Pacsafe Daypacks Worth The Cost

If you have that great a concern, the cost will be worth it to you in peace of mind. For myself, I don't bother. I don't use public transit and am not often in crowds or other places that I might feel pickpocketing to be a concern. I am aware of my surroundings at all times, etc., so I have just never felt the need for any "protection" beyond a moneybelt.

If you search the web, you can find them at discount prices.
I just bought a Metrosafe 200...lists for $65, I got it for $50 including free shipping. Lots of deals around.

to me the main concern about pickpockets is them getting my credit cards, passport, money, etc. That's why I wear a moneybelt with those items secure in it, and have a day's cash in my pocket. For daypacks while there may be some worry about them getting into it on crowded subways and the like, you can wear or hold it in front of you in these situations.

The more common trouble people have with daypacks is getting the entire thing stolen, and Pacsafe isn't going to protect you against that. In restaurants and elsewhere, never set your daypack down in a chair at your table, under your feet, etc. What happens is a group creates a distraction, everyone looks at the heated argument or whatever, and while attention is focused elsewhere the pack disappears. What I do is put my leg thru one strap of the pack so I'm sitting on it. It's not going anywhere. Sure, my pack doesn't have the metal wire thru the straps and someone could cut off both ends and take it, but more realistically they'll just go for one of the dozen other packs sitting unattended; there is no reason to suppose my pack carries anything more valuable than any other tourist.

In fact, as a general rule whenever you hear some commotion the 1st thing you should do is make sure whatever you're carrying is secure (camera, bag, etc) and then look at the excitement. I know a woman who was sitting on the Spanish Steps with her camera on the ground beside her, 20 feet away a couple started screaming at each other, they left and when she looked back down no more camera.

I feel very safe with my PacSafe products.

The nice part of Pacsafe bags is that you clip one of the handles around a chair or table leg when dining so that no-one can walk away with your bag.

If you go on the sierratradingpost.com website, you can find some great deals on Pacsafe products. Also Magellans and rei.com can have some deals too.

For the past four years, I have used the Pouchsafe bag as a small purse with the strap across my chest when I'm traveling thru airports - it holds my passport, boarding pass, my wallet and my Ipod close to my body and frees my hands for my roller bag.

I wouldn't bother with a Pacsafe bag. Keep your valuables in a money belt, always hold onto your bag, lock it down when it isn't on your person and use mini carabiners/locks on your zippers if possible.

My one run in with a pickpocket occurred because I was being stupid. I had my day money wallet out in a crowded subway station on the bad side of Paris and managed catch someone with his hand in my pocket. He didn't get anything, but it really worked me up as it was 100% my fault for not being aware of my surroundings.

The greatest deterrent to a thief is using your brain, not a special bag.

Oh, but I love my Pacsafe bag. It does give me peace of mind, and if you think that you buy this item ONE time, and use it for 20 years...it's not that expensive.
Once you purchase a bag of this quality, you will not need to replace it.

Pacsafe bags are great not just for foreign travel, but also for here at home.

I highly recommend them. I bought 2, the Metro 200 and a larger one for my daughter. We both took ours to Rome in 2007 and for once, I felt safe with my camera, passport, etc in this bag. I kept mine slung across my body, zippers always locked, and one hand on the top of the bag at all times- when in crowded situations like the Metro, or at a site with lines of people.

As I said, if you determine that you will only buy this bag once, and use it for many years (because this bag will last a lifetime) the cost of the bag is a few dollars a year....

I agree with Ellen.

Also, I would not travel without my (fanny pack) StashSafe 200. It holds my video camera, digital camera, passport in the close to body hidden compartment..among other things.

You can watch a demonstration video of their products.

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=54

I like to be hands free and this provides safety as well as peace of mind.

I think people forget that sometimes, a thief will grab your bag and run, or threaten you into giving your bag over. Having your cash and cards in a moneybelt is still the best bet.

Love, love Pacsafe bags of any type. Hubby just bought one for his laptop, and bought a smaller one for the notebook. My daughter and I both have Pacsafe handbags, and I can't tell you how great they are. Used ours on two trips to Europe.

Never used one,, they seem too heavy to me. I like my bag,, and it has all the same zips , flaps and clasps. I think if someone is close enough to me with a knife( to cut the straps?) then I'd rather them not have to saw at my strap while its on my shoulder,, LOL,, a quick slice and off they go,, with my lipstick and hairbrush basically.. LOL '
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Use a money belt for ATM . PP and CC, or keep extra stuff in hotel safe. No need to "wear a safe" LOL

Wear a moneybelt of some kind. And if you have a good hotel safe to keep things in, put your extra
valuables in it while you are out and about.

If you are aware at all times, any kind of handbag will do as your valuables are in your moneybelt!!
Wearing a strap across your chest is a good idea as well as keeping your hand on its top. I like a reasonably sized messenger bag but also use a Baggallini bag as well.

NEVER keep money in your pockets (male or female) other than a few coins. And be careful in crowds.
Pickpockets will usually aim for those people who
look most vulnerable. People in groups chatting away to each other and not paying attention to their surroundings are more likely to be hit than one person walking along obviously being very attentive to theier belongings/environment.

I have traveled a lot in Europe including traveling on crowded metros to the Gare de Nord for Eurostar with baggage on the floor and NEVER had a problem.
(well once in London in a dept. store but I was not being careful!!!). The only time I have ever been pickpocketed was in the US in a supermarket!!!

I see tourists in Europe who are just asking for trouble: flashing money, careless with their cameras, etc.

I have walked on deserted streets late at night in
the 6th arr. in Paris with no problems but I was also cautious( and had left most of my stah in the hotel).

Use common sense...watch out for crowds....and you will be OK. Forewarned is forearmed!!!! And you do not need an expensive bag!!!

Just got my Metrosafe 200 and it looks like a great bag....however...it seems a bit small for what I may need...anyone here have/use the Metrosafe 300? Opinions?

Thanks for all the suggestions on using moneybelts. I've only been using one for over 20 years....however...I find it's very hard to put my camera, cellphone, ipod, umbrella, guidebooks, journal, and a few other things in a moneybelt.

And to those who have traveled and never had problems, congratulations. I've spent more time "on the road" than most of you--especially in tourist areas--and have seen my share of thefts.

That's why I'm looking for a secure bag. It's kind of hard to take a photo of the Eiffel Tower if my camera is in the hotel safe. LOL

BTW--I've been getting reports from friends still in the business that thefts against tourists are increasing due to the economy around the world. And the thieves are getting bolder. Not more violent, just taking more chances.

I won't get into the philosophy behind making the decision of which bag to buy, but check out ebags.com they have lots of good deals and they are always changing the offers. They carry Pacsafe. I recently got some new carry on luggage at 20% off then another 20%, I checked the site daily for a few weeks but it was worth it. (and they just sent me a coupon code for $25 off a $75 purchase for my birthday)

Gar, I purchased a PacSafe Tote and took it on several trips to Europe. It was very well constructed and organized, and it had a clasp to "hook" the zipper pull. It will last me for years and it was well worth the price. I was traveling alone taking trains from city to city and have never had an issuewith theft.

I have used the PacSafe DaySafe 200 for the last year. One of the other great features it provides is the removable inner safe. I have stayed in many hotels overseas that did not have a in room safe large enough for my laptop and digital camera. I simply removed the innersafe and locked it to a large desk in the hotel room. I was then able to use the backpack with the security features when I was out and about. The anti-pickpocketing zipper locks really gave me peace of mind when on the subway in Spain. I bought mine at www.corporatetravelsafety.com which had a cheaper price than the PacSafe website. Hope it helps

Thank you everyone for all of your excellent advice on travel bags! It is very much appreciated. I just purchased a Pacsafe Treksafe bag for myself as well as a Metrosafe 200 and a Stashsafe 100 for my family. They're going to be great for our trip to Europe later this year. Thanks again!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED my pac-safe bag. It is not as much as a visual deterrent but I was waiting for them to go ahead and try.

It kept my day money, camera and guidebooks safe. Imagine just losing your camera or your well used RS guidebooks. I would have cried more over the guidebook. How would you find another one?!?!?

While I still used the money belt most of the time. One day in Rome it was over 100 and the money belt was hot. So everything went into the pac-safe.

I know someone who was on a bus and had her bag slashed from the bottom. She had no clue. No need to worry about it with it.

The peace of mind was worth it. I was able to enjoy the sights and relax on the Metros without worrying about those around me going after my bag or pockets. The ability to attach it to a chair when I sat was a great bonus as well.

I can not recommend it enough for traveling.