Linda,

First of all, do a search with packing in the text. You will get more information than you know what to do with.

In essence, by using Ziplock bags, you condense your clothes into smaller packages. This gives you a ton more room in your 22" roller suitcase (use nothing larger or you will be very sorry). It also makes it easier to pack/unpack at your hotels since everything is compact.

The strange part is, IT WORKS!!

Dick

I sue them to organize small items such as toiletries, medicines, etc. so you can easily see the contents.

I did do a search, I just did not get it. So you pack one clothing item per bag? I don't understand how it takes less room?

You press all the air out before you close them so they are kind of vacuum-packed.

Linda,

I believe many people are using zip-lock bags for security/search purposes because one can readily see what's in them.

GK

Linda:

I use the 2 1/2 gallon bags for packing all my tops in one bag, all my underwear in another, etc. It certainly is nice to remove one bag with all your tops - makes for less shuffling around. I use the smaller bags for cosmetics, etc. Rita

Does it help with wrinkling as well??

Nah, not one item per bag, unless you're a bit weird. I think there are actually 3 reasons for using this system.

First, the bags when compressed take up less space. If that is your major motivation, I would pack whatever fits into 1 bag. Could be 3-4 T-shirts or tank tops, for example, or all your underwear.

Second, your clothes stay organized. If you put all your T-shirts in one bag, your underwear in another, etc, you can always find stuff. As the trip goes on, I usually consolidate a few things and use one bag for dirty clothes.

Third, it is a lot easier to handle your stuff when it's in a few bags rather than all loose. It's a lot quicker to unpack and repack, or if you are living out of your suitcase, you can put a bag on the floor to get to something else and not worry about your clothes getting dirty or having to refold things. I always take an extra bag to use for misc. stuff like books, sunglasses, travel clock, small gifts, etc. -- things I need at some point in the trip. That way I don't have to look through every compartment in my suitcase trying to find these things.

I don't care so much about the space issue, so I use inexpensive plastic sweater bags that I buy at the drugstore. They have a zipper up one long side which allows me good enough access. But maybe I'll try the ziplocs on my next trip...I'm always looking for a better way to pack!

I like to use them because I can unpack and repack my suitcase in a flash. Everything is organized so I can easily find items. So technically, zip loc bags won't keep your clothes from wrinkling, but if you can take everything out and not have to refold to put them back in, I would say, Yes - they keep your clothes from wrinkling.

There is also the added protection if a cosmetic or toiletry leaks the bag will go a long way to contain the spill. Even if it does not and the inside of the suitcase gets wet, your other items are protected.

Recently had a bag hand searched at U.S. customs, the bags were great, they only opened one of them, and the person working said, “I wish everyone packed this way.”

Hi Linda:
I have used this method in the past few years and I love it. No you don't just pack one thing per bag.(well I don't anyway) I put as many of one type of item that can fit without splitting the ziplock. i.e. all my warm weather tops together in onebag, my sweater, evening coverup t shirts in another, my underwear in another etc.It's great to put all your swimwear items in one larger bag and your sleepwear in another etc. If you had larger items like slacks etc you may need one bag per. and believe me it does save space. You place the item/items in the bag, leave a little space open on the ziploc and then squeeze out all the air. It works.
I like the bags with the plastic pull tab on them instead of the ones you have to line up the two sides.
I have tried the packing abags made especially for travel but I find the bags stiff and therefore don't pack as easily.
I find this system great cause I can see everything at a glance and nothing gets tossed around in your bag. You can fold things fairly well so you can minimize wrinkles.
I always carry some extra empty zip lock bags to use in case the zips split and to use with anything in the way of clothing that you may purchase.

I use a combination of zip lock bags and zipper bags that I bought at a travel store. Cannot see why anyone would not do this. All the above posters are correct.

I also put my shaving cream can, shampoo, etc in small bags before they go into the dop kit. Sure keeps any leaks contained. Only way to fly!

Linda,
I don't know if this helps, but have you seen the infomercials for the Space Bags or seen them on QVC? (Not the ones that use the vacuum to suck the air out, but the ones that you just press the air out.) If you have, this is the same concept.
It works very well... but be aware your clothes will wrinkle (depending on fabric type).

One important thing to realize using this method (sit on the packed zip lock and zip it so to remove air)... it may make something SMALLER but it does not make it LIGHTER.

I packed my 22" with lots of extras using the baggie method, but then it was too HEAVY to get thru as carry-on with British Air and had to check it.

I must add four things to the above comments:

a) there has already been mention on this site of our up-to-now reliable bags now being unable to "vacuum" seal. For most clothes, that's not a problem--squeezing out all the air just created wrinkles. But for polartec items, underwear, socks--all the things that take up unnecessary room otherwise--we need "vacuum" sealed. Therefore, for our last trip, we bought Packmates (thanks to this site). If, for nothing else, squeezing all the air out of dirty laundry in the suitcase, they're great. The old 2-gallon size was still great for tops, slacks, etc.

b) Sorting ability is the hallmark of the bag method. We frequently stay in 7 hotels over 14 days (not because that's our heart's desire). Sometimes there's room in the room to unpack; sometimes there's not. Having everything in plastic bags that you can just toss over your shoulder until you find what you want is fabulous.

c)My kids are now at the age where they stay in a separate room (they both have waist length hair--need I say more about bathroom time?). By using the ziplock bag method, I never need to step foot in the room--they can easily sort through all the stuff. And get it all back in the suitcase.

d)If you are not "vacuum" sealing, it's actually better to leave a bit of space open at the seal so that when you press the lid down on the suitcase, all the air from the bags just leaves.

A few more additions--
(1) yes, I know you shouldn't travel with clothes that will wrinkle,BUT I put a silk blouse inside a ziplock and blew air into it. It kept a padding to prevent pressure, and therefore no wrinkling!
(2) for traveling with young ones--put their entire "ensemble" for one day into one bag ---Example--diaper,top, bottom, socks that match, hairbows, etc.
No need to search through luggage to sort out clothes. Also a double check on making sure you have everything and the number of outfits you might need for the little ones.
(3) I always seemed to need something in the BOTTOM of my suitcase and with the use of ziplocks I can throw things out and not have to refold, etc. (When I would do bus tours around Europe, etc). Cruising is a different and easier matter--unpack once!! Much more enjoyable to me.
Maybe we all should buy stock in ZIPLOCK!!

Pam, you are a genius. I had never thought of blowing air into a bag to keep out wrinkles. This adds a whole new clothing dimension to my packing.
Thank you.

tip from army husband - roll your clothes up - they wrinkle less and take up less room

ttt

We spent a month traveling through Italy in June, and (thanks to this forum!) I used the zip loc bag method. It was so fantastic! I only took one medium suitcase, and put everything in the zip loc bags. I used only gallon-size and sandwich size. I put several tops in one gallon bag, a nightgown or swimsuit in a sandwich bag. I took it one step further, though, using a Sharpie marking pen to write on the outside what was inside (I had a lot of black clothes!) Since we were constantly on the move, this was a lifesaver, since I didn't have to unpack to find things. Using these bags let me go with my bag only about half full---leaving plenty of room for shopping! I also took two compressible bags, and on the last day I put all my clean clothes in one, and all my dirty clothes in the other. They compressed to almost nothing, and I could put all my shopping finds in the extra room. This system really worked great!

To answer your question on wrinkling:
IF you take something that will wrinkle( I do , sometimes---like a nice dress etc)--I put the dress on a plastic hanger and put a dry cleaners bag over it-then I fold it 2 times =over itself--and it creates an air vacuum that when you unpack, your DRESS is NOT wrinkled.

I just hang up the item- and voila-NO WRINKLES

One more vote for the Zip-lock method of packing. I was puzzled by this also--until I tried it! It is very efficient, and I can't list the reasons any better than the posters above me, so I won't try.