Travel Products - These packing helpers make a case for using less space

LA Times - Gear: These packing helpers make a case for using less space (http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-gear-these-packing-helpers-make-a-case-for-using-less-space-20120613,0,6342189.story?track=rss)

Hi everyone,

I saw this while browsing the LA Times and was curious if anyone has used the Spacepak (http://www.flight001.com/all-products/spacepak-1.html). I've used compression bags for storage before and ziploc baggies to protect items from liquids, but never seen these before.

They could be a good gift for FF'ers out there.

:)

From the website:
Flight 001 Exclusive Spacepak maximizes case space while achieving maximum compression so you can always carry on and avoid the baggage claim. Using this system allows garments to undergo double compression and organization with 1 side for clean laundry and 1 side for dirty laundry. Voted Travel + Leisure Magazine’s Product of the Year!

LA Times - Gear: These packing helpers make a case for using less space (http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-gear-these-packing-helpers-make-a-case-for-using-less-space-20120613,0,6342189.story?track=rss)

Hi everyone,

I saw this while browsing the LA Times and was curious if anyone has used the Spacepak (http://www.flight001.com/all-products/spacepak-1.html). I've used compression bags for storage before and ziploc baggies to protect items from liquids, but never seen these before.

They could be a good gift for FF'ers out there.

:)

From the website:

You are compressing the volume not weight. So in effect one is putting more weight into the same volume which IME will easily go over the weight limit.

One winter trip we actually got 81lbs into our B&R 28 duffle. Fortunately I always weight my bags prior to leaving for the airport

You are compressing the volume not weight. So in effect one is putting more weight into the same volume which IME will easily go over the weight limit.

One winter trip we actually got 81lbs into our B&R 28 duffle. Fortunately I always weight my bags prior to leaving for the airport

Good point!! 81lbs is A LOT! :eek:

Travel cubes are similar and not as outrageously expensive. Travel products of all sorts, including those used for packing and packing techniques have been discussed in Travel Products Forum over the years.

P:S Never mind I thought I was in Travel News Forum.

Rip-off, I say. They do nothing else than ordinary packing cubes but are several times more expensive. And they are heavier. Plus they won't prevent wrinkles as they say. The opposite is true. When you compress clothing (especially woven items) you get wrinkles per definition.

I can't believe how marketeers still misguide people and that people would be so credulous as to fall for that kind of stuff.

To read all there is to know about packing cubes, real compression bags and other packing accessories, go to the sticky on top of this page. It's all there.

It makes me feel bad when I see all the stupid products sold stupid to people by people without scruples.

Till

I largely agree with tfar. The only thing I will say that *might* be kind of neat with these is that each packing cube has two sides, one for clean clothes and one for dirty. If the divider between them is expandable in either direction that would work out well. The problem I have with normal packing cubes is as I take clothes out of them and wear them, I then put them in a collapsible laundry bag (I roll them up and put them in the bag so they don't take up more space). But the packing cubes then lose their shape as they are no longer full. The system still works, but the "cubes" become more just like bags because they're only half full or whatever.

With these ones the amount of stuff in the cubes always stays constant. Again this would only work of the divider in the middle is not taught across the middle, but can flex like a bellows.

If so I'd consider these over other packing cubes.

I agree with tfar, these bags are useless for anything other than organization. I use compression bags regularly, especially when I am booked onto CRJs. However these are the type that you squeeze out the air. I use a 16" nylon bag from Patagonia that has little structure. Exercise gear, socks and underwear get compressed into a relatively rigid form that allows me to use it as the floor of the bag and helps maintain the integrity of my bundle packed shirts and trousers.. That allows me to use a 15 oz. bag, so weight is not an issue. I generally use two per trip and soiled clothing ends up in one while my remaining clean clothes are in the other. I get about three years of use out of them before they begin to leak.

I have been using the light weight and washable cubes by EBags that are sold in a variety of colors. They work well for me.

The compression bags only serve to fool the person who buys them and attempts to use them.

I've waited online many times at check in when folks with overweight bags were trying to repack in public and often I've seen the compression bags in their haul of too much stuff. I agree with tfar.

Travel cubes are similar and not as outrageously expensive. Travel products of all sorts, including those used for packing and packing techniques have been discussed in Travel Products Forum over the years.

P:S Never mind I thought I was in Travel News Forum.

Hey! I said they were outrageously expensive too. Why doesn't anyone agree with me? ;)

The compression bags only serve to fool the person who buys them and attempts to use them.Compression bags are fine as long as one recognizes that they don't miraculously make clothing weigh less and that they do NOT guarantee that clothing will arrive wrinkle-free. All they do is conserve some space. I can see how they would be useful to someone trying to carry a week or two's worth of clothing in a carry-on. I keep one for returning-home laundry but otherwise I rely on some Rick Steves cubes bought on sale from eBags a couple years ago.

FWIW this tip might only be helpful to fellow Canadians but thought it worth sharing nonetheless.

I was trying to find larger ziploc or hefty bags for an upcoming trip and on amazon.ca noticed these (http://www.amazon.ca/Roll-Up-Compression-included-SHIPPING-CANADA/dp/B00AZNELM0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1361127100&sr=8-4) compression bags for $5.99 for two bags, one large & one medium, with free S&H within Canada. I thought at that price they were worth a try and will report back on how well they work.

The medium size bag should fit nicely into my B&R rollaboard though the bigger one won't without being folded over. But hey for 5 bucks it's hard to go wrong, especial with the free S&H (I received my confirmation that the item had been shipped around midnight last night barely two hours after ordering).

I too agree with tfar. I've tried organizer cubes in the past, but I don't care for them. They only add weight and complexity. I've learned that properly-packed luggage doesn't need organizer cubes. I do make use of those plastic bags from the drycleaner though, and they double as my laundry bag too--that, or i use those freebie laundry bags from the hotel room.

Well the 'compression sac' pacel came in the mail and I will applaud them for speedy delivery but I'm glad I didn't spend any more than $5.99 on this experiment as these don't seem that user friendly in practice depite the hype.

The smaller size, called a medium, is too small for for much beyond two lightweight folded shirts into it and when you roll it up it tends to push everything toward the bottom so it isn't uniformly flat, though I suppose if I kept at it I could improve upon the first few attempts.

The large sac is too large for my B&R unless I don't fill it completely and fold it over on itself and may try closer to the trip in a month to see if that will work.

Another experiment in packing and am glad it wasn't too costly of one but don't think these things are for me and how I travel so guess I'll go back to the Eagle Creek packing cubes & folders.