Given several recent reader comments, I think an opportunity we’re missing out on is to explore different packing methods to a greater extent than we have in the past. I’m using “we” not in the editorial sense, but because I view the blog as a conversation and sharing of ideas.
An example: MtnMan recently asked about the EC Pack-It 18 and whether it’d fit in an Aeronaut or Tri-Star. Perhaps I should begin including one or two shots of popular packing tools in each review; let me know your thoughts.
That said, on to some interesting articles I’ve recently discovered:
Take a few minutes and explore a wonderful slide show and collection of stories entitled Why We Travel – at The New York Times. The photos and stories are from travelers who probably much like you and me… which is to say, fascinating. Enjoy!
In this 2006 post, veteran vagabond and travel writer Rolf Potts recaps the best tips from a San Francisco Chronicle article (by Travel Editor John Flinn) about traveling light: Traveling the world with one carry-on bag. Here’s the original Chronicle article: Cargo Cult. Note that he uses the Steves Convertible Carry-on! Related, Flinn asked a number of travel writers what essential items they carry; here’s that piece: They Don’t Leave Home Without It
I can’t figure out what the hell Uberoom‘s business model is, but a recent post – Happy 2010: 8 Epic Hotels to Celebrate the New Decade – features some splendid hotels.
Always entertaining is Pop Sci’s annual Best of What’s New feature: 100 Best Innovations of The Year. They’re arranged by category, and you’re sure to find something of interest. One of the items in the Recreation category is an argon-filled vest from Klymit. Yikes!
Finally, over at TripBase I came across a list of the Top 10 Friendliest Countries in the World. Where do you think the U.S. placed? Sadly enough, Italy does not appear on the list.
Have a great weekend!!
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November 13th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
You said in part:
“Perhaps I should begin including one or two shots of popular packing tools in each review; let me know your thoughts.”
Yes, that would be terrific. Your basic product pictures are so much better than any manufacturers’ or retailers’ website I have seen to date, and your short videos are an excellent supplement.
But I agree that adding packing tools would be a great addition, and I also think that having a couple of reference bags in a shot (or of the main ones in your collection, for a running update of sizes), together with at least one briefcase sized bag in the picture – since a briefcase is such a universally understood size – would give us all a much better idea of relative sizing.
I vote for the Pack-It 18, not the 15″. I have a 15″ and it is quite small and won’t fold men’s shirts without a bit of extra folding. The 18″ is probably the sweet spot in their three sizes.
I also think that the Rick Steves Packing Cubes are a worthy starting point for “packing cube” pictures. The large measures 14″x11″x5″ and the medium 7″x11″x5″ – they were designed to fit his convertible travel bags perfectly, and while they aren’t always a perfect fit in some of the other convertibles without a little smooshing to fit, they do work the best for me – other packing cubes just don’t seem as efficient, and the fact that the Steves Cubes are 5″ thick instead of the more common 3″ thick, means I don’t have to buy two cubes to do the work of one (i.e., one layer of Steves Cubes is just about perfect for me, with other packing systems the cubes just won’t hold enough).
Since they compress for smaller loads, they work fine if your packing needs are less than mine.
Finally, I think the Target house-brand packing cubes look suspiciously like Steves Cubes – although Steves’ online store is always in stock, and Target isn’t.
Just some thoughts. I think this is a great direction for you to consider, and thanks a lot for welcoming feedback.
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November 13th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I think this is a great idea. I’ve been a lurker here for awhile, and have to say I really enjoy your gear reviews. Showing popular packing tools (folders, cubes, etc.) would really help! Thanks, and keep up the great work.
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November 14th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Kevin and PracticalHacks readers,
I have to do a better job of illustrating what Uberoom does on our blog. We just transferred it over to WP and it needs tuning. Uberoom was created to help busy people celebrate – I used to be one of them. Because most hotels offer champagne and chocolates, we wanted to help the person that was arranging a hotel room with candles and rose petals while the significant other was wondering where they were.
Uberoom arranges for ANY hotel or B&B room in the U.S. to be decorated in a theme. We have romantic themes for anniversaries, birthdays, wedding proposals, Valentine’s Day, sports themes for tailgate parties or birthdays, and location themes for prospective employees or new hires. We personalize your theme, ship it to the hotel, and pay them a small set-up commission to prepare your room before you arrive. If you order one for your residence, we give you $20 off instantly, provide directions, and save you from running around to pick everything up.
Its a pretty great space to be in. We help people celebrate, hotels offer more to their guests, and we get to smile (especially) when our customers tell us how well the surprise went.
I’ll update the blog so our model is crystal. Thanks for reading, the shout, and keep finding practical hacks.
Your new reader,
Bryan Ulatowski
Co-Founder and VP Sales
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November 14th, 2009 at 4:39 am
I concur perfectly with Michael in all points. I’d just like to add that when you are done with the RS cubes, it would be interesting to compare them with the EC cubes or even the ebags version (notably the flat version) to have the full gamut of cube sizes especially in thickness. The reason I got an EC cube over an RS model (and I only have that single one) is that it wasn’t as deep. I find that a packing cube should provide some compression to the contents. A 14x11x5 cube is so large, I wouldn’t have enough stuff to fit in it. But when I put a big, bulky fleece jacket and some other knits in my EC cube it compresses them nicely. It thus has an organizing function but is also a space saver. It also becomes fairly compact/solid which can give structure to a sloppy bag. Oftentimes I even add a book or two, basically sandwiching the clothes between books or magazines to create a better compression effect and a sturdier package.
Another point to look at would be weight and how well the cubes are sewn and crafted in general. When you use them like I do for compression, it is important that the zipper doesn’t give up. Mind you, I don’t need to sit on it to close it, either. :)
I only use one other cube and that’s the one that came with my BR BB107 backpack. I use that one for cables and power supplies. It fits perfectly in the BB107 of course but also always finds a neat place in my main bag.
The link round-up was nice. Thanks! The John Flinn article in particular is very good. The Friendliest Country article is a bit strange. When was the last time anyone here visited Malawi or thought of visiting this very friendly country?
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