Shrink it!

[psimon]

Has anyone used those vacuum bags they show on TV to pack your luggage? How do your clothes come out when you arrive? Are they all wrinkled? On the way back, how do you shrink it back down again?

Thanks....

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Windy City Heather]

I use gallon size or larger ziplock bags. Put everything into them and then as you zip push the air out. On the way out we just pack things were it does not matter about wrinkles. On the way home we stuff them with everything. I also bring a couple of extras so we can stuff more on the way home and have more room in our luggage for our purchases.

 

[Karalynn]

I don't know from experience, but beleive I had read on a different thread a while back, to be careful with those because while they condense the clothes & you can fit more in your suitcase, you can easily go over your weight limit if flying. If you are driving, different story! Pack it all in baby!!!

 

[RCBlackburn]

I was always nervous using these because if you couldn't get a vacuum at the hotel you'd be out of luck.

 

[Kimberly]

Samsonite makes them.

 

[psimon]

I don't know from experience, but beleive I had read on a different thread a while back, to be careful with those because while they condense the clothes & you can fit more in your suitcase, you can easily go over your weight limit if flying. If you are driving, different story! Pack it all in baby!!!

Thanks... I hadn't thought of that.... and yes we are flying! Trying something different and doing DL this year.

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[gloryme]

They have travel space bags. You put stuff in the bag and roll it to squeeze out the air. Most places have access to an iron if necessary. Also, If you roll your clothes, especially the kids, you'd be surprised how much more you can fit into a suitcase. This is how the military does it. P'J's, underwear, t shirts, etc. work great.

51 days, 11 hrs, 52 min. til flight time.

 

[powellrj]

you would be surprised how well ziploc bags work. We started packing this way several years ago and now we are able to do carry-on only trips. I just pack an outfit a day in a ziploc (including socks and underwear) and have the kids sit on the bag and I zip it up! I was really surprised the first time we did this, and no the clothes don't come out all wrinkled!

 

[psimon]

you would be surprised how well ziploc bags work. We started packing this way several years ago and now we are able to do carry-on only trips. I just pack an outfit a day in a ziploc (including socks and underwear) and have the kids sit on the bag and I zip it up! I was really surprised the first time we did this, and no the clothes don't come out all wrinkled!

I guess since I have a little time before we go I could run an experiment here and see how things come out.

You have given me some hope! Certainly socks, underwear and sleepwear should be able to survive... and even if they get wrinkles.... who cares!

Thanks....

--- Paul in Southern NJ