— which have a 4.4-star average rating from over 3,500 reviewers — come with 12 storage bags. That's less than $2 per bag. I also like that they come in two sizes, medium and large. I mostly use the larger ones because it only takes two of them to pack all I need for a week in my carry-on. But even the medium bags can fit 4-5 days' worth of clothes. Personally, I don't need 12. However, I think that number is great for families or big groups trying to save space.
Initially, I was worried that these bags wouldn't work that well since they don't require a vacuum. My vacuum seal bags, which I use at home for larger items like blankets and puffy coats, work great. But that's because my powerful Hoover can suck out all the air in a matter of seconds. Getting the air out of these compression bags is a little trickier. First, I fill the bag with my clothes. Some people roll their clothes to save more space, but I prefer to lay mine out in a pile like you'd see in a shop. Next, I zip it shut, making a few passes with the zipper to make sure there are no openings. Remember: Air is the enemy. Thankfully, the bags have a double-zipper design and come with stay-on clips that keep the zipper securely shut.
Finally, I roll the zipped-up bag to remove the air. This step requires some manpower and sometimes a bit of maneuvering. It takes a lot of pressure if you just use your forearms to roll the bag. Since I don't have that much strength, I put my entire weight onto it. It may look silly, but it's an effective way to push the air out. In just a few seconds, the bag is much flatter and easier to roll.