How do I keep people from unzipping my backpack when I'm walking around?

Don't pack your most valuable things in the external pockets. Honestly, though, I think with a bit of awareness you won't have any problems. It's nice that RS and posters here warn people of potential problems, but its easy to blow things way out of proportion. My guess is that someone as concerned as you is already aware enough and is very unlikely to be a target.

Our backpack is also our only piece of luggage each. We use locks.

Or you can use twist ties or cable ties. Don't keep anything valuable in the outermost pockets, try to keep your distance from people as much as possible, and turn the bag around and wear it in front on crowded transportation, etc.

Judey,

The best method would be to lock the zippers using a small travel lock. You could use one of the TSA-approved Padlocks or a small Cable Lock such as the ones sold in the Travel Store (click the tab at the top of the page).

Some travellers find that twist ties are sufficient, however I prefer to have somewhat of a more "substantial" locking method.

What type of Pack are you using? Are there locking holes in the zippers. If the zippers are not provided with some method for locking, there are usually fabric "pulls" attached. You can lock these together, which offers a minimal degree of security.

Good luck!

Yes, I might prefer the twist-tie solution instead of locks. I'd feel more secure with locks, but I'd constantly be worried about losing the keys.

Use locks that don't require a key but use a 3-digit code and then program them with your local phone area code. Easy to remember!

I purchased this bag from the RS store.

http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=139

We took off our backpacks while traveling on trains/subways and kept them between our legs. We only packed our clothes and non-essential items in the outermost pockets and never felt threatened since all important documents were safe in our money belts.

I just take an old shoe lace, cut it into 4-6" strips, pass them through the eyelet, and tie both ends in a single not. Do this to both zippers, then just pull one through the other, and wa-la. Never had a zipper opened with them.

Kind of hard to explain. But a picture would show it in two secs. I'll see if I can find one.

Would thieves not go so far as to cut through the ties/strings?

Would thieves not go so far as to cut through the ties/strings?

It's not impossible, but then they could do the same to the zippers if you use a lock or just cut the bag...

Realistically though the bag's on you back, what you need to guard against are crimes of opportunity - someone slipping a hand in an open pocket before you notice. If someone's waving a knife at the bag while your wearing it then, TBH, I think you've got bigger worries than minor theft.

If the bag's left somewhere unattended then there is really no way to secure the zips because it's as easy to cut the bag as remove any locks (or just take the whole bag.) I know some people like the armoured bags that seem popular in the states which might stop someone cutting in but not taking the whole bag.

Buy a Pacsafe bag from www.pacsafe.com. Their backpacks unzip from the side that rests on your back so that no one can come up from behind you and rip you off.

Just one more option to consider: We use regular, circular key rings and thread both zippers onto the ring.

Where could I buy a tsa-approved padlock? I don't have time to order online.

P.S. That is a great idea, Kelly. As long as you get firm rings no one is going to want to mess with trying to get those off.

Hey, Corey.

When I do the strings, I usually make them so that by the time you pull one knot through the other, and there is at least 1/2" of string to cut through. There's nary room enough to get anything in there, and pretty impossible to slice through what's in effect 4 knots on top of each other. Worked so far.

PS - I should clarify I use hiking boot laces (nice, thick, tough ones), not regular laces.

If you're not checking the backpack, no need for TSA locks as they are big and bulky. (If you think you might have to check it then get some.) Besides luggage stores, I've seen them at Wal mart, Target, and even most large hardware stores.

When I'm out and about, I sometimes use small screw-type carabiners. I like the small ones sold as key chains at REI. While it won't stop a thief if the bag is unattended, it will probably make a thief move along to an easier bag to get into while you have it on.

In addition to the above, another cheap option is regular old safety pins. It can be just enough to detour the opportunistic thief. But the best thing is to not carry anything too valuable that can't be replaced.

I met one wise traveler who carried a large DSLR. She would take the SD card out at night or when she had to leave the camera in her bag unattended. So if a thief got the camera they didn't get the card.

Safety pins - we did that ... really handy for this. However, one TSA agent tossed them. So pack a few extra in your checked luggage.

If you have 2 zippers as most do - I use a TSA lock as well as 2 "key rings" through the metal zipper holes.

while the lock alone is fine - the rings alow me to then lock both the rinks to a lower fixed strap at the bottom or top.

Some use twist ties - but lock or ring is easier. Also - just the fact that you have the zippers together all the way down to a corner makers it better than nothing. Many packs now have little covers to stick the ends in.

On top of that - try the over the shoulder and one arm-side bag holding in crowded areas. Or even wear it on the front in tight areas.

I have been following this thread for several days but something is missing here. Where are the examples of stuff actually being stolen from backpacks while someone is walking around? How many people go sightseeing or otherwise go into busy areas wearing a backpack? I am sure there are some, but probably not very many. Is this really a problem or just something else to worry about? I don't know if my practice is the norm, but I only actually wear a backpack from the airport or train station to the hotel and back. I use tie bands to hold zippers together, but that is to prevent them coming apart accidentally.

Head over to YouTube there's video of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz_659fTh8c

So, it does happen, even if not all that often outside of the usual high-risk places. Safety pins sound like a good idea, especially two facing in opposite directions. (Can we get those past security on carryon items?) But the best defense is still to remain vigilant, unlike the folks in that video.

The other important think to notice in Michael's video is the number of people developing an acute case of haul-butt when the cops show up. While all are not probably in the same gang, it gives an idea of the number of people that may be working together.

I'm thinking about getting one of the PacSafe MetroSafe bags to use as a day bag. I don't want it to be too big, so I'm looking at the 100, but I also need to bring my camera along. Would the 100 fit a DSLR with a standard zoom lens, or would I need the 200 for that?

Plastic cable ties.
I use them instead of padlocks on my checked bag too.
I've only had one removed once in years of travel.
You just have to make sure you have access to a knife or scissors to get them off!

My vote is for key rings. They're just too much time for a thief, but not really inconvenient for the wearer.

We favor camping over hoteling (it's usually about 2 nights camping to every night in a hotel) and so valuables must be brought along when away from camp.

BTW, I have had an item - cheapo mini umbrella - stolen from a pack while wearing it, but the umbrella was lashed to the back with bungee cord. Bumped from behind in an airport line and whoosh, gone. Zippers weren't the problem, though!

This is weird. I've noticed before that backpacks typically have one string on each zipper set, but I've never actually been able to tie them together without using another string or clip of some kind. But then the single string already on the packs is useless, and why not have two anyway? The consistency of the nonsense intrigued me. Finally last Friday at 4:20 I sat down to figure this out. I quickly got it. The knotted end of the string will not fit through the hole in the zipper tab on either of my backpacks, so that must be intentional; the knot is the block. So, only the other end of the string will fit through. Push that through -- fold the string and push it through the hole on the other zipper tab, and then push the knot through that loop. It is a tight fit, and it does not simply pull out. Why do we all not already know about this? Now that I see how well it works, it is obvious this is how it was designed. Weird. PS/Edit: I know this thread is old. This is still showing near the top of a google search for related terms. The issue addressed still stands, and this thread remains open for discussion. I'm doing my part to tie up loose threads, literally :-)

I am kind of embarassed (but at the same time proud) to say that after many trips carrying a backpack (as short as 2 weeks and as long as 2 years)I have Never locked my bag. I always use one of the outer pockets for my DSB (dirty sock bag)and have always secretly hoped someone would break in. Nope.

I think fear of being unzipped may be overblown. Get the little locks if it concerns you, but I think locks may (wrongly) signal to thieves: something valuable inside. In that case, I'd worry more about some thief cutting the locked bag with a razor. How about putting something bulky at the top where it will be the first thing a thief would find.

I'm with Sherri, there is really nothing of that much value in my backpack. It's all in my neck wallet. About the only thing in the outer pockets is my umbrella, a newspaper, and my bilingual dictionary. Usually, the only time I'm with my backpack in a crowded area is in an airport or on the S-Bahn. Most of that time I'm either on the move or standing over my bag. If I do plan to be in a crowded place, my backpack is usually back in the hotel room or in a locker. And where you are might make a difference. I'm usually in a German-speaking country. I have reason to believe that things are a little more secure there.

I didn't read all the replies, so forgive if this is a repeat. The best I have found are those tight metal rings for holding keys. No keys to lose; no combinations to forget; and very difficult to open quickly and sneakily. But not hard to open when you can take off the backpack and use two hands.

My husband pulls the rain cover over his pack. He started this after the outer pocket zipper was opened on the train into Amsterdam. That pocket was empty but his camera or lens would be a major loss. The pack is really sealed with the cover in place.
I have switched to a backpack and will lock the tabs in crowded places. A messenge bag is easier to pull around front but did not feel very balanced.

I use the Rick Steve's rolling backpack and you do have to be careful when traveling, especially when on a train or metro. I use the cable lock sold in the travel store on this site, all the zippers except one can be closed and locked using one cable lock. Sometimes on trains you have to leave your luggage up by the door of the train car where you cannot see it, again I use the cable lock to attach to the metal rack so someone cannot grab and run at a train stop. I probably sound paranoid but I have traveled in Europe many times and had friends pick pocketed and it really puts a damper on the excitement of traveling, also "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is as true today as it was when Ben Franklin wrote it. If a cable lock is too much for you the safety pins work well and are cheap protection.

I have small caribeaners on each zipper and clip them together. Never had a problem with people wanting to unhook them and then unzip the backpack.