Space Bags

www.spacebag.com Anyone use these when shipping or traveling? I have seen them in stores and on TV and wondered if it was a good idea. I figured you can get a lot in one bag, as it says 12 sweaters in one bag.

I bought a set of these and then returned them unused when I started reading the online feedback on them. The vast majority of  reviews say they work initially but then leak. YMMV.

YMMV

What does this mean?

www.spacebag.com Anyone use these when shipping or traveling? I have seen them in stores and on TV and wondered if it was a good idea. I figured you can get a lot in one bag, as it says 12 sweaters in one bag.

They work wonderful until an hour later when they start filling with air.  I did buy the expensive As Seen on TV ones and they suck.
Not worth it!

Sorry. " Your mileage may vary" 

" Your mileage may vary"

So space bags are not an option. Good to know before I buy some and waste my money.

I sort of made my own space bag with my down pillows and duvet. I put them in plastic trash bags and sat on them. Taped them a bit. Sat again till the air came out. Taped again. And so on till I had a pretty well squashed lump. When I got here I just carefully cut the tape/bag away.

The clothing I rolled tightly and stuffed small pieces (socks, underwear) into the toes of shoes or wherever they fit. It's amazing how much you can smash into a suitcase when you try. 

well, I bought some Space Bags for my study abroad trip last Feb and was very pleased.   They worked as advertised, and allowed me to fit all my stuff into one suitcase. I didn't notice any leakage until months later when I was packing for my return trip.  I'd say buy some and try them out (they're pretty cheap) and if you decide to use them, they'll really only be effective for a one-time use.

We use them every time we visit home, and they work great. I suspect the thing is you have to be sure they are properly sealed and all the air is out - we have had some bags fill up with air again but it is always down to not being sealed properly. We make sure we pack everything a few days before we leave in order to catch things like that, so it's never been a problem as we correct it before we fly. As for long term storage, I wouldn't be too keen on using them - I'd rather weed out my clothes as that would be a sign to me that I've way too much - but for moving and/or bringing things back from the states, they are great, they will help you get more into less. 

They were good for shipping my winter clothes, but the "travel" sized ones really dont' work very well. They don't seem to suction the air out (since you have to roll the bag to suction the air) and I found them cumbersome to pack, I ended up emptying one bag and just packing the clothes regularly. 

I bought a box and noticed that some worked better than others. I returned it and found out they had a newer version and it worked very well. I brought over my favorite duvet and white goods and well as clothes the first time over and didn't have any problem with them expanding. Do try them out first and leave them suctioned at least a day before you move.

Another hint is to buy them at a place with a forgiving return policy.

when I made the move across the pond I used the space bags in both of my suitcase's. I sometimes have problems with not getting all the air out. but when they do work you can fit alot of clothes in the bags though. well worth what I paid for them mine were I think $14 dollars at walmart, but I bought mine sping 2004. we will be going home in a month & we will be using them on our trip home. I like the space bag with valve on them where you just use a vaccum hose to suck out the excess air. you dont have to roll the air of those kind of space bags. they still have the seal at the top of the bag though.

I like the space bag with valve on them where you just use a vaccum hose to suck out the excess air. you dont have to roll the air of those kind of space bags. they still have the seal at the top of the bag though.

Yes those kind worked very well, the travel ones not so much. Overall I think they were worth the $20 or so I paid for them 

If you know someone with a big gut and a waist level table, you are set for getting all the air out of the roll up ones