Rick Steves Flat Pack

Looking at the packs in Rick's store, I'm not sure what you mean by a "flat" pack. If you mean a pack that opens flat, I've been using one (first Rick's convertible, then Essential Carry-on) for over 10 years (eight trips). I didn't think I had any exceptional knowledge of how to pack, but no wrinkles.

I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing. I am thinking of the plastic flat pack that you roll the air out of not the envelope type pack with the ventilated
mesh.

Paula, Those are commonly called compression bags. Eagle Creek also makes them. We take two or three medium size when we travel overseas. We have Steves and E. Creek and find them the same quality. What we use them for is raincoats, sweaters, and all our clothes on the return trip. You can really reduce the size of your clothes when you squeeze all the air out. When we use them for sweaters we leave some air in. If you buy some you may find the red zipper pull slides on off the end of its track. You can just put it back on and close the bags all over again. On our last trip we each took three compression bags in medium size, and at one time or another all three were used. The medium size fits convertible carry-on bags perfectly.

Thanks Lee and Monte. I think they would be a good thing
for some items but not for others. The idea of isolating and compressing your dirty clothes on the return flight is a good idea!

I use large ziploc bags as compression bags. On the trip over they hold things like underwear and socks, which don't wrinkle (plus it's easy for security to see what is in there without pawing through everything). On the way back I use them for damp things, or dirty clothes.

I guess if you fly a US airline with no weight limit or a huge one, a compression bag would work, but flying European airlines with an 8-10 kg weight limit, I find I reach the weight limit before the bag is "full". So, with compression bags, which do add weight, I could actually carry less.

I'm always looking for handy packing tips and have gotten many good ideas on Helpline. I normally travel with a roll aboard and a smaller carry on so I do have to check the roll aboard on European segments. I thought the flat pack might allow me to carry a more clothing. I think the secret is packing items that compliment each other, that are comfortable and easy to launder
if necessary. Thanks for the feedback.

I've used compression bags but went to ziplock bags for several reasons. Ziplocks are cheaper. You can compress ziplocks, just get the air out (roll them, sit on them, squeeze them like a bagpipe) and seal them. Ziplocks can can be used for anything, including one large bag that is my travel "washing machine". Compression bags work until they get overloaded once. I'm not sure why but when a compression bag is more than about 2/3 full, it stops working (and never works again). Every picture, of flat packs, in the travel store on this site are overloaded. Like Nancy, I use ziplocks for non-wrinkle items like socks and underwear, keeping dirty laundry, or organizing paper/small items. I think they would work nicely on a down vest or bulky wool sweater but can't say because I don't pack bulky items.