Search "vacuum storage bags" and the #3 bestseller isn't a vacuum bag at all — Fab totes is a foldable fabric organizer with no pump, no compression, and 38,589 reviews. That's a strange result for a search about crushing things flat, so we read through the reviews to understand who's actually buying it, and why.
What the reviews actually say
We read through both the critical and positive reviews to understand why a non-compressing organizer sells so well in a vacuum-bag search.
Why buyers choose it over a vacuum bag
The recurring theme is breathability and capacity, not compression. One reviewer directly compared it to hard bins: "it did not smell like cheap plastic like hard storage bins do." Another fit "a king size comforter... this is a big fat fluffy comforter" into a single tote. Reviewers also value the clear window — "I can see exactly what's inside without opening every bag" — which matters most for people who reach for stored items regularly, unlike a sealed vacuum bag that has to be re-pumped every time it's opened.
The trade-off: no rigidity
This is the single most repeated complaint, worded almost identically across dozens of reviews: "they lack structure to stack well," "too flexible it cannot hold everything firm," "won't stack well unless they are full." One detailed critical review put it bluntly: "there is no structural support at the bottoms or tops, so they do not stack." A small number of buyers also reported bags arriving with holes in the seams or a torn plastic window — not the norm, but a real minority pattern worth a quick inspection on arrival.
The reviewed product
Fab totes 6-Pack Foldable Storage Bags
Reviewers pick these over a vacuum bag specifically to avoid the musty-plastic smell and to store bulky items they still want easy access to. The trade-off is consistent and repeated: without a rigid frame, the bags sag and stack poorly unless completely full — buy them for what they're good at, not as a vacuum-bag substitute for maximum space savings.
Check price on Amazon →Frequently asked questions
Why would you buy Fab totes instead of a vacuum bag if they don't compress?
Reviewers choose them for two reasons a vacuum bag can't offer: breathable fabric that avoids the musty plastic smell of sealed bags, and a clear window that lets you see the contents without opening or re-pumping anything. They're the better pick for items you access regularly, while a vacuum bag suits things you seal once and don't touch for months.
Do Fab totes stack well in a closet?
Not reliably. This is the most repeated complaint in the reviews: "they lack structure to stack well," and one detailed critical review noted "there is no structural support at the bottoms or tops, so they do not stack." They stack acceptably when completely full, but sag and lean when partially filled — plan for shelf storage rather than a tall freestanding stack.
Do Fab totes sag or lose their shape?
Yes, when not fully packed. Multiple reviewers describe them as "floppy" and note they only hold their shape when filled to capacity. One suggested adding your own cardboard or light wood insert to help them keep a square shape if you need them to look neat while partially empty.
Are Fab totes durable, or does the fabric tear easily?
Most reviewers report them holding up well for moving and long-term storage, with sturdy zippers standing out as a specific strength. A minority report arriving with holes in the seams or a torn clear plastic window — worth inspecting each bag when it arrives rather than assuming they're defect-free.
Do Fab totes avoid the musty smell of sealed plastic storage bags?
Yes — this is one of the clearest reasons reviewers give for choosing them over vacuum bags. Multiple reviewers specifically contrast the breathable fabric with hard plastic bins or sealed bags, saying it "did not smell like cheap plastic" the way other storage options can after months sealed shut.
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Prices, ratings and review counts change on Amazon in real time — figures above were accurate as of the data-capture date and may have shifted since. Always check the current price on the product page before buying.