Travel Product Review: Spacebags for Space-Saving Packing
When I share my secrets to packing two weeks in a carry-on bag, the inevitable question is “How do you do that?”
With compression bags! They’re my go-to travel product for getting the most items organized and packed into my carry-on. I don’t leave home without them.
“But won’t I need a vacuum to suck out the air when I’m re-packing?” you ask? Not if you purchase compression bags designed with travel in mind – reusable, re-sealable zipper storage bags where you can roll out the air – not vacuum out the air.
Ziploc Space Bags is the brand I prefer. I have tried others and the zip locks just don’t seem to hold up as long as the Ziploc brand.
In the U.S., find these compression bags at Bed Bath & Beyond or other retailers. In the set shown, there are three 18″ x 22 1/2″ large suitcase bags, three 13 1/2″ x 19 1/2″ medium carry-on bags and two 11 1/2″ x 13 1/2″ pouch bags. I use the large bags for trousers, jackets and sweaters; the medium bags for blouses, tops and work-out clothes.
My most-utilized Samsonite bag has an outdoor pocket that fits one of the large bags perfectly. If the suitcase looks a little to fat for an overhead bin, it’s simple to quickly pull out the Space Bag and shove it next to the suitcase in the bin (just remember to put it back in upon arrival).
This type of compression bag is not only great for easy packing and re-packing. They’re useful for holding wet clothes, dirty clothes, liquids that may leak, shoes, scarves, and a whole slew of items you may be to keep protected or keep together.
The video embedded below shows how to squeeze all of the air out of these bags before packing them in your luggage.
