Hi there.

I'm freelance journalist working for IKEA FAMILY LIVE, IKEA's official magazine. I'm writing a piece on alternative uses for IKEA's massive sturdy blue bags - if anyone uses them for any sort of outdoors activity and wants to feature in the magazine can you let me know.

Email: jimmerrett@gmail.com

I used mine to carry caged pets to the vet.  A small cage has no handles and provides no barrier to the wind; an Ikea bag let me carry the cage safely even in inclement weather.

Personally, I thought that use would have been obvious, but I always got comments in the waiting room.

Alas no more, since all the little rats eventually died off and were not replaced.

I can't think of a reasonable use right now for the blue bags when out on the hill.

Was out climbing at the Roaches last weekend and the lad who I was climbing with (Hi Dan) did mention to me that "if you can get hold of one the blue Ikea bags make good rope bags).

 About 10 mins later a couple of other climbers walked passed us and yes you've guessed it one of them had the said blue Ikea bag as a rope bag.

A tent, perhaps, in birch veneer.  Ray Mears would like it.  I guess certain people on here (with penchants for certain colours) would be horrified, though.

Sir H: like the comments.

Sir Herbert wrote (see)

i did use them to carry my gear in until i began to go lite and realised they were massively over-engineered and heavy. they were better a few years ago but a design tweak here and there and they now weigh almost as much as all of my kit put together. i have converted to a tescos carrier bag. i know what everyone will say- they are not durable or big enough to carry all my gear but for three season shopping i just don't need all of those features. i accept that i may need to handle my carrier bag more carefully but as an experienced outdoors man i have the necessary knowledge to use it safely. it's great to see the looks on people's faces as they see me going into ikea. int's funny, people get very irate- you can't be going on a multi hour shopping trip with that! people always get concerned when i am going into the shop just before closing time and advise me that i am going into an industrial sized warehouse and may not make it round before closing time. what they don't realise is that by going lite i can go fast and bag more bargains in the same time and still have enough energy to go on to mfi or even dfs.

Ha, ha! pmsl!!! F*cking classic!

On a more constructive use Jim, they would make excellent sledges!

Pay for me and the faimly to go to Milton Keynes snowdome and I'll show you how to "arse it" down a 300 foot slope quicker than any poncy skier!!!

hi Jim 

I've often see 'em used for carrying climbing ropes & assorted ironmongery to/from crags.

I use mine for storing and carrying walking boots, crampons, gaiters etc.  A normal boot bag can't seem to accommodate size 11 winter boots but the Ikea bag handles 3 pairs with ease.  It keeps my car boot free from sheep pooh and mud. They're pretty durable and they cost buttons.
I've also seen them used for carrying BBQs to campsites.

Myself and lots of sea kayakers  I know use them for carrying all the gear in, one for wet stuff and one for dry.  They are good for squashing in the hatches to stop stuff rolling about when you're in the lumpy stuff, and could conceivably be used for emergency flotation aids.

cysgod-du (Triple Crown 2008) wrote (see)

What is Ikea then?

im off to ikea in the morning as it happens.

used the blue bag on a recent trip to centre parcs - whinfell, made an excellent blanket/ sheet baby clothes etc carrier. interestingly our neighbours there did exactly the same with their ikea bag too. 

I've got a couple of them - used for both walking and biking (and canoeing on the odd occasion).  Basically, all of the wet/dirty stuff gets flung in them at the side of the road/car park and then into the back of the car. Emptied out at home and into the wash or whatever. Fantastic value. Last ages. Massively robust. Many friends have since copied me (not that I'm claiming the idea as my own). Especially great when you're sharing cars and trying to keep the other guys car spotless (I've mostly given up on mine).

Could I just ask for a half-size one for boots

Hmmmmm, aren't the Government about to tax companies who issue bags after the budget.

Will that mean a reduction in the "sturdiness/size of the Ikea bags (assuming they are plastic) I mean are not Scandinavian countries supposed to be ecologically switched on?