Valet Luggage Compression Shelves with Storage Case, Gray, One Size

Just got back from my "maiden voyage" with these shelves, and I'm sold! Previously, my packed clothing would start out beautifully organized...until the moment I pulled something out. From then on, entropy reigned: things would unroll or unfold, get wrinkled, hide under other items, or disappear entirely until I returned ("So THAT'S where it was! I KNEW I'd packed it!! Grrr..."). But these shelves are great! First, they speed up packing because you just hang them in your closet and load them up; you can even hang them if your closet is crammed full (the hook is on sliding straps so you can still hook it on the rod and hang it in front of the hanging clothing if necessary). It's easy to rearrange items as you wish...then, when you're done, unhook it, click the compression belt together, pull on the straps to compress the items...and drop it in your suitcase. Clothing won't shift around and get wrinkled, and everything's nice and compact...then when you reach your destination, pull it out and hang it in the closet. Voila—you're unpacked, and everything stayed organized! Since the hook slides on its straps, you're even covered if there's no closet rod—a curtain rod, a coat hook, or even the back of a chair will do, or you can just leave it in your suitcase and pull it up accordion style when you need an item. Repacking is just as easy: unhook, connect the belt, pull the straps to compress, and drop it back in your suitcase. I was using the Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder "envelope" and "cubes"—this is less expensive and a LOT better. It even comes with a light nylon zippered case, so you could conceivably use this as your only carry-on if you're traveling very light—or bring the case as "emergency luggage" in case you need more stowage on your return trip.With these compression shelves and a Grid-It for my cables, chargers and small miscellany (Grid-It Organizer, Black CPG10BK), I'm better organized on trips than ever before, and packing (as well as unpacking) is a comparative breeze.Tip: I kept the stiff photo card-stock enclosure that came with the shelves, and cut it down to make a guide that helps me fold clothing so it fits perfectly half-way across a shelf. Speeds things up!

I picked this up to keep things neater than usual for some upcoming trips, and while I haven't taken it anywhere yet I have been packing and repacking it this afternoon to see just what it will hold. Packing for a 4-5 day trip, this fit neatly into my usual travel duffle and packed for a longer, 7-8 day trip, it fit into a max-size rollerboard carry-on (taking around 1/3 of the total space). Depending on how you have it packed and how much you want to be able to squish it down, a toiletry bag can fit inside (the top shelf has a divider which is a good spot for it), though a stuffed toiletries bag won't squish down as well as the rest (but it does keep all of your stuff neatly together and organized). It seems sturdy, even when loaded down with over a week's worth of clothes. What I like most is how easy it is to keep everything organized. There's no digging through your bag — you can just pull the whole thing out and it's as neat as having clothes stacked on a closet shelf at home.A few complaints, though. The hook on the top is a bit small: too small to hook completely over my closet rods at home, though it does hook over just enough to balance and hang without trouble. Closet rods in hotels tend to be narrower, though, so you may not encounter this problem on the road. It also has just one compression strap, which certainly does its job, but does leave it squished in the middle and bulging a bit on the sides (depending on how heavily you pack it). Watch out placing small items (socks or undies) in a place where they won't be held by the strap because they can fall out (not easily, with the whole thing squished together, but in pulling mine in and out of luggage it's happened). I do kind of wish it had two compression straps to hold it together a bit more stably, but, again, it works as it is. Finally, the straps themselves: when you don't have it hanging up, the straps and hook to hang it just flop around. Then, when you have it hanging, the compression strap just flops around. It's a minor annoyance but still an annoyance (and one not at all represented in the product photos).

Let's talk about truth in advertising. The picture with the guy standing in front of the valet is erroneously edited and is much smaller. Look to picture number 2, much closer in size. Take a tape measure and scale it before you buy. I don't see how this would hold enough for a trip, even a crunchy granola gal with 1-2 changes of clothing. Additionally, it states that it will hang "straight across". Nope. The straps on the top are comprised of two crossing straps with a d-ring attached. So, if you have unevenly weighted items (even slightly), it will tilt to the heavier side. It's useful in some sense for the convenience of it, and frequent hotel changes but I wish I had time to return it and buy the valet with 2 hooks. I will say that it will work great in an old closet under our stairs where we store strollers. This valet fits right over it and can hold stroller accessories. Hope this helps.

I go on frequent 2-3 day business trips and require business casual clothes, usually. This bag is great for holding 1-3 pairs of pants, several folded shirts, socks, a pair of shorts or so, and underwear. You aren't going to pack a 3-piece suit and cloths for a week in it. Once they're folded and the straps are compressed, it's reasonably thin, but even better it prevents wrinkles and shifting. Once in the hotel, I just hang it in the closet and unstrap.I haven't had any shifting problems with it being lopsided. The carrying bag is a little cheap nylon thing, but so far it's functional and leaves room for a book, toiletries, etc.