Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsLOVE the Double Sided Feature, BUT . . .
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2019
I'm a frequent traveler and habitual over-packer. As such, I've been trying packing cubes and compression cubes for years. I rushed to buy a set of MagicToDoor as soon as I saw them. I liked the color (black); washability; compression; and most of all the two-sided bonus. I knew the four cube set was not adequate (I usually like/want 2 large cubes at least) but I was seduced by the two-sided feature, and I wasn't wrong. That said, I packed them for a 5-day trip involving both casual and more dressy events, but before loading my carryon bag, I re-packed everything in my trusted LeanTravel compression cubes. (2 dresses; 3 lightweight pants; 1 skirt; 5 tops; 1 light, 1 med weight sweater; lingerie; accessories). They don't get lumpy. The MagicToDoor cubes have the advantage of light weight, washability, and easy folded storage. But without the rigid sides of LeanTravel, they end up as lumpy cubes when fully packed and compressed. This could be OK for trips (or clothing) that is casual and wrinkle-proof, but it doesn't necessarily work if you have more formal events on the agenda; and anyway, the lumps make for less compact packing. Also, Leading Edge has see-through windows so you can see what's in each cube -- great especially for 2 or 3 stop trips where you might not use everything at every stop. For MagicToDoor, you need to tie on a tag or use a clear plastic stick-on window (the kind made for business cards) so you know what's inside.
MagictoDoor is $26 for 4 pieces; Leading Edge $45 for 6 pieces, so they cost about the same per cube. I'll use some of these to augment the Leading Edge cubes, but will mostly keep them (with labels) to store out of season items at home.
No cube set I've tried is completely perfect, and some of that is personal: I like to have 2 large and 2-3 medium cubes, even if I only use all of them for longer trips and checked bags. (I'm 5'3" and can pack with fewer fold in the large bags than my 5'11" husband.) Compression without fuss or muss is high on my list, and light weight less so, though it is crucial for back packers, families, tour-travelers.
I wish MagictoDoor would add some hard sides to their ingenious design -- I'd be the greatest fan!!
