Anti-Theft Purse

I bought one for my last trip to Italy and it worked fine. Have traveled before without one and I don't think in retrospect that I needed to pay extra for that purse. If you do purchase it, make sure it is something you like and would use for any of your normal everyday activities at home or abroad.

Sandy

Thank you!!

Anite, just as traveller's interests vary, so do their safety methods; the topic been discussed at length (or should I say, flogged to death?) in forums! It all comes down to what you are personally comfortable with, and which provides enough peace of mind not to spoil your trip with constant worry about theft. There's no single right or wrong answer.

My husband and I do not use moneybelts for our valuables 'cuz we find them very uncomfortable. Others in the forums wouldn't leave home without them. We do have a unisex, cross-body Pacsafe bag that we use for our passports +some of our cash/cards, and I pin a small zippered pouch - just large enough for debit/card card and my daily cash - under my waistband. I also carry a standard shoulder bag (if my husband has the Pacsafe) for my camera, wet wipes, a map, etc.

Anyway, we've always felt that the Pacsafe was a worthwhile purchase, and we've loaned it out to others for their own trips abroad. Travelon makes a similar product. These bags should never be placed at your feet, hung from the back of a chair, placed on cafe tables, etc. They work best if ON you and all of the anti-theft closures are secured.

Welcome to the forum Anita.
I first bought a mid-size Travelon purse but after a trip to Hawaii found it hurt my neck and was very uncomfortable. I gave it to my sister-in-law for our trip to Italy. She liked it.
I then bought a non-antitheft purse and added snaps to secure the zippers. It worked but also hurt my neck. I rotated it with a packable backpack to take the pressure off my neck.
For my next trip I bought a very small Travelon purse that holds basics, ie day money, Kleenex, phone. It will work during the day. But my plan is to use it in conjunction with the backpack which can hold my camera, guidebook, etc. The backpack alone was too awkward to get into for day money, sunglasses, etc., plus some museums don’t allow backpacks.
Be sure to wear a money belt or neck wallet. An anti theft purse is not a substitute for that.

Thank you for your response. I’m new to the forum and not quite sure how to search all topics, but regardless I want updated information/opinions. I have seen Travelon but not Pacsafe. 🙂

I am so excited to get quick replies. I’m not sure if this is appropriate so please tell me if it is not. The people who are responding seem very knowledgeable and my next question is about the backpack. Sarah Murdoch is pro backpack without wheels, but most of the other ladies I’ve read about prefer a rolling backpack. This will be my first RS tour and I’m pretty healthy and know the walking will be fine. What are your preferences on non rolling backpack vs. rolling? I will say that the extra ounces the rolling backpack adds mean a lot to me and are the reason I’m thinking about not using it.

Be sure to wear a money belt or neck wallet. An anti theft purse is
not a substitute for that.

Sorry, Horsewoofie, but I'll disagree. As above, we've never used either money belts or neck wallets and never had a problem...although as mentioned, we take other sorts of precautions. I'd never recommend not taking any precautions at all but there are multiple ways to skin the cat! :O)

Editing to add, Anita: we also are very comfortable leaving some of our valuables in hotel room safes.. The only time we have ALL of our valuables on us is when we are transporting between cities or countries, and even then don't keep them all in one place, as in ALL in the Pacsafe.

But honestly the best anti theft program is to not carry valuables.

Good to know. Thank you.

Thank you Tim. The valuables I’m referring to will be my passport, my identity documents and my currency.

Hi Anita:
To search the forum on a laptop/desktop, scroll up to the top of the page. You will see a grey box with a magnifying glass and the word "search". It's not obvious. If on a phone or handheld, scroll to the top and in the upper left corner you will see horizontal lines. If you click on that it will bring up the main menu, including the search box. By the way, the search function is not great.

I personally do not use an anti-theft bag but do take other precautions. It's mostly about situational awareness and not carrying your whole life's savings when out and about.

As for rolling vs. non-rolling backpacks, I'm in the non-rolling camp. But the whole backpack vs. rolling bags is another can of worms right up there with moneybelts and anti-theft measures.

Just do what makes you feel the most comfortable, relax and enjoy your trip.

Thank you kclyons. 🙂

Valuables: credit cards, debit cards, passports, any amount of cash that would be painful to lose, smartphones... For people with severe allergies, even an EpiPen could be considered a valuable. Virtually all of us have at least some of these items on us when we sightsee.

I agree it all depends on our personal level of risk. I put my passport in a silk Eagle Creek waist belt. Since I don’t want the extra bulge at my tummy, I turn it around and it rests at the small of my back. The belt itself is so thin and light you don’t see it in the front. I feel very secure having it there and it gives me peace of mind. When I’m transporting to and from planes and trains, I keep it in my silk eagle creek neck wallet for easy accessibility. That is the only time I wear the neck wallet. It’s much easier to just shove it back inside my shirt, then fiddle with my purse, when I’m trying to keep an eye on my other bags.

I also carried a travelon purse, a smaller one. I really like how they lock. I really don’t keep my valuables i there other than my phone, and sometimes only a CC. I think they are really unattractive to be honest, but are very lightweight, which I love. I also like that they are slashproof. But really, I’m very aware of my purse and it’s always crossbody, laying in front with my hand over the zipper. I’m toying with the idea of not taking one this time, and fashioning my own lock. IF I was carrying my passport in it, I’d feel more comfortable having a travelon, I just would.

When you sit at a restaurant, keep your bag around your waist sitting on your lap.

Thank you for the input. I wasn’t extremely worried until I watched a Rick Steves video about scams and theft. I’m glad I did because it made me more aware. His comment about the elderly person falling and you immediately trying to help is something I absolutely would have done. I have found all of the videos very helpful!

About the rolling backpack:
Sarah Murdoch is 6'2" and in her 40s (she was my Sicily guide), I am not. 😁
I have used a roller bag on all my RS tours, there is no way I could carry it on my back.

Hey Kathy. I think this is the only time we’ve disagreed. I think moneybelt/neck wallet vs none depends on the travel experience of the wearer. I’m not an experienced traveler so feel more comfortable knowing my money, passport, and extra credit cards are secure on me. While I try to be aware of my surroundings it’s easy to become distracted by the scenery. Years ago in Ireland I didn’t even think about it; everything was thrown into my day pack or left in my suitcase while riding. But things have changed and I’m much less trusting.
(the other) Kathy

Anita, you’ll see lots of threads debating Rolling carryons vs backpacks and which is best in each category. There is no right or wrong answer. It depends on what you are comfortable with. I just turned 69, in fairly good shape but my back would not be able to carry a back pack. I used and liked the RS Rolling Carryon last year when touring Italy.
The debate will continue with which personal item to carry on the plane and bus....

Most of my purses are security purses; like travelon, for the security zippers as well as the organization. I like such purses at home because I live and move about in cities. When traveling, I am playing with my camera so I am distracted. This way I don't have to worry so much. When traveling solo I will wear a leg wallet in transport once thru all security as I tend to wear bootcut jeans so very comfortable. When with my husband, it doesn't matter because our items are equally split. Once at a location, I will often leave some financial items in my suitcase. I do have a small baggallini wallet type crossbody purse that I used to use, but since one man pointed out it was insecure due to the zipper and un-latchable straps, I don't use it anymore...I guess I think he was correct.

Regarding suitcase vs backpack, it's up to you. On my one and only (so far) RS tour, only one couple had backpacks. Everyone else had wheels. I prefer wheels as I don't like to schlepp. I tried a backpack for a couple of trips around 2K, and while psychologically it might have fooled me into thinking I was a 20 year old backpacker, it wasn't true and I just found it bothersome and made me feel grubby. (And when I was 20 years old, I carried my suitcase or put it on a small wheeled cart.) I much prefer only to lift up stairs, etc. when I have to vs all the time. That is just me, and I do still look at backpacks because many are so well organized, but no. I do think my next purchase might be the Eagle Creek Expanse Convertible 2 wheeled bag (so I can put it on my back should that desire come over me). LOL

There's no right way. Just do what feels best to you. I am a risk manager so I'm overly cautious. Frankly, I don't think I've ever been in a position where I was exposed with or without the bag. However, I feel organization is important so you have the same place for each item of importance so you know where it is...as compared to losing it. That would be me. My small crossbody is attached to me all the time when outside my room. I don't put it on the floor or attach it to my chair...I think that is just asking for trouble. IMO YMMV

I guess I’m concerned about checking out of a hotel every other day and having to roll the luggage all day while sightseeing.

Anita, why would you have to roll your luggage around all day? You'll leave it at the hotel for overnight stays, or it stays (safely) on the tour bus for any sightseeing between relocations. You'll want a smaller "personal item" bag - like a shoulder bag, anti-theft-bag. etc. - for just the items you want with you during the day.

LOL, Horsewoofie, it IS rare that we don't agree, and you absolutely should do what makes YOU feel most secure!! :O)
It's just that one way just doesn't work for everyone - just as money belts/neck wallets really do not work for me and the DH - so it's nice to have alternatives which can accomplish the same goal?

Wife has a pack safe purse and wears it across her body. I use a money belt.
When visiting places like BARCELONA, Rome, Paris, Madrid and Athens, you need these items.

Thanks for all the feedback. As I said, this is my first RS tour and from the itinerary it seemed there would be days we would check out of our hotel and sightsee on foot most of the day before we made it to a train or got on a bus to head to the next hotel. I must be misunderstanding something.

You definitely don't have to take your luggage along while on walking tours.

Excellent news. 😁😁😁

Anita, which Italian tour are you going on? My SIL and I did the South of Italy tour last May. I hadn’t been to Europe in 27 years and never to Italy; SIL had never been out of the US.

You do not drag your suitcase around all day. When you check out of the hotel you load your suitcase & bus bag on the bus. It is secure if/when you do a walking tour or stop during the day. Our walking tours were the day of arrival in a town after checking into the hotel and the following morning or stops along the way. Free time was in the afternoon unless it was a full day of free time.
Are you arriving a few days before your tour to recover from jet lag? We were in Rome for four days before our tour started. The first day of the tour we moved to the tour’s hotel. Our pre-tour hotel held our luggage while we went shopping then called a cab for us.

I’m doing the Heart of Italy in October. I’ve been to Germany but that was decades ago. I’m planning on arriving on the 21st and tour starts on the 23rd. I think that will be enough time to recover. I think I gain 7 hours from US.

I don't find it necessary to carry an anti-theft bag -- but when I saw a Travelon at the thrift store for $10 I couldn't resist. It's my day-to-day crossbody bag at home. For travel, I carry passport, most credit/debit cards and serious cash in a money belt under my clothes. Bag holds daily cash, one credit card, and travel supplies (Kleenex, guidebook pages, comb, chapstick, water bottle, snacks ... you get the picture.)

I have three different styles of VaultPro purses. I'm going to Italy, and I'll take the smaller of the bunch. I do feel safer with them since they have steel mesh and slash-proof properties. I also like the clips to make the pockets even more secure. My aunt lived in Italy for 36 years, and she had jewelry literally ripped off her neck and her purse taken right off her shoulder. She and my uncle always warned me that pickpockets and thiefs are all around. I'd rather be safe than sorry!

I have 3 Travelon crossbody bags. (Well, one is a Target knock-off!) I love them all and use them at home as my daily purse. I only take one at a time!
I had a pickpocket attempt last Fall in Paris and it was the little zipper latch that slowed him down and I was able to scare him off.
I don't carry my passport or extra cash in them -- for that I use a silk neck pouch, sometimes worn holster style if it's warmer weather and I don't want it to show. And that's only on travel days. Otherwise I just leave these things and my Ipad mini locked in the suitcase in the hotel.
One thing that I would recommend is to use whatever you decide on for some time before you leave. It's nice to have the muscle memory of which pocket things are in so that you're not fumbling around trying to find stuff when out and about.

I’m enjoying all the responses. Such good information!! Thanks to everyone.

As others have said - anti theft bags are a personal choice. In Venice you will need to be very safety aware. I have a cross body bag that I wear underneath my jacket ie. I sling my cross body bag on over my T-shirt and then put on my jacket (if cool weather) or linen overshirt (if warmer). This way the strap is underneath my top layer and so much harder for a thief to grab or slash.

My sister uses a small dog chain to clip her purse to her jeans belt loop.

Neither of us have ever been robbed.

Main tip is to be aware of your surroundings - thieves often aren’t obvious. In Venice we were warned about older men in hats on the vaporetto - they may not be harmless. We were also told not to stay near the gangplank as many pickpockets will grab and run just as the boat docks.

I've been traveling with a PacSafe for years.
Here's a pro/con comparison of my two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GB7kgmecNY

My first one was great for the "personal item" on the plane but was/is too large to carry for a day in-town.

My 2nd one was purchased cheep on ebay - $ well spent, but it was SO thin that it couldn't hold a waterbottle comfortably.

I just purchased a PasSafe LS100 for this April's trip to Italy.

I carry my MetroSafe (the large, original, one) on the plane.
The small one will be in my carry-on and will be pulled out when I walk cities.

I've traveled to Europe quite a few times. This fall, in Paris, I was finally pick-pocketed.
I've now learned how fast they can grab and go - he pushed me through the turnstile and he ran the other way.
The only valuable items: my wallet had two museum tickets in it and a VISA card.
I cancelled my VISA .......

I normally carry my VISA (credit card) in a "hidden pocket" like: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/hidden-pocket
But was sloppy that night.

I'll try to never be so sloppy again.
A good thing about the hidden pocket is that I can pull it out while seated at a resaturant and can almost put it back in place while seated. I tried a money belt and it unclipped too easily - I never even left home with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HrDeI1dKdQ

I have a PAC Safe cross body bag and also bought a small backpack for a slightly more rugged trip last summer. I really liked them both.

I loathe money belts. They are hot and uncomfortable and I don’t enjoy wearing a band of sweat at my waist for hours at a time.

You’ll see many threads debating the merits of different items in terms of security and comfort. Some people love money belts. As I stated above, I hate them. Really just go with whatever is comfortable for you and still feels secure.

Anita, this thread about anti-theft purses was running last week: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/another-travel-purse-question
Besides Travelon, PacSafe and Vault Pro are other brands. I think eBags has their own brand of anti-theft purses.

If you have a purse you like, you can sew snaps on it to secure the zippers. All the travel purses I tried had an interior zippered pocket and at least one interior snap to secure a coin purse. I used coin purses instead of a wallet since they didn’t take as much room. I could separate day money—one coin purse with €coin and less than €50 snapped inside my purse. Another coin purse with another €50 and Visa card was zipped into the inside purse pocket. Just an idea for you.

As for the money belt/neck wallet debate, if you decide to use one, use silk. It’s more comfortable than synthetic next to your skin. I found the plastic adjuster on the neck wallet strap very uncomfortable so I took it off and tied a knot at the strap base to shorten it.

I'm one of those moneybelt people. A few years back I got this EazyMate. At that time it was touted only as a running belt and travel wasn't even mentioned. It's unisex and you step into it. Obviously, you wear it under your clothes, not like the pictures. I find it both inconspicuous and comfortable. There are other brands and versions of the same thing these days.

I don't use an anti-theft kind of crossbody bag.

I've used either my red or my black version of this 4 oz quilted Baggallini on my last 3 RS tours. It is the perfect size for me and I love the cell phone zipper pocket on the back.

I have two other cross-body purses similar to but smaller than this juniper 8 oz Baggallini Everyday Bag. I will take this one or the quilted black one above on my RS Best of Ireland tour in May.

I like Eagle Creek 2-wheel roller bags. I usually fly standby, so I have to pack lightly and do carry-on only. I have a "normal" 22x14x9, about 5lb 5oz empty, one like this, and an international size, 20.25x14x8, 4lb 6oz empty, one like this. These are no longer available, but EC has similar ones.

Next trip I'll be checking whichever one of those bags I decide to take. I'll be carrying on this 18x13x6.5, 1.5 lb empty, RS Appenzell backpack. I can comfortably carry up to about 12 pounds on my back with that pack. Much less weight in a cross-body bag hurts my neck and shoulders. The Appenzell will be lightly loaded for the plane and on the road. It will be much lighter for daily use to carry my trekking poles and layering pieces when I'm not using or wearing them.

This combo of carry-on roller bag, small backpack and very small cross-body purse works for me. To increase the security of my bags I prefer split key rings similar to these. Sometimes I use very small screw lock carabiners like these. There are many other similar products on the market.

Hi Anita,

I like Kipling bags for travel. They are very lightweight; have tons of pockets; washable exterior; good - strong zippers; cross body styles; durable nylon material (for most bags.) They have cute styles for travels - satchel and hobo styles.

The good thing about cross body bags is you can keep them on you even while eating at a cafe or restaurant. "Maybe" in a closed restaurant, you can put it under your feet; never on the back of chair or on an opposite table no matter where you are. (Same goes for phone - never place it alone on a table.)

I don't care for money belts - tried it my first trip. I use a Hedgren (sturdy) very small cross body that holds extra cards, Euro, Passport "just in case" something may happen to my purse/tote. It "hides" under my coat or jacket. I will say that I have had no issue or problems in all my trips to Italy.

One of the biggest defenses is to be aware and diligent. I never take out my little wallet. I have it clipped on the key leash inside the bag. During a purchase, I just put my bag on the counter and take out either the Euro or card I may be using. (Actually, attaching my wallet to a key leash is a habit of mine here at home in the States too, lol - just like for some unknown reason, I have always written a hyphen through the number 7. Hmm. lol.) Okay, that last statement had nothing to do with anti-theft bags.

Of course you will get differing opinions about bags, money belts and so on.

Pac Safe bags and even some Travelon bags can be quite heavy to begin with (because of the slash-proof metal meshing in the panels of the bag and handles.)

I walked all over Rome (tons of times now) solo and with friends different times of the day and night as well as days and week ends. I did not get any sense of danger.

On buses and trains, I would be more careful and diligent. I am from Boston, used to taking buses and trains so that behavior comes natural to me.

Keep a good stance while walking. If you or a traveling partner you may be with "get lost," don't panic. There is always someone around to help. I try to focus on a landmark as a guide. So, if I do get a bit turned around, it is easy to ask someone how to "get back to that."

If you stay in or around a major landmark, it is easy for someone to lead you back to it. You should be fine really.

A tip: I carry a small, pocket-size, LED flashlight. I got it at Walmart for $1. It packs a big light when needed. If you'll be in Rome, there are cobble stones that protrude here and there causing a possible trip and fall. Rome is beautiful at night; the ambiance. With that, the lights around are dim and alley-way short cuts can be dark; walkways slick. Curbs can "just end" or be broken off the edge.

Thanks! You make excellent points and I appreciate the advice.

You are welcome :)

At the risk of seeming facetious, it also depends on your traveling partner and how much they want to carry! Our first trip to Italy I used the equivalent of the PacSafe LS 200, plus a money belt and a neck safe. The larger PacSafe let me carry some of the heavier items my wife didn't want to carry, plus guide book(s), camera, mini-tripod, small flashlight, etc. Valuables went into the hidden holders.

Last September in northern Italy I used a PacSafe Vibe 200 due to the size of the tablet I wanted to carry (mainly during travel days). Again, I was able to help carry the overall load for a day. And again I used both a money belt and a neck safe.
With all that (paranoidal) security, I was able to basically quit worrying about pickpockets and just enjoy the trip.

My wife took a small Travelon cross-body purse and was quite happy with it, and continues to use it here at home.

One travel guide said she didn't like the PacSafe bags because the uncuttable strap wouldn't break if someone on a moped grabbed the bag as they rode by. I looked at mopeds, and then looked at what the scale said about me, and decided the moped would come out on the losing end of that encounter!

One thing I definitely recommend if you want a PacSafe-type shoulder bag--buy a cushioning shoulder-strap pad. I got mine at TimBuk2. Makes the day go a WHOLE lot more comfortable.

Thanks for the info!!!

This thread is perfect as I was looking at the PacSafe LS150 sling bag for myself for going around town and getting a backpack from PacSafe for on the airplane and train. For those that have PacSafe backpack is there one you like in particular?

I am very interested in this topic too, as I am trying to decide on a purse for the upcoming Barcelona and Ital trip in May. I always bringing my DSLR camera on my trips. I haven't been to Europe in quite a few years, and used to just carry it in my back pack or crossbody. I am looking at larger Travelon purses now. Any other ideas, suggestions?