Bulky clothing can fill a suitcase long before you have finished deciding what to bring. The goal of compression is not to make luggage lighter. It is to use the available volume more efficiently.
Start with the items that take up the most room
Sweaters, hoodies, jackets, soft trousers, and similar items usually create more bulk than small accessories. Grouping soft clothing before packing makes it easier to decide what is worth compressing and what can stay outside the bag.
Do not overfill the compression bag
Leave enough room to close the seal completely. A bag that is packed beyond its practical capacity can be harder to seal and organize. A flatter, evenly packed bag is also easier to position inside a suitcase.
Seal before you compress
Run along the zipper and make sure it is fully closed before connecting a compatible pump. A complete seal is essential because compression depends on maintaining the vacuum inside the bag.
Use the space you recover intentionally
After compression, place the flatter bags against the base or sides of the suitcase and use the remaining space for items that should not be compressed, such as structured accessories or other travel essentials.
Keep weight in mind
Creating more room can make it tempting to pack more. Remember that compression reduces volume, not luggage weight. Check the baggage limits that apply to your trip before adding extra items.
SmartPack Power™ combines a rechargeable cordless pump with reusable compression bags in travel and family kit configurations.