I used the expanders last year also. They are made for the expander to stay in the decoy at all times. That button is too much of a pain to take off each time. I just wrap the decoy around the expander and stuff it into the bag. There are trade-offs between the stakes and the expanders. I think that the stakes can be easier to get into the hard ground but you don't have to worry about the decoy spinning in the wind with the expanders. So, as with most things, it comes to personal preference and technique.