Space bags???

[britkettle]

I am starting to make a list of all the things that I need to buy for my trip and one thing that I am wondering about is Space Bags (the bags that you can squeeze all the air out of to consolidate clothes). I know I am going to have a pretty full pack, but I don't know how much of a difference the bags will make.

Has anyone used these in their packs before??? HELP!!!

Also, for the other ladies out there...what do you guys do for shoes while backpacking?? I know I will take comfy shoes for walking, but I also know I will need nice shoes for other things. I am a huge fan of high heels, but I realize that while they are pretty , they are really impractical. So what do you ladies usually do?

[Corporal Canuck]

Is "Space Bag" the brand name? If so then I don't think I've ever seen one, but in the Army we do use heavy duty ziplocks to consolidate and keep clothes dry. They work almost too well. You end up being able to pack back-breaking loads.
I don't know anything about your plans but I suspect that either your bag is too small or you are simply trying to pack too much. But again take this with a grain of salt.

[starpiste]

yay for ziploc bags! They are great and way cheaper. I use them not so much for space, but it's easier to keep my bag organized.

As for shoes, I'd either take a bair of ballet flats or flat strappy sandals if you really want to bring a dressier pair. They don't take up much room and are still comfortable. Kitten heels might be a good alternative if you really want something with a heel though.

[kingcrazylegs]

Yea, SD clued me into using big ziplocks and I'll never go back. It really makes a difference for space and organisation!

[U2fan]

I took I believe what you're talking about to Egypt. They can be really handy; it takes a bit to get everything in there organized and flatten it out as much as possible. Then when you take something out or put it back in, you have to do that again, so yeah, it takes awhile. I think it was probably worth it though and it kept everything from getting wrinkled.

In terms of shoes, I don't take high heels. I had I believe one pair of tennis shoes, and two pairs of sandals, one cute dressy pair to wear out and one normal pair. Heels wouldn't take up much room, but I think they are uncomfortable and can ONLY been worn when going "out" whereas even my dressier pair of sandals could be worn just during the day. So really it's your call.

[britkettle]

zip-lock bags and sandals it is!! Thanks guys!

[TheJake]

yea man ziplocks and chaco brand flipflops!

[britkettle]

I'm not gonna lie... I am going to miss my pretty shoes...oh God I am such a girl!!!!

I suppose I will live without them

[zylah]

if u swing an invite to a really fancy thing, use your lack of high heels as an excuse to buy a new pair, then everytime u wear them u can think of whatever town u were in when u got them.

[britkettle]

Okay that's a good idea...does going out to the pub qualify as a really fancy thing?? OK nevermind...