This IKEA Item Is A Game Changer For Maximizing Storage Space While Traveling & Camping

Picture this: You arrive at the baggage carousel at the airport after traveling for 12 hours on an international red-eye flight. You've managed a solid two hours of sleep on the plane, and the economy seat has done a number on your lower back. You're looking forward to nothing more than collecting your bag, hailing a cab, and taking a nap at the hotel. You see your $200 brand-name luggage (with buttery smooth gliding wheels, no less) heading toward you broken and destroyed. Feeling defeated, annoyed, and angry, you glance over at another passenger collecting their bright blue plastic duffle bag that has miraculously made it unscathed through the journey.

As the passenger grabs the bag and slings it over their shoulders, you catch a glimpse at the straps that say Ikea. Yes, you read that correctly. The Ikea Frakta bag is seemingly the next traveling and camping craze taking TikTok by storm, and users love it because it can maximize storage space. The Swedish home accessories and furniture giant is more than just the go-to spot for the iconic Billy bookcase. It might also be the secret to making your next trip more organized and unexpectedly affordable. Here's why.

The internet is rife with articles providing the ultimate guide to packing the best gear for your upcoming trip, and explaining how to choose the best luggage for every type of traveler, but you'd never believe that the next luggage craze is that big, blue, crinkly plastic tote bag from Ikea. For about $5 per bag, travelers are buying Frakta bags instead of spending extra money on brand-name luggage. Famed fashion house Balenciaga even had a copy of the bag that ran for a cool $2,145.

Throughout online travel forums, including Rick Steves' blog, visitors are asking about the iconic blue bag for traveling. When you consider that the bag's 20-gallon capacity fits approximately 55 pounds worth of stuff, you can easily make the 50-pound luggage weight limit that is standard for most checked baggage. Frakta bags — especially the ones that zip closed — are making bold waves in the travel world, not just for surviving long hours in transit but for being waterproof and nearly indestructible, according to users online who offer rave reviews. For added strength and durability, try double-bagging with two Fraktas.

To make sure your Frakta bag arrives intact, TikTok users suggest tying the small handles together to keep them from snagging and tearing during transit. Users also love the bags because they feature longer straps along the bottom, giving the choice of carrying the bag either as a tote, or on your back like a backpack. 

The Frakta bag seems to be a do-it-all adventure companion, able to handle the toughest elements. Its large capacity is useful for carrying items to your campsite, or simply storing firewood in your vehicle — it's ready for the trail or the trunk. 

Outdoor enthusiasts are quickly discovering that this bright blue bag is more than just a budget-friendly tote, but a rugged, waterproof workhorse built for adventure. Many are surprised by how durable the bag is, holding up to the demands of camping, fishing, and its massive storage potential. Anglers use it to store their fishing gear while keeping the car trunk dry. "I use one for my camping gear on a motorcycle trip," Redditor @eshemuta says. "Lays across the rear seat and holds everything." For a product that started its life in the checkout aisle of a Swedish furniture store, it's easy to see why the Frakta bag is a must-have item for your next camping excursion.

While it may not be the prettiest looking bag, it only costs a few dollars and is tough and spacious, able to handle everything from camping gear and hiking boots to groceries and firewood. So the next time you're gearing up for an epic outdoor adventure, planning a successful RV trip, hitting the backcountry, or making a trip abroad, don't overlook this practical travel bag.