Security Bags

I am assuming you are talking about something like this (bag with an anti-slash strap) http://www.magellans.com/store/Small_Bags___Wallets___Security_Purses__Packs___TotesSB335 and not a money belt. I am not fan. My thoughts are the really valuable stuff goes in the money belt. My day bag contains a water bottle, guide book, snack, and a map. My cheap camera goes in my pocket. My daily money is in my pocket. I am not too worried about someone stealing my water bottle and a free map of the pickpocketers hometown so I am not going to buy an expensive bag to secure it. You might want to put luggage locks on any bags you already have when boarding public transport or heading into a crowded area, but I feel that too is overkill. On the other hand if you are talking about a moneybelt. Those I fully support, see the thread on that. Totally off topic - Are you really a lady with a name of "Mark" or is that your husband's account. Just wondering.

@ed - both spouses could be male.

@kathy, In Mass -- yes. In California -- no.

I have a Pac Safe bag and I take it to Europe every year. I love the way it is designed. I wear a neck holder for really important things. But I need to carry a lot of things, most people do not, as I am diabetic. I keep a wallet, some money, a credit card in there in one of the special pockets. The main zipper has a Clip that must be removed to open the bag, and, yes, it is slash proof. It has an adjustable strap, so I can wear it across my body. One of the best travel purchases I ever made.

Mark & Angela, To begin with, I've never found Greece to be any more "hazardous" than other locations in Europe, so I'm not sure why special precautions would have to be taken there? The "security bags" are a good idea and could be useful in some cases, however the number of "slash and grab" thefts is VERY minimal in Europe (to be honest, I've never heard of any in recent memory). Even though your attention will be "divided", both of you will be able watch each other and hopefully prevent theft. My current approach is to use a Moneybelt for safekeeping cash, Passport and credit cards. I don't always use a Daypack, but if I do decide to use one on a particular day, I keep the zippers locked. That tends to prevent "opportunistic theft". Happy travels!

"In Mass -- yes. In California -- no." (italics mine) Are you kidding me?!? Are you kidding me?!? Very smart of you to anticipate your very definite distraction - I bet he's a cutie ;-) ! If you can wear a bag across your body, it would pretty much have to be cut off of you since it can't simply slip off of your shoulder (OK - perhaps yanked off of you by a passing moped rider - also not terribly common). That's highly unlikely, especially since your nature is to be vigilant. Again, just don't ever carry anything in a purse or pocket that would devastate you to lose. Of course, with your little man you'll have a camera in that bag...;-)

I cannot comment on Greece but I did get a PacSafe purse for my recent trip to Spain, to use in lieu of a money belt. Its slash-proof, the main zipper has a locking clasp, and pockets with inset zippers that add some challenge to opening them. Its meant to be worn cross body and is quite comfortable if its not overloaded...empty it weighs about 1 pound. I wore it with the bag to the front, and kept my hand on it when in crowds just to be extra sure. My dh wore a type of money belt that has a loop that goes on the belt, then the pocket goes down inside the pants. He found it uncomfortably warm when the weather got hot.

"...empty it weighs about 1 pound" (PacSafe purse) For me, that's exactly why the one I tried out stayed in the store ;-) Have you ever taken a (1lb) full pint-sized/.5 liter bottle of water out of your bag and suddenly the bag feels 5lbs lighter?

I always have my really valuables under my clothes as Rick suggests. But I carry my little Acer laptop to use as a travel journal, and I always use a "safe" (metal strap) bag (mine is from Magellan's). It's not heavy to carry and to me the extra security is worth the money. My travel journals mean so much to me!

@ Eileen: the one pound PacSafe is no heavier than any other purses I own, actually lighter than most. With just the basics (wallet, glasses, etc) the crossbody PacSafe was very comfortable and did not feel heavy at all. It was when I loaded in the RS book, the 1 liter water bottle, the camera, and sometimes more that it got heavy fast! Just wondering, what do you use?

"It was when I loaded in the RS book, the 1 liter water bottle, the camera, and sometimes more that it got heavy fast!" ...but that's what a daybag's for! Otherwise, it's just a purse. My 'regular' purse is from LLBean, and I just weighed it - 9oz. It's large enough that many use it as a diaper bag (the similar size in a PacSafe weighs about 20oz). I've taken it to Europe. I usually use a RS Civita Bag; it's also 9oz (according to this website). I currently carry a RS Veloce Guide Bag - the website says it's 10oz. I think it's a great bag, if you're on the fence...and it's on sale right now!!! Our kind of traveling has meant loooong days out and about; no going back to the hotel for a rest, or to change clothes. So, that daybag is on my shoulder at all times. All day, every day. And on in-between days, I'm carrying a large carry-on sized backpack. Before my last trip, I weighed all of my eyeglass cases; I ended up with a soft-sided double-opening case that (to this day) holds three pair. So, I work at getting my bag as light as possible, without going to extremes. I'm going to carry what I want to have with me. And I don't want to carry a lot of metal that for me isn't worth it. I just try to be very aware of who's around me, and no stupid things like hanging purses over the chairback, etc. And if someone manages to get it from me, I can replace the eyeglasses, guidebook, water, small amt of cash, lip balm, and pocket-pak of tissues. But no one's come close yet...I'll let you know if they do ;-) (and I'm not one of those that 'lets' my husband do all of the heavy-lifting, literally - I carry all of my own stuff)