The rubber on the bag does nothing but keep the dirt in after the bag is removed, the rubber seal on the front cover is what keeps the machine from sealing. Yes, the replacement bags are junk, the seals do rip, if you use Genuine Aerus bags there is no chance of the self sealing tab ripping the rubber on the bag. I think in 66 years Electolux has done a lot of research on this. The original bags are 4 ply so there was never a need for a pre filter or after filter for dust, the after filters are mostly for trapping carbon dust that the motor throws off as the carbon brushes wear. As the self sealing tab goes, I would not rip it off, it is there to do a job and it does it well.
