The PacSafe products are listed here in case you don't know of this company... http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php
I love Rick's bags but I never thought much about the need for travel security until I saw PacSafe's bags. What do you think? I wish I could combine the theft-prevention aspects of PacSafe's bags with the travel-friendliness and light travel of Rick's bags.
Do a little risk assessment. Read the prior posts. The probability of something being cut open or off is very remote. And nearly impossible if you to learn handle your bags properly in crowded situations.
Thanks Kent and Frank, I didn't think to search for "PacSafe" in the search box. Will do and read.
I purchased a PacSafe Tote Bag for my trip to Italy this past spring. It was the best purchase I made. It has inside pockets with velcro straps to secure things, two outside gusset pockets to put water bottles, umbrella. it's seems are reinforced with wire to prevent cutting and its zipper clips closed and hidden. It held everything I needed for the day and it has a sleeve so you can slide it over the handles of your rolling suitcase for easy transport.
There other bags have gotten rave reviews on this forum as well.
I would highly recommend them.
I agree with Gela. I bought the PacSafe CitySafe 200 purse and I wore it cross ways everywhere on our trip to Germany, Austria, Czech Rep (just returned yesterday). It's big enough for all your stuff on the plane and for day trips. I never felt threatened anywhere. But if you want to look European, most of the European women wear big leather purses over their shoulders!
Jamie, I did tons of research of what to use, I tried on the Pacsafe bags at REI and personally thought they were to heavy. I agonized about what to have. We just got back from Italy on Oct 3rd and this is what we did. I had an Ameribag Healthy Back Bag and I put a key ring on the one zip pull the I hooked it on to a carabener clamp and put clipped that to the top of my strap. I locked it down. My husband also carried all our important things in his money belt. I thing with the metal key ring and the clip you can make any bag harder to get into. When on the subway and in crowds the I wore the bag in the front, just being aware of your surroundings is important.
Jamie, I just bought PacSafe bags for myself and my daughter for our upcoming trip to Rome. I don't feel that they are that much heavier than other bags, and I think they are very well designed.
I've used an Eagle Creek guide bag for the last 5 trips to Italy, and never had a problem, but then, we weren't just in Rome - home of pickpockets galore!
I really like that the zippers lock, more so than the wire mesh for protection from cuts.
Making your own "security" lock as some others mentioned on this board sounds harder to me, what if you loose that locking piece, or more so...they are harder to get open for you personally!
Most important in traveling is being aware of what is happening around you. No matter what, keep one hand on your bag at all times..protect that opening. Wear a money belt with credit cards/passport/cash. Only keep what you need for one day in your bag.
I cant rave enough about Pacsafe. I have the citysafe200, the sling safe 50 and the portable travel safe. I use them all. No offence to Ricks products but I need stuff with pockets and I like the security features on this. The only complaint I have is that the water bottle holder isn't big enough for most water bottles. Its just for the smaller ones. But other than that they dry quickly mine got soaked on the outside but not on the inside. And was dry in 5 mins.
I bought the Pacsafe 100 because of what I was reading about pickpockets, etc. on this web site. I used my bag for a week before we left. It really is too small for traveling. I never got comfortable with it. I choose it over the 200 because of the weight difference between the two sizes. I missed having places outside to put my maps, water bottle etc. I have put it away for another trip???? It is just too small for me to feel comfortable using. My husband was pickpocketed a few years ago, so I was was being careful. If I had to do it over again would have bought the bigger size. The only places I really felt cautious was Trevi Fountain, train area around Rome, bottom of the Spanish Steps, Panteon, I held my bag close, but I think I would have done that with my normal pocketbook anyway.
I have done alot of traveling and have never had a problem, but because of what happened to my husband - I bought the PacSafe 100 and used it.
Marie, you may have been happier with PacSafe's Tote bag, as I was. It was much bigger, and had all the pockets.
I highly recommend PacSafe products. Especially the DaySafe 100 or 200 (day back pack), Stash Safe 100 or 200 and the CableSafe 200.
http://www.discountluggage.com/shop/pacsafe.php
also carries PacSafe products.
I agree with the other Linda about weight. I ended up with the Eagle Creek Guide bag and Vagabond. The are the same bag but the Vagabond is bigger. The security is as good if not better than the PacSafe bag I had except for the wire through the strap. I have been home for 2 months and I'm still using the guide bag as a purse I love it so much!
