Vacuum Seal Bags

[mz16]

Hey, I see a lot of people are saving space with vacuum sealing kites in bags. Is this save to do to the kite? Any tips/cautionary components? Also which types of bags work?

[flyingweasel]

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[CaptainArgh]

Skip the bags and just learn to fold your kites small.
The bags get holes in them easily and you'll find yourself looking for pinholes and patching your bags.
Plus, what do you do if airport security inspects your bag and opens the vacuum bags? They have to be able to get your gear back in so it might as well fit to begin with.
I tried it for a while. Much more trouble than it is worth.

[Dimitri M]

If you have lots of kites and want to fit everything in one bag, then the best way to pack your kites in your golf bag will be to use some of the cheap Seal Bags or Vacuum Bags it is all the same.
You can find these bags on the internet or at any stores such as Kmart, Wallmart, and so on.... Make sure to get the XL or L bags. They cost around $17 for a pack of 3 or 4 of these bags.

P.S. Oh and by the way make sure not to Vacuum Bag the dog.

[kookkiter]

thank Starsky

[finnkc]

Walmarted ... packed a 17 / 12 / 8 in a naish golf bag with board, pads, harness, two bars, lifejacket, pump, 2mm shorty, and a helmet.

No amount of "learn to fold" would get the same result IMO.
Cost me about 12 bucks for 4 bags.

[onzo]

I tried it couple of times. It is useful when you have to pack a lot of equipment in small size bags - especially when flying with Ryan or Wizz. I works fine, nothing ever happened but you should pack it well. And in case of any problems on the airport you can always pack it again using kitepump - no problem.

[jbdc]

I've tried the 'space bag' vacuum bags. While they worked (once); they're flimsy shit and easily get pinholes, rendering them useless.

You know what works just as well or better at a fraction of the cost? Kitchen garbage bags, or whatever, and a vacuum (or kitepump if you want to work your back and abs).

1. 1. Stick a sock on the end of the vacuum hose, put it into the bag opening with the edge of the sock inside the edge of the bag.
2. 2. Hold the sock/hose combo from outside the bag and give it a couple twists to seal the bag against the hose (above the sock).
3. 3. Evacuate the air (being careful not to apply too much vacuum that it could break the strut leads or stretch the canopy around the plastic parts).
4. 4. Twist the bag some more until the twist is below the end of the vacuum hose, remove the hose (you may lose the sock inside the bag, just make sure the sock isn't in the middle of your twist), and tie a knot. Done.

Same effect with a more resilient material, just as easy to do, and a fraction of the price.

If you want to make sure that everything stays compact even if the bag gets a hole, you can wrap some tape around it.

[zob]

I got 2 vac bags in this years Mistic Gear Box DLX 170 cm, with a small pump included.
I never used them, because I didn't have any space issues with this bag
Ussualy I have problems with the weight. A couple of 100 g here, a couple there... I always have to live somethin behind and don't even consider using vac bags for this reason, that goes for kite backpacks to.
Shouldn't make any damage to my foils

p.s.: they might come in handy, if one day I decide to make a foilboard. It's a great size to vacuum a foil

[fastrider]

No one has said it but make sure to take off any plastic clips even the ones for the block offs for the struts to leading edge.