Summer’s peak season for carefree getaways. Unfortunately, it’s also peak season for endless waits at the aiport luggage carousel. If you’d like to enjoy the former and avoid the latter, it’s time to get creative with your carry-on game. Rest assured, it’s not impossible to bring everything you need in one easily stowed bag. In fact, it’s a cinch with this $15 compression bag set on Amazon.
Amazon
All you need to revolutionize your carry-on game are your hands, arms and a bit of elbow grease.
If you’ve ever used compression bags before for garage, basement or under-bed storage, you likely already know how they work. You don’t need any fancy air-suction devices, vacuums or pumps — just some good ol’ elbow grease.
This set comes with 10 of these babies (four small, three medium and three large). Each bag is built to last and protect your clothes from water, air, dirt, dust and more. Think of these as travel-friendly versions of those bulletproof basement storage bags that keep all the bad stuff out. According to the manufacturer, you can free up as much as 75% more space in your suitcase — that’s pretty insane if you ask us.
How to get all the air out? Couldn’t be simpler. All you have to do is place your clothes in the bag, seal the zip line at the mouth, then roll the bag from the mouth to the bottom, forcing the air out through one-way ventilation holes that’ll ensure that no air is getting back in. Once you’re done compressing, you can leave your bags flat and stack them in your suitcase, or roll them up and pack them that way.
More than 1,000 high-flying fans have bestowed five-star ratings on these bags. We were especially impressed by one testimonial: “I am a first-year flight attendant and for a while, it was hard for me to pack more than an extra uniform and a change of clothes in my bag,” the professional flyer wrote. “These bags have allowed me to fit eight outfits in my work luggage. I am thrilled and shocked at the same time.”
They added that these bags “lasted several weeks without decompressing… 100/10 would recommend.”
Another resourceful packer echoed those sentiments: “I purchased these for a trip to Hawaii and now I use them all of the time,” they said. “I was able to pack a week’s worth of items only using two of them.”
One traveler really put them to the test before an international jaunt: “I got these to squish down our pillows when we were on a three-week trip in Europe,” the shopper wrote. “They are very easy to use, squish down pillows to a nice flat package, smash your dirty laundry down nice and flat. Make packing a breeze.”
Reviewers didn’t find much to criticize, but one alluded to an unsurprising, unavoidable, downside. “Some of my clothes wrinked,” they noted, but still acknowledged that the compression is decent.
Amazon
Shoppers say they also isolate unpleasant odors, perfect for storing dirty laundry during the trip home.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Olivia Martin celebrates the art of living well in her lifestyle articles. She explores topics ranging from travel and fashion to home decor and culinary delights, offering inspiration for readers seeking a balanced and enjoyable lifestyle.
