My favorite packing thing:
Ziploc bags.
They are clear, strong, washable, reusable and waterproof; they come in different sizes and they are cheap.
I use them for everything related to packing!
I prefer them to toiletry bags because they occupy a much smaller space in the suitcase, you can distribute weight and above all, you can separate items by liquids/creams/gels and solids. I've seen, many a time, when airport security workers make people empty their fashionable and often expensive toiletry bags because they can't see inside.
I also prefer them to packing cubes because... packing cubes never worked for me. Just like that.
Who needs compression bags when you have ziploc bags? cheaper and smaller, and work the same or better. Once your place the item inside the ziploc bag, close the zip almost to the end, push the bag so all air comes out and then close the zip.
(If the backpack or duffel is too full, I don't close the ziploc bag all the way to the end. When I get to the lugagge measuring thing at the airport, I squeeze the entire packpack or duffel tight - it pushes air out of the ziplocks and the lugagge shrinks a couple cubic inches, making it fit the measuring thing. It's never failed me!)
4 man's size L polo shirt and 4 man's size L t-shirts
The same 8 pieces.
