Travelon Bags and Pickpocketing

Just my own opinion: Personally, I think every product that markets itself as "theft-proof" is a scam at worst, or provides a completely false sense of security at best.

You don't need "slash-proof" anything. Your #1 anti-theft device/feature already comes pre-installed at birth, between your shoulders, below your hat. Your head.

If your head is in the game, with just a bit of common sense and an awareness of what's going on around you, you are going to be just fine, wherever you go.

If your head is not in the game, no amount of slash-proof straps, RFID-resistant magic fields, or other features, are going to do doodley-squat.

Do not be lulled into a false sense of security thinking special straps, gizmos, and other "features" are going to keep your stuff from getting pinched. Sure - pockets on your pants or on your pack that actually close (with a zipper rather than velcro), and that can be closed with a mini carabiner (aka a "speedlink") or similar small devices (heck, even a safety-pin), that will slow down and deter some thieves a bit (good things to have on a crowded metro platform/car). But don't rely on such things. Most of all, you gotta use your smarts. Keeping your stuff safe is not hard, complicated, or beyond anyone's ability to accomplish.

NEVER leave anything hanging on a post or chair unless it is within your reach, directly in your field of view, and you are never looking away. Don't leave valuables in a hotel room, unless there's a safe.

Just my 2 eurocents.

Agree with David. Except I do think slash-proof, locks, etc, can be helpful in making it harder to access, but if you aren't paying attention, that's your real weakness. Otoh, I always feel like Im paranoid when in Europe and then have never felt vulnerable there. On the other other hand, I grew up in a big city using public transit so I think a lot of my awareness is built in, and while having a Pacsafe bag makes me feel less paranoid, it likely doesnt add to what I do anyway

“NEVER leave anything hanging on a post or chair.” Agree with David on this sentence but would stop right there in the sentence. Do not sit anything down. Always have it on your lap or wearing cross-body.

I was not planning on leaving my belongings attached to anything but myself. I was focusing on the cut-proof strap.

My constantly-traveling husband has only been pick-pocketed twice. Neither time occurred in Europe and one was in the hotel lobby in St. Petersburg, VA. Of course I know it's not a problem until it happens to you and it did eventually even catch Rick.

I use a travelon bag and have not been pickpocketed. I like the fact that it has the locking zippers. I wear it as a cross body bag in front of me and place my forearm across the top of it while in crowds.
I feel the most comfortable with this solution for me.

I like the Vibe 325 by Pacsafe, it is small, carry's a lot and slings over your shoulder and has a perfect locking system. And yes I agree that using your head is the best defense but, even the best of us can be distracted for a few seconds and that is all it takes. Even Rick Steves admitted that as knowledgeable & experience travelers you can still be pick pocketed as he was on a Paris subway!

I bought a travel anti-theft baggallini for our May trip to France. My previous two bags were Travelons, and I wanted something newer and a little smaller for this trip. I like the sturdy straps and all the locking features. I will also wear a neck wallet or money belt for my passport, extra credit card, and extra money.

I have the pac safe bag but haven’t used it in a while but will be taking it on my next trip. It is very well made and sturdy. Someone did try to pickpocket me at the Atosha train station in Madrid as I was climbing the stairs with my luggage. My left hand was on the stairway railing and the right one on my luggage. As someone said I was distracted negotiating the stairs when I saw a hand reach over to access my pac safe bag. I was wearing it crossbody and it was locked although there was nothing of value in it so the pickpocket would have gotten nothing. The pickpocket knew that I had seen her so she took off in a hurry. So it is easy to be distracted at times.

I have walked by myself (short 60 something year old woman) through some of the less savory parts of Dublin. Those places have nothing on the major US cities. Not saying it's impossible. Just highly unlikely you will be pick pocketed, have your purse snatched, have someone slash your bag, etc. I think the worst thing that you might encounter is someone being sick on the sidewalk in Temple Bar. So just watch your step.

I had used a Travelon crossbody bag for a few years but I've given it away. Here's my reasons:
---it was heavy and pulled on my neck which would be sore/tired by the end of each day.
---it made it more obvious that I was a tourist (yes, I "know" I look like a tourist but I try not to stick out) and therefore a better candidate for a pickpocket.

I currently use Dakine crossbody bags, both at home and for travel (plus a money belt for "deep storage"). I use a safety pin to keep the zipper closed, never taking it off, and keep my hand on top when others are nearby. I've been successful avoiding trouble with these tactics.

I actually like the organization of travelon and Pacsafe bags. In addition, I don’t like rigging bags with carabiners or safety pins as it is awkward and I find more embarrassing because it is so much more obvious. IMO I don’t often use the locks, but being a former, at least, city girl, I have always appreciated the locks. I hope mine protect me from being careless. I just purchased a pacsafe metrosafe ls 140 that holds my camera, back up battery, iPhone, glasses, etc. It is small, only as heavy as what I put in it, and I am loving it. I use it every day.

I've used a Travelon bag for years and have never been pickpocketed. Of course, I use common sense and awareness, too.

I like having the straps that are difficult to cut. I have a friend who is from Poland, and her mom there came home from shopping one day to find she was holding on only to the strap of her purse--the bag itself had been cut off. So, it CAN happen, even if it's rare. I'd rather not have it happen when I'm on a different continent.

I've had a couple of different Travelon bags, but my favourite is a dark greyish black denim one. There's nothing about it that screams "tourist," IMO.

I've been traveling to Ireland for 22 years now, at least 12 trips and going again in September. I have never used a Travelon bag and agree with the replier who stated that you just need to use your head. I've used all types of crossbody bags which you can hold securely near your body. Just be aware!!!! Ireland is a beautiful country with beautiful people. Enjoy!

I carry a small red Travel-on crossbody bag. Not too heavy, and I keep it on when out and about, with my arm across it, usually in front of me, especially when seated. (It’s red, so I can find it in my tote bag.) The locking zips are nice, although I chose it particularly because of the un-cut-able strap. A young friend traveling in Madrid had her bag strap cut by a guy on a motorcycle who got away with her passport, credit card, etc. The strap gives me peace of mind, but I still stay alert.

I too use Travelon and Baggallini travel crossbody purses for my trips. Both have great pockets for organization, but I find the Travelon to be more touristy and heavy around my neck, even though I try to go as small as possible. The strap tends to get uncomfortable after a while due to the metal in it. My last 2 trips I have used the Baggallini and have been much more comfortable.