Gear Review: Eagle Creek Specter Pack-It Packing Solutions

I am a fan of packing cubes and folders. For years, Eagle Creek has the been the product line is use. They are well made, versatile, and hold up nicely. But, the weight can build up.

Now, Eagle Creek has come out with a new line, the Specter line of packing products.

Sized the same as many of their popular products, the Specter  line is made of Silnylon Ripstop, an ultra-lightweight material. This brings the weight down tremendously.

(The photo above shows (clockwise from the left), an 18 inch packing folder, a sac, a  set of full, half and quarter sized cubes, and a Quick Trip toiletry bag. A 15 inch folder and full set of sacs are also available.)

The folder weighs just 8 ounces and the cubes/sacs/toiletry bag weigh anywhere from 0.6 ounces to 1 ounce.

.The line is translucent and semi-seethrough so you, or anyone looking, like airport security, can see inside without having to open them up. (Think more Victoria Secret than Playboy—you can see most but not everything.)

The Specter line is available in white with strobe green trim, white with red trim and all strobe green. A line of tangerine colored products is available, and I believe exclusively, at REI.

Except for the folders that come with a plastic “packing board,” the remaining products don’t hold their shape like the standard line of cubes. If you want to use them in a “floppy” type bag, and hope they will give shape to that bag, you’ll have to pack them tight.

I like the line. I’m able to save about a pound in weight yet still keep organized. They cost more than their heavier cousins and the lack of a mesh top doesn’t really make them easier to look into. But if you’re truly looking to save weight, yet get the benefits of cubes and folders, then you might want to consider this line of product.

One note—Eagle Creek rarely has sales but if you’re patient they do come around. I bought all of the above at 20-25% off full retail during sales at Ebags and REI.

Comments

[JeanneB]

I do not travel enough to warrant replacing my current EC organizers with the new Specter line however, I did buy a 15" folder to add to my collection when EMS had everything on sale for 20% off before Thanksgiving!

[Alan B]

I have BOTH the original style 18-inch folder and the newer, lighter, Specter style. I also have two of the older style 15-inch folders. Particularly if one doesn't already have any of these, if you are wear larger size shirts, and if you travel carry-on, clearly the best choice is the Specter 18-inch. For my carry-on bag, beyond the one shirt folder, I find the most useful EC organizers to be the "tube" style zipped organizers, which better fit the spaces available, as well as the small "sack" which I use for my toiletries. We do once a year take a longer, more elaborate trip, for which I check a bag, when I can use the original folder...but that's on the other side of Frank's fence for this forum.

[Anon]

The Specters are surprisingly tough, you can stuff them to capacity and compress a good amount of clothing. The tangerine color contrasts well with white hotel linens, this was a major reason I opted for it over the white. For the zip pouch (vs. cube), I prefer the old style with plastic/mesh combo as that usually hold items with harder edges like toothbrush holders and spork. When I'm not traveling I use the cubes and sacks to organize travel gear, and to hold first aid supplies for home emergency bag and local hikes, so they are always utilized. I have the classic style from ages ago which I prefer those for rugged outdoor vacations but for work travel overseas when my one bag stays between 5-6kg, the Specters are perfect.

[Frank]

I ordered a bunch of these for an upcoming trip, but much to my dismay the zippers only go about 2/3 of the way around the cube. So you can't flip the top up the way you can on the old ones! You then have to stuff your clothes into the bag, which I really don't like. They are going back. Suprised this wasn't covered in the review.

[Frank@OBOW]

I had no problem packing the newer, lighter cubes so I didn't even notice the difference. I used them for rolled up clothes.

But you're right, they only open about 2/3 of the way. For the weight saving, I'm willing to put an extra few seconds into packing.