Antitheft Bags

A had a crossbody travel security purse from Travelon a few years ago for our first trip to Europe. I liked the size and shape of it (about the same size as the purse I carry at home) but it was heavier on its own before you even put your stuff in it. I also found the anti-theft strap to be rigid and a bit uncomfortable (although I got used to it throughout the trip). I guess the clips on the zippers would have made it harder for a pick pocket, but i wouldn’t put 100% blind trust in that.

Since then I just use a regular crossbody bag that has a secure zipped section that’s located under a flap (Tom Bin Cafe bag, to be specific). I’m really just concerned with reasonably securing my phone and a small zipped wallet pouch. Then I use a money belt for ‘deep storage’ (passport, extra cash, ATM card). I keep my hand on the purse and pull it in front of me in crowded situations and public transit, and of course use situational awareness.

If the security bag is comfortable for you, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Just make sure it meets your needs for comfort and usefulness.

Another vote for the Tom Bihn small cafe bag.

My only personal experience with street theft in Europe was a zippered belt pouch worn in front. The child who unzipped it and grabbed my wallet (while his mother distracted us with her nursing child ... ) was, luckily for me, cuffed by a shop-owner nearby, and dropped the wallet on the ground. Maybe in 1990 or so. Gave that bag usage immediately.

Are you sure you want a cable reinforced strap when a scooter rider hooks your small bag shoulder-strap while zooming by?

Now, I use one of Rick's recommended under-trouser bags, which is threaded onto my belt. It's not as convenient, but it is very safe. I believe some people without belts use a large safety pin to install it each morning. I'd buy a real diaper pin (do they still make them?) because it's harder to accidentally open while squirming onto the metro or something.

As Barbara pointed out, they are fine if they fit your needs for a travel purse, but aren't a necessity. Any sturdy crossbody bag with zippers, and preferably a flap, will do. That was the type of bag I used for travel for countless years and never had a problem. I currently have a Pacsafe crossbody, but didn't buy it for its "safety" features - I bought it because it had the compartmentalization that I wanted, was large enough to fit my tablet, and was on sale. But I also wear a neck wallet for deep storage of my passport and extra cash and credit/bank cards.

Paris and Rome are probably the two main destinations where I would say yes, an antitheft bag is a good idea. In Paris, we saw one of the schemes our tour guide warned us about (2 girls will come up to you wanting you to take a "survey" as a distraction).

I have 2 Travelon bags I really like; in fact, one is my regular purse at home. I took both of them on my recent tours even though I wasn't particularly worried about pickpockets in Ireland and Scotland. This is a larger one: https://www.travelonbags.com/shop-the-look/crossbody-bags/best-sellers/anti-theft-classic-crossbody-bucket-bag/42757.html?utm_source=yotpo&utm_medium=general&utm_campaign=general

I use it for days when we're maybe a little away from civilization and/or visiting primarily outdoor sites (ruins, castles, gardens). It has two side water-bottle pockets; I've used one for a small umbrella. It isn't overly large but has plenty of room for snacks, glasses cases, probably even a rolled up light jacket. I've even carried an SLR camera in it.

This one is my regular purse: https://www.travelonbags.com/shop-the-look/crossbody-bags/all-bags/anti-theft-essentials-mini-asymmetric-crossbody/43485.html

On trips, I use it mostly for cities, especially where pickpockets might be likely. It has room for my phone, credit cards and cash, lip balm, a pen, one pair of glasses. It only comes in one color, luckily one I like a lot.

We use locking-zipper bags (Baggallini and Pacsafe) and don't feel like they're overkill. True, the Pacsafe - which we've had for 19 years - is somewhat heavy and we'll likely end up replacing it but we like being able to lock-and-forget the zippers on both. Neither neck wallets nor moneybelts work for us thus our security 'solve.'

Even the non steel-reinforced strap on the Baggallini would not break if a passing motorcyclist or pedestrian grabbed it, nor would the straps on my non-locking shoulder bag with camera and other incidentals. Looking at Pacsafe, Travelon and Baggallini products, really none of them have straps that would easily disengage, metal reinforced or not, so that's not a factor in choosing a bag. Desirable space, weight, comfort, security; that's what you choose them for, plus your chances of light fingers trying to access an unsecured bag are far greater than a grab-and-run, IMHO.

It's a personal thing. If an extra ounce of prevention allows you to sightsee without worry, then it's the right choice. You DO have to remember to lock the most important compartments, not to hang them from the back of cafe chairs, set them on a cafe table or at your feet, or store on overhead racks on the trains; they only work if the safety functions are used as intended.

Sierra has a pretty large selection of Baggalini bag at good prices:
https://www.sierra.com/s~baggallini/

To clarify, the main purpose of reinforced straps is to prevent a thief from cutting the strap, usually from behind, so they can grab even a cross-body bag more easily. No idea how often that trick is used, but I think it's worth having the reinforced strap.

To clarify, the main purpose of reinforced straps is to prevent a
thief from cutting the strap, usually from behind,

To be honest, I'm not nearly as concerned about someone cutting it off while it's ON me as getting a hand into the thing when unsecured. Really, if would be interesting to know how many people have had their bags cut off as have lost valuables to light fingers into pockets, or bags hung from cafe chairs, or zippered bags with no locks, etc.

65 year old single female.

I have gone to Paris at least annually every year since the covid shutdown. Take my normal leather cross body purse and a longchamp tote I rotate between. Using common sense and paying attention so far so good. Of course if they pickpocket me, they get 40 Euros or so and one credit card. Debit card, more euros and another credit card are in hotel safe Recovery will probably take a few hours.

As for the 'slashing" well, IMHO your chances of this are so slim as to be nonexistent....

The only time I have ever had a problem was on a trip with friends. The "smart woman" bought the very expensive pacsafe slash proof purse. She left it on the back of the chair at a cafe where it walked off..... IMHO the "security feature" lead her to a false sense of security.

Got it -- it's not a factor in that particular scenario. It just wasn't clear to me whether you meant the type of strap didn't matter in general.