Day pack/ personal item, regular or anti theft

My experience is that anti-theft features almost always create annoyances in everyday use. So I don't use them.

My first few trips to Europe, I used an interior wallet and a few other "protective" accessories. But I'm comfortable enough now to realize that, if I keep my wits about me, the same stuff I've used in the US work just fine in Europe. Italy is not a high-crime zone.

If you are worried about theft, go with the anti theft version. especially if catching public transport. People always say they never have a problem with pick pockets……….until they do

What do you use of public transport at home? Italy is no different from anywhere else.

Personally I wouldn't bother with fancy anti theft features, but I also would put anything valuable in a backpack. If it's just a water bottle, no one is going to steal that.

I am a British person who travels within Europe a lot and never use bags with specifically built-in anti-theft features. I just don't think they're necessary. I have a Bellroy 7L crossbody which can easily carry a water bottle, this is my day bag for city sightseeing. I avoid using a backpack in crowded places, but if I'm travelling with it through a metro or train station with it, I will usually lock the zippers with a small padlock.

My trip to Italy was also 3 weeks long and my Bellroy bag was accepted everywhere without question, except the Borghese gallery (which has notoriously strict bag size restrictions) There were a notable number of people with backpacks who were slamming them into other people without realising how much space they were taking up.

I just keep a hand over my crossbody bag, move confidently, and am always observing crowds, and I've never had an issue with pickpocketing. Awareness is the best theft deterrent by far!

In my daily life I am not navigating crowds nor am I using public transportation so I am more comfortable traveling with a secure bag. If you will feel more at ease, you should bring one, but if you are accustomed to crowds and keeping your hands and eyes on your belongings it may not be a necessity for you.

I am a British person who travels within Europe a lot and never use
bags with specifically built-in anti-theft features... but if I'm
travelling with it through a metro or train station with it, I will
usually lock the zippers with a small padlock.

Same thing, really, as using a bag with built-in locks. You don't HAVE to use the locks at all times but they're handy on public transit, in crowds, etc. A great many of us don't live in places where public transit (metro, tram, buses) is available, like my big-city suburb, or commonly used for one reason or another so I understand the concern. We have both a Pacsafe and a Baggallini cross-body anti-theft bag, and they make versions with open end pockets for water bottles. Personally, I'd prefer a cross body of modest size to a backpack as they're easier to maneuver in crowded places, and you may not have to check it at certain museums. You might take a look at Baggallini or Travelon if you haven't already?

https://www.baggallini.com/crossbody-handbags/?cgid=9&prefn1=Feature&prefv1=Anti%20Theft%20Technology

These have the open end pockets for a small water bottle:
https://www.baggallini.com/securtex-classic-anti-theft-free-time-crossbody-bag/AFT464-BGR-B0021-NS.html

https://www.travelonbags.com/shop-the-look/crossbody-bags/best-sellers/anti-theft-classic-crossbody-bucket-bag/42757.html

And REALLY small:
https://www.travelonbags.com/shop-the-look/tote-bags/all-bags/anti-theft-boho-insulated-water-bottle-tote/43426.html?dwvar_43426_color=geo_gray_heather&quantity=1

Anyway, google "Crossbody anti-theft, water bottle" and explore what comes up from various merchandisers (e.g. Kohls sells a Travelon bag with a bottle pocket.)

I have used anti-theft bags for 40 years since gypsies got their hands in my purse in Santa Maria degli Angeli. The gypsies may be gone but the crowds have only become worse. In Naples the friend we were traveling with had hands in her little backpack. They took her cash and credit cards without her knowing it. I usually worry about someone slashing the purse strap while I'm walking.
I don't think the thefts are as common as we have been led to believe, but if you become a statistic you may wonder. I don't use the zipper locks, but the anti-slash properties give me peace of mind. I use the bags at home also.

From my observation, the greatest danger of losing a daypack is from leaving it behind in a washroom or restaurant etc.

But what Simon Says (🙂) is right - I can afford to lose a water bottle and su screen, so nothing valuable in the b ag.