Civita day pack security while in Rome or other high pickpocket areas

If these are the items in the bag, then I wouldn't take any extra security measures. That will just make it look like you have something valuable. Your wallet or other valuables are what you want to be more vigilant about, and I would just have enough cash in the wallet to cover your budget for that day, or until you go back to the hotel.

September in Italy is hot. It's OK to pack a light coat, but no need to carry it around all day. Maybe rains a few days in that month. In September 2013, I was at Pietrasanta on the Ligurian Sea, and it rained so hard it flooded the streets and parking lots.

This most recent September, Friday the 19th, Firenze had a freak sudden high wind hail storm at Noon with hail the size of Olives. We all ran for cover, but none of us wore a wrap. After awhile we all resumed walking like nothing had happened even though hail was ankle deep in the streets.

Why not use your smart phone to take pictures of things to paint later and keep your art supplies at home? There's a lot of walking in Italy and climbing in Siena and other hill towns. You can't be carrying a lot of stuff.

So you need a place to put your phone and tissue. I wear a very small soft black shoulder travel pouch I bought at the RS store for my iphone, a small package of wet wipes, a small case of floss, bus and train tickets. All cash is in my RS money belt and RS neck wallet. No where is less of a worry. Be careful everywhere.

With what you say you are carrying in the day bag I don't see a problem of safety anywhere. I doubt if any thief wants any of that stuff. Putting twist ties on the zippers might lead potential thieves to think there is something worthwhile in there. Most problems with thieves in Europe is with pickpockets slipping things out of your backpacks or pockets, not with having a backpack or day bag ripped off your back, not that that doesn't happen occasionally but it's rare. If you put the important stuff in a money belt (or other concealed place on your body), you shouldn't have any problems with your day bag.

I never considered that taking obvious security measures would make someone more of a target than someone who appeared more blasé, figuring that if someone was going to target me, they were going to target me, so do what you need to do to feel secure and confident. We had no problems on our last Rome trip, but it was Christmastime (still crowded, but maybe the lowlifes took a couple of weeks off and got in the Christmas spirit?), and on trams and buses we still swung daypacks to the front, cradling them. Not only does that allow you to control who would have access to the pack, but it prevents the pack from knocking into other passengers on a crowded conveyance, so your fellow passengers will actually appreciate it, too.

If you use a compact travel lock on your suitcase (we lock the zipper pulls together with a combination lock, but you can also get a lock instead that uses a key), you could use that lock on your daybag when you're out and about. It might draw the attention of a crook, but it would also tell them immediately that you mean business, and aren't easy pickings to be messed with. Hopefully you wouldn't need to protect your things from someone else, but better to be safe than sorry.

I would not attach any additional security measures based on the contents you describe; in fact, a lock or tie might make a well-prepared thief attempt to slash the bag rather than unzip it.

The coat you probably won't need at all, perhaps a rain-repellent shell or poncho.

Take your art supplies, nothing replaces painting/sketching from life, in my opinion. That's why you are going, right?

I would suggest a neck pouch or moneybelt if you feel you need to carry anything that would be difficult to replace.

Thanks for the replies and keep them coming. I'm glad to hear I might not need to carry around a light coat. Come to think of it, I could carry a very light wind breaker.

I had not considered the ties would call attention to the contents. Since my pack is black, I could use black ties that would be much less noticeable. Maybe only use these ties in high density Rome tourist areas? My thought was that if a thief grabs and goes, one could loose an item even if it was not later thought valuable to the thief. But OK, maybe I'll just drop the ties idea.

Here is another idea I just had: take a sandwich size plastic slider grocery bag and use a safety pin to attach it to the bottom of the Civita's big pocket. Then put small, somewhat valuable or hard to replace items in this little interior bag. So the bag is deep in the big pocket, secured to the Civita bag, and rests against one's back. For me this could hold my little watercolor kit and even a cell phone. I have fun amusing myself with these home brew remedies. What do you think, would it work?

The reason we do some drawing is to slow down the pace and just sit around and observe. Have done this on several high sierra hiking trips and also local town outings in our area over the years, but not yet in the cities of Europe. Nowadays I like doing art on site (see the Urban Sketchers website for examples).

I do have a money belt that loops to my belt and hangs down the pants leg. Has worked nicely of the years. Also I have a little bag that carries one credit card and is easy to get into and also is tucked under the slacks. I have one pair of pants with concealed zipper pockets and another cargo pants made for some travel security.

Les,

Here is another idea I just had: take a sandwich size plastic slider grocery bag and use a safety pin to attach it to the bottom of the Civita's big pocket. Then put small, somewhat valuable or hard to replace items in this little interior bag.

As others have mentioned, I would not carry anything valuable in the backpack.

I always carry a small backpack with a few things such as a water bottle, tissue, & possibly a guidebook.

My valuables (passport, credit & debit cards & extra $) go in my money belt.

I take a small camera in a case that has a belt loop & it's attached to my belt on the front of my body (not side or back).
If you carry a cell phone, I'm sure there are phone cases with belt loops as well.

Just be aware of your surroundings & enjoy your trip!

The problem with a backpack is not that someone will steal the pack and thus your tissues and coat, but that it is generally easy to pilfer them for wallets and other valuables. I know two people who lost wallets from backpacks in the Florence market on the same day. They were not together when it happened. I wouldn't haul that much stuff e.g. you don't as noted by others need to haul a coat in September in Italy. And any valuables like cell phone and money and credit card need to be more securely stowed. A purse works better than a pack because it is worn forward and under your control.

Les Not to stir things up but if a thief wants into your Civita, a razor blade will get him your tissues. But if you have a habitual problem forgetting to close zippers, like I do, then safety pins are easier than twist ties. you can even find black ones.

Les,

I probably wouldn't put anything valuable in the Civita pack, but the items you mentioned shouldn't be a problem. Rather than use a plastic zip-lok bag, you could use something like THIS Wallet and clip it to the bottom of the pack (all Civita Packs have a small plastic clip in the bottom of the main compartment). Use that to keep your daily cash or whatever.

I've found that zippers can sometimes open just due to movement while carrying the pack, so twist ties might be good to prevent that. I don't always carry a Daypack but if I do have one, I often carry it on one shoulder rather than wearing as Backpack. That allows me to watch it more closely.

As the others have mentioned, I doubt you'll need a coat (even a light one) in Rome in September as it can be hot then. Some kind of a light rain coat would be prudent though, as I've encountered some torrential downpours in Italy in September. I usually check the weather before going out touring for the day, and use that to decide what I'll be taking along. Many hotels have a weather chart at the front desk, so it's not hard to get the forecast.

Since we have been able to travel quite a bit, I have used a lot of different pack packs. I have the Civita day pack and I think it is way too thin and light for this type of trip. I just bought the Rick Steves Euro bag and love it! A lot heavier material, attaches to a roller bag and also can be a shoulder bag too. Very impressed with it. It sells for $39.99. I never thought I would give up the back pack, but this opens up so you can organized your things a lot better.

Priscilla - I carry a small camera too on my belt. Has worked well and is positioned over my belt looped money belt which goes under the pants.

Janet - My wife has a very secure Travelon purse. She cannot carry too much weight but some of the stuff like a cell phone could go there.

Stan - Good idea about black safety pins instead of ties. I've heard about blade slasher reports but it seems tough to do on a soft material like the Civita that is not too full. But I'm not going to test the concept on mine :) .

Ken - I looked into my 8 year old Civita and sure enough there is a little sewn in ring at the bottom! Thanks for the heads up. I've often moved the pack to the holster position for safety and comfort or in front if there is real security issues.

These days it's so easy to get a "fairly" accurate hourly weather forecast on the web before leaving the hotel. So hopefully I will travel quite light on most days.

Judy - That Euro bag looks like an interesting idea. I've used a sturdier back pack for flights and trains but am thinking about getting another sort. This might fit the bill and the Civita then gets used when on the streets.

I was in Rome last Summer and other Italian cities and had NO problem with a backpack. I did use a combo. Luggage lock on compartment with my iPad. If you are not carrying valuables - just stuff like water bottle, travel map, etc. - then you don't need a lock. Best advice - be aware of people around you. Hold your bag in front of you on crowded buses and metro.s. Stay away from crowds on streets gathering near tourist sites. Stay away from beggars, petition groups, trinket salespeople, etc. Just go about your business, relax and enjoy yourself. I found Italy lovely.

It doesn't sound as if you're going to be putting anything valuable in it, so nothing to worry about. Since there is more than one of you traveling together, do always try to remind each other when you're entering into a situation where you need to be vigilant (e.g. Metro, buses, crowded area).

I'm about to be traveling alone in Italy by myself for three weeks (fifth time in Italy) and I've purchased a small PacSafe messenger bag for my daily wanderings around, but that's because I'll be alone and with the security features on the bag I won't have to worry as much about letting my guard down. But I've never felt that I needed that extra security on previous trips with my husband.

Off topic short story but about safety: We were in a busy Paris metro station hub doing a transfer. I looked up to see a man (plainclothes policeman?) with a gun pointing up and looking around carefully. Like you see in the movies. We just headed quickly to our destination metro tube and out of that area. Wonder what was that all about.

If the contents of your bag are not too heavy, a cross-body messenger bag might do the trick - you can position it in front of you if you are walking through crowds. That's what I carry in cities.