Space Bags - saving space in the car - do they work?

[Jeninindy]

Good Morning,

Kohl's has a set of spacebags on sale this week for 14.99 and we were thinking about using them to pack for our 2 weeks stay in Orlando. We are staying at a Windsor Hills townhouse, so we would have a vaccum to repack them on the way home (or using a pump that we have for an air mattress).

I was planning on getting a turtle for the roof rack, but if I can save use the space bags to pack 2 weeks worth of stuff for 5 people (well not really two weeks, since we will have a w/d) it would save the expense of purchasing the roof rack/turtle (roughing $400 for our SUV).

We have a ton of seating room in the SUV, but not a lot of packing room!!!

So, back to my original question, has anyone used the spacebags before and loved them or hated them?

TIA!

 

[teresajoy]

Good Morning,

Kohl's has a set of spacebags on sale this week for 14.99 and we were thinking about using them to pack for our 2 weeks stay in Orlando. We are staying at a Windsor Hills townhouse, so we would have a vaccum to repack them on the way home (or using a pump that we have for an air mattress).

I was planning on getting a turtle for the roof rack, but if I can save use the space bags to pack 2 weeks worth of stuff for 5 people (well not really two weeks, since we will have a w/d) it would save the expense of purchasing the roof rack/turtle (roughing $400 for our SUV).

We have a ton of seating room in the SUV, but not a lot of packing room!!!

So, back to my original question, has anyone used the spacebags before and loved them or hated them?

TIA!

I saw Kelly Rippa talking about them on Regis and Kelly a month or so ago. She swears by them. I just bought some on clearance at Meijer (I think it was $5 for two big bags). I haven't really got a chance to try them out yet though. I hope someone who has used them answers, because I am curious. I guess I could try a practice run with the ones I just bought though!

 

[TheMorgans]

I love my space bags!!! I bought mine at Wal-Mart - 3 large bags that can either be rolled or vaccumed for $12.99. I can put about 1 weeks worth of clothes for one person in each bag! Plus, two sometimes 3 space bags in each piece of luggage. They have worked wonderfull for me. My only caution is that it can make your bags very heavy very fast. You might want to weigh the luggage before you leave home so that you won't be surprised with an extra fee if you are flying.

 

[Jeninindy]

I love my space bags!!! I bought mine at Wal-Mart - 3 large bags that can either be rolled or vaccumed for $12.99. I can put about 1 weeks worth of clothes for one person in each bag! Plus, two sometimes 3 space bags in each piece of luggage. They have worked wonderfull for me. My only caution is that it can make your bags very heavy very fast. You might want to weigh the luggage before you leave home so that you won't be surprised with an extra fee if you are flying.

Thanks for your input. I went to kohl's and bought the 7 piece set for 14.99 - it came with 2 extra large bags, 2 large bags, 1 medium bag, 1 travel bag and one rollup bag. I tested them in my linen closet, which was exploding. I put all of the flannel sheets sets, blankets and a ton of other stuff in the two extra large bags and could not believe all the extra room that I have in there now!!!!!

I will try them out on one week of clothes for everyone and see how it goes, but it looks like I can save that $400 for the roof rack extension and carrier for this trip!

 

[TheMorgans]

Good Luck to you.

It is my goal to only have 3 pieces of check baggage for all of us. We will be gone 10 days so this is a lofty goal. Additionally, everyone will have thier own carry-on. So far I am on track.

 

[daninalismama]

We actually used the space bags for our trip last year. We washed all of the clothes we were planning to take, a few months in advance (my first trip - had to have mostly new clothes - over that now!). Anyway, we were packed 2 months ahead of time, for the most part, other than socks, undies and toiletries. We condensed what would have taken up about 3 suitcases into 1 with the space bags. When we got home, we unpacked the clothes (from trash bags, since we didn't have a vacuum at the resort) and washed them and they are repacked in the bags for this September's trip! They definitely work!

Good luck! BTW, Jen, looks like we're neighbors... GO COLTS!

 

[mom4scrapbooking]

I wondered how these worked. I will have to get some now. We love to road trip but never have enough room.

 

[LeeAnn]

Do you have to use the vaccum or can you roll out the air?

Sounds like it's great go to WDW but for the return what do others do?
Don't want to bring my clothes back home in bags.

 

[summerrluvv]

I have the Pack Mate brand from QVC and love them. You can roll out the air rather than using the vacuum. They also have a 30 day unconditional money back guarantee, so if you decide you don't like them, you can return them without any questions asked.

 

[rkwells]

Do your clothes come out of the bag really wrinkled??

 

[daughtersrus]

I got a set for Christmas. I wanted to organize my linen closet and packed up all of my holiday towels, table clothes, pillows....

I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. I've had to re-suction them twice so far. I got a large set with several different sizes. I also got a large one that goes under my bed that I will use to store my down comforter in. Maybe if the weather holds out, I'll get to try that one and see if it holds a seal better.

As for a trip, I think that they will be fine.

Does anyone else have trouble with them leaking when used for a long period of time?

 

[Jeninindy]

We actually used the space bags for our trip last year. We washed all of the clothes we were planning to take, a few months in advance (my first trip - had to have mostly new clothes - over that now!). Anyway, we were packed 2 months ahead of time, for the most part, other than socks, undies and toiletries. We condensed what would have taken up about 3 suitcases into 1 with the space bags. When we got home, we unpacked the clothes (from trash bags, since we didn't have a vacuum at the resort) and washed them and they are repacked in the bags for this September's trip! They definitely work!

Good luck! BTW, Jen, looks like we're neighbors... GO COLTS!

Hello neighbor!!!! We are just north of Indy.....

Glad the space bags worked for your trip!!!! I bought one of the big under the bed type ones too - going to do a dry run on packing. I think I can get almost everyone stuff in the one thing!!!!

 

[flying_babyb]

Used the roll ones when going to calafornia for a week. Had 10 days worth of clothes, two pairs of shoes, candy (about 3 pounds), two towels and tolitries (for a woman,with makeup). My sister bought a large pack from walmart (14 bucks) and fit that all into ONE (yes ONE) checked suitcase. She took only her laptop as a carryon.

 

[pbharris4]

I bought some about a year ago. I had been saving some clothes from my oldest DD to use w/ my younger DD and wanted to condense. They didn't work for me. Don't know why. It kept losing it's suction or whatever. So I took the second pack back. Maybe I overstuffed them. I'd love to be able to condense all the clothes we take into one or two suitcases.

 

[jjenniboo]

I got a set for Christmas. I wanted to organize my linen closet and packed up all of my holiday towels, table clothes, pillows....

I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. I've had to re-suction them twice so far. I got a large set with several different sizes. I also got a large one that goes under my bed that I will use to store my down comforter in. Maybe if the weather holds out, I'll get to try that one and see if it holds a seal better.

As for a trip, I think that they will be fine.

Does anyone else have trouble with them leaking when used for a long period of time?

I don't know about the QVC brand but the space bags have a line that you cannot fill past. If you do they will refill with air. Maybe take some things out?

 

[CPM]

I just bought my first bags at Big Lots, I think it was $4.00 for 2 large bags and $3.00 for 2 smalls and a carry on size. I ahven't used them yet.
I hope you do not need a vacumme. I'm going to use them for my cruise Thursday as a trail for our long Alaska trip.