Pickpocket Bag Question

You don't say what kind of bags/purse you currently own but I can't see having a bunch of carabiner clips or little locks looking or working right. Usually with a purse there is nothing to attach a zipper pull to.

We buy no special bags and travel to Europe every summer for a month or more at a time. If you have a purse or messenger bag that can be worn cross body and held under your arm when in crowded situations with the zippers facing towards your body that works for me. Sometimes for my luggage whether it be my JandD backpack or 21" carryon I'll put one of those more inconspicuous ring things through 2 zipper pulls.

Most important is to be aware of your surroundings and to the ability you are able have a good idea of where you are going to not look like a deer in the headlights too often.

Edit: and we both DO use a money belt of some kind for our passports, extra credit/debit cards and extra cash.

You don't need any "anti-theft bags". These are a complete waste of money, IMHO a scam for rubes.

That said, there are a few steps you can and should take.

1: The most important step you can take is to be aware of your surroundings. That's 90% of what's needed. Know the places where the most pickpocketing takes place (in the crush of a crowded Metro station or car, or any other place where people get pressed up against each other). Right when people get on/off the trains is a favorite. Also keep a sharp eye out in these situations for questionable individuals - often (though not always) younger folks (including kids through young adults). Don't forget the common sense basics: never leave anything hanging (purse, day-pack, camera, etc.) off the back of your chair.

2: Get a money belt/secret pouch/etc. and use it religiously. That's the other 9% of what's needed, because there will be situations when you are either unable to react quick enough (crowded metro car, kid grabs your goodies, the door opens, they jump out...) or you are temporarily distracted for a moment. Keep your passport, big money and most credit cards in that money belt, safe and secure. You should be able to tell of anyone is getting that personal (requires groping you to get to it).

3: Last, but not least - yeah, if you want to secure the zippers on your day pack with little carabiners or similar clips, that adds a degree of security, but you should have your packs' zippers in sight - ie the pack flipped around and worn on your belly, not worn on your back - in the most vulnerable situations (crowds). This is part of the "be aware of your surroundings" thing.

Do the above, and nobody is going to take anything of value from you. It's really quite simple and easy once you get your head right. No need to be paranoid, just savvy. You will be fine.

Start with a money belt. Don't bring your wallet. See the Travel Tips section on this RS website, especially the parts on Money, Packing Light and Theft & Scams.

I use split key rings to secure my zippers when needed. The key ring stays through one zipper pull and slides through the other. It's just enough of a deterrent to make a potential pickpocket go on to easier pickings.

I DO use a secure bag for my own peace of mind. Hubby too. I used my Travelon bag every day at home too. I have successfully converted cloth bags by sewing on a a lobster claw from Michael's arts and crafts. Your zipper pull must have a hole somewhere though to clip it through. I believe seeing a secured bag moves the picker on to another person. With that said, I never took my bag off and placed it anywhere (even when dining) unless I KNEW no one could get to it. I think that was only one time on our last long trip.
Even then, my passport and bulk of money stayed in a neck wallet when traveling, not in my purse.

Hi,
Thanks everyone! Sorry I didn't mention more in my initial post:

Our bags:
- We are going to share one small rolling suitcase and then each carry a backpack. We both have "sporty" backpacks — I have a Northface, and I think my husband's backpack is an Adidas or maybe Nike. I'll also have a medium-sized purse. I haven't decided yet if I will carry my cross-body purse or a tote-style purse that I keep under my arm. Either way, both of those have zipper closures.

I'm going to put my toiletry bag, snacks and RS guidebooks in my backpack! I plan to go with it sort of empty so it has room for souvenirs. :-)

When we're going to/from cities on the train, we'll have all of this with us. Otherwise when we're out and about touring a city, I will only have my purse.

Our other safety plans:
- We're both going to wear money belts for our CCs, cash and passports. I know I'll also be vigilant about standing against walls when we are in public areas like train stations, the metro, etc. I usually keep my purse sitting in my lap when we're sitting at a restaurant for dinner even in the U.S., so I plan to do that in Italy too!

I don't want you to worry to much about theft. I do want you to be cautious though. I used a neck pouch UNDER my clothes for essentials - like passport and credit cards, etc.. I used a small 15L Merrell Rouge backpack with a combination luggage lock on only the main compartment. I had no trouble. I was also vigilant when standing around Termini Station in Rome or crowds. I tried to always stand away from crowds when possible and was alert to my surroundings. I kept a low-key, reserved demeanor when in Termini train station. I stood with my back to a wall. Just take a few simple steps to protect yourself. If you don't want to use a luggage lock - go to Home Depot (rope/chain section or key section) or the camping section of Wal- Mart and check out the various clips and key-chains available to secure your current bags. Bring your travel bag along to try out what works best. Keep in mind that if you can remove it easily, so can a thief. You need something that takes a bit of effort. A very large safety/diaper type pin may work.

I use a cross body bag following guidelines that previous posters have mentioned. In addition, I have sewn (key) rings into the bottom or side lining of the bag and then attach coiled lanyards to the rings. https://www.rei.com/product/862376/seattle-sports-drydoc-coiled-lanyard-package-of-4

I attach my small camera, small wallet (only contains what is needed for the day, other items in neck wallet), and phone.

While I'm hoping the extra attachments deters pickpockets, they also are benefit for me because I won't drop the items or accidently leave them somewhere. The coils stretch enough that I can access the items, including the camera for pictures, without unhooking.

I use these to connect the zippers of my bag(s):

Tyny Tools Swivel Carabiner

That's the small size. They come in medium and large as well.

You don't need any "anti-theft bags". These are a complete waste of
money, IMHO a scam for rubes.

Sorry, David, but we love our Pacsafe bag - which we've had for nearly 10 years now - and we're hardly "rubes." Moneybelts and neck wallets do NOT work for either of us so it's been a more comfortable solution which has kept our passports, cards and bulk of our cash (when not in the hotel safe) secure. I've never felt the need to tether or otherwise secure the camera I carry in a regular shoulder bag or around my neck.

That said, the OP has gotten some good ideas for seeing what works for her.

I'd ask myself, if a hoodlum on a motor scooter grabs my bag and takes off ... ... do I want the strap to be steel-reinforced? ... or do I WANT IT TO BREAK?

Lauren,

It's good to hear that you'll be using Money Belts, as they're an effective way to prevent theft from pickpockets. As you're probably aware, these are only used for "deep storage" and should not be accessed where others can see. You'll need to keep some daily expense cash in your purse or a secure pocket.

Regarding the purse, I've seen some ladies use a cross-body Messenger Bag rather than a purse, and that arrangement seems to be very popular.

For locking luggage during air travel, I find these work well - https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/luggage-cable-lock

I do not use a pacsafe or anti-theft purse but I do use one of their wallets with a chain. I keep the wallet in the zippered inside compartment of my crossbody purse and keep it chained to the zipper. And they are difficult to unchain- it's not just a clip. My purse is a substantial material with substantial strap but not specifically anti-theft.

The main compartment of my purse is zippered but I do not put anything on it to lock it because I store things in there that I access frequently- a water bottle, cheap sunglasses, chap stick, etc.

......................"Of course with the Internet nowadays, I hear quite a lot about pickpockets in Italy"...................

Yes you do, including cautions from Rick Steves and people on this Forum. However, this is my 2 cents worth. I have spent many, many weeks in Italy over the past decade and I NEVER had a pickpocket event myself nor did I ever see anyone else get pickpocketed, whether in a huge place like Rome, a medium place like Naples or a tiny place like Cortona. I use a money belt (main cash stash, passport) and carry a cross-body day bag that I keep close when I'm on crowded trains/buses/subways. In the daybag I keep a little wallet for small bills/small change so that I don't need to access the money belt while I'm walking around and stop for coffee or use a public pay toilet. The daybag is one of Rick's stripped down models, no bells/whistles/special locks and it has lasted forever. Again, my main message is that IMO the pickpocket thing is overblown and worries a lot of people unnecesarily. Leave your jewelry at home (I take one very thin wedding band and my plastic gardening watch) and don't wear clothes that scream "wealthy tourist". Do what you'd do in NYC, LA or Chicago and you should be just fine.

We are also traveling to Italy for the first time in April. I have asked this question before and it seems like the responses are usually in favor of not buying anti-theft bags. However, our friend's wife had her cross body bag strap cut on a crowded train out of Venice, and my friend's daughter had her bag RF scanned in Sorrento and had to cancel her credit cards. While it's possible that they weren't being as "aware" as they should, I still plan on buying a Pacsafe messenger style bag as well as using a money belt because these things do happen. We're buying a gender neutral bag so my husband can carry it as much as possible. We have a 9 year old son so we need the bag to hold things like his jacket and snacks etc.

I still plan on buying a Pacsafe messenger style bag as well as using
a money belt because these things do happen. We're buying a gender
neutral bag so my husband can carry it as much as possible. We have a
9 year old son so we need the bag to hold things like his jacket and
snacks etc.

We do not use our Pacsafe for jackets and snacks; ours is not large enough nor to you need it for stuff like that so I wouldn't buy one that large. We use it ONLY for things like passports, cards and the bulk of our cash, when changing cities/countries, plus a few incidentals. Heck, we don't even take the thing along every day. For casual sightseeing, we pin small zippered pouches underneath our waistbands for the daily cash + a card, and just carry jackets (if needed) and stuff we can afford to lose in regular shoulder bags.

Yes, ours is a Unisex model and my husband usually carries it. Slash-proof straps are a secondary function of the bag that we didn't really buy it for; it's the locking zippers/ visual deterrent we wanted. A thief is much more likely to go for easier pickin's than one of these, and so far, so good. It isn't RF scan-proof, though, and I'd be skeptical of any bag which makes that claim.

Lauren,

I use these locking S-Biners to connect the zippers of my backpack and small purse.
I got the S-Biners at REI & they come in various sizes. I got the small black ones since my backpack is also black.

I also use a TSA approved cable lock to lock my suitcase & my backpack when I leave them in the hotel room, and while traveling (air, train or bus).

I also always carry my valuables in my money belt & only carry a small purse mainly for my eyeglasses & tissue.
I also sew a zippered pocket to the interior panel of whatever jacket I will be wearing; and that's where I keep some money for the day, and my phone.

Have a wonderful trip!

I am a man. Last time I traveled, I carried one small backpack and travel bag that has one strap and no wheels. It is best to keep both of your hands free whenever possible, not have one hand occupied with dragging a suitcase. Why don't you just leave your purse at home? Can whatever you were going to keep in your purse go in your backpack or just be left at home? If you really want, you could use twist-ties to loop two zipper handles together if the zippers handles have holes. Just don't worry about theft and don't put anything that valuable in your backpack. Carry as little as possible. I carried my passport wherever I went, last time I traveled. I went to England in summer 2016. Why don't you and your husband each carry a travel bag without wheels which is smaller than you think is adequate and pack lightly?

I do have a pac safe bag cross body bag that I have had for years and it looks like new. I love it because of its organization. That being said, I use it more at home than on trips. Mostly, I've taken regular cross body purses and used quilting sized safety pins to keep the zippers closed when I felt it was necessary (I use them in stead of locks on my suitcase as well). I have found tiny carabiner clips too difficult for my fingers for some reason...easy for me to drop. Usually, I have little in my purse to steal, except during transport. I'll have some spending money easily accessible with a CC deeper in my purse. I do carry a good camera but I'll notice if you grab that. I've never had an issue in all my years, but I suppose there is always a first time. I really don't have any more security measures in Europe than at home. My CC is always separate from my money. Then again, I live in the city so maybe I'm more organized. Get a system and stick to it, then just don't worry about it. I've never batted away a pickpocket. Sorry, verbose, that's me sometimes. Yes, you can turn your regular bags into safety bags by enabling the zippers to be secure or making a PP go through 2-3 processes to reach your valuables.

Attempts at pick pocketing are not overblown. Rick Steves travelers are probably more savvy than most, so have not experienced these occurrences nor have not been targets, but it is an issue. I go to Europe twice a year, and am cautious with a travel purse and money belt, but have observed and had attempts at theft, While dining in Rome on a popular shopping street, we watched teens shine a laser light on unsuspecting targets, so their friends knew who to go after. My daughter just returned from Athens, where one of the group had a paper waved in front of her face on the street to distract her, and then her cellphone was stolen. Locals tried to "fist bump" travelers to then put a bracelet on their wrist to distract them and either pickpocket them or demand money for the bracelet. I have been subjected to attempts with the "ring in the gutter" in Paris, and the "can you give me directions on my map" as they try to stick their hand under the map to steal, in both Barcelona and Paris. A youth came right up to me in a square in Milan trying to grab my mini tablet out of my hands while I looked up an address. A teen felt the need to sit next to me at the train station in Como, Italy to chat me up and perhaps attempt to steal, but I kept my hands on everything. A gypsy lingered by my seat on the train, eyeing my bag I placed on my seat "for a second" as I took my coat off. Fortunately, nothing has ever been taken, but they certainly have tried! Guess I look naive lol! Be alert and wear a money belt.

Perhaps, knowledge of certain scams would help you. In Italy, steer clear of petition tables. Someone will chase you with a pen and ask you to sign against drugs - then try to get you to "donate." Seriously, don't even try to be polite to be these people. We got so annoyed with them that we just started yelling, "NO" at them and walked off. Venice - some will try to stick a rose in your hand then demand payment. We got nailed once for this. It was a "cheap" scam but still annoying. So, avoid the rose guys strolling around. (Mainly Venice). In Rome, we got nailed by another "cheap" scam that cost us a couple of €. We had a young daughter with us and we were in a vulnerable spot. We were standing in a small piazza with gelato cones in our hands. Our young daughter was acting like a typical kid with chatting, etc.. A Jamaican type guy walked up to us knowing we couldn't walk away easily and we had our hands full. He started talking and "forced" a wooden trinket in our hand and wanted a "donation" for some group. We knew it was a "scam" but felt stuck and handed the guy a couple of € to get rid of him. Granted - it wasn't a major crime - just annoying. Taxi cab drivers will try to "milk" an extra couple of € out of you. For a small scam - like a cab driver taking an extra 2€ - it's not worth the aggravation of fighting it. I tried protesting once and ended up just caving-in rather than battling over a small amount. Don't sweat the small stuff. It's too small to let it dampen your trip.

anything you don't want stolen keep close to your body
when you are in transit to hotel or airport keep passport large sum cash and emergency credit card in a pouch around neck under clothes
when you are out sight seeing lock passport emergency credit card and cash in room safe if possible (hotels increasingly have these)
and carry enough money for the day a credit card and debit card to get more money as needed in front pocket.
electronics are tricky to carry; carry it in a inner pocket if possible

We don't bother with fancy zipper clips, locks or rings for our backpacks while we're wearing them. Safety/diaper pins locking two zippers together have worked just fine--a simple trick told to us long ago. We've never had a problem--they seem to be enough of a deterrent to make thieves go elsewhere. My wife has used a PacSafe purse for many years and she loves it.

I will be taking my sixth RS tour in September plus I have been to Europe two other times.
Everyone has given you good advice. I have never had a problem with pickpockets but my travel mate was a victim on the Paris Metro. She had a cross body bag but apparently had not zipped it completely closed. We still use cross body bags (Macy's Kiplinger Bag is our favorite) and always a money belt. I prefer the waist one for everything but my daily cash. Be very vigilant and watch for people approaching you to sign petitions, asking for donations, etc. This happens mainly in Paris and Rome and they can get right in your face. Sometimes you have to be rude and say back off.

...Or when in Italy, "se ne vada".

Hi Lauren,
I will be in Italy this Fall for my 6th visit. I have never had a problem there. Like every one else suggests: be vigilant (not paranoid), don't flaunt lots of cash or numerous credit cards- just try to look like a local! I am ashamed to say that although I own 2 money belts, they did not suit me so I haven't worn them. I carry minimal cash when out and about, my husband has travel pants and sports coat with amazing hidden pockets, I definitely believe in the crossover bag or one you can really hold on to always! All this being said, when you are the unfortunate one to be targeted by an expert pick-pocket ... Last year I purchased a RS cross-body bag that fit my tablet, I had my cell in the pocket for it under the flap, clipped shut, and we were in the Metro in Barcelona, packed in like sardines because of a strike - I literally had trouble breathing for a moment -- and the circumstances were perfect for some pickpocket to manage to get my new iPhone 6 out. It happens. In decades of traveling it was the first time anything "bad" has happened to us.. 2 years ago my friend and I were in Business Class on British Air and her phone disappeared on board!!!! She was letting the loss ruin her trip (she was counting on using it as her camera) -fortunately she was able to move on and have a wonderful 6 week vacation.
Do the best you can to be sensible especially with your documents, and have a wonderful trip!

I have traveled everywhere for the last 10+ years with my Rick Steves Civita Shoulder Bag, worn cross body. It is lightweight, has side pockets for my water bottle and sunglasses, and will fit everything I need for the day, including a jacket. I keep my phone in my front pants pocket under the bag. I've never had a problem and recently ordered a new Civita bag, since my old one has been used heavily and started to develop a few holes from my mechanical pencils.

I have just read all these comments- both for and against PacSafe bags but I absolutely LOVE my PacSafe bag. I wear it cross body, it holds camera, phone, daily cash and credit card, map, pen, book, nylon jacket, water bottle, snacks or granola bar, umbrella. As I buy things, I keep stuffing them into this bag! Also- this bag has gone on far more trips than I have-I lend it out to friends and take it on vacations in the US, too. Finally got a newer one in 2015; it has the RFID security as well. Again- I always wear it cross-body, and I made a little zipper coin/cash pouch with a long strap that is secured inside. I don't take a wallet. My main credit card and maybe 50 euro or less is in this pouch and I can pull it out, access the cash or card and it is impossible to lay it on the counter- I have to hold it and replace it into the bag when I'm done paying. I also have RS neck money pouch which I wear cross body under my clothes. If i need more money, I can get it but it isn't as noticeable as it would be in front under my clothes. and I did try the money belt- ah---never again- ummmm... perspiration problem with that. ugh. I've never lost anything, but on a crowded regional train outside Rome going into Termini, (packed in like cattle) I felt something at my side, looked down and saw a hand on my zipper, yelled "HEY" and looked into the eyes of a guy just as the doors opened and he was gone. He got the zipper opened about 2". The zipper had a lock which I had NOT attached.

Regarding clothing, tight fitting jeans are better those loose fitting cargo pants. If you have trouble getting a wallet or phone out of your snugly fitting jeans pocket then a thief will too.

I like how people say Stay vigilant and you won't have problems.

That is easy to say but hard to do when you are in a strange country, trying to figure out transit and keeping an eye on your elderly mom.

I got a pacsafe cross body purse. This was all I carried around for 26 days. I paid $16.99 Canadian for it and loved that I felt safe without having to worry.

I also had a drawstring bag that I would put my jacket in if I got warm. My camera was around my neck, our passports and extra cash were in my hubbys money belt pouch that attached to his belt. We bought it here on Rick Steves. And my camera was around my neck. I did not want to carry too much. It was awesome. Mom and I had the same purses for small purchases and daily money......

We will be doing the same exact thing come fall in Great Britain.

I’m a frequent international traveler and have used many methods to keep my items safe. I always keep my passport secure in a ziplock bag in a money belt that I wear below my waist. That’s where I keep my main credit card and main cash. I never lock my stuff in the hotel or cruise ship safe. If you are on a cruise and get injured and go to the hospital like a friend did, the ship cruises off with your passport onboard. Same thing with hotel safes. I like my Pacsafe purse, but don’t always take it, because it is something that can be put down and forgotten or stolen. I usually bring a small, lightweight backpack with me (held close to my body) if I think I will need a rain poncho, jacket, scarf, water bottle, Tylenol, sunblock, comb etc. I do have to be careful carrying a bag that is too heavy due to back pain.
My current favorite is using a TRAVEL VEST because I can put my cellphone, pen, map, tissues, daily money, and other items securely inside and it doesn't hurt my back like a bag can. I still don’t put my passport in the vest, because I don’t want to take 2 days out of my trip to replace it if it gets stolen. I just wish that someone would design a vest that is stylist, not basic brown or black. I just got an “infinity scarf” from Amazon for $11 that has a zipper in it, and I will use that to put my daily cash in. Cellphones, even in the USA shouldn’t be laid out of the table in front of you because that is an invitation for a theft. Summary: if you don’t want to buy expensive items, just get the RFID money belt from Amazon to keep CC, money, and passport. Have a small crossbody bag or small backpack to carry daily money, incidentals, and other items that wouldn’t cause a problem if they are stolen. AAA also has travel items at a discount to their customers. IKEA also has a travel section where I bought a nice, small packable rain poncho $7, small Umbrella, $5, packing cubes, and very small backpack. Good quality for the money. Happy travels.

I'm only a rookie, I've barely traveled outside the USA so maybe my advice isn't as helpful as other's. I've only been to Europe once, in April/May 2015. I'd saved my whole life and I thought it'd be a great way to celebrate my 25th birthday. I was right! (My 6 week itinerary = Budapest, Krakow, Vienna, Paris, capped off with the Rick Steve Best of England tour and an extra week in London at the end.)

I'm not too fond of money belts. I found it weird and sort of uncomfortable even with barely anything in it. I never felt the need to wear it (though I had one with me in my luggage just in case.) I used an anti theft bag I bought on Amazon but I've included the link to the company's website: http://www.travelonbags.com/anti-theft/classic/anti-theft-hobo-bag. I felt completely safe walking around European cities on my own all day as well as at night, so long as I kept aware of my surroundings.

It was big enough to hold my large DSLR camera and the small other items I used throughout my weeks sightseeing, touring, etc. With my camera taking up most of the real estate inside the bag there wasn't any room for a water bottle, but that wasn't the end of world or anything. I liked that the bag is a crossbody design but can be adjusted significantly. The clever "anti theft" aspects of the bag are practical and not gimmicky and superficial the way other anti theft bags seem to be. I guess some people scoff at the notion of an anti theft purse or bag... I don't know why. This bag saved me and a friend of mine on two separate ocassions (hers was somewhere in Italy on one of her adventures and mine was in Paris) from clever little thieves, so I'm grateful and I plan to use this bag on my next trip which will hopefully be soon.

I know you want to retrofit one of your existing bags so you don't have to buy a whole new bag, etc. Well maybe this bag can help give you some ideas. I'm particularly fond of the slash-proof crossbody strap. Hope you find what you're looking for!

A really easy and inexpensive way to secure zippers on purses or other bags is to use the twisties that come on bread and other bags. It's usually easy to find one the same color as the zipper so it blends in easily. It's not as strong as locks or other methods (if you are concerned about that, use 2 or 3 per zipper), but it's very quick to do and un-do and poses just enough of a deterrent to encourage pickpockets to move on to someone else. I have used this method on over 20+ trips to Europe (including Italy, Portugal and Prague -- which were the worst for pickpockets) and never lost anything to pickpockets -- but it wasn't because they didn't try! And, of course, as others have noted, I always use a money belt and keep all zippers and pockets on bags turned toward my body. Be aware and be alert and have fun.

After being robbed in the USA in a Target parking lot in broad daylight, I now take precautions here at home that translate easily to travel. When I shop here, even for groceries, I have a very thin wallet in my pocket, with only one debit card and a little cash, drivers license, etc, and in the other pocket I have my cell phone and keys. I also use a small cross body shoulder bag with inexpensive essentials. If someone demands or takes my bag, they are welcome to it, its almost a decoy. 😏
I know that under usual everyday circumstances in the US pick pocketing is not that common (as opposed to being mugged or robbed), so my homeland strategy works well for me here, but I have witnessed it in Europe. A travel friend lost his pocket cash while being jostled getting on a Metro in Paris, and another traveler had her iPad snatched in a second.
While in Europe I always leave my large denomination stash, passport and extra credit card in the hotel safe. I take a medium size cross body tote with items I may need during my day out: lip balm, tissues, small or portions of a guidebook, small water bottle, map, etc. After I calculate what I will probably need for spending that day, I keep a small amount of cash, metro tickets etc in an accessible jeans or shirt/jacket pocket. I keep my stash cash and debit and credit cards in some type of zipped pouch, on my person. I bought a bra pouch (yes, bra) that attaches to the front strap and lies flat under my clothing. That's more comfortable for me than a money belt. I also have travel pants with pockets inside the waist, and there are other clothing items available online that have unobtrusive, zippered pockets almost everywhere, some are very clever! - and while not exactly cheap, these things can be a good travel investment if you travel frequently, I also use these pockets for my smartphone. It makes your day out so much more care free, nothing to "guard" or position the right way, or hold on to, wear on your chest, or worry about. I personally do not see the point of carrying an "anti theft" purse or bag: yes it may deter the experienced pickpockets, but if someone really wants to take the bag, it can still be snatched quickly and violently, so all of those "zipper locks" will be useless, and you are always "guarding" your bag. As others have said, it's also common sense, avoid being in the middle of a crowd if possible, and while traveling with luggage, never leave it alone, and take the good advice of others who have already weighed in here.
Traveling with children:
Years ago (BC - before cellphones 😊), while backpacking with my 11 year old son in Britain, I copied (reduced size) his passport as well as mine, our itinerary with all hostel/accommodation/personal contact information, and a $50 bill, all tucked neatly into a small, flat, tight plastic sleeve, which he wore inside his money belt under his clothes, and another one in his shoe! - just in case we were separated for some reason, he got distracted, darted off, and lost (as 11 yr old boys can do), etc. while nothing is guaranteed to work, in the unlikely event that we lost each other, he would have been able to go to a police officer, or at least hop in a cab and get to our hostel or BnB.

Carrying a bag/anti theft/cross body, and then worrying about possessions or money while traveling takes the joy out of it for me, therefore, my chosen style is the comfort of not having anything desirable to thieve or steal or pick, I carry it on my person, hidden and safe (or safe as can be...).
Happy and safe travels to all.

This is a personal perference and has nothing to do with security, but I prefer a cross body bag to a backpack because I have noticed that museums are more likely to ask someone with a backpack to check it into storage versus someone with a similar size purse/bag. This is based on personal experience. I use to travel with a small backpack and was frequently ask to check it, but since i started wearing a cross body bag I have never been asked to check it. It is also easier for me to access items through out the day.

I always use a money belt that I put inside my pants that we carried our money, credit cards, etc. in. . We carry a camera bag and a small back pack which I secure the zippers together with twist ties and carry them in front of us. I don't think that a pick pocket would be able to or have the patience to untie the twist ties. As everyone has said....be aware of your surroundings. After our first trip to Europe, my husband said that he didn't know why everyone is so worried about pick pockets since we didn't have a problem. I said that it was because we were smart and asked him to think about how many times someone "bumped" into us!

I usually carry a small backpack while traveling, as well as my rolling Rick Steves bag. No one has ever touched it. I also use a waist pack or a crossbody purse as I don't always need to carry the backpack.

The only problems we have had have been related to airlines. My husband's REI backpack was ripped open when we found it on the carousel at Copenhagen airport. We managed to get it together and eventually bought a new one. Compensation was minimal.
The only other issue we had was with TSA locks. We had to get another one in London when one disappeared, and on a flight last summer my TSA lock was broken by them. Unfortunately we had to go buy a hacksaw to open my bag, Walmart at 2 am! I did find the notification that my bag had been opened and that locks do get broken. May be they should have used a key. I still plan on using locks anyway.

If I carry the bag into the plane, I don't even bother with locks. If I have to check it, I use the plastic ties that you can buy on this site, I think there are 10 in a pack. Make sure you have scissors or clippers packed outside the locked compartment.

I have done a lot of traveling around Europe and live in NYC and I can tell you I have never used an anti-theft bag. The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings. If you look like you are aware of your surroundings, then no one is going to bother you. People mug and pick pocket people who have their heads in the clouds and are flashing their money/expensive camera, etc. I know someone who almost had his camera stolen in Argentina at gun point but it was really his fault because (1) he was in a not so great neighborhood with a huge DSL camera hanging around his neck; (2) he was dressed like a stereo-typical American tourist - t-shirt, fanny back, denim shorts, etc.; and (3) he wasn't paying attention because he was too busy taking photos with his giant expensive camera.

While I don't really recommend backpacks unless you are going hiking (nothing screams tourist more than a backpack in a city), if you insist on wearing one, wear it on the front or your body and not on your back. Do not put anything of value in the front pockets and put your passport and other valuables in a money belt. More importantly, leave at home anything you normally store in your wallet but won't need in Italy. This includes your library card, supermarket discount card, etc. Less to replace when you get home if your wallet does happen to get stolen.

We have spent months in Europe and know MANY people who have lost wallets to pickers -- usually from front pockets they thought were safe or backpacks. We have been targeted by pickpockets many times but lost something only once -- this fall in St. Petersburg on a crowded tram -- because of my endless nagging my husband had carried only his transport card and ONE credit card so the loss while annoying was not catastrophic (it was the second week of an 11 week trip and we had no use of our main card for the rest of the trip-- luckily we had others) IN the past my husband has put his hand in his pocket and found a hand already there and on one occasion grabbed the arm of a picker as he tried to jump off the metro at a stop with his wallet. (I have been nagging him to not carry a wallet for years) They are good. Front pockets, cargo pockets, back packs, fanny packs -- none of these are much of a challenge for accomplished pick pockets. It is organized crime in Europe mostly run by crime families from Romania and other eastern countries. They are good at it. When our card was taken, 20K had been put on it in the hour between us discovering it gone and reporting it. An acquaintance in Paris had 30K on his card taken at the Orsay which is reported that afternoon as soon as he got back to the hotel.

Not to add to concern but we wish someone would have shared this type of theft to us before we went to Sicily. A scooter pulled in front of our rental car and stopped. While we were watching the scooter and driver, his partner was standing next to the passenger door, opened the door and pulled my backpack out of the car. It was between my legs. Then the thief jumped on the scooter and they were off. The remedy is so simply - make sure you lock your car doors while driving.

Dear nlbangerter You've been lucky where you live
Sorry but the type of theft that you just described is not unique to Sicily or to international travel.
it has happended that thieves may brandish a gun in the United States to take your bag from you while you are in car with the door locked

@Jazz+Travel, If that happens where you live, you need to move. That is not normal or common.

Ok Wray I modified my comment above
I did not say anything about common or normal where I live.
I mean clearly that thievery or robbery does not happen only in Sicily or on international trips.

@Jazz, You had me worried about Chicago there for a bit. LOL (Great city btw)

We used pac safe metro 100 bag worn cross body last summer, loved it. It was the perfect small size for what we needed for the day. We had 3 of them and one neck wallet under your shirt type of thing. Person with neck wallet couldn't stand the sweaty thing next to their body, only used on travel days between cities. Wait used it the day we climbed Pisa, nothing else is allowed. We just put a paperclip holding zippers together on 21 inch roller bags and small daypacks used on travel days. We had the intentions of the pac safe bag going in the backpack on travel days but honestly felt safer to have it cross body. We carried all three bags and the 4th member in our party carried the DSLR type camera on a pac safe strap. We used the lockdown clips, and really would not have felt safe when we were packed in like sardines on the vaparetto and the train to Pompeii. We did get pushed and separated a couple times, but we were locked and loaded and things were divided to minimize our losses if something happened. Feeling good about what you have chosen to do really brings piece of mind. Do what you feel comfortable with and enjoy your trip.

How many bags? An entire group of us gals couldn't save a friend from a pickpocket at the SMN train station at Florence, just because she had more bags than she could handle, it happened that fast, and yes they are that good!

I travel with one RS 20-inch rolling carryon bag weighing a total of 15 pounds, and RS Euro Flight Bag (mainly for my travel laptop), and out in public a money belt or neck wallet that I wear long enough to tuck inside my panties with a light scarf around my neck to hide the ribbons. Absolutely No purse.

Mainly it's having on you only those bags you can easily manage and keep under your own control at all times that deters pickpockets, you won't see them but they're watching you. And So important to hide all money in money belt or neck wallet.

I have travelled extensively the last forty years and have been pick pocketed twice- once in Rio during Carnival and once in Nairobi. I have warded off pickpockets in Paris [two girls about 7 years old !], Budapest, Manilla, and Java, and have probably been checked out in many more places. Neither in Rio nor Nairobi was it for more than five dollars, basically beer or snack money; I don't carry large sums in accessible places. Instead of money belts [although I do sometimes use them] I prefer the wallets that strap around your calf; they are more easily accessible to you, less accessible to a thief, and less conspicuous than jamming your hands down your pants in public. Nite Ize [niteize.com- also available through Amazon] sells inexpensive carabiners that lock in various ways. Sometimes though I just use brightly coloured ordinary carabiners to signal to a thief that I will be a more difficult target than he/she wishes to take on. Why work so hard when there are so many easier targets who don't take precautions? Pacsafe [pacsafe.com] sells reinforced anti theft bags and Clothing Arts [clothingarts.com] sells clothing with hidden and secured pockets. Both are rather expensive but you must decide if the added protection against risk and loss is worth it. RFID readers are a growing problem, protective sleeves for your credit cards are cheap but I find that you may be flagged at a TSA check point- an indication that they work. Many commenters point correctly out that "best practices" are always worth keeping in mind; I have often noticed how European women often keep a death grip on their bags as they walk down the street. Nothing is foolproof, but that is not a reason to neglect "hardening the target".

I agree, just be aware of your surroundings and do not keep important items in easy reach or in a zipper pocket. This being said, I have lived all over Europe for years and have never, not once, been pick pocketed or had any theft issues, or a target of one. And, I have have small children with me and now teens. We lived in Rome for a year and no issues, ever. Just some ideas that theft is just as common in the US as Europe, I am concerned in Newark more than Naples and I grew up in NJ: ). I hope you enjoy your amazing trip, zipper up and keep your belongings close: )

So many great comments! I say wear what your familiar with, anything "new' might be the thing that makes you stand out as you fumble through zippers and compartments. I don't care what the brand is my, purse must be cross body and have a zipper, that's it! Husband also has a cross body camera bag that does not look like a camera bag which has a zipper. So take your current purse, I don't think you need to put any clips on it, have your hand over the zippered opening when getting on public transport and wear it more to the front than slinged to the back.

I think keeping a clean and organized purse/wallet is essential. Throughout the day I pick up maps, napkins, souvenirs etc, then I have my transportation passes and museum passes so each night I like to dump the whole purse out, throw away what is not needed and reorganize the essentials needed for the next day, including my schedule for the next day, addresses of events and places to eat, tickets for events or confirmation emails. I do this with my wallet too. This helps me feel mentally prepared for the next day, so I sleep well and don't waste any time in the morning doing last minute things.