We used to use zip loks as well, but because the ends are tapered there is wasted space when packing, we found. With packing cubes, the corners are square so there is no wasted space.
Dear wife insisted on using the zip loks until AARP sent us a free set of packing cubes for renewing. After using them, she was sold.
The REI Sahara convertibles (zip-offs) in my Sept 16 post worked great on our trip! I wore mine most days on our Europe trip (Amsterdam, Viking Rhine River cruise, Florence - sometimes at night I switched to dressier pants, but not always). My husband had two pair and wore them most of the time. The fabric is a bit water resistant but not hot. The zip pocket on the thigh was perfect for my cellphone (iphone 12mini).
I only switched to shorts a few times. But a feature we both liked was the orange color coding on the zipper parts on the right leg. It’s a small thing, but it makes it easier to grab the “correct leg” when going back to long pants.
I had a thin hooded jacket similar to this, in BLACK. I wore it often, including on the plane and often to casual-ish dinner on the Viking cruise. (I also had a thin pink sweater to switch things up.). It worked well under a wind breaker too when weather was cool or rainy ( happily though usually dry/sunny on this trip) Women's Tek Gear® Ultrasoft Fleece Jacket
So my actual jacket is in black, not quite as casual. And it came in petite. Wish it were still available because I’d order another color.
So the omniheat fleece women’s vest is back in stock for anyone interested.
I love it because it’s lightweight but keeps me nice and warm without being bulky.
Had this ad on FB. Nice says me, maybe if I want to add a grey jacket and am willing to not have a hood (my windbreaker does have a hood).
No says me when I get to the $240 price.
I don’t see anything special about this jacket to justify the $240 price. Made out of recycled soda bottles? That “feel good” selling point is not new. There aren’t enough bottles out there already because everyone tried to make something out of them. 
What am I missing here? 
I’ve got the targeted ads for A day also. I think it’s for an audience that’s not me.
HImom - does that heat vest have some kind of battery? I couldn’t tell from the link…
I was so excited to get one of those battery-powered heated vests two years ago…then it kind of burned me a little when I was sitting down…plus I sometimes fall asleep in my winter clothes (cold all the time) so I think I need a different technology 
There are no batteries in Columbia Omniheat clothing. Just a layer of special material that traps body heat.
That sounds really good! Thanks!
Correct, the Omni heat uses reflective technology and body heat to help keep you warm. It’s explained pretty well on Columbia’s website. There are several different formulations of omniheat technology. I like the one that is used with the fleece vests, as they remain soft and pliable. The stiffer form faster isn’t as cozy.
Here’s a video about the technology.
Thanks HImom! I’m definitely going to check that out! 
Want to be warm but batteries not the way to go for me lol!!
I find it fascinating how many people can wear wool! For me, it’s like saying “wearing this shirt/socks with a bunch of needles sticking out of them is great!” And yes, I’ve tried the brands people say are “so soft and comfortable.” Not for me. I can detect wool when it’s like 5 % of the fabric content. I wonder why some of us are so sensitive to it and others not.
@maya54 - I do recall that as a child wool clothing was torturous to me. I don’t think I have any wool items, though I have been tempted to at least try on some smartwool tops.
Has anybody tried this packing tube / neck pillow thingy? I have been known to stuff items into a neck pillow case, after the inflatable pillow sprung a link. Seems like it would be a good gift for thrifty daughter, who often flies with just a backpack…. but $43 is pricey for a gamble gift.
It also seems a rather big, not certain if it would be allowed.
I’ve tried every wool imaginable…and even the ones that claim they aren’t a problem…are for me. I can feel 2% wool in a garment and that’s even with some layer between me and the wool. No thank you.
I really like the idea of that, but agree - not cheap. If you get it let me know how it works. We have a 15 hour flight coming up in February…
For my recent Europe trip, I used this inflatable pillow (not stuffable). It was compact and useful.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JKR5QLJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Mostly I used it stacked on top of a packing cube (packed in backpack) on top of the folded down table. Slumped down on top of my arms around the stack, face in center of pillow a bit like message table https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JKR5QLJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details idea. Not ideal, but I did get a few hours sleep.
That makes sense to me! And 10 bucks is a reasonable investment.
The packing cube was actually inside a small, camping size pillow case. On the plane, I wore a thin black cotton hooded jacket (handy for sleeping privacy). I also had my windbreaker tied around my waist. That was handy for saving backpack space and also to use on my “sleeping stack”
