TB Packing Cubes

[MtnMan]

How many TB forum users have ever travelled with a TB Packing Cube in a bag that is not a TB travel bag? (Not an Aeronaut, Tri-Star, Western Flyer, etc.)

How many of you used these packing cubes in, say, a Brain Bag or Smart Alec or a non-TB bag?

How well did they work?

[flitcraft]

I've used mine in an Eagle Creek wheeled bag when I had a shoulder injury and needed to use wheels for a bit. Their ability to keep items neat and organized and unwrinkled was every bit as useful there as in their "real" home.

[ams123]

I plan to buy an aeronaut in the near future, but am currently using an LL Bean Medium Adventure Duffel. It's smaller than an aeronaut, and has only one compartment. But what I haven't liked about it is that it only has one compartment, so I purchased some TB packing cubes, knowing I could use them in my aeronaut when I buy it.

I used the packing cubes on a trip this weekend, and they worked great. A large one for clothing, an end pocket all fabric one for my running shoes, a small one for my netbook, kindle and chargers, and a mesh end pocket one for my non-liquid personal items. I also have a quarter packing cube that I use for my running clothes, and a 3D clear organizer that I put into the mesh end pocket cube (I don't actually carry liquids in the 3D clear organizer).

Using these packing cubes in the duffel made everything so much easier. I think you can use them in any type of bag that has an open compartment.

[bltkmt]

I am curious about this as well...what packing cubes work best in a Brain Bag?

[MtnMan]

^ I second that question.

[aiethabell]

Mtnman, I originally used Eagle Creek packing cubes in my Air Boss, but switched to Tom Bihn Aeronaut-sized ones due to the lighter weight and Dyneema fabric. By the time I actually did buy an Aeronaut I had the full set of Aeronaut-sized stuff... and just wondered why I didn't pull the trigger and just get the darned Aeronaut to put it in!

The only EC item I still use is an 18" folder if I need to pack business clothes, or one of their zipper-top waterproof mesh pouches if I need to pack extra prescriptions. Unlike Tom Bihn's clear quarter packing cubes, it's really hard to see through/read through the EC mesh. I don't want TSA seeing some of the prescriptions I carry, just in case they feel the need to snitch them.

A little word to those worried about the same thing: the Aeronaut Convertible Backpack, when turned fully inside out into a smooth cube, has the bottom compartment inside and, as such, unseen unless you are asked to unzip the cube. I hide money, prescriptions, and expensive camera cards here, just to keep them safe from casual theft at checkpoints. You can even lock the zipper, a big plus. If I'm leaving a hotel room for the day and I don't need the pack, all prescriptions stay in it, locked, inside a locked Aeronaut, and the Aeronaut is locked with a cable to something heavy and unbreakable in the room.

[backpack]

I am curious about this as well...what packing cubes work best in a Brain Bag?

I use one Aeronaut Backpack Packing Cube, a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag and a Clear Quarter Packing Cube inside the Brain Bag when I travel by air.


The Backpack Packing Cube keeps, everything, even dress jackets neatly.

The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag is an accessories, electronics in Padded Pouches, or foundation garments holder.

The Clear Quarter Packing Cube is usually carried in a Large Cafe Bag or a Backpack Packing Cube used as a backpack with the Small Cafe Bag.
But when I travel, it usually is inside the Brain Bag.


I usually use the Backpack Packing Cube for Aeronaut in the back compartment and the 2 others in the front compartment.


I believe that the Packing Cube for Tristar is too long for the Brain Bag but I could be mistaken.

[MtnMan]

Does anyone know the inside dimensions of the main compartments of the Brain Bag and Smart Alec? Does anyone know which TB Packing Cubes will fit into either of these bags?

I'm trying to get a feel for which cubes would fit into either of these bags.

[Shiva]

Hi MtnMan:
I have the Smart Alec. The large size Western Flyer packing cube fits perfectly; as does the Aeronaut backpack packing cube (although it is a bit shorter, once full it is fine). I have been able to pack the WF large packing cube + 2 small packing cubes + shoes (size 7.5) + miscellaneous items in there without a problem

s

[Moose]

Does anyone know the inside dimensions of the main compartments of the Brain Bag and Smart Alec? Does anyone know which TB Packing Cubes will fit into either of these bags?

I'm trying to get a feel for which cubes would fit into either of these bags.

Hi MtnMan,

I measured the interior of my Brain bag. The section closest to your back is 18" top to bottom, in the center, and 13" side to side. The front to back of the section is 4". The section of the pack furthest from your back is the same size.

My 15" EC folder fits easily in either section. I don't have an 18" EC folder but my guess is it would fit but it'd be a cozy fit. Only because the top of the bag is rounded and not squared off. I tried my large EC cube too. It fits quite easily into the back section. It seems to take up more space in the front section but still fits easily.

I've had my Brain bag about a month and love it. I keep telling myself its big for what I need but I manage to fill it up pretty easily.

Happy travels,
Moose

[MtnMan]

Thanks to aiethabell, Backpack, Shiva and Moose for the detailed replies regarding TB backpacks. That's what I'm looking for!

Have either of you used your TB backpacks as a travel bag / suitcase? (Hauling clothes and other travel items on a road or air trip)

[MtnMan]

Also thanks to ams123 and flitcraft for their non-TB bag insights.

Keep those comments coming!

[Moose]

Thanks to aiethabell, Backpack, Shiva and Moose for the detailed replies regarding TB backpacks. That's what I'm looking for!

Have either of you used your TB backpacks as a travel bag / suitcase? (Hauling clothes and other travel items on a road or air trip)

Hi MtnMan,
I've not traveled with my Brain bag yet. I've been using it as my every day bag. I can tell you I know I can get as much, if not more, in it than my Western Flyer. I have taken my Western Flyer and Synapse on a couple of week+/- trips.

The WF fit nicely under the seat in front of me on the small regional prop/jets. I think the Brain bag would fit under the seat in the smaller jets too. If someone could confirm that I'd sure appreciate it.

The front pockets of the Brain bag are large enough to hold a paperback that is 5X7X1, my compact Daytimer and a package of kleenex. I can make the Brain bag very heavy very fast.

Happy travels,
Moose

[Radio bug]

I typically fly on small regional jets when I travel and have never had a problem fitting my Brain Bag under the seat in front of me.

[Moose]

I typically fly on small regional jets when I travel and have never had a problem fitting my Brain Bag under the seat in front of me.

Hi Radio bug,
Thank you for the confirmation. Knowing this I can easily see myself using my Brain bag only for a 7 to 10 day trip. I've never traveled with just one bag. I always carry on only but with two bags. One bag travel has been a long time dream/goal of mine.
Happy travels,
Moose