To Pacsafe or not to Pacsafe...

Personally I think it is expensive overkill. While there is constant discussion about straps being cut, I have never seen it and know of no one who this has happen to BUT it is always a friend of a friend of cousin who had this happen to them.

We've been traveling to Europe every year (except two) since 1975. I use an Eagle Creek messenger bag and it's great - I have a small locking carabiner I use for the central zipped pocket that has my binoculars. The PacSafe is an overkill and it's pretty hefty. You don't need that much security unless you're heading into really interesting areas - back streets in Naples, Armenia or Azerbaijan (where I did carry a safer bag). Using the messenger bag (if it zips) will be more than adequate. Worry about something else. Now, if the worst happens and they rip off your guidebooks and maps, are you really going to have a fit? Of course not. So go and enjoy yourself!

I bought a PacSafe crossbody purse and used it every day on my 16 day trip. While far from fashionable, and probably neon-signed me as a tourist, it was lightweight and funcional, roomy enough to carry what I needed each day (small bottle of water, large scarf for chills, Rick's guidebook, money, ID, etc) while easing my mind that I wouldn't have to worry about theft. Personally, I didn't see anyone getting robbed, pickpocketed, scammed, etc etc. and we didn't encounter any issues. Was it because I had something that was identifiable as unpickpocketable (yes, that's a word!)? Hard to say; perhaps I would have been fine without it, but of course hindsight is 20/20 vision! One day in Venice I used a "regular" purse and I felt exposed and nervous and clutched the thing to me like it was about to leap off my body! So for me, peace of mind was worth the few extra $$ and looking unfashionable.
I should add that a few of my patients told me their own personal experiences in Italy of being pickpocketed and an attempt to steal something out of a backpack pocket...

I use a pacsafe bag when I travel. They are great bags that I don't have to worry about. Some people may think they are over kill but when you are in areas known for pickpockets it gives you peace of mind knowing that your bag is slash proof. If you're going to be buying a bag anyway I would suggest getting one that will give you added security so you can enjoy the sites and not worry about keeping the bag safe. Donna

I am in the camp with Robyn and Donna. Took a Pacsafe purse and was glad to let the worry go. While I kept credit and debit cards, drivers' license, large currency, passport in my moneybelt, Kindle with guidebooks, map, daily cash, moleskin notebook, sunglasses, camera, cell phone, iPOD and personal items, were in my Pacsafe bag. No, it isn't a fashion statement (They could work in style!) but the one I choose was a crossbody bag that laid flat. I really liked being able to attach it to a table leg or chair at a restaurant and not worry about it. Like the others, I felt safe my whole trip, but this was an extra measure of security I was glad to have. I did take a small Baggalini cross-body purse for times I didn't need the whole kit, like dinner two blocks from our B&B, going out for aperitivi, etc.

adding another question to the discussion: i am considering the sling safe 100 or the metro safe 100. i want to carry my passport, credit card, cash, guide book, small camera and iphone. are these bags big enough? if you own one or the other i would love to hear your feedback.

We have traveled with the PacSafe backpack, my PacSafe purse, a PacSafe fanny pack, and I have a PacSafe strap for my DSLR camera. We have taken these to South America, to Europe, to Turkey and all over the United States. Some might say overkill, but the peace of mind these have given us is worth it. We can concentrate more on our experiences instead of on our safety issues. Worth the cost for that alone!

Thanks everyone for all your great advice. I have just purchased one on ebay for $87 including shipping to Sydney from the US. Much cheaper then if I got it here. They go for about $150 without postage, which is extreme. I got the Pacsafe Metrosafe 200 messenger style bag in black. I wanted it to have a little extra room and I like the style of it, not too unfortunate looking either and will give me that much desired peace of mind.
Cheers

I should also add that I bought the DigiSafe 100 camera lanyard and really liked it. Here is a link to that product:
http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=69

Hi Jodi. I have 2 pacsafe products, the camera lanyard that was previously mentioned and a small purse that is great for the plane travel day as it holds the boarding passes, credit cards, passport and not much else.
http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=162 The coin purse in this product is useless; but I do like it as it is smaller, I wear it under my coat, during the plane travel day when you have to take your passport out several times if you have more than one flight, it is easy to do that and still feel the passport is safe, and the boarding passes do fit in it. It also holds a small kleenex, 2 pens, a very small coil notepad; there are 2 zippered places inside, where I put my housekeys that I won't need. I have had at least 3 trips to Europe with this product and like it a lot. It does have the metal in the strap, it makes me feel safer, IMHO. Have a great trip. I am visiting Italy this fall, the RS Sicily tour.

My travel companion and I both carried the PacSafe 200 on our trip last year to Germany, Austria, and France. I carried the guidebooks, a small umbrella, and a bottle of water. He carried a camera, umbrella, and water. I kept my passport in the body side zippered compartment and never needed a money belt. I think calling them expensive is ridiculous. I think I paid about $70 for mine last spring. It's not like you will buy one for every trip. This thing is very sturdy and will last a long time. In the overall scheme of things what's $70, I'll pay $70 for the piece of mind anyday.

How is the weight for the Metrosafe 200. I'm just about sold to pick up one, but I have a problem with my shoulders carrying much weight so I want to make sure I find a bag that is safe, but also very lightweight.

Kathy, the Metrosafe 200 weights 1lb 2oz. I tried one (the purse style) at REI once - put my stuff in it and walked around awhile...HEAVY!!! Got my stuff outta there ASAP LOL! If someone really wants to come up to me and slash my bag to get my goodies, they can have 'em! That just isn't a common thing to happen. In the meantime I'll do my best to maintain some personal space... (depending on your color requirements, several places have the older styles on sale right now...)

I have never been a fan of the "safety" purses. I think it's overkill put out to make us "buy stuff". And I find it funny that we need these for Europe, but can survive just fine in the US without them (where the criminals have GUNS) There have been a rash of purse snatchings at my local grocery store, but I don't see "pacsafes" on everyone now.... However, I did look at one of these today and actually liked it! Not for the safety features but just for the way it looked and the organization. I am thinking of getting one for my mother. She's been complaining she needs new purse for our upcoming trip and I think this will fit her needs. (I looked at alot of other 'travel' purses, but they looked messenger bag... PacSafe has one that looks "old lady purse" which is what she wants. Not what I would want, but I am not 70 plus! :) ) If you decide to do this the one I looked at was almost $20 cheaper on amazon then at the retail stores around me!

Vendor comments have been removed on this thread. Everything else checks out as genuine consumer interest in this particular product.