Security Purses/bags. Worth the money or waste of time?

Melissa, You might find it interesting to have a look at this Thread: www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/71339/cutting-of-purse-straps-myth-or-has-it-happened-to-you.html I suppose there are some situations where an "anti-theft" Purse or Bag may be useful, but I've never experienced any problems of that type so far. One area of concern is that fact that you'll be in Europe for a period of four months. As you may know, the rules of the Schengen Accord are very strict and specific regarding the length of time tourists can stay. The usual limit is 90-days, and this is rarely if ever extended. Those who flaunt the rules and overstay can face SEVERE fines or other penalties! Happy travels!

Well I do have a sort of "home base" in the UK and do have the appropriate visas and such to be there so I wont actually be overstaying the 180 day rule in the other countries. Thanks!

I have a Pacsafe purse (200, if I recall). It is one of those items that I loved so much on vacation that I ended up using as my main purse at home. I love it because it is the perfect size for me and has a place for everything that I carry. There have been a few times I've locked the zippers so i wouldn't have to worry about the contents while in a busy area where I might be distracted, and I like that feature. The slash issue? I didn't really buy it for that, but I don't mind having it. As far as standing out as a security bag, perhaps I'm not much of a consumer, but to me it just looks like a black bag. That being said, I don't know that there are two women who will agree about the 'perfect purse'.

Melissa,
Having a special "security" bag or purse just makes it more likely that the whole bag is stolen not just pickpocketed. The thief thinks there must be really valuble stuff in it. I carry a regular bag and just watch it closely. Leave valuble stuff in your room or in your moneybelt. Have a great trip!

With all that stuff, just wear a messenger bag with a secure closing, cross body. A lot easier than a back-pack which you will need to take off, put back on, take off, put back on, etc. multiple times a day, every time you need something out of it. Messenger bags are tons easier. I have one that zips at the top and folds over completely on top of itself, then fastens at the bottom.

The best known line of security bags are from Pacsafe. Travelon makes some as well. I own one from Pacsafe. They are heavier than other bags, can sometimes be a real pain to get into. The straps are sturdier, and less comfortable, because of the metal wire that goes through them. One of the pluses is that you can unhook one side of the strap, wrap it around a chair, and lock it so no thief can take it. Most other messenger bags have permanent straps. Wearing a bag cross body makes the likelihood of anyone trying to take it while it's being worn practically down to zero. Bags get grabbed and straps cut when worn hanging down from one shoulder. One last thing about your staying in Europe. Having a "home base" or a visa for the UK means nothing in the rest of Europe since the UK is not part of Schengen.

Having a "home base" or a visa for the UK means nothing in the rest of Europe since the UK is not part of Schengen. Frank II, I don't want to disagree, and I am very likely wrong, and I am not a lawyer or immigration officer and don't play one on TV, but having gone through something similar with my wife a dozen or some ago, I believe that a leave to remain in the UK allows travel throughout the EU and EEU.

Melissa, I am a young woman who was in Europe for a month last year (big and small cities) and am going back for 5 months this coming year. I felt most comfortable with my cross body bag last summer. While walking through or standing in crowds in big cities I would hold my hand on the tassels that were tied to the zipper, holding them against the strap (or tying them around the strap when I felt like it). That way no one could undo the zipper without my knowledge of it. I felt it was sturdy enough, didn't need something more "anti-theft" like. However, if you will feel safer with it - go ahead. Just don't feel overconfident and let your guard down. You may decide you want to leave your iPad at your home base, and when you travel just use your phone. It will keep weight and security worries down.

The anti-theft bags protect you from one type of theft and only one type that a normal bag does not. Slash and run. A pretty rare form of theft. Plus they often advertise that you have valuables. They won't protect you from your own stupidity, a snatch and grab, a pick pocketer or a scam artist. They will give you a false sense of security that will make the other things more likely. IMHO - money belt (or similar) plus normal bag. Passport and any money beyond your daily needs go into the money belt. Also put any full memory cards from your camera in your money belt.

Hi Melissa. I've used a variety of cross-body messenger type purses/day bags for European travel and have never felt the need for an anti-theft bag. As Ed said, what matters most is what you keep in the bag. Put your real valuables (credit, debit, ATM card, etc.), passport, and larger amounts of cash in your moneybelt.

Ed made some very valid points,, those expensive and heavy bags only seem to have on added feature that a well made regular bag doesn't, the slash proof feature, and frankly I have never felt the need for that feature anyways.
I have a great over the shoulder bag I wear cross body mostly,, it has a thick ( so its comfy) adjustable strap, zippered compartments, all covered by a flap that clips over and covers all zippered surfaces.. Its a Derek Alexander, I got it about 5 years ago and I love it and have used it for Europe( and at home) ever since. It was about 40 dollars as I recall. The pac safe bags seem heavy to me,,( as do some all leather bags) so I like my bag because its a heavy duty woven nylon canvas type material.. it shows no wear and tear and is washable.The straps are removable so I could strap it around chairs etc,, but I never have, I always keep my bag with the strap around me, between my feet at a cafe, the strap as I said is adjustable so its easy to lengthen it a bit .

I have the PacSafe CitySafe 200 bag. I bought it mainly for my trip last year, but I like it so much that I have been using it as my everyday bag since then. I got it mainly because it had a lot of convenient compartments (inside and outside), it fit everything I carry around with me (iPhone, wallet, water, journal, etc.), and frankly, it's just a good looking, useful bag. It is not any heavier than your everyday shoulder bag, so if it's slash-proof on top of everything else, why not?

While no bag is 100% pickpocket proof, the Pacsafe bags do make it much harder for the pickpocket. To use correctly, the zipper gets connected to a clip on the side of the bag. That clip is usually surrounded by material and needs to be raised to clip and unclip. It's a two handed job for the wearer let alone the pickpocket. Most pickpockets are opportunists. They are looking for an easy mark. They don't think....wow, that's a Pacsafe...let me go after that even though it will take me longer to get into the bag. They move on to another bag. Many of the newer Pacsafe bags also have a locking strap that you can attach to a chair so a grab and run thief would have a problem should you want to remove the bag while sitting down. Anything not connected to something is fair game to a thief. Whether or no you get a security bag is up to you. Whatever bag you choose, learn how to use it in a safe manner. Oh, and just because one person has never had a problem doesn't mean you won't. I've personally seen numerous victims of pickpocketing, and purse/bag snatches. I own numerous bags including a Pacsafe. I would only take the Pacsafe if I knew my trip included going to some dodgy areas . Rome is not one of them as I can take precautions with my other bags. Naples on the other hand.....

I love my Pacsafe 100 bag. The tamperproof lobster-claw hooks on the zipper deter pickpockets and I have used the clip on the strap to attach the purse to something beside me while I ate lunch, etc. The size and configuration of the interior pockets work perfectly for my travel items. I never noticed the purse as being heavier than any of my other bags and, in fact, since I travel with less stuff than I carry around at home, it is lighter than what I am used to. One note, however, Melissa mentioned carrying her passport in a bag and I carry my credit cards and passport in a security wallet around my waist.

I vote for waste of time, and I am a girl that usually travels solo. I would recommend a crossbody bag with a decently thick strap. and just vigilance and common sense. Be extra vigilant in public places where you are somewhat distracted like outside shop windows or at ticket machines.On the Tube for instance, I always keep my hand on my bag or casually put it on my lap and cross my arms around it. Is it 100% thief proof? No, but what is? That said, I would be sick if I lost a $600 Ipad :-) All the other stuff I have carried in my purse with no problems.

I just use a normal bag, carried cross body, and I don't leave it off my body when I'm out, including at cafes. Bag slashing is pretty unusual (in fact, unheard of in most places) so I don't worry about it. Plus, I carry my ultra valuables (credit cards, cash card, and passport) in a money belt when I'm in touristed areas. Obviously you will have to travel with your Ipad between cities, but if you hotel has a safe, that's where I would suggest you keep you Ipad and valuables during your rambles. Truly, the best defense against pickpocketing and theft is awareness and vigilance. I've seen tourists with both hands on a camera, making attention only to getting the perfectly framed shot, while leaving their bags casually slung at their sides, vulnerable to a grab and run attack. This is particularly true at street performances, where pickpockets work the perimeter of the circle of watching tourists, obliviously enjoying the buskers.

I agree with JER and the other posters who suggest that vigilence and not being lax are your best defense. Folks (men AND women) who sling their bags behind them, so they are bouncing along on their butt, are asking to be stolen from - as are people who leave their bag open - those who sling their bag over the back of a chair - those who their bag casually down beside them on a park bench, or on the ground or floor, or hook their bag under the cafe table, or let it dangle from their hand when riding the bus.... and the list goes on. A comfy, large-enough bag with a cross body strap and a zipper is really all you need. If you feel comfier with an (I presume expensive) Super Duper PacSafe (or whatever it is), then I would suggest going for it - but you still need to just, well, watch your bag!

I don't think PacSafe is all that expensive. I bought my bag for under $50 at REI...no more expensive than any ordinary bag. And it certainly beats something like Timbuk2 :) But really, like JER and others said, you don't need to carry an impenetrable fortress if you just pay attention to your surroundings and your stuff.

My wife has a PacSafe bag purchased for traveling and now used on a day to day basis. Her iPad fits neatly into it. She likes the bag and uses it on all of our trips--domestic or overseas. It seems that buying an "anti-theft" bag or not is real similar to the decision about buying travel insurance. Have a great trip.

Paula,, how is wearing a travel vest working for the "blending in" ... LOL

I carry a 30 year old purse with a zippered top that has tissues, Rick Steves Travel Guide, water bottle, etc. It has been opened numerous times by thieves. They don't seem to want my used tissues. I also wear a money belt which houses cash, debit and credit cards, driver's license, tickets and passport. I wear a travel vest for my camera and cash for the day. If I decide to buy something with a card, I go to the lady's room first to retrieve the card and then return it when done. I don't buy new luggage or clothes for the trip and leave all jewelry except my $12 watch at home. In other words, I try to blend in. I have a Kindle but won't take it to Europe. That way I don't have to think about anything but having a wonderful time. I've been to Europe a few times. You can tell the older American tourists by their new white sneakers.

I used both my Pacsafe and a regular roomy Coach summer bag (white with tan). Visited England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Alsace region, and Germany. When taking long distance trains between countries and cities, I used Pacsafe because I could use the anti theft lock, and needed hands free for other things. When touring, I switched go regular purse because I was never really in crowded locations, and quite frankly, felt pretty safe. I only felt my Pacsafe being Tampere with once, and that was 2008 on the train from Rome to Orvieto. The safety lock was on so messing with the zipper did not help the young, good-looking man, lol