So, you’ve booked your flights, you’ve rented the RV or booked your hotel, you’ve planned your route and as you begin to think about what the next steps are so you can have a joyful and triumphant trip, safety might not always be at the top of your list. But it should be. And it’s not all that difficult to make it so.
Wherever you’re going and whatever you’re doing on vacation, making sure you have travel gear that will keep your belongings safe should be your next step in getting ready for your adventure. And while the anti-theft travel bag market has dwindled quite a bit over the years, according to travel skills trainer Kevin Coffey, there’s still a decent selection out there if you look in the right places. From belt and sling bags to crossbody bags and travel purses to travel backpacks, all the anti-theft bags we’ve chosen come with at least one security feature.
We’ve also gathered some of the best tips from Coffey, a retired detective with the Los Angeles Police Department for 35 years, where he founded the Crime Investigation Detail for airport and travel-related victims and has spent the past 28 years speaking at corporate events and for various media on how to make travelers street-smart and savvy so they can enjoy their time away from home.
“The number one issue that’s going to be faced in this vertical of traveler loss theft is going to be pickpocketing,” Coffey says. “And it’s going to be one of two ways: one, it comes out of your pocket itself, and the other is going to be coming out of a bag that you’re carrying. [The second feature to look for when buying a bag] is having the ability to detach a strap and secure it to a secondary device. The third is going to be anti-slashing features, and the last one is going to be RFID blocking.”
These anti-theft travel bags will keep your belongings the safest while not sacrificing on style, comfort and, ultimately, peace of mind.
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The Lewis N. Clark Travel Pouch is an excellent choice for functionality and protection against travel security threats. The waist belt has an ultra-slim design that fits discreetly underneath your clothing and is constructed with RFID-blocking technology and durable rip-stop nylon. It’s even got self-repairing zippers. The multiple compartments keep your currency, electronics, passports, travel documents and more organized and ready for easy access when needed.
$20 From $16 at Amazon
Monos
It’s all about the sleek design with the Monos Metro Sling. A single-strap bag that can be worn around your waist, over your shoulder or across your body allows you to pack all your essential on-the-go items and still know they’re safe with cleverly designed interior pockets and an integrated keychain carabiner to keep keys close. It’s also got a full-length back pocket to hold wallets, phones or passports securely yet accessibly. Eco-bonus is that it’s designed with only vegan materials and available in nine great color choices.
$75 at Monos
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At a higher price point than the Sling Pack, the Pacsafe Vibe 100 Anti-Theft Pack comes with all the same anti-theft features plus some, like a Roobar locking system. It can hold more, too, such as a 7-inch tablet along with the usual suspects — keys, phone, wallet. Keep your valuables safe while on the go with lockable zips and cut-resistant materials all made in a hip pack made from recycled PET for optimal sustainability.
$90 at Amazon
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“As an avid beachgoer, I absolutely love the Aqua Vault Flexsafe anti-theft bags,” says travel blogger and consultant Marla Cimini. “It’s really a portable safe that offers peace of mind. You can fit a lot of things in this small bag that attaches to your beach chair or umbrella (or a fixed object), and it has a combination lock that you set yourself."
Expect to fit all of the usual suspects you might want to bring on a beach day: phone, keys, wallet and any other small valuables. "It also features mesh pockets on the outside and a sturdy belt loop and a handle on top so you can carry it with you and use it as a purse or a bike bag if you need to," Cimini says. "The material is tough, splash-proof, anti-theft and features RFID-blocking material. I highly recommend this bag for travel and especially peace of mind at the beach!”
$60 at Amazon
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“Pacsafe has been a leader in the field for years,” Coffey says. “They’re one of the ones that probably, in my personal view, really invented and took the category to where it is today.”
The Pacsafe Go Anti-Theft Sling Pack is one of the safest sling bags on the market. With its dual-release security clip and Carrysafe slashguard strap made with Dyneema fabric, it’s the perfect solution for traveling far or near — on a run or ride, backpacking through Europe or heading to your local music festival. The pockets are also RFID-safe, which shields you from electronic pickpocketing and identity theft, giving you peace of mind even when you’re not keeping both eyes on the bag.
Currently Unavailable at Amazon
“There are bags that pickpockets and opportunists will specialize in and love to go after and the easiest one is an open tote bag,” Coffey says. “That’s easy to get your hand into. So, you’ll want to look for a product that’s going to be zippered and, better yet, has some type of locking mechanism. A purse that’s easy to get into — it’s easy to zip, easy to open a flap — they can get their hand in there and remove your wallet, remove your cell phone.”
Peak Design
This 15-liter Peak Design Everyday Tote really lives up to its name. It’s great for an adventure or your photo equipment, but it also works for everyday trips because it combines sleek aesthetics with functionality that protects, organizes and gives quick access to your gear. The extra-wide opening has a weatherproof UltraZip, seals with a magnetic clasp and folds over to provide extra pickpocketing protection.
$150 at Amazon
$150 at Peak Design
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“I really love my Baggallini,” says travel journalist Elizabeth Heath. “It has RFID-blocking [technology] and a detachable strap, and for its modest size, it really does fit a lot." You'll find plenty of compartments and pockets inside to store all of your smaller items.
We also love the options on offer, with more than 30 colors and designs available. "I bought the bag in a neutral/unisex color so that my spouse can carry it, too. That way, we can get by with one ‘purse’ when we travel, and I’m not left holding the bag and the phones, wallets, tickets, et cetera!”
$75 at Amazon
Editor Favorite
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“If [a thief] is not getting into the purse or bag, they’re physically stealing it,” says Coffey. “How many times have you seen someone put their purse on the back of the chair when they’re in a restaurant, right? Someone can just come by and steal that or put a jacket over a purse when someone’s not paying attention. So, you’ll want to able to detach one of the straps to secure it through some type of hole or the chair itself, so it can’t be easily removed.”
The Travelon Anti-Theft Essential Messenger Bag offers this protection. Its five-point anti-theft security system includes slash-resistant mesh inner lining throughout all panels, a slash-resistant strap, locking compartments and an RFID-blocking organizer.
Read our review.
$55 From $32 at Amazon
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With the same five-point anti-theft security system, including a lockdown strap, the Travelon Urban Anti-Theft Messenger Bag updates the Essential Messenger Bag with a sleek, squared design and a main compartment with two padded sleeves that can hold up to a 14-inch laptop along with an iPad or tablet. Buckles secure the flap over the main compartment, while front and rear pockets have zippers, offering excellent security. It can be worn as a crossbody or over the shoulder.
$95 From $50 at Amazon
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The Pacsafe StyleSafe Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag is a stalwart in the industry. It comes with a zipper security system that lets you can secure the zipper through a small loop — something Coffey says is an excellent and straightforward choice for added zipper security. The bag itself is made out of slash-resistant materials, including an anchor strap with a turn-and-lock security hook that secures around any fixed object. It might look small, but this crossbody bag fits an 11-inch screen and includes hidden pockets and an internal attachment to secure keys.
From $96 at Amazon
Amazon
The Pacsafe CitySafe Convertible Backpack is a great design with a two-in-one option — it can be worn as a travel backpack or folded down as a handbag or crossbody bag. Any way you wear it, you'll get all the anti-theft features standard for Pacsafe bags. There’s smart zipper security, cut-resistant fabric and a cut-resistant anchor strap that stores away neatly or secures to a fixed object, along with RFID-blocking pockets.
From $120 at Amazon
Peak Design
“Being professional photographers, anti-theft features in backpacks are incredibly important to us, as we often travel with huge amounts of expensive equipment in unusual locations,” says Jarryd Salem, one half of adventure duo Nomadasaurus. “We tend to carry our camera gear in backpacks, and our go-to now are the Everyday Backpack and Travel Backpack from Peak Design.
"Besides being excellent quality gear, they come with solid anti-theft features such as lots of hidden pockets and lockable zippers. But the biggest anti-theft feature for us is that these camera backpacks don’t really look like camera backpacks at all. While other brands and packs we’ve used (and admittedly love) scream out, ‘I’m full of camera gear!’ the Peak Design bags are more subtle, meaning they’re less likely to draw attention. What better way to avoid theft than not attracting thieves in the first place?”
From $280 at Peak Design
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Travelon’s Signature Anti-Theft Backpack is a great choice for travelers looking for anti-theft features alongside a clean and functional design. The main compartment has an RFID-blocking slot that holds credit cards and passports. There's also an inner zippered wall pocket with an attached key clip with an LED light. The hidden anti-slash pocket under the flap is perfect for your cell or sunglasses.
Ultimately, you want to find an anti-theft bag that's easy to operate. “Find one that fits your dexterity level,” Coffey says. “If the features are difficult to use and quickly secure, you’re probably not going to be using it all the time and then [the anti-theft features become] pointless.”
$75 From $40 at Amazon
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The Lewis N. Clark Locking Day Pack provides a roll-down main compartment with a three-digit combination lock that’s simple to set and protects your valuables at all travel points — it's also large enough to accommodate a laptop. Perfect for everyday use or while on your latest adventure, the backpack also has an external zip pocket for quick access to specific items. However, there are no lock features on this section, so don’t put your valuables in there.
Currently Unavailable at Amazon
Away
Away’s Everywhere Zip Backpack is constructed with water-resistant nylon with a breathable mesh back panel for extra comfort and a full wraparound zip opening for access to its spacious main compartment. Its anti-theft features include a padded 15-inch laptop pocket with a magnetic locking zipper, an external secure front zip pocket and a hidden easy-access slip pocket for your phone or passport.
$195 at Away
Ultimately, it pays off to keep security in mind. “I know plenty of smart travelers who’ve let their guard down for half a minute and had either their bags stolen or something lifted from their purse or backpack,” Heath says. “Those moments when you’re fumbling for your wallet or ID, frazzled over a missed train or juggling multiple bags, those are the times when you’re most vulnerable. I don’t think anyone should travel with a sense of fear, but a healthy sense of caution is a necessity anywhere in the world.”
Looking for a travel credit card? Find out which cards CNN Underscored chose as our best travel credit cards.
Finding a pickpocket-proof purse or pickpocket-proof bag for travel is a smart investment for keeping your valuables secure and is your first line of defense against pickpockets and street thieves both at home and while traveling. Wearing a bag crossbody style with the bag hanging in front of you and not resting on your hip or behind makes it very difficult for a thief, no matter how skilled, to pickpocket you. Carrying your anti-theft travel bag in front of you keeps it in view at all times.
Read on to learn how pickpockets operate and which purses thieves like to steal from the most. The Solution? Use an Anti-Theft Travel Purse. A pickpocket-proof purse easily foils would-be thieves with hidden built-in anti-theft features to help keep your valuables safe.
Pickpocket-proof purses and bags are available in all sizes, shapes, and designs. Typically the anti-theft features are discreet and incorporated into the bag, so it looks like a regular bag and does not scream tourist. Travel with peace of mind knowing you’re keeping your valuables secure while you enjoy the sights.
Locking zippers
Locking zipper pulls lockdown with a clip to the bag to keep pickpockets from pulling them open and lifting your valuables out. This is the single most important feature that makes a travel bag an anti-theft pickpocket-proof purse. Look for the zippers with lock down latches on the main compartment of the bag. Place your wallet, phone, or anything of value inside this compartment and engage the zipper catch to keep the compartment secure.
Detachable strap
Many anti-theft travel bags have a bag strap that unclips from one end of the bag. Use this feature to attach your bag to a chair by unclipping the strap and re-attaching it after threading it through a chair back or another item to prevent grab-and-go thefts.
Slash-proof and crossbody strap
The safest and most convenient style of bag is a crossbody bag that you wear from one shoulder to the opposite hip. A thin flexible wire embedded in the strap makes it slash-resistant to thieves who cut bag straps and then run off with the bag.
Slash proof sides and bottoms
Bag sides and bottoms are the most vulnerable places on your bag for a bag cutter to slice open and pull out your valuables. Having reinforced sides and bottoms is another ingenious feature of pickpocket-proof purses.
RFID blocking material
Many bags have RFID blocking organizational pockets or a pocket lined with RFID blocking material to protect your ID from e-pickpockets. E pickpockets steal your credit card information electronically. A good pickpocket proof purse will include one or more interior pockets lined in RFID blocking material.
A pickpocket proof purse helps keep pickpockets out and your valuables secure in your bag. These popular pickpocket-proof purses have all the anti-theft features you need for peace of mind. As a bonus, all these styles are designed to be worn crossbody which is more secure than just over one shoulder. All the featured bags have adjustable straps so if you’re tall, short, or somewhere in between the bag can be adjusted to hang at a comfortable length. Be sure you wear your anti-theft bag so it hangs in front of you and not behind you on your hip.
Pickpockets look for people who are either distracted or can be easily distracted. People on cell phones, with children, in groups, or others who just aren’t paying enough attention to the people around them often become victims. Tourists are prime targets of street thieves. Another favorite target is those who set their bag down, even right next to themselves, for a grab-and-go theft. You can’t always be vigilant, especially when sightseeing, but you can use anti-theft gear to help thwart thieves and for your peace of mind. Select a pickpocket-proof purse designed with built-in anti-theft features and thwart pickpockets.
Draw String Purse or Bag The drawstring purse is one of the easiest styles for pickpockets to steal from. Some thieves call it “the pickpocket’s best friend.” Why is this? Simple mechanics really, in many cases drawstring purses are backpacks, which make the removal of items from within even simpler. These bags work by pulling the strings tighter to close the bag and loosening them to open it. Even the most novice thief can remove the wallet from one of these bags. All a thief needs to do is grip the drawstring of the purse and pull down gently, which gets them into the bag. There is no sound when they open the bag, and very little movement is involved which is great since it will leave the victim, or mark, which is the name some professional pickpockets call a victim, completely unaware that a thief just stole their wallet. Usually, the thief and your wallet are long gone before you discover the wallet missing.
Flap Purse The most beloved type of bag for a pickpocket. This type of purse usually contains one large pouch, covered by a flap that often has just a magnet-style closure. They come in all shapes and sizes, but thieves usually prefer the medium and larger-sized ones. The flap purse is still vulnerable even with a button or latch closure. A thief can get close enough to gently but firmly grip the button of the flap with his thumb and index finger and undo it, using his thumb to mask the sound. With a quick motion of the hand, the prized wallet is in his hand.
Zippered Purse You think this may be a secure style of bag, well it is, and it’s a bit more difficult than a flap purse to breach, however, this style can be simple for a skilled thief to conquer as well. A good thief can easily slide a zipper open without the wearer feeling it. A thief will also try to distract you from noticing your zipper being unzipped – they will bump into you, distract you with a question, or use an accomplice to find another way to divert your attention. It only takes 2 seconds. Zipper bags vary and sometimes have multiple pouches, so a thief will often watch to see in which compartment the wallet is placed. The best pocket to carry a wallet is in a zippered pocket in the main compartment of the bag and on the side of the purse closest to the body. Find an anti-theft zipper travel purse right for you
Clutch Purse This style can be tricky for thieves to pickpocket and it may not have a wallet inside due to its smaller size. That’s the good news. The bad news is once it is out of your hand, for even a second, the entire handbag is taken. This is a risky style to carry.
Side Flap A side flap purse is usually a medium to small purse that has one large compartment and one flap to close it up. This means one thin piece of fabric is all that is between your wallet and a thief, who can simply place his thumb over the clasp and then unbutton it. The real reason why this is on the list is because while walking this type of purse tends to “slide” to the back of your hip, placing it right in front of the opportunistic thief that is behind you
Shoulder Bag (one you can’t wear crossbody) Depending on the bag sometimes the top of this kind of purse is left open with no clasp, meaning your wallet is vulnerable, especially if there is enough room at the top to slide a hand into the bag. Otherwise, an enterprising thief can use a box cutter to cut open the back of the bag and remove your wallet through the slit. Stealing a cell phone from this kind of bag is a snap since the pouch for it is usually on the bag’s exterior. Avoid this style of bag for travel unless it has built-in anti-theft features and the bag strap is long enough to wear it crossbody.
These pickpocket-proof purses also offer a full suite of anti-theft features. Even though they are anti-theft handbags they are ideal for around town too. The security features offered by all these travel bags include locking zippers to keep prying hands out. Most feature RFID-lined pocket(s) to protect the personal information stored on your credit cards and passport from being read by e-readers. The shoulder straps have a latch for detaching the strap and wrapping it around a fixed item like a chair back to prevent snatch-and-run thieves.
Fanny Pack This style of bag can be just as easy to pick as your pocket. A good thief will simply press up against the victim, unbuckle the pack from the rear, and pass the fanny pack on to someone else. Sometimes, much like with wallets, the mark will still “feel” the bag on their body so they won’t even know that they have been victimized. Often thieves look for bags worn slightly to either side, then, masking their hand, slowly unzip the large compartment and remove the cash or wallet.
On the flip side, a fanny pack or waist pack is also a great way to carry your camera and other items you don’t want to put in your pocket or carry by hand. It’s all about choosing the right style of anti-theft waist pack that will provide hands-free freedom plus security for your valuables. The best security waist packs have locking zippers to stop a pickpocket from unzipping the waist pack, wire embedded into the back strap to stop someone from cutting the rear strap from behind, as well as metal mesh embedded into the material to stop bag cutters. All these anti-theft features guard your gear and give you peace of mind. Choose a style right for your needs.
Backpacks/Daypacks A thief really needs two things to handle backpacks, proximity and the ability to find the wallet quickly. Many daypacks have a drawstring and a button, and pickpockets will often look for one with the button undone or an unsecured flap. Don’t travel with this type of bag. The best travel backpacks have zippers that lockdown plus other anti-theft features. You really need to travel with one of these newer styles with a full suite of anti-theft features for peace of mind.
Backpack Purse Here is another pickpocket’s dream come true, a woman’s purse completely beyond her field of vision. Most backpack purses open with a clasp, the same as a flap purse, but there are some with straps or both. A pickpocket will wait until the victim is right in front of him and then gently unbuckle the strap or loosen the drawstring, which will open the purse wide. If done gently and quickly enough, the mark won’t notice because the back has fewer nerve endings than anywhere else.
Small Backpack Thieves also favor small backpacks because they are easy to open when out of the wearer’s sight. The lack of contact with the body and the lower density of nerves in the back make these bags an appealing target. It’s also easier to find the wallet quickly since it is a smaller area to search through. Security style backpacks for women and men
Unattended Bags A thief considers any unattended bag fair game. The most common places for women to leave their bags unattended are in grocery stores, restaurants, and in theaters. This is where using the strap to attach the bag to the cart handle, chair arm or chair back comes in handy.
Pockets
Jacket Pockets Anything of value seen hanging out of a jacket pocket will soon vanish, and the most tempting item is loose cash. Wallets are just as easily plucked out, as well as cell phones or anything else that might be there. Our advice, place valuables in pockets that are not visible such as inside your jacket.
Back Pockets This is the sucker pocket, and anything carried in a back pocket is easily stolen. This is a favorite pocket for phones and wallets. Don’t use it, especially in a crowd. Use your front pants pocket. Even better, use a money belt tucked under your shirt. If you prefer something larger then select a pickpocket-proof purse. Get a small one that you can wear crossbody for hands-free convenience.
Kick the Purse When a woman sits down at a table or bar she’ll often set her bag on a nearby chair or on the floor beside her. If it’s on the floor, a thief may wait until she is engrossed in either talking or eating. The purse thief will then casually walk past her table and gently kick the purse away from the table. Then he’ll pick it up and tuck it away or if the thief is a female, sling it over her shoulder as if it is hers. Small bags are usually taken this way.
Gas Station Ruse Many women fall victim to theft at gas stations. Their car is usually unlocked while pumping gas and they typically face the pump, not watching their valuables inside the vehicle. Thieves have perfected a few rip-offs at gas stations. The first is simply to open a woman’s car door while she is looking at the pump. The second is to steal her bag while she runs in quickly to pay. The third is to involve her in a distraction, either trouble with the pump, or to ask for directions. While she is distracted an accomplice steals the bag from the car. Our tip, keep your car door locked, or wear your bag crossbody style when you’re outside of the vehicle.
The Swarm This theft involves a team of crooks that use a crowded section of a city that is full of tourists. The crooks know the escape routes and the attractions that distract tourists most such as famous buildings, fountains, etc. Spreading out from key vantage points, one will alert the other when a mark is spotted. The mark is an engrossed tourist who won’t even know what hit him while he consults a map or takes a photo. In a flash, a couple of people will bump into him talking loudly, and the next thing he knows his wallet, travel bag, or passport is stolen.
The Mommy Set Up A thief thinks of taking your possessions as a job. He probably tells himself that anyone who would be careless with their money or purse or wallet doesn’t deserve them. Some of them target playground areas where mothers take their children. The purse thief will look for two moms talking or perhaps a distracted mom on her phone. He then does something to make her child cry. Maybe take the child’s ball or throw sand on them. He knows the mother’s instinct for her child is greater than for her purse or shopping bags.
Once the mom rushes over, the thief will help himself to her wallet or bag, fading quickly out of sight. Women blend in better at a playground or park with children and they make less obvious thieves. Our tip: always wear your bag crossbody style, don’t leave it next to you
Restroom Snatch Have you ever noticed that purse hooks in restrooms are up high on the door? This gives easy access for a female thief to reach over the stall and be gone before you can react; throwing your purse over her shoulder like it belongs to her. An alternative theft is to take the wallet out of the snatched bag and to quickly throw the purse back over the stall, to startle you. Another way this theft is carried out is to place the stolen purse into a larger store shopping bag and walk nonchalantly among the shoppers of the mall or travelers at the airport.
Out of the Blue Densely populated cities, especially in Italy, are known for the occasional but shocking slash and grab theft from mopeds or bikes. The riders look for a woman walking near the edge of the sidewalk with her purse on her shoulder closest to the street. As the thief drives by the victim from behind, he grabs the purse off her shoulder and speeds away. Some thieves have been known to have an accomplice who rides on the back of the motorbike, and it is their job to complete the purse snatching, leaving the driving to the other thief.
In some shocking cases, they even use a knife to slash the strap. The key to this type of theft is finding a woman walking with the flow of traffic, and not facing it, so she cannot anticipate a thief riding a bike up from behind her. See the best selection of security travel purses and handbags to help you keep your possessions secure.
Pickpocket-proof purses are also known as anti-theft bags, theft-proof purses, and security travel bags. A few of our favorite brands that make anti-theft travel bags are Travelon, Pacsafe, Lewis N Clark, Baggallini, and Sherpani.
Which Purses Pickpockets Love To Pick
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