IS BUYING A SMARTBAG REALLY A SMART MOVE?
By Ysabel Villaflor
I am writing this as I am currently in the process of packing for my trip in 3 days. I am so impressed by this product that I decided to write about it before I leave.
I chanced upon this SMARTBAG from Lock and Lock in ACE Hardware store just last month when I was out in about in Manila with my sister’s family. I was instantly interested as I am a big fan of travelling with Ziploc bags and constantly finding out ways to travel smarter (click
HERE for the WGs 5 Must Haves for Travelling - which includes my precious Ziplocs). I decided to give it a whirl and got the biggest size (400mmx500mm).
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| One pack contains 2 bags for Php299.75 (US$ 6.00) |
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| the promise: reduce space in luggage by half! |
When I got home, I ripped the packaging open and checked it out. One pack of SMART BAG contains two bags. While the smaller sizes gives you 3 bags. Unlike the ordinary Ziploc Bags that I use, the plastic on the SMART BAG is very durable and has double closure locks. It is a lot bigger than the largest size Ziploc bag, and I was already smiling to my ears. Before, I wished Ziploc had bigger sizes so I could fit more clothes in my luggage.
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| 400mm x 500mm biggest size |
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| the double zips |
It wasn’t until last night that I really tested it out as I was packing for my trip.
The instructions read: Push it in, Lock it, then Roll. Seems easy enough.
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| the instructions |
So I got some of the clothes I was bringing, stacked them up and positioned it in my check-in luggage just so I can see how much space I saved after I pushed the items in the bag.
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| the stack of clothes |
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| what the stack would look like in my luggage |
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| stack reached up the top of the luggage |
After I pushed the clothes in the bag, I locked it in with a little more difficulty since I had to adjust the clothes in the bag and let some air out before I zip it.
The magic came when I rolled the bag. With a little bit of effort (pressure is needed here), I rolled the bag and air went out from the one-way valve in the bag making the bag looked vacuum packed. I tried to make it as thin as I could and the result was amazing! I got my clothes to shrink by half the size!
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| size of the stack reduced to half. You can see the pillows at the edge of my bed |
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| vacuum packed |
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| what it looks like in the luggage |
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| as you can see, space is saved by half |
I guess, it really is smart to buy one! If you always had a problem of not having enough space in your luggage when travelling, then this just might help you out and to save on space. :)
