Vacuum packing clothes for holidays?

WLITC

Okay so I'm off on holidays in just over a week and we are only doing carry on luggage at the prompt of my mate. I don't mind too much but a little worried about not being able too take as much clothes. Got a really good case that's like a suitcase but its just below the max size for airlines for cabin luggage. Anyway to maximise space I was thinking of vacuum packing some of the clothes. Does that sound a silly idea? I've been considering for a while to get a food vacuum sealer like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001HBP7HW would that be suitable for doing clothes? Appreciate would have to do just one/two items a time max. Thoughts?

Bob_the_Saver

You taking the machine for the return journey?

agrinnall

I've heard of it being done. The main problem that I can see is that if you don't have a vacuum sealer at your destination then when you come back your clothes aren't going to fit in the case, so you'd have to throw some of them away (or get on the plane doing a Michelin man impression).

WLITC

Thanks both, my friend just pointed out what you both just did. Lol, guess it wasn't quite the smart idea I thought it was.

jackieblack

You can get similar bags that work by rolling them up to expel the air, no vacuum cleaner required!
I can't remember where I got mine as it was years ago but Amazon have quite a few, these are similar, here and here

totallybored

I found some in the pound shop the other year! You squash the air out yourself. I wasn't convinced when I bought them but they were actually quite good. Definitely compressed the clothes and meant I could fit more in. I've never seen them again in the pound shop but I'd recommend buying some from amazon or somewhere.

PasturesNew

Do it - but don't use a vacuum, do it just by sitting on/flattening the bag as that's all you'll be able to do on the return journey. They really scrunch up small, I've used them when moving around and they're brilliant.

You can also use those zip-up sandwich bags in the same way - get the ones intended for liquids so they're airtight.

gayleanne

Are you taking an iron for when you unpack?

Doshwaster

WLITC wrote: »

Thanks both, my friend just pointed out what you both just did. Lol, guess it wasn't quite the smart idea I thought it was.

Of course the other alternative is just to take less clothes.

tower

Hi, just thought I'd chip in. No one has mentioned that by compressing your clothes and fitting in more, you my go over your weight limit.

Pollycat

WLITC wrote: »

Okay so I'm off on holidays in just over a week and we are only doing carry on luggage at the prompt of my mate. I don't mind too much but a little worried about not being able too take as much clothes. Got a really good case that's like a suitcase but its just below the max size for airlines for cabin luggage. Anyway to maximise space I was thinking of vacuum packing some of the clothes. Does that sound a silly idea? I've been considering for a while to get a food vacuum sealer like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001HBP7HW would that be suitable for doing clothes? Appreciate would have to do just one/two items a time max. Thoughts?

Is the bag below the max size for the particular airline you're flying with?
Not all airlines have the same max dimensions for cabin baggage.