ProsDurable, Great Value, Performing as Expected, bona-fide fantastic
Every person on the planet who travels should own a set of these packers. I've had mine for 8 years now and they've been with me to the UK, Europe, South America and all over North America. They are light weight enough to keep even a backpack organized. And getting through searches in airports with these... pays for the price of the packers a hundred times over. I bought a set for my mom to travel with to visit us "kids" and she actually uses a ring to clip them into the bottom of her suitcase once they are packed. When the suitcase is open and "dumped" all her things stay with the case and are easy to shove back inside. We all know, airport searchers aren't as gentle as we are with our things. I've had them open the case, look inside... smile at my brilliant organization... then just take the individual packers out and run them through x-ray. Sure makes up for having them ruffling through your underwear in a long line up!
As far as construction goes, I just bought a set for my husband (green) and they are somewhat tougher ripstop than the ones I bought years ago, which is great. Though mine are standing the tests of time with flying colours! And I'm no light packer, even when I have to carry it on my back. When hiking across Scotland, I folded the largest size in half to fit it in my pack. My friends were all jealous that I didn't have to unload all my things individually to get something at the bottom... and bought their own when we all got home.
They really swallow a full load of clothes too, with nice strong/smooth zippers that help flatten and compact.
Bottom line: If your waffling, don't. You'll be glad you got these! This is an Epic win for LLBean.
I go on cruises and travel leisurely a few times per year. My fiance and I share a large suitcase and of course, since my clothes are smaller than his, I get less space. So, I purchased these packers to maximized my luggage space and to get organized. I just used them for a 7 day cruise and they are fabulous. I used the largest cube for cocktail dresses, dinner tops/pants, jeans, sweatshirts, etc. The smaller one was used for t-shirts, shorts, swim suits and gym clothes. The smallest one I used for socks, panties, pantyhose, belts. All of my clothes for an entire week fit in those 3 cubes. Then I stacked them in the suitcase and they fit with room to spare. I had room to put my LL Bean Personal Organizer and hairdryer stacked on top. And I didn't even take up half the suitcase. When we unpacked in the stateroom, I pulled out the packers, hung up what needed to be hung up and left the rest folded in the packers. Those went on the closet shelves and my clothes stayed folded and organized the entire trip. My stuff didn't get mixed up or toppled over. I will probably order another set for my fiance and see if I can reduced his packing too. But remember, I didn't take less clothes. They were just better organized and neatly compressed in the cubes. Highly recommended.
I have several of these packers in various sizes and I love them because they keep everything so neat and organized within the suitcase. I like having them in a color other than black so they can be easily seen. This year, I purchased 2 sets to give as gifts. Unfortunately, the largest size in the set of 3 is so big that it takes up the entire inside of most suitcases, thereby negating the need for it. The smaller packers work well to keep clothes separate or to fit around other items in the suitcase itself. I just don't see the purpose of making a case so large, so I'm sending these back and getting smaller cubes purchased separately. Not as good a value maybe, but much more functional.
