purse for travel recommendation, please

I'd say if you've got a money belt for the really important stuff, just carry a purse you like and already own!

I have a Fossil that slings over my shoulder that I carry in front- I LOVE it!! I bought it for my last trip to Europe, but it has held up really well. I use it all the time.

HI Diane, I've been wrestling with this very topic on this very day. If you're like my sister you may normally use a small purse at home, which is really hard a trip. I've a Baggatelli that I'm leaning toward. It's big enough to hold the phone, small camera, guide book, a strap that my hat can fit in. It can also hold the DSLR if I don't take the guide book. It won't hold a water bottle though. It does have a strap that can go cross wise in front of me so I feel very secure with it. The next size is one of those back saver bags. It's good when I'm touring in Scotland because not only can it hold the camera, it has a place to stash your rain jacket. I'll probably dither around about this until the night before I leave because I'm going to both Amsterdam and Scotland. ; ) Sadly, this will be my 11th trip and you'd think I'd have this down. LOL Pam

PS I do have a money belt for the deep storage.

I agree with Amy. If you have a money belt for the important stuff, I think you can just carry the other stuff in a regular purse or tote bag. Just hug it in front of you when it's crowded. I did the same when I was in London in 07. I'm going to Italy in Oct. and that seems to be a different story...I got a pacsafe purse and will also use a neck pouch.

My wife likes her PacSafe CitySafe200. It carries a small camera, water bottle, diabetic supplies, etc. She also uses a money belt. This doesn't mean that this is better than the other ideas or comments; she just really likes this purse.
Enjoy London.

Pacsafe works great for me. I have the MetroSafe 200. My daughter has used the CitySafe 200, both on our last trip to Italy. I found my Metrosafe bag was large enough for my camera, and all the accessories you mention above.

I used all the zipper locks and kept a small travel wallet in the inside back pocket of the bag, wandering hands would have had a hard time finding it.

When in a crowded situation I always keep one hand on my bag, and I keep the shoulder strap across my chest, it's just more secure on my body.

I recommend PacSafe products...

My wife uses a Tilley purse which has a unique closure which requites the bottom o the purse to be supported in order to open it. It also has mylar inserts to avoid knife slashes. As well as the usual female paraphernalia she carries her camera in it, not a DSLR, but larger than the pocket size point and shoot ones.

I have used several of the Bagallini products. They have a great selection of styles and sizes and colors. Practical, well orgainzed, duralble.

I bought the PacSafe CitySafe 200 purse for an upcoming trip to Europe and love it so much that I've been using it for my everyday purse. :) It's so well organized and holds my wallet, a small point & shoot camera, cell phone with lots of leftover room for a travel journal or small guide book. While in Europe, I'll be using a money belt too but love the security features PacSafe has to offer.

Enjoy your trip!! :)

Thanks so much-as usual you people have great information and ideas-it makes travel so much easier.

I don't see any need for armored purses. :) I carry a lightweight nylon purse (think Le Sportsac) that holds everything I need - incidentals, camera, phone. It's easy to pack into my bag for the trip home, too.

I also bought the Pacsafe CitySafe 200 with my upcoming trip in mind, and I also use it as my everyday bag. It fits my DSLR, iPhone, sketchbook, pens, wallet, etc etc. I really like the outside pockets that face your body, which should be a handy place to keep everyday disposable cash.

I always wear a messenger bag, but one place I would NOT keep my money is in an outside pocket on my bag! Even if it is "disposable cash".

I like Le Sport Sac as well - lightweight, big enough for the guide book & a sweater. My version has many pockets including an outside one that fits a water bottle. It has a zippered top so things don't spill out. I carry everything (including my travel wallet secured to the inside) in this. I liked that it was lightweight to begin with as opposed to the Pacsafe which I bought and returned due to the heavy and stiff feel. Though they have some "wild" patterns, they also come in basic solid colors.

The LeSport Sac Madison works great. It does everything you listed. You can buy at Macy's or direct online at LeSport Sac. The strap is more secure than a Bagallini and will go across your body if you wish. I recently unloaded all my other bags including Fossil and Bagallini because the Madison is the one I always take.

If I go buy something using cash and get $2 in change, I always stuff the change and receipt into an outside pocket of my bag. It's handy for paying bus fare or a bottle of water, and if someone steals it -- oh well, I'm out $2. Don't see how that is any more dangerous than Rick's and many posters' oft-dispensed advice that if someone makes off with your 50EUR of daily cash then it's not the end of the world.

A couple of questions: I was looking at the photos of the various PacSafe bags on Travelsmith but can't tell if you can wear them across your body or if the strap is only long enough to go over one shoulder-?? Also, John Flinn of the SF Chronicle did a review of the Travelsmith Microfiber Security Shoulder Bag- has anyone used this bag? Thanks!

You can shorten or lengthen the shoulder strap on the PacSafe City Safe 200 to wear it whichever way you need. Very versatile!

I value something lightweight more than anything and have ended up with a knock-off Sportsac-type of bag (cross-body adjustable strap).

Although I always try to limit what I carry, by the time you have a little water, a camera, guidebook, it gets tiresome after a full day.

I've used a variety of purses on my travels, all bags that I bought in the U.S. and used there (except one, which I bought in Belgium on impulse) and all (including the Belgium bag) are cross-body messenger type bags. I also don't think you need an armored purse. :) Everything important should be in your money belt. The purse should be big enough (but not too big because that's just a pain in the ass), to hold everything you'll need for the day: water bottle, camera, notebook, changepurse, etc. I like the cross-body bags because they're easy to walk around with (unlike some purses with short handles that can only go over your shoulder). I'm also a fan of pockets - you put the same things in the same pockets and then you never have to hunt for anything.

I am another of the "don't want or need a armoured bag" types. Those Pacsafe bags are heavy empty, can't imagine filling them and walking around for 10 hours.

I use a great purse, its lightweight but strong nylon weave, with a long and adjustable strap. I wear the purse messenger bag style.

It has several inside zippered compartments, a zipper on top, and a flap that covers top and "clicks" into one of those clasps you usually need two fingers to release.I feel perfectly safe using it, and have used it for my last 4-5 trips to Europe.

I know some of the Pacsafe bags may be lighter, but those are the very small ones, I like one I can fit my e book, sunglasses, and even a compact umbrella into.

When my bag eventually dies I will give it a State funeral as I love , love , love it.
Its a Derek Alexander and was cheap ( under 50 dollars I think) and I got it at the Bay(department store) 5 years ago.

I have a "normal" purse that I use for travel ... purchased from a department store. My current "travel" purse is a leather purse made by Fossil with several pockets which I really like.

A couple of features that I like:

1) A long strap so you can wear the purse across your body. I like this when I am also carrying luggage since I don't have to worry about the bag slipping off my shoulder.

2) An inside zippered pocket. I keep some cash, keys, and my mobile phone in the inside pocket.

3) I prefer a zipper to a purse with a clasp. I had my wallet stolen once when I lived in London and I was carrying a purse with a clasp at the time.

4) I like an outside pocket. I use this to carry things like maps or the pages that I have ripped out of my guidebook that I need to access frequently.

Just carry a regular purse, with strap across body. I have been to London multiple times and have never had anyone slash at my purse. Try not to look like a tourist and you will fare better.

Too much paranoia on this board and brands like Pac-Safe capitalize on the fears of Americans. Women in London carry regular purses, why shouldn't you?

The only reason I don't carry my regular purse to Europe is that it's leather and therefore heavy. It's definitely worth it to have a lightweight nylon or microfiber purse. I agree the zippers and outside pockets are also nice but lightweight is the key for me. Mine is from LLBean.

I'm also in favour of the lightweight nylon bags. While not super cheap, I do love the Pliage line from Longchamp. It comes in different colours, sizes and handle lengths, and if your into the blending in thing, they are extremely popular throughout Europe (and the rest of the world). I have a few and while I use them when I travel I also use them everyday at home. They wipe clean, so they are great in a pinch even as a beach bag

Pat, I don't find my PacSafe bag heavy at all and I wear it across the body.

The straps can be shortened as well, and I love that it's not fancy so does not stand out. Plus I don't have to worry about soiling it. Works for moi.

Yeah, I agree with Eli. I don't think of it as a fortress on a strap. Maybe some people buy it for the anti-theft features, but I just like its versatility and great organization. It baffles me that people call it heavy. It doesn't weigh any more than any other purse or messenger bag I've ever carried.

WOW!!! I've never generated so much discussion with any of my previous questions-you guys are great! I looked over my purses and didn't see one that fit my needs so I went to the little travel shop at the Cross Roads in Carmel Valley. They have lots and I selected the PacSafe 'slingsafe 200'. It was the right size (about 11X 11.5 inches), very light weight, and not too terribly expensive (about $55). It doesn't have lots of security features and only has one interior zipped pocket, but it has two exterior pockets large enough for a guide book and small water bottle an/or? my tiny LLBean travel umbrella. It looks like a small document pouch and the strap will go over my body or can be shortened. It is made of a black nylon type fabric. I'll let everyone know how it worked when I get back.

I like PacSafe bags a lot! It's not just about security.... they are also very travel friendly. During my trip to Europe, in January, I used the toursafe petite handbag. I loved the pockets inside and it was very light. I liked the lilac lining that made it easier to see inside my purse too. The strap was completely adjustable. Concerning the security part, I did like that I could clip the zipper so that someone couldn't just unzip my purse without a fair amount of work. I like the looks of the PacSafe slingsafe 200 because it's so slim. In the world of purses, they are pretty inexpensive considering all of the features. I'm normally a Coach lover and they are a lot more. I'm sure you will enjoy it!