Space Bags anyone?

[lobito]

You know the commercials, the kind where you either squeeze the air out yourself, or use a vaccuum.

Has anyone here got any experience using them? Are they worth it?

I need LOTS more space for vacation next week, and I've got way too much to pack.

 

[lovetoread]

As long as you have the bags,they work great.

You can also use regular garbage bags and a vacumn,just make sure that you tie it up quickly.

 

[glamorilla]

it this like some sort of bondage thing?

 

[lobito]

it this like some sort of bondage thing?

Only for you and I Glammy baby.

LTR, thanks. I'll try them out then, just didn't want to waste money on something that doesn't work.

 

[T.H. Oughts]

Just use a vacum and regular plastic bags. It works just the same.

 

[ma_guy]

I used a "Seal a Meal" once to vacum pack some small items. You could probably get pretty close with big zip-lock bags. If you packed your clothes in them and then compressed them with a board and then zipped them up it should work...

 

[Weird Harold]

You can also use regular garbage bags and a vacumn,just make sure that you tie it up quickly.

My brother tried this with a garbage bag to send me a jacket I left at his house last year -- the bag leaked, and the jacket split the seams on the box, which resulted in it taking two weeks to arrive instead of overnight.

Lobito,
If you're considering space bags for making space when traveling, consider the problems of repacking before you choose what to use. If it requires a vacuum cleaner to extract the air, then you need to consider where you're going to find a vacuum when it's time to pack for home. If you pack a small vacuum -- like a Dustbuster (tm) -- make sure you pack using the same vacuum you'll use for re-packing; A Dustbuster (tm) isn't going to remove as much air as your shop-vac at home will.

If you're flying, be aware that space-bags aren't a true "vacuum-pack" and will expand with the reduced air-pressure in an airplane's cargo hold -- reinforcing your suitcase with rope or straps to keep it from popping open might be prudent.

Unless you are well practiced with arranging things in a "space-bag" your clothes WILL wrinkle -- sometimes permanently -- and down jackets don't just pop back to their full thermal efficiency with a shake as shown in the info-mercials.

Space-bags are a great idea, but they aren't the "grand solution" they're made out to be -- Especially for traveling or shipping.

 

[lobito]

WH, I understand where you're coming from, here's the deal.

We're going for 3 months, I'm taking LOTS of gifts that will stay there, (obviously), so I'll have lots of room coming back to the States. I won't need that many outfits myself, and since we'll be there for a long time, I don't have to worry about whether or not some things are wrinkled once we get there. If I need more clothes, I know people there that will be happy to loan me clothes while we're there.

I hadn't thought to "tie" them once the air is out, but if that's what you are saying, it's a good idea. Or you mean to tie the luggage, huh? Well, if nothing else, once the luggage is checked, I can tape it at the counter, since it's going "directly" to our destination, without me having to re-check it at our first stop.

Thanks for yours thoughts, and help people.

 

[Weird Harold]

I hadn't thought to "tie" them once the air is out, but if that's what you are saying, it's a good idea. Or you mean to tie the luggage, huh? Well, if nothing else, once the luggage is checked, I can tape it at the counter, since it's going "directly" to our destination, without me having to re-check it at our first stop.

I meant to reinforce the luggage -- strapping tape would work -- to reduce strain on the latches if the bags lose their seal. I'd pack an extra roll of strapping tape just in case the first stop makes you reclaim your baggage for a customs check.

Space-bags make a lot of sense in your situation where youknow you'll have extr space onthe return trip (as long as you keep the souvenir purchases down. )

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Thanks again, I'm going international, so shipping ahead isn't an option, price wise. My relatives may have to do without gifts. I've of course travelled many times this way, just never had so much shit to take along with me.

I'd hate to wear my suit every other day, just so someone can have that nice and expensive glass chess set. Or the women in my family "needing" Victorias Secret lotions.

The ONLY thing I worried about (and it's not that big of a deal), is the tape leaving residue on my new luggage bags. The local Walgreens has the space bags for like $6 each, so I may have to try them just for the heck of it.

It's time this week to figure out the priorities, and what can stay behind for the next time I see them.

Lo

P.S. - My bank account disagrees with the statement of me being a lucky so and so...

 

[Weird Harold]

The ONLY thing I worried about (and it's not that big of a deal), is the tape leaving residue on my new luggage bags.

Three possibilities:

One: Wrap the tape sticky side out, all the way around your bag, then again with the sticky side in over the first piece of tape to cover the sticky side.

two: use web-straps from the camping section of your local store -- those inch wide belt-like tie-downs used for rolling sleeping bags and tying things to your pack.

Three: buy a roll of tie-down twine from your local U-Haul dealer (or other place where you can get moving supplies.) It's about 250lb test and would provide enough additional support for the latchs/zippers to hold.