chgogirl

Good Morning Fodorites!

With all the new security rules (and the fact that I am a shopper), I was considering buying those space bags that they show on tv. I know of at least 2 kinds...one that U suck the air out of the bag... the other that U roll the air out of the bag. Has anyone had any experience with the bags...do they actually work?? Thank you!!!

stephanie

I used them on a recent trip and they seemed to help - particularly with sweaters. I bought some that Samsonite makes that you roll. I thought they were better than the vacuum kind because I can then pack them for the return trip.

JOdy

I quite like them for sweaters and lingerie. I have even used them with a raincoat I wanter to take in my carry on bag. I have the heavy weight roll kind and for lighter weight thimgs like nightdresses, etc, I just use 1 oe 2 gal. size grocery zip locks. Some people complain about wrinkling but I've not found it much of a problem, but I don't use them for cotton blouses or such

I do have some of the vacuum ones that I use at home to store blankets and bedspreads, but since they require a vacuum cleaner to suck the air out, they aren't much good for traveling.

Betsy

For what it's worth, I used the kind of bag you roll to pack a sweater for a two-climate trip. I found the bag compacted the sweater really well, but the resulting package was like a hard brick in my suitcase. Because it was inflexible, it was hard to pack around it.

susan

But you have to remember even though things are condensed/smaller, so you can fit more into your suitcase, this just makes it all the heavier!!

Personally I use normal zip-locks in a couple sizes (not for everything but so loose stuff isn't rolling around). You can squeeze the air out in the same way. They are also convenient with the new security checks because you can see what's in the bag without opening it.

michele

I used them for a trip to London and ended up leaving them in London. One of the large ones blew up and was ruined, and I couldn't ever get enough air out of them to make them as compact as on the commericals. Space bags are clear like ziploc bags so I really don't think security is an issue, but I decided to stick with my old "roll it up real tight" technique of packing from now on.

Sue

My experience was that of Susan's; yep, I had more room, but that just led me to packing more and making my suitcase heavier. However, I think the bags could be useful for winter travel (ski trip, maybe), since fleece, bulky sweaters,etc., take up so much room.

ggrant

I also use the samsonite ones that you roll up. I like them because I really put them to use on the trip back home. I can get much more in my roll on and then check it for the return flight. Recently in Paris I found a gorgeous full length coat I wanted to buy my best friend for Christmas. I was able to put it in the space bag in my suitcase with no problem, and the coat was perfect when I got it home. She was crazy over it by the way. I probably would have had to skip it if not for the spacebag. I also carry a very lightweight folding tote which I use to carryon breakables for the return trip. I put a small spacebag full of soft clothes in each side and breakables in the middle. Works well for me.

Debbie

I have used them on 3 or 4 of my last trips. I LOVE THEM.

They condense your stuff so it you can pack more on the way home, they are usually waterproof, which saved me on the first trip I used it on - the ziploc with the wrinkle remover did not seal correctly - no worries - only a book got wet.

Added bonus - when moving from place to place, pack a day or two in each bag, then you only have to disturb a small part of your suitcase, instead of repacking it all. Worked great in Ireland.

Look for bags with as many vents as possible - the more vents, the easier to get the air out. ( QVC & HSN have really good multi-bag packages.)

MelissaHI

I used the one that you roll the air out yourself. It worked great, especially when you go to colder climates and you need to flatten the bulky stuff.

Nutella

I pack all my clothes in mesh lingerie bags within my suitcase. I like for my things to breathe.

Raghnall

We normally use the 2-? gallon Ziploc bags. We don't try to crush everything because they are like bricks. We mostly use them on the way home because we need the room because of things we bought. And a Harrod's bear doesn't crush very easily!! I bring plenty of bags then put stuff in them then sit on them to get the air out.

Lucy_of_Oz

Like Debbies I used them for the return trip home only so I could fit more shopping in - they worked a treat! Obviously not quite as effective as the ones which use a vacuum cleaner but I was impressed just how compressed I could get my bundles of clothes in them.

Mikex

I have used for trips abroad and around the country for about a year. Men's underwear and knit shirts are really bulky and I find I can get much more in my roll-on for short trips if I use them. Additionally, I am able to pack enough in limited bags for long trips. I got some at Sears but found the Samsonite ones at a Walgreens. I think the latter work better. Do NOT get the vacuum type unless you think the hotel housekeeper will loan you her vac when you are ready to go home.

Curt

We have found that the extra large zip-lock kitchen bags work well for this also. Plus they are cheaper and no big loss if you blow one out and have to discard it.

Debbie

I actually did try the Ziploc bag route at first.
Could not find ones bigger than 1.5 gal, and found them hard to manuever, keeping the seal partially closed, while squeezing.

The older space bags had more of a problem bursting. I have found the newer ones, with more vents, to be easier to use, very durable ( 3 / 4 trips at least) and with a variety of sizes , very user friendly.

oilrag

I have bought them at Walgreens. Much cheaper than Travelsmith, etc. Work well, but do not last through too many uses. Especially useful for wet suits, gloves, etc. for snorkeling.