel on Friday afternoon, after packing in what I thought was a thorough and efficient manner. We were slightly rushed because we were starving, and I made an attempt to quickly find another belt to wear, and a change of top. Of course, no matter how organized I think I am, I can never find the one thing I need most, and end up rifling through my entire suitcase to find it… and bye, bye organization! (Not to mention being panic stricken over having left my jacket in the back seat of my husband’s SUV when he dropped me off at the hotel with my girlfriend, after picking her up at the airport… which meant that I had to rifle even harder to find an extra layer to wear, once I discovered that).The rest of the weekend, I felt like a total disorganized mess, and I vowed then and there that I’d never travel again without cubes. So I’m really looking forward to my first experience with them. I also purchased one especially made for devices etc. It was so difficult figuring out where I packed all the little cords, my power bank, adaptors… It felt like I spent half the weekend searching for stuff!!So I bought this 4-pack and the “slim” 4 pack in the same color… which should take care of all my packing needs. I debated about the slim ones because some people really disliked how small they are, but I disagree with them. I think these slim ones are just perfect for small items such as bras, panties, hair ties, socks, belts, scarves, bathing suits, slips, nylons, etc. In fact, they came with a list of suggested uses which are spot-on. You could fill one with power bars if you are going on a long plane trip, and keep your family from starving to death if you get stuck on the tarmac. You could use one for sandals and flip flops. I don’t find them particularly small, and I’m sure they will come in handy! (Maybe if they were the ONLY ones you bought, they might be too small and a bad purchase. But as a supplement to the larger set, they are just perfect.)

Unfortunately (and it’s not advertised, so I’m not complaining!) these don’t compress the clothes at all, but they do help to organise them and in that way you save space. I would suggest getting different colours for each people and sorting out your luggage that way. Love the addition of the laundry bag!

These organises are great for the caravan or cupboards. Easy to use different sizes to allow you to use them for different things. Zip quality was good. Fabric feels sturdy. Good for travelling and value for money