Are mini locks on backpack zippers good for deterring theft?

I tried it on a trip to Italy in 2007. I didn't have anything stolen from me and only once did I get a sharp tug on my backpack, that happened in a crowded area at the Vatican. I will use them again when I go back to Italy this fall, but regardless your whole backpack is still a target, I would carry it in front if at all possible being that you're carry camera equipment.

I had little locks on my bags, and I never had anything stolen (yay!) but it also became a little annoying having to unlock then lock, then unlock, then lock, etc multiple times per day.

But - better safe than sorry!

Of course, anything that makes it harder is useful. BUT -- in crowded situations get it off you back. Carry at your side, but it on the floor by your feet.

That's a tough question to answer. Did the locks actually deter a would-be thief, or did that person simply avoid the low statistical probability of getting robbed in the first place? My gut feeling is probably no, because any pack can be easily ripped open once the thief has it in a secure area. Your best option is probably just continued vigilance.

Pickpockets are basically opportunists. If you make it harder for them to get into your bag by using some kind of zipper connecting device--lock, carabiner, whatever--the thief may move on to a bag less protected.

There are numerous tourists who are completely oblivious to pickpockets when traveling and those are the targets the thieves look for.

And just because your bag is locked doesn't mean it's safe. Never take your hand off your bag. Even putting it down for a second or two makes it a target. It happened to my cousin at Kings Cross station in London. She was visiting her boyfriend who lives there. She put her bag down for a second while they looked at the train schedule. Less than a minute later, it was gone...so were their ipods, passports, ATM cards, Credit cards, and Cash. (No, she was not wearing a money belt. Her family thinks I'm just a worrier which is why I wear one. Surprisingly, they still think it.) BTW--within a half hour, the thief was able to use the ATM card and withdraw money.

Backpack screams out "Tourist". I used a messenger bag while in London and did not have one incident. Alot of people in Europe use messenger bags, even men. I used a small caribiner hook and hooked thezipper pull to the strap. No on would be able to unzip it and get into it without fussing with the carbiner. Most backpack wearers were tourists and perhaps students. I think people make themselves a target by looking like a tourist in the first place.

I think that they work as deterrents. Someone who is attempting to steal something wants to get out of there with as little chance of being caught as possible. Although small locks are by no means secure (a pair of wire cutters or a hammer will get through them), you will likely notice someone trying to smash open a lock, so long as you are with your bag. It is for that reason that locks are good at deterring theft, but by no means are they a panacea.

If a theif really wants something from your bag, they'll just cut it open and run with it... but as I said, I think any method of making you look like less of a target works only in your benefit.

Tami brings up a good point- not just wearing the pack, but having it physically strapped to you in some way. This may not deter a potential thief (particularly if they can't see the physical attachment), but will reduce their liklihood of success.

I honestly don't understand that remark about backpacks "screaming tourists." Most of the folks we saw using backpacks were actually people who lived in the countries we visted!!

I personally do not like messenger bags, since they put all the weight on one side and I feel lopsided, plus one shoulder will hurt at the end of the day. Also hard to ride a bike with all the weight on one side. I don't care about a backpack being touristy, I just want my stuff to be safe, maybe wearing on the front in crowded areas is a good idea.

I have found that small carabiners (like the ones climbers use, only smaller) work quite well as deterrants to prying fingers. You can get the snap kind or the ones that screw closed. Given time, anyone could get them open, but you would certainly be aware that something was happening. Best advice is to keep your pack bags in front of you when in crowded areas.

I have traveled through Europe twice with my kids and we both wore moneybelts and kept little combination locks on our backpacks. I didn't find it all that aggravating.

In the city, I use a healthy back bag and pull it to the front in crowds. My change purse (with daily cash and one credit card) and camera are clipped in to the hook inside and everything really important is in the money belt.

Michelle, using small combination Locks on the zippers is probably a good idea. As Frank II mentioned thieves are basically opportunistic for the most part, and if it's too difficult to get into your Pack, they'll try another.

You might have a look at the small Cable Locks in Rick's Travel Store. I have several of them and find them quite useful. They require not only a three number combination, but also a small "button" to be pressed to open. They're very convenient for going through security, as I often just leave the combination dialled in, and then press the button when it's time to open the bag for inspection.

If you're overly concerned about theft, you might have a look at the PacSafe Camera Bag or the Metro Daypack (which has the openings against the wearer's back).

Happy travels!

Most locals use backpacks as well. I wear one-no locks-and I have been getting lots of people coming up and asking me stuff in German! I do have locks that I will wear on my bag when I am on a travel day as the train stations usually have shady people in them. When I am in a crowd I wear my bag in front of me.

Michelle,
If you are willing to unlock/lock the bag, then go for it. I'd do what is comfortable for you. Remember you are on vacation.

Rule of thumb, while we don't want to get ripped off, assume that your stuff "may" get stolen.

On another note:
Tami, I had to chuckle.. my friend was in New York City. He's a world traveler, and like you wears a messenger bag. While at Barney's, he set his messenger bag on the floor, tried on a jacket, looked down and it was gone. He never got anything stolen in Europe, Asia, and Mexico... but did get in our own backyard.

Proves that there are sticky fingers everywhere!

I use to use a backpack camera bag with a lock....
made me feel a bit more secure.
this time I am using a messenger style camera bag and gong to buy the pacsafe shoulder strap for the bag which is slash proof.

Tip: in the case of opportunistic pickpockets, a paperclip or key ring is a easy and cheap alternative to mini locks. They provide almost the same level of protection and attract less attention to those who equate locks with contents of value.

Pete

As one who had a camera taken from a pacsafe bag because I was relying on their little clips on the zipper (and had the bag on my back on a crowded bus), a small lock on your zippers (not just a paper clip or snap on keyring) and having the bag on your front in a crowd are musts as far as I am concerned.

Though the keyring is probably more cumbersome to get on and off, and maybe the paper clip too.

I used the dinky travel locks that come with suitcases. I had nothing stolen from the backpack, which may or may not have had anything to do with the lock (will never know). I kept one key in my pocket for easy access and a spare safety pinned elsewhere (I kept thinking, what if I lose the key and then I can't open the backpack - LOL).