Is It Worth Vacuuming Your Clothes for Travel? | Vacuum Compression Bags Review

Scrolling through TikTok often takes constant restraint from getting influenced to purchase the cool new find. I have been really good lately with mindful consumption and buying only the things I 100% want and/or need. 

 

The good run is temporarily interrupted by one clip I saw—it was actually for a carry-on backpack, but I saw that the person used a tiny vacuum device on a vacuum compression bag. Vacuum storage has been around for so long. I just wasn't convinced before because I do not have a vacuum cleaner. So, I fell for that tiny little (seemingly) amazing device, which got me to thinking... 

via GIPHY

So a few clicks and days later, we have our vacuum compression set.

I purchased the following from a LazMall store Vusign (https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.k1sVy):

• one full set (1 vacuum device + 12 pcs bags) - Php 559.48 (https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.k1IA3)
• 4 pcs 40x60 bags - Php 161.00 (https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.k1IBm)
• Shipping to Cebu City - Php 84.15

Important: Links are non-affiliate. The prices you will see may be different from when I made my purchase.

The compression bags...

You might be familiar of this one since there are other non-vacuum bags that come with them. Each bag comes with a sealer to help seal the main opening faster:

They also have another round opening where you vacuum the air out after sealing. A regular vacuum cleaner also works for this opening.

If you do buy the same ones I got, they will have these pink seal on the opening. DO NOT REMOVE THEM or else your bag will inflate again immediately.

The mini vacuum...

I am using the vacuum device that came with the set from the store. It's what actually sold me because this would be very handy for travels.

I thought this was cordless, but it only works when plugged in. The wire it came with is not very long so I did end up using an extension cord.

This device does vacuum quite well. I don't think this will be good for larger batches because it does heat up eventually. It's good for quick and small packing tasks.

Testing with a crocheted sweater...

Crocheted clothing are notorious for being a lot more chunky than the mass-produced knitted ones which makes this the perfect first test subject.

As seen on the photos below, the initial weight of this sweater is  0.48kg and the initial thickest point is 14cm.

After vacuuming, the chunkiest side became only 8cm and the thinnest side of the bag was only a little over 5cm.

Even on the chunkiest side there was quite a large difference. 

As for the weight, from 0.48kg, it went down to 0.35kg.

Btw, in case you're wondering, the 40x60 bag in my experience was able to fit two very chunky sweaters and one regular button down shirt.

With the mini vacuum device, the entire 40x60 bag takes 15 seconds the longest to vacuum.

Now, let's test how practical this is for packing a luggage...

Let's check if it's worth vacuuming everything we have on this side of the bag. I completely filled this side with just clothes. I did not roll them up, just the rectangular fold. If it matters, I also did not layer multiple clothing inside the compression bags.

And here is our result...

As you can see, vacuuming everything left plenty of space on the sides and I was able to fit in additional stuff like shoes, accessories and other smaller clothing pieces.

That space was non-existent prior to compressing all clothes. It may not be a very significant change, but it does make enough difference to fit in more than what we initially have.

Is it worth it for travel?

In my opinion, it is very much worth it for travel. I would highly suggest getting the mini vacuum if you'll be staying at hotels because obviously, you won't be able to fit things the same way going back home if you don't have a vacuum device. 

I was very pleasantly surprised by the results and I'm happy that this Tiktok made me buy it was a success.

Happy travels!