Secure Purse versus Backpack

Why doesn't your husband like backpacks?? We find them indispensable. You're not carrying your money and passport there, right? Get 1 (or 2) of Rick's money belts and you'll be fine. I'll give you an example of what we typically carry in our backpacks on any given day.
guide books (often more than one)
travel mags
extra layers of clothing
umbrella
pencils, pens
water bottles
packed lunches
snacks

Also, when returning from your day, you can stop off at the markets and get whatever you're in need of that day in your backpack without having to immediately come back out for the stuff later.

We just feel they keep you very mobile.

Consoder a messenger type bag worn with the strap cross body, keeping the bag itself more toward your front. Completely in front when in crowded spots. Timbuk2, Chrome and lots of other companies make them in assorted sizes. Google messenger bags and you'll come up with lots of links.

www.sierratradingpost.com has some timbuk2 bags at discounts right now.

For hard to replace valuables, passport, credit cards, bulk of your cash in a money belt under clothing.

a daypack backpack like rick's civita is a must for me...backpacks are perfect for travel because you do not have to carry them...

Thanks for suggestion of using a messenger bag. My husband wears a money belt with passports, money, credit cards. I just think a backback would be best for other items. He thinks he will not look like a tourist if he doesn't us a back pack. I've told him we will still look like tourists even with out the pack.

The suggestion of a messenger bag is a very good one. They're very popular among Italians. Get the kind with the big flap, and then carry it so the flap is next to you, making it harder to get into.

I'm planning to take a messenger bag to Italy this fall (good to know they're popular there so I won't stand out!) so thanks for the tip about wearing it flap in instead of the usual flap out. My finacee & I will also be taking a daypack for hiking in the Cinque Terre and going to the beach, but I feel more comfortable in big cities with a messenger bag. Since I carry it every day at home, I know it works for me and can fit all the daily travel necessities - water bottle, book, food, umbrella, etc. I'd recommend Patagonia messenger bags, since they're guaranteed either repair or replacement for life. I've bought - and replaced - many a messenger bag, and this is by far my favorite. It's also really confortable with a padded shoulder strap and a lot of great interior pockets that I'd imagine would be pretty tough for a pickpocket to access, and the front flap is secured by Velcro as well as two clip fasteners, so I feel pretty secure that no one can get into it without my knowledge. Happy travels!

All of these products have been reviewed and discussed here, hundreds of times, in the last couple of years. Here are links to those discussions/reviews.

1. Here's a link to the prior threads reviewing PacSafe and various other purses click here

2. Here's past reviews of messenger bags click here

3. Here's the past reviews of various backpacks click here.

Something that will speed your browsing of these past discussions:you can arrange them by dateno need to click the shorter links, they don't lead anywhere anymore.

Should be plenty of browsing for you, with the reviews of the last couple of years, by hundreds of people on this site, of these products.

I had a small messenger-style "purse" made of hemp so it was very, very lightweight. TONS of zippers and carried across my shoulders w/ the zippers facing my body. My husband had his money belt in his pants or hanging under his shirt. He also had a very small backpack that loved. I mean small - like 12" long perhaps. Carried our maps, water bottle, scarf to put snacks on, and parts of RS book :-)

I think the messenger bag is a good idea for someone who doesn't want to carry a backpack, but I'd get one with a zipper. I live in Europe and if I'm traveling whatever I carry has to have a zipper. Plus if he has a good bag HE can carry some of the stuff-camera, tour book, glasses, etc. You're not the pack mule Ellen :)

I used this bag and it was perfect
http://www.ebags.com/product/baggallini/city-bagg-crinkle-nylon/87376

The front is actually a flap, so that you can lift that part up and there's another zippered compartment, where I felt my passport, wallet, etc. Just looking at it, you wouldn't think it operated this way. I wore it cross-body and kept it in front of my body so I never felt worried about getting pickpocketed.

Very organized, and I was able to fit a guidebook, translation book and my camera in the main pouch

I always wear a messenger bag. Dislike back packs for several reasons. One, have caught people trying to get into my friends backpack while standing on a street corner in Milan in full daylight! Two, they hurt my back and shoulders. Three, people are always hitting me with their backbacks as they turn around, whether in restaurants, on trains or buses or in stores. I know they don't mean it, but it is hard to keep track of your body space when it contains a big hump on your back. Four, if I want to get into my backpack, I have to take it off, get what I want out of it and then put it back on again. With a messenger bag, I don't have to do any of that.

Thanks for all the good advice. I purchased a day/messenger bag from REI. It is large enough to carry my camera, tour book, sun glasses and I can roll up my rain coat or a sweater to fit inside, yet it is not too heavy or bulky.
I finally talked my husband into purchasing a Rick Steves Civita Day Bag for the days we are hiking in the Cinque Terre and on the Almalfi Coast. He was pleased with how light weight it is.

Ellen,
What messenger bag did you decide on? I've looked at a few at REI, but I haven't decided yet.
Thanks!

Rachel, I bought a Annie Shoulder Bag. http://www.rei.com/product/795142 I probably should have been more specific. It looks a bit more stylish than a regular day bag.
I consider it a day bag because it holds everything I need. It has plenty of zippered compartments and a large zippered area big enough for my rain coat.
I bought the green and brown design. The color scheme is similar to the Erin Day Bag http://www.rei.com/product/795143 pictured on REI.

And to make things even more confusing, if it will be at all cool when you will be there, we used Scott e vests our last trip, www.scottevest.com, and they were great for both the airports and for carrying almost everything we needed. My DSL camera did not fit in any of the pockets, but everything else did. Also handy at the airport for getting through security screenings since everything could be adjusted in the pockets and you just had to take the vest off and put it in a bin and when through, put it back on and all the gadgets for plane flight were easily available.