Space Bags

[libarata]

How many use space bags to conserve room? We used to use them in the pop-up as kids. We would all receive a bag, and that is all the clothing we were allowed. I could usually fit a full set of clothes per day for a week and a half usually, in a reasonably sized cube.

 

[tarditi]

I'll use the ones that you can roll to evacuate the air - we've also got the larger ones that you hook to a vacuum cleaner, but leave those at home.

What I use mostly, however, are military-grade dry bags (often used for kayaking) that you can purge of the air, then roll-up and cinch down.

 

[Stumpalump]

I used them to move a few years ago. The wife picked up a few brands in different flavors. No one brand was better and they all had problems. The seals leak, the plastic fittings crack or fall off and only about 25% made the trip under vacuum. I literally used them as trash bags when we arrived. It was a good idea and worked well packing bedding but out of three brands there were none with a build quality suitable for travel.

 

[libarata]

That is what I was hoping to hear. I looked at a few at the local hardware store. Holy hell the quality has dropped. I guess I can stick to stuff sacks, and keep an eye out for a reasonable space bag...

 

[libarata]

I think these evacuate air as your roll it down. I suppose it would work?

http://www.forgesurvivalsupply.com/store/p/300-Marine-Small-Liner-Sack-9L.aspx

 

[Mo4130]

I also had a problem with them. They were just crap plain and simple. Spend the money for compression sacks.

 

[Rattler]

I use these to stuff clothes or sleeping bags in. They are fairly durable and the zipper holds up quite well. I have done several trips with them exposed to the elements in the back of my truck without a problem. They make a couple smaller sizes too. I work for SC Johnson and get them on the cheap too.
http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/BigBags.aspx?SizeName=XXL

 

[libarata]

Those are right impressive Rattler! I will have to look into those.

 

[mhiscox]

I use these to stuff clothes or sleeping bags in. They are fairly durable and the zipper holds up quite well. I have done several trips with them exposed to the elements in the back of my truck without a problem. They make a couple smaller sizes too. I work for SC Johnson and get them on the cheap too.
http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/BigBags.aspx?SizeName=XXL

Just another vote for consideration of these. Not a "rocket science" kind of solution, but not expensive and they work pretty well for me.

 

[Rattler]

They did much better than I expected to be honest.

I forgot I had a couple of these and haven't tried them yet.
http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/FlexibleTotes.aspx?SizeName=XL

 

[Mwilliamshs]

Another vote for the big ziplocs. They can even be used like space bags if you zip up almost all the way and compress everything then zip the last bit. Works for a down comforter we have with ridiculous loft. Uncompressed it won't even fit under the bed but stuffed into a 3x ziplock it goes right in and stayed sealed up enough to slide right back out 6 months later. I was concerned at first about getting into a 'fist in a pickle jar' problem but it's never happened.

 

[libarata]

Would you know if any of that stuff is domestic?

 

[Mwilliamshs]

What's domestic mean? Made in the USA?

 

[Rattler]

I am not sure where they make them to be honest. I looked on the box of them we have but didn't see anything other than Racine, WI but every product of theirs says that. Even the bags we make here in MI.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

As of 1997 all Ziploc products sold in the US were made here according to http://www.madeinusa.org/nav.cgi?data/food