Without a clear packing system, many people struggle to bring everything they need in one suitcase, risking extra luggage fees, having to carry multiple bags, and leaving no room for souvenirs.
This guide will explain how to pack for a holiday using vacuum storage bags, which bags work best for travel, and packing does and don’ts.
What Are Vacuum Storage Bags and Why Use Them for Holiday Packing?
Vacuum storage bags are airtight plastic bags that compress soft items by removing the air. They’re particularly useful for holiday packing, as they can remove around 50-80% of their volume, allowing you to maximise luggage space and leave plenty of room for souvenirs.
You can use vacuum storage bags for travel to great effect when there are luggage restrictions, and for holidays to colder climates, such as ski trips, as jumpers and winter coats take up a lot of space compared with regular clothes.
Beyond just space-saving, vacuum storage bags are a great way to organise your clothes by day, person, occasion, or clean and dirty. No more odours soaking into your laundry or toiletry spills ruining clothes; air tight bags are leak proof and provide an added layer of protection when you travel.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Pack for a Holiday Using Vacuum Storage Bags
Step 1: Choose the Right Bag
At Packmate, our options include:
- Roll-up travel compression bags (recommended), which do not need a pump or vacuum cleaner to use.
- Hand-pump vacuum bags, which offer stronger compression but require you to bring a pump.
- Electric pump vacuum bags, which are convenient but rely on battery or power.
- Vacuum cleaner bags, which are best for home storage but less practical for travel.
We recommend using roll-up travel compression bags for family holidays where there may be multiple suitcases to contend with. Alternatively, hand-pump vacuum bags are a great option for ski holidays where the space needed to fit a pump is less than what’s saved by vacuum-sealing your winter apparel.
Step 2: Sort and Pack Clothes
When trying to vacuum seal clothes for travel, you can use one large bag per suitcase, but one of the key benefits to these bags is also organisation. We recommend sorting clothes by person, occasion, stage of the trip, or clothing type, depending on the nature of your holiday. Please be aware that dirty and wet clothes can cause mould, mildew and odours to form inside the bag, so where possible, leave clothes to dry completely before packing, and only pack wet or dirty clothes at the last minute, then thoroughly air out your vacuum storage bags after use.
You can fold or roll clothes in vacuum bags; folding creates flatter, more even layers, whereas rolling can reduce creasing but may lead to air pockets.
Step 3: Seal the Bag Properly
For vacuum-packing to work, you need to seal the bag completely, or air will be able to get into the bag and return it to its original size. Make sure not to overfill the bag, as this will make forming a proper seal harder, and run your fingers across the seal a few times once closed to make sure it’s completely sealed. You can then remove the air as directed on the bag.
What Should and Shouldn’t Go in Vacuum Storage Bags?
What Clothes Vacuum-Seal Well
We have created a list of what clothes can be put in vacuum bags, but to summarise, vacuum storage bags are best for sort, flexible items like casual clothing:
- Cotton clothing
- Casual dresses
- Underwear
- Socks
- Swimwear (not when wet)
- Sportswear
- Jumpers
- Coats
- Towels
- Laundry for the return journey
Items to Avoid or Treat Carefully
Vacuum storage bags may crease clothing, so wrinkle-prone fabrics like linen, and formal clothes that need to keep flat, are better-suited to packing cubes or garment bags.
- Silk
- Linen
- Leather
- Suede
- Structured blazers or suits
- Heavily embellished garments
- Wedding outfits
- Down jackets (for long periods)
- Feather-filled items
- Anything damp
- Anything with sharp zips, studs, or accessories that could puncture the bag
Common Problems When Packing with Vacuum Bags and How to Avoid Them
Clothes Can Crease
Do vacuum storage bags crease clothes? This depends on the fabric of the clothes and how they are packed; thin fabrics like linen and silk are more prone to creasing, and tightly-folded clothes may crease on the fold lines.
Too Much Weight
While vacuum storage bags allow you to physically fit more items in your suitcase, they will only remove air not weight. To avoid potential airline charges, always check your bag weight and luggage restrictions before your journey.
Bags Can Reinflate
Cheap, thin vacuum bags are more prone to this issue, but vacuum storage bags leaking air will reinflate themselves and take up more room. To prevent this, stick to quality bags, do not pack sharp objects, and check your seal twice.
Packing Cubes vs Vacuum Bags
Vacuum storage bags are the best option for maximising space savings, but packing cubes or travel compression bags may be better for organisation and will leave fewer creases in your clothes.
A quick tip for reducing the appearance of creases is to hang your clothes in the bathroom while a hot shower is running.
Best Ways to Use Vacuum Storage Bags for Different Types of Holidays
· City Breaks: Save money on quick getaways by not paying for luggage at all and using vacuum storage bags to fit everything into carry-on bags.
· Family Holidays: Multiple vacuum storage bags can keep clothes organised when travelling with kids. Spare outfits, dirty laundry, and beach towels will all use up space, but less so with vacuum bags.
· Winter Holidays: Ski trips and winter breaks mean thick coats and lots of layers. Don’t scrimp on warmth because you can’t fit everything in your suitcase, try vacuum storage bags.
· Return Journeys: Don’t neglect the fact that you may want to pick up souvenirs on holiday. Vacuum storage bags can save you valuable luggage room for souvenirs.
If you want more information on this, check out our guide on how to pack for multiple trips without overpacking.
Common Questions About Vacuum Storage Bags
Do vacuum bags make your suitcase heavier?
No, the bags themselves are very light, but the more clothes they allow you to fit in your suitcase, they more heavy it will become.
Do vacuum storage bags crease clothes?
Yes, they can. Because of the tight compression, clothes are more likely to crease, especially if packed in vacuum storage bags for long periods of time. Rolling clothes rather than folding can reduce this effect.
Is it better to roll or fold clothes in vacuum bags?
Folding is better to maximising space as flat layers will compress better, but rolling can help reduce the appearance of creases in clothing, although this risks creating air pockets that make the bags less effective.
Can you use vacuum bags without a vacuum cleaner?
Yes, there are lots of types of vacuum storage bags, including ones that roll closed and ones that use hand pumps or electric pumps.
Can airport security open vacuum bags?
Airport security have discretion to inspect bags as they see fit. This can include breaking the seal on your vacuum storage bags, which is why we recommend using roll-up bags for travel or keeping the pump in your luggage.
Making Your Holiday Simpler
Vacuum storage bags are an effective way to save suitcase space and remove one of the most common stresses of going on holiday; not being able to zip your suitcase shut. As long as you’re mindful of over-packing and packing damp clothes, these bags can help you stay organised throughout your trip, and leave you space for the time-honoured tradition – buying souvenirs.
Written by, Stephanie Dinnie, the Director of Operations at Packmate.