Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 18 Review

My husband and I do not check luggage when we travel, particularly internationally. We travel insanely light. Last year when I bought a new travel bag, I received an Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 18 for free with my purchase. I had the opportunity to try it out for the first time on our recent 10 day trip to Europe, and it worked so well that my husband is purchasing one of his own for our next trip.

About the Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 18
This product is designed to help you pack more clothes, in less space, in a compartmentalized manner. Pack-It folders look like large canvas envelopes with velcro on each side. They come with a plastic "packing" guide which is just a sheet that measures the 12"x18" size of the Pack-It 18. Following the illustrations on the folding board, you fold each item around the plastic guide sheet and then line it up inside the Pack-It "envelope" wrapping. When you've packed each item, you simply place the guide on the top of the stack, push it down as much as possible, and then fasten the velcro enclosures on each side. This leaves you with a neat package of folded clothes that you can then place into your luggage.

How Well the Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 18 Works
I found the folder very easy to use, and was impressed that all of the clothes I packed for my trip fit inside. Placed in my carry-on sized luggage, I found that I still have about half of the luggage left as usable packing space. I folded the following items into the Pack-It Folder 18, which is technically designed to hold 8-12 items:

- 2 thin sweaters
- 1 dressy jacket
- 1 pair khaki pants
- 1 long-sleeved white shirt
- 1 dressy shirt
- 1 sleeveless shirt
- 1 t-shirt for sleeping
- 1 pair of pajama pants

I had a tough time folding up the khaki and pajama pants just right, but I made them work using the folding guide. With the above clothes, the Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder just barely closed, with the velcro pieces touching only barely, but it worked. Even though the Velcro didn't close solidly, I was able to place the package in my luggage, and secure it with a luggage strap, which ensured that everything stayed in place.

I had plenty of room left over in my luggage for a travel umbrella, all of my undergarments, packed in a squeezed-flat gallon-size Ziploc baggie, and my hairbrush, travel power adapter and toothbrush. I also had room for my vitamins and medicines, and my liquids - also packed in a Ziploc baggie (this one quart-sized to meet travel regulations).

When we arrived at our first destination, all of my clothes came out of the Pack-It folder neatly and without wrinkles. I hung them up and then four days later, used the same method to pack everything back up for our next destination. For our trip home, I packed everything back up nice and neatly in the Pack-It folder and found that I still had plenty of room in my single, carry-on sized bag for souvenirs (although we didn't really buy many). It was packing for our trip home that convinced my husband he needed to purchase one of these too.

Cat's Bottom Line
My Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 18 makes packing for a long trip in a small space very easy. I love how it keeps my clothes looking neat, and I love how it compartmentalizes the packing process, freeing up much more space in my suitcase. If you are a packing minimalist, or looking for a way to fit more into your luggage, I highly recommend Eagle Creek's line of Pack-It folders!

Website: http://www.eaglecreek.com/accessories/packing_folders/