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.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions and advice. Probably the best tidbits are to be aware and use common sense... no valuables in a back pack. I think I will forgo the backpack. I hadn't thought about it being too bulky in crowds. I will follow up on the links... thanks for sharing. The Travelon bags must be popular as many models are sold out. Thanks again for sharing your experience.

I use mainly Travelon products, but recently have discovered Sherpani. I think they are on sale now. And if you go with Baggalini, realize that the less expensive bags have only RFID protection.

It's recommended to wear the backpack on your front side while on public transportation.

I've seen three thefts in my travels:
- attempted pick-pocket by swarm of kids focused on my map-reading husband. I yelled and they ran.
- attempted backpack pick-pocket of person walking in front of me. I yelled and he ran.
- a "snatch and run" of a plastic bag from a random passerby. I was too far away and it was over too quick.

Things happen. Take reasonable precautions. Is it likely to happen to me? Is prevention costly or annoying to me? If thieves did get my bag, what would I loose and how difficult to replace "necessary" items? I keep my valuables (passport, credit/debit cards, extra cash, ID and medical cards) on my person under my clothing. Anything in my backpack is replaceable (but would be missed). I used to use a Travelon anti-theft purse but found it too heavy. I also thought (my own opinion) that it sent a message that I was a tourist and therefore might have more valuable items in it.

I think it boils down to keep alert to your situation and belongings. With reasonable diligence you should be fine regardless of which type of backpack you choose.

It's recommended to wear the backpack on your front side while on public transportation.

Who recommended that? Such behavior screams "frightened victim" to me. No way I'd recommend giving off those vibes.

Firstly I’d say don’t use a backpack, crossbody bags are better to manhandle when you are travelling around.

If you do use a backpack there is nothing wrong with wearing it on just one shoulder and holding it swung around to the front when you are on public transport. It’s how I would hold mine when I commuted in London.

Maybe a small sling bag, might be just big enough for water and is pretty much usually worn on front. Baggallini had kind of a cute one last year.

I'm trying out different things this year but I haven't decided on anything yet. My favorite bag is getting kind of tired.

I succumbed to the Sherpani sale and am waiting for them to arrive. I've been testing a bag but it's not big enough for my sunglasses case so I need to do something else.

Does anyone put their phone on a lanyard or anything while traveling?

I put my phone and other valuables in my bra.

I've found that I prefer sling bags for sight-seeing days. I have several small ones and just purchased a lightweight medium sized one for our upcoming trip to Alaska ( I wanted it to be big enough to stuff my coat in it if the sun came out). Last year I bought a phone lanyard. Though I've never dropped my phone I wanted the additional security in case my clumsiness strikes during a photo opportunity. I wear the strap around my neck but tuck the phone in whatever travel bag I am using at the time.

I've had at least two different RS guides tell the group to wear their backpack on the front in public transportation, and when travelling solo I've seen passengers doing the same. I will wear mine if the metro/tube is crowded; otherwise I try to keep my back (and backpack) up against a solid surface like a seat back or partition. I don't clutch it like I'm scared!

Also, wearing a backpack on the front can be a way of not inadvertently hitting someone seated in the face when the wearer turns around but doesn't account for the extra space of their backpack.

Thanks again for all the advice. I have ordered two bags, a sling from a company called Simplify Living and a crossbody Travelon bag. Unfortunately, because I live in Canada, some of the bags from Sherpani and Bagatelli cost more for the postage and duties than the bag itself. I will compare the two of them and then decide.

Many thanks...only 2 weeks to go before we head off.

The advice to wear your backpack on your front when in public transport is not just a theft deterrent, it's also to avoid hitting your backpack against other people. Tonnes of people were doing this on the metro in Rome, but I guess everyone was just a "frightened victim"...

I use a Tom Bihn backpack and Side Effect bag as my purse. To make them secure I use locking carabiners on the zipper pulls. Just line up the zippers and attach the carabiner and you are set. If there is no convenient way to line up the zipper pulls I can use an O-ring or 2 linked carabiners to secure the compartments. The locking carabiners come in various sizes and colors and can be found at stores like REI or big-box stores like Lowe’s.

https://niteize.com/s-biner-slidelock-stainless-steel?_gl=1*1yumi36*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9OCUtcS-lQMV01B_AB0vZw-UEAAYASAAEgJLgPD_BwE

Tonnes of people were doing this on the metro in Rome, but I guess everyone was just a "frightened victim".

I understand the point of this comment was to criticize, but it points out something important: the aspect of a person who reverses one's backpack in transit to be thoughtful is generally quite different from that of a frightened traveler. Fearful people are often targets. Just something to keep in mind.

An additional reason to wear a backpack facing forward on public transportation is to help awareness of how big the backpack makes you. I have been smacked many times by packs.