Who has used one of the vacuumless travel storage bag systems and what do you think about them? I always travel with a carry-on bag only and would like to try one of them to see if they really conserve space. Your opinions are appreciated.

( will try posting this again as the last time crashed on me?) I use these vacuumless bags all the time for travel-both in my carryon and checked bags. I think that the TSAs really appreciate that they can see stuff without "touching your undies"!They are really inexpensive at Wal-Mart,Target,Tuesday Morning and Walgreens.They sure make packing easier in terms of "grouping" items.

Thanks for the tip about WalMart-There's one here in my hometown, I'll go check them out.

I too used the expensive ones for a while but now have gone to Walmart and gotten the 2 gallon size (not always easy to find) ziploc bags, in the plastic area or sometimes camping area and they work beautifull. Much less expensive and basically last the same. Have fun. halfpint

I've used Pack-Mate and Space Bags. The Pack-Mates had an easier zipper closure but that may have just been that particular model. Both work fine. I would go with the cheapest.

The only problem might be the weight of the carryon. The more you can pack the heavier it will be. Some airlines have a weight limit that is not very high. I know in the past I have been in line for Virgin Atlantic and they had people at the ticketing lines going through their carry ons to reduce weight and put stuff in their checked baggage.

Halfpint, I do the same! Only I get mine at Albertson's, there is no Walmart in San Francisco.

Spacebags have been a life saver for me to get to/from college and recently to a study abroad experience in Europe. Use them - but watch the weight.

If you want to use Ziploc bags, test them first. I did a trial run - got the air out and was thrilled, but within about two hours, air had leaked back into the bag. Did a second test with the same result.

Ditto the weight comment. The first time I packed everything into large ziplocks and sat on them to remove the air (worked great BTW) was the first time my carry-on was too heavy to carry-on! This was British Air and I believe they are one of the strickest about this.

Thanks for the info, I'm getting the impression they're not all they're cracked up to be. Just bought some from Samsonite and they leaked right away, so they're going right back to the store. And also found out that my method of packing is just as efficient if I'm careful.

Happy Trails!

I think BA has a carry-on limit of 7 kg (which is about 15.4 pounds although I read about a 13 pound limit somewhere else). So almost everything is too heavy for carry-on on BA.

I have used the vacuum bags and found them useful for things that will not wrinkle like underwear etc.For other things the wrinkling might not be acceptable. It depends largely on what kind of material you are trying to pack. Synthetics may do better than natural fabric.

I've also found that rolling my clothes, instead of folding them makes for more room in the suitcase.

Oh no... not the rolling vs. folding vs. bundles debate!! These are 3 distinct packing styles and everyone thinks their own is the best. I'm a folder myself.

This packing debate should be easy to resolve scientifically. Has anyone done a study or mathematical model?

WillTravel: Rex will, just let him finish counting of the posts first.

I always pack everything in plastic bags (just the supermarket ziplock kind), mainly because it keeps my suitcase so much neater. I think they do save some space, but what I like most about them is that you can go through the suitcase to take out something at the bottom, and everything else still stays folded.

In fact, I have even started storing my sweaters at home in plastic bags because it keeps the drawers better organized.

Our local supermarket does carry the 2-gallon size ziplocks, so no need to make a special trip to Wal-Mart.

I have used the vacuumless travel bags, but can't recall the brand. They were used mostly for my large bulky sweater or jacket for cold weather which I kept in the bottom of my bag.

Usually I find that the zipper mesh bags that you purchase in the laundry/ironing section of Wal-mart or Target stores works great, since they let your clothes breathe while in the suitcase. My clothes tend to smell even if washed frequently after 2-3 weeks on the road. Plastic bags hold in the odor too much for me.

You can see what's in the mesh bags, they are cheap, and they breathe.

I try to segregate my clothes as to what I will be wearing most, from what I wear less often. Nice black slacks with shirt, scarf, jacket (all in light weight no-iron material) can be packed in its own mesh bag and not opened until it is needed. I get by with about 5 of these bags and my suitcase always is neat and easy to throw together for an early morning trip to the train station.

Use the PackMates, LOVE the PackMates, but here's a tip: use small or medium bags for a complete outfit of top, pant or skirt, socks or hose, and undergarments. Then you'll just take out a pack, open it, and flatten it or put your soiled clothing from the day before into it. When you pack with these bags by item category, i.e. all underclothes in one bag, all tops in another, etc., you are in every bag every day, opening, rolling air out, forgetting something and opening again. If you can possibly pack by outfit, that is the easiest way to go.