Will You Have Trouble Bringing That Viral Vacuum Carry-On Bag From TikTok Through TSA?

If you're as obsessed with travel and travel hacks as we are, your TikTok For You page has probably been serving up video after video of a sleek backpack that promises to shrink down a week's worth of clothes using a built-in vacuum system. The Airback looks like a standard backpack, an essential item when it comes to packing light. But the included tiny air pump sucks all the air from the inner main compartment, giving you a lot more space to work with. Sounds pretty great — but the real question is whether you'll have any trouble getting this contraption through TSA. In short: you won't.

According to the TSA website, vacuum-sealed bags are allowed (though discouraged) in both carry-on and checked luggage. However, that comes with a caveat — TSA officers must be able to see and screen the contents of your bag. So, if your compression bag is overstuffed or too tightly packed and they can't properly see what's inside, you could be pulled aside for additional airport screening that requires you to uncompress your bag.

The good thing about the Airback, however, is that the built-in vacuum system should allow you to easily decompress and recompress the bag without getting stuck trying to repack everything from scratch. And to make it even easier for TSA to manually inspect your bag without too much disruption, individual packing cubes may be the answer.

There's no question that you can pack more into a smaller space with the Airback, but that doesn't mean your bag will be any easier to carry. The items will still weigh the same, so you could end up tired from lugging extra weight around on your back, as opposed to using a carry-on with wheels. However, if you're mindful of the weight (and you can purchase the bag with a built-in weight handle), the Airback lets you travel hands-free with everything you need in one place.

Most airlines don't have weight restrictions on carry-on bags (though be sure to check in advance), so combining the Airback with a rolling carry-on is a way to maximize your packing capacity without having to check luggage. Backpacks even count as personal items, so you can avoid those outrageous budget airline carry-on fees. The Airback includes a trolley strap to secure it over a suitcase handle. It's also useful for souvenirs — as long as you don't overpack to start with, you'll have extra space to add treasures you find during your trip.

The Airback also has a dedicated laptop sleeve, so you can access tech items on the go without digging through the main compartment. A hidden pocket offers a place to store valuables discreetly, and the front compartment is perfect for items you need easy access to, such as your passport, boarding pass, and phone. The bag was on sale at the time of writing for $319, which is fairly pricey for a backpack — but it could be worth the investment if you travel frequently. There are also some similar items available for less on Amazon, such as this Black Voyage compression travel backpack and this Kuvictewl vacpack vacuum backpack.