Opinion on Clothing Compression Bags?

[pulphero]

Has anyone used those bags that let you suck all the air out of a pile of clothes until the pile shrinks to the size of a plump pancake?

My goal is to take one less bag to Disney.

I'd appreciate your opinion on these vacuum bags, what brands and sizes you used, and how they held up during travel.

Thanks.

 

[DVCconvert]

We tried them last month for the first time. I'd rate them a 75 out of 100. We got the ones made by coleman (the camping supply people) with our, you don't use a vaccum cleaner or anything, you just have to roll them up tightly from the bottom (when filled) .


They did help, I'd say they are worth there costs. The only *but* I would add is to say that my wife found it impossible to roll them up tight enough, so I'd have to do it for her. Also, we found that the Large bags were the handiest. We found few good uses for the smaller bags.

HTH

 

[jeancbpugh]

I also tried one recently. We fit four beach towels in one large compression bag. No problem squishing all the air out. However, once it was compressed, it was as hard as a rock! I wouldn't want to pack anything that wrinkles in one.

Ours doesn't require a vacuum. It has a one-way valve that lets the air out as you roll it.

 

[ktglads]

I don't use them on the way down, but pack them to bring back dirty clothes. This way my clothes are separated and I have extra space for souveniers. I use the ones from qvc that you roll to get the air out. When I used them on my way to Disney, I found that I grossly overpack because of all the excess space (which of course needs to be filled).

They are also great to throw those not-quite dry items in when you get caught in the inevitable monsoon when heading to the airport.

 

[thepianoman]

They work very well, but I've found that the key to effectively using them is to NOT pack too much into one bag. It is much easier to roll the air out of the bag if it is not packed to the gills.

Wrinkling is unavoidable, I'm afraid. That's why I'm grateful for the irons at the resorts.

 

[seashoreCM]

1. You still need to be conscious of total weight, airlines surcharge above a certain weight, typically 50 lb. but could be less.

2. Supposing one gets decompressed by accident and it needs a vacuum cleaner which you don't have handy, for example at the security checkpoint. How do you get everything back into the suitcase?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[pulphero]

1. Supposing one gets decompressed and you don't have a vacuum cleaner handy, for example at the security checkpoint. How do you get everything back into the suitcase?

The bag that I bought (at Target, for just a tad over $3.00) doesn't require a vacuum. You pack it, then firmly roll it to expel the air through a mesh at the other end of the bag.

I bought the medium size bag, tried it out at home, liked the results, and plan to buy several more. I figure these bags will let me pack the contents of three suitcases into two suitcases, with room left over for souvenirs.

 

[DVC-LEROY]

I've been using space bags for about 5 years now - in combination with 2 gallon zipper bags (from Walmart). The ones I buy do not require a vacuum cleaner. You just roll them up and push the air out of one end. I also found some green colored smaller versions at the Dollar Tree that work fine considering the price. The only negative thing I've heard was that airport security may open them if they are too compressed - and the agents can't figure out what's inside. I like having everything presorted when I unpack. When we're in a hurry I just throw each person's bag in their designated drawer. Yes, things get wrinkled - but I have never found a way to get around ironing.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I like to take my own pillow, so I use a bag to put that in. I also use them for beach towels, socks, undies, etc. They save a lot of space. -Steph

 

[brady961]

i usually am traveling weekly for work (except this last year). and i use them each time i travel. i also use the one you roll and expel the air. i love using them.

and at the airports they are great. clear, so if bags are inspected the TSA just picks it up, lays it back down. no undies flying around LOL.

as someone mentioned above is not to put too much on one bag, as it will be more difficult to roll, and then flatten out for packing.

I have traveled with a pillow and blanket and was able to pack both in a bag, and throw into suitcase.

usually i put outfits in one bag, socks, shirts, short/pants etc.... this works great for me then i only have to pull a bag out, open and the outfit is there. unfort wrinkles are going to happen whether in bag or not most likely.

good luck

 

[jgmklmhem]

A cheaper way is to buy the largest freezer bags around and basically put your stuff in sit on the bag and expel all the air. I always did this for backpacking trip and it worked just as well as the 5$ a bag types that my buddies were using. Their bags were bigger in most cases meaning I had to use more freezer bags but the price was still way way way less that theirs.

 

[mommy2mrb]

I use the roll up ones for undies, socks, pjs, swimsuits, etc. but not for anything that will need to be ironed.....afterall I am on vacation from EVERYTHING domestic

 

[mickeem]

I love these bags!

After reading the replies, I have to agree with using larger ones is easy. It's hard to shove stuff in the smaller ones.

Also, if you are flying, its a great way not to have your clothes handled if your luggage gets searched. Since they are see-through, My bags have been gone through a few times, and the plastic bags were never opened.

I bought teh spacesaver bags online. It was cheaper than walmart. (at the time)

Traci

 

[yellowfish78]

If the compression bags are packed too tight, security at the airport WILL NOT like these. I normally travel through a smaller airport where security will check every piece of luggage that goes on a plane. If they think something is in the bag, they will open it and more than likely not use as much care as packing them back up as you do. It's easier (and cheaper) to buy just large baggies to put things in that you don't want want touched. With baggies, they can still "feel" through the bag, whereas with the air compression bags they can't feel what's really in the bag. Besides, the compression bags only have about a shelf life of maybe two or three trips...after a while the one way valves will give out. Also as said above, it will increase the weight of your luggage, which might put you over airline weight limits.

 

[paulgaedke]

If you look in the bag section at your grocery store they are now selling really big zip lock bags. They are made for packing for a trip, bigger than the 2.5 gallon size. I fill them up, lay on top and zip them shut! Works great. Many years ago my wife and I went to Europe for two weeks and packed all our clothes for the trip in 1 duffel bag. They work great!

 

[Drizzo67]

I use the 2.5 gallon baggies and pack a whole outfit in each bag. It makes getting dressed in the AM easier and my kids don't have to wait for me to lay out their clothes. They just grab a bag and get dressed. I pack a few extra unused ones for packing wet suits, dirty clothes etc. for the flight home.
I do use the space bags for pillows, blankets etc as my son has asthma and uses special pillows etc.

 

[Keokagal]

I use them since a trip to FL in 2002. There were downpours in Tenn. when they transferred the luggage mine was in a puddle. My clothes were wet and stained irrepairably. New clothes!!! I was reimbursed but not for the true value. Green stain all over everything, grrrr. Now all goes in the bag. My pillow especially. Love my pillow.

 

[kimbac3]

I have to pack for a family of 5 for 12 days!! And I don't want to do laundry if I can help it!! I'm thinking about putting each persons clothes in one or two compression bags then packing them in Rubbernaid crates. We have a truck so they can go in the back. I was planning on using the vacuum kind. My dh said he'd pack his small shop vac. Now I might consider the roll up kind or ziplocs.
Thanks,
Kimba