There is a quiet revolution happening at the baggage carousel, and it costs about the same as a cup of airport coffee.
A post on r/backpacking has gone viral with nearly 1,800 upvotes, revealing a deceptively simple travel hack: the IKEA DIMPA zippered storage bag, a $5 staple from the flat-pack giant's shelving aisle, fits snugly over a large backpack and has become the budget traveler's secret weapon against airline baggage handling.
The appeal is straightforward. Airlines routinely drag, toss, and compress checked bags in ways that can shred compression straps, snap buckles, and leave external gear pockets hanging by threads. Baggage damage claims with most carriers are an exercise in frustration - limited liability, onerous proof requirements, and settlement offers that rarely cover actual replacement costs. The IKEA bag sidesteps all of that.
Beyond physical protection, the hack has another underappreciated benefit: obscuring the shape and bulk of an oversized carry-on. Backpacks with external frames, sleeping bag loops, or trekking pole attachments can trigger staff scrutiny at gates where personal item dimensions are being enforced more aggressively than ever. A pack enclosed in a smooth, rectangular DIMPA pouch reads as contained and compact - even if the bag underneath pushes every limit.
The community reaction has been emphatic. Commenters on the thread noted the DIMPA bag has been a backpacker staple for years - it fits packs up to 75 liters - while others flagged the secondary value of protecting luggage from rain during tarmac transfers, a scenario that airlines accept zero liability for.
For those planning to check a backpack, the math is hard to argue with. A $5 IKEA bag versus a $50-$200 replacement strap or frame component is not a close contest. Experienced travelers recommend doubling up the bag's drawstring closure with a cable tie or zip-lock for longer hauls.
The broader lesson here is one budget travelers have always known: the most effective gear hacks are rarely from specialized outdoor brands. They come from spotting a function in something cheap and widely available. The IKEA DIMPA bag was designed to store holiday decorations. It has found a second life protecting the gear of travelers navigating an airline system that grows less forgiving every year.
Practical notes: The DIMPA bag measures approximately 55 x 37 x 150 cm when fully extended - enough to accommodate most expedition-size backpacks. It is available at most IKEA locations globally and online. For packs with external frames, test the fit before your departure date.
