Anti theft bag

The best anti theft bag/purse is the bag that you keep on you at all times. Do not hang it off back of chair or set it on the floor or a table.

No backpack style where anyone can access it without you being aware.

Keep zippers zipped. Nothing in outside pockets of value. Wear your bag in front of you.

You're awareness is the best anti theft deterrent.

I wear a small crossbody just like I do at home. I try not to carry my whole life with me. If I need "stuff" during the day, I'll bring a separate lightweight tote.

I am also considering a new men's bag as I need a little more capacity for an upcoming trip. My current bag has limited room and the strap is too narrow for both comfort and security.

My security requirements are a cross body strap for keeping the bag in front of me, both for security and comfort and a locking zipper system for the main compartment. Many bags also have RFID blocking, but I already use individual RFID blocking sleves on my passport and cards. There appear to be a number of bags on Amazon that will fit my need.

Agree with jeanm's perspectives. Though, while dining, I will set my bag on the floor at my feet with the strap buckeled around my chair leg.

Finally, if you do lots of museums, pick a bag that will not be considered a backpack. Many museums prohibit backpacks, but not purses.

Prevent zippers from being opened by attaching a safety pin to them.

Companies like Travelon, Baggalini and Pacsafe all make great anti-theft bags. Some people think they are overkill, but I have various size bags from each. My favourite is Pacsafe, and I prefer a backpack because I find a crossbody bag puts all the weight on one shoulder, and my shoulders don’t like that. Of course, if you aren’t carrying a camera like I usually am, that may not matter. I have an 8 litre Pacsafe backpack that I can fit my mirrorless camera, my iPad, my Kindle, a small water bottle and a notebook in, and more. I love the well thought out pockets on Pacsafe bags, and the bags are very well made. I first bought one almost 20 years ago specifically for a full size 35mm film camera, and I still use it to this day. They are pricey, though, but can be found on sale if you are willing to wait.

My wife has a great Pac-safe purse and I use a money belt or neck wallet.

For a man bag that can be worn in front….

Tom Bihn Co-Pilot: A messenger style bag that is comfortable and incredibly well designed. Can be a bit large at times.

Patagonia Atom Sling: Probably the most comfortable sling style bag out there.

Tumi Gregory Sling: a perfect size and great organization but ungodly expensive unless you find one on sale.

The best advice was given to me in May by a policewoman whose partner just nabbed the pickpocket who got my wife’s wallet - KEEP YOUR HAND ON THE PURSE ZIPPER ( or whatever it uses to close it ) AT ALL TIMES.

The best advice was given to me in May by a policewoman whose partner just nabbed the pickpocket who got my wife’s wallet - KEEP YOUR HAND ON THE PURSE ZIPPER ( or whatever it uses to close it ) AT ALL TIMES.

On the Rome Metro nearing Termini.

Cala has the right idea. Just use a safety pin, or even a twist tie, to secure the zipper on your bag.

I never understood the desire to buy a special "anti-theft" handbag..I use my regular leather purse and wear it cross body if I feel I am in a dodgy area or if I am taking a bus or train.

Sometimes I use a tiny zippered purse for my cards and some cash, and I pin this with a safety pin to the inside front pocket of my jeans.

Off topic: Consider taking along US dollar bills, to use at your home airport, for tips or rental carts if you travel with heavy luggage (I am guilty of that..every time!).

Thank you! I actually have a cross body purse with zippers. I never thought of using safety pins. We’ve been to Europe but I heard you have to be extra careful in Rome

I too was very alarmed by all the alerts about Roman pickpockets. Having just been there in June, my fears were exaggerated. No one is going to say Rome is safe, and getting pickpocketed does happen and is awful. But awareness and common sense are going to be your best defense.

Slashing bags and running is not common at all, so having slash resistance isn’t necessary.

I carried a no name slash resistant backpack with me. I had caribeeners to clasp zippers closed, but that was cumbersome and felt like overkill. In my backpack - there was nothing valuable - usually just water, a scarf, snacks, etc. All zippers were completely zipped. Most of my money and all credit cards were in a waist money belt. My phone was in my front pocket, attached with a lanyard to a belt loop (goofy, but more useful than I first thought!).

I was on higher alert in crowded spaces - metro, buses, Trevi, Spanish Steps, Vatican, St. Peter’s, Colosseum, Forum. In these areas, my backpack was carried in my hand by my side (no need to tempt fate). I tried to move with purpose. In the metro, I moved toward the end cars, and straggled behind when getting out of the station (so I wasn’t caught in a crowd). Even in these high-alert situations - just staying alert seemed to be enough deterrence.

Avoid scammer situations - 3 card Monty, flowers, wrist bracelets, balloons, anything that goes up in the air and comes down. Avoid proposals (popular, but who knows if they are legit??). Avoid any sort of commotion (saw 1 scammer throwing water on another and some loud yelling - assumed this was a set up?? I moved out).

(BTW - most hilarious/sad thing I saw - a scammer ‘gave’ a dozen roses to a women in St Mark’s. She eventually paid him something, then realized she now had a dozen roses with no use to her. She walked around trying to legitimately give the flowers away, but everyone said no and quickly moved away from her)

When eating outside - don’t leave anything valuable on the table (like your phone).

In short - I shared your concerns before I went in June. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Just stay alert.

I second the Tom Bihn and Patagonia Atom bags mentioned above. I have 2 of the latter (a navy one and a black one). My Tom Bihn bag, however, is a small cafe bag. Both hold the right amount of items for our RS Tours and beyond!

Posted by onvaca2 OP
Thank you! I
actually have a cross body purse with zippers. I never thought of
using safety pins. We’ve been to Europe but I heard you have to be
extra careful in Rome

You can go a step further with safety pins by using diaper pins. You have to pull the protective cap up before being able to un-pin it.

I haven't found them in stores, but they are available on Amazon. And you can get packs of 4 of certain brands instead of 100.

As far as the original question,

Keep anything of value attached to you at all times.

Divide valuables >>> not all valuables in the same bag or garment or pocket.

Don't put valuables in outer pockets of bags.

Wear bags that have outer pockets with the outer pockets next to your body >> Even if they only contain a pack of tissues and hand sanitizer.

Minimize the contents of your wallet before travel.

I have several Travelon cross body purses of various sizes that I purchased when I first started traveling solo, but now I just wear a regular cross body bag, preferably with inside and back (up against my body) zipper pockets. I prefer the ones made of nylon because of weight.

A safety pin is great to secure zippers, but it won't help at all with preventing "slashers". and "grabbers." I have used Travelon bags for years and appreciate the added security. A traveler still has to be aware of his/her surroundings, though. And make sure he/she leaves with the bag. On our RS trip to Greece after a marvelous lunch my husband left his Travelon pack at the restaurant when we went for a stroll. Fortunately the proprietor found it and returned it to us.

This is why I carry the passports.

I agree with everything Jeanm said. That's me.

I don't use money belt type items for a moneybelt. I do use Travelon/pacsafe bags at home and when traveling. I love their organization most of all, so much better than regular purses that I formerly used. I also use them for my own carelessness when in a stressful or unusual situation, when I will lock the zips. Everything has its place. So I found a money belt is just one more thing to worry about, especially falling off. That being said, once at my location I do separate my items...some in hotel in luggage and what I'm using is in my purse. I always carry my passport. This past trip, I sewed RS's neck-money belt into the interior of my blazer as women's clothes don't have decent pockets for going through security easily...so in a way I guess I can't say I don't use a money belt. Now I have a place for my extra pair of glasses on other occasions.

My small crossbody bag, a pacsafe, never leaves my body when I'm outside of my hotel. This is a newer version of what I use. I have had this for at least a decade. My phone is on a lanyard attached/in the front pocket. If I needed a jacket or other such items for a long day this last visit, I used a zipped crossbody grocery type, love bag. I fit right in, in Paris. I think I only did this on one Paris day, but it came along if planning to go to the grocery store, folded up.

Hi, I travel to Europe a few times each year. I wear a RS money belt under my clothing that has my passport, debit card, credit cards and any Euro bills I don’t need that day. Lately I rarely use cash. My phone has ApplePay which is 97% of my transactions there.

I use to carry a Baggalini crossbody purse, but now I am using an ORI crossbody purse. The only thing of value in my purse is my phone. I carry my purse backwards when on a metro, so the phone is next to my body. Otherwise, I am carrying it where my right hand naturally is placed over the purse. Yes, in a crowd, I will hold the top zipper.

Love my Travelon bags!

I've been using a Travelon purse for two years and really like it. They offer so many great options. My purse is an over-the-shoulder, low-profile style that sits nicely over my body and doesn't look bulky. In crowded areas, to hold onto the main zipper with one hand feels natural, not awkward. Highly recommend their products. Fun to peruse Travelon website.

Another somewhat related theory is to learn certain imperatives in the language of country of travel. Learning and practicing "No!" "Go away!" or even a polite but firm, "No, thank you" might confuse a scammer and cause them to stop bothering you. I believe this is a good idea for women especially. It's just a theory, but it seemed to work for me in Greece.