Luggage...using totes instead?

[design_mom]

Well, when moving dd20 into college, this was her checked luggage, she brought what she needed home for winter break in one of them. My other kids used them for college as well, but they drove.

We bought the same bags for my son's college move in (driving distance) and were surprised by how well those packed in the car -- and when you arrive at your destination, they fold down to practically nothing, you you don't have to take up space storing them. When we went on our summer vacation (also a car trip) we packed in the blue bags, too... and it worked great. I have never tried flying with them and wasn't sure how well they'd hold up to commercial "luggage handling." But I agree that those blue bags are work well more than their $5 price!

 

[mjkacmom]

We bought the same bags for my son's college move in (driving distance) and were surprised by how well those packed in the car -- and when you arrive at your destination, they fold down to practically nothing, you you don't have to take up space storing them. When we went on our summer vacation (also a car trip) we packed in the blue bags, too... and it worked great. I have never tried flying with them and wasn't sure how well they'd hold up to commercial "luggage handling." But I agree that those blue bags are work well more than their $5 price!

We double bagged just in case but they worked great! We leave them behind in the dorm for move out.

 

[RangerPooh]

Well, when moving dd20 into college, this was her checked luggage, she brought what she needed home for winter break in one of them. My other kids used them for college as well, but they drove.View attachment 644173

I love my Ikea bags! I keep one in the car to haul my groceries into the house in one trip. I also have sleeping bags stored in them for car camping trips.

 

[Babs Johnson]

When we drive for vacations, my wife likes to pack in totes instead of suitcases.

One tote is reserved for all 78 bottles, jars, and tubes of her lotions, creams, conditioners, etc.

 

[Sinder]

We use totes too, but it's when we rent a house or cabin. I don't know why I never thought to do it for a hotel stay.

 

[rowan1813]

Well, when moving dd20 into college, this was her checked luggage, she brought what she needed home for winter break in one of them. My other kids used them for college as well, but they drove.View attachment 644173

They come with zippers now?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Never tried it, but it sounds like a good idea.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well, when moving dd20 into college, this was her checked luggage, she brought what she needed home for winter break in one of them. My other kids used them for college as well, but they drove.View attachment 644173

I'm intrigued. Do you have a link?

 

[design_mom]

I'm intrigued. Do you have a link?

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/frakta-storage-bag-for-cart-blue-90149148/

 

[elaine amj]

The ikea bag has backpack straps?!!

 

[elaine amj]

I have packed in totes for road trips but find the large totes too bulky and heavy to deal with loading in and out of places. It’s a nuisance to maneuver through doorways. I really like it with small to medium totes. Right now don’t want to dish out $$ for new totes so I have been using boxes (usually the boxes with handles that printer paper comes in). They stack nicely and each one is not too heavy and awkward. Eventually I’ll get a stack of medium plastic totes. Nothing too large.

i do love my giant packable duffel bag. I bought it initially for bringing home extra stuff when flying. I generally like to fly with 1-2 large suitcases for all of us. Sometimes stuff doesn’t pack quite as tight for the way home and an extra bag that is safe and sturdy for airline travel with no loose handles is helpful.

So I bought this:https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07GQR8KQP/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_inactive_ship_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought the giant 90L one - filled out it would be practically the maximum size for a checked luggage. I love that when I don’t fill it up, it’s floppy and looks more normal sized so I don’t feel quite so ridiculous lol. I have been shocked how often I fill it up. Usually with clothes or winter jackets. In the summer it’s our swim bag filled with all our towels and a change of clothes each. Empty, it folds up to a tiny square. Full, it is super sturdy and very practical. I usually stand it on its end (so it stands tall) in my vehicle to take advantage of vertical space.

If I have to haul it through the airport, it has a luggage sleeve to slide through a luggage handle so it can be propped on top of a rolling suitcase.

 

[bookgirl]

I've seen totes used by a lot of road trippers. I've done some trips where I used both suitcases and totes and it works great.

 

[NotUrsula]

They come with zippers now?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They have versions with and without zippers.

We use regular wheeled luggage for flying, but these IKEA zippered bags are a godsend for summer camps and dorm moving, when you have to haul bulky bedding. I wrote DD's name on the straps so she could keep her stuff separate from that of the other campers, who pretty much all had them. My son hauls his clothes back and forth to his apt complex laundry room using them, too.

You don't know how much you could rely on Ikea until you get one locally; I go all the time and just shop on the lower floor for everyday stuff.

 

[tcufrog]

I keep 2 totes similar to this one below in the trunk of my car. I love the stiff sides and bottom. I also use them during roadtrips.

 

[sabretoothedbandit]

If I'm driving, yes. If I'm flying, nope.

Although it depends on the destination. I stayed in DC this summer and even though I had a very convenient hotel/parking combo, I much preferred rolling my bags along versus lugging plastic totes with me.

 

[rowan1813]

They have versions with and without zippers.

We use regular wheeled luggage for flying, but these IKEA zippered bags are a godsend for summer camps and dorm moving, when you have to haul bulky bedding. I wrote DD's name on the straps so she could keep her stuff separate from that of the other campers, who pretty much all had them. My son hauls his clothes back and forth to his apt complex laundry room using them, too.

You don't know how much you could rely on Ikea until you get one locally; I go all the time and just shop on the lower floor for everyday stuff.

I would have killed for the zippered versions! When I was buying dorm stuff, all they had were just totes with handles. I used those so much I destroyed them.

 

[NotUrsula]

I would have killed for the zippered versions! When I was buying dorm stuff, all they had were just totes with handles. I used those so much I destroyed them.

I find that my Ikea store often is sold out of the zippered ones; so often that I'm now in the habit of picking one up whenever I'm there, just in case. I think I have about 8 in the trunk of my car now.