Across the shoulder bag or backpack?

I vote for across the shoulder bag (assuming you mean messenger style bag). I have used both for traveling and feel more secure with the cross body bag. I prefer to keep it in front, on my hip, especially in crowded places like metros or buses. I remember being in the metro in Paris, backpack on, hustling from one line to another when i sort of felt something, stopped quick and was run into by 2 little gypsy kids who had been closely following and had managed to unzip the outer pocket! Nothing in there but Kleenex and lip balm but I was still so annoyed! Ever since - prefer keeping my bag in front of me!

If you aren't carrying much, either will work fine. It depends on your personal preference.

If you're carrying a lot ... theres a reason why there are so many "back"packs.

As far as safe goes. Either can be pickpocketed. It mostly depends on how/where you carry it, how much attention you're paying to your surroundings, what you put in it, and how obvious it is that you're carrying something worth stealing.

Take whichever one you will find most comfortable and useful. Then be alert and cautious when in crowded areas like Metros and don't stuff it full of valuable stuff with the zippers wide open.

I like my shoulder bag. My stuff is much more secure there as it has zippers where I keep some cash (and my bank card much to the contrary opinion of most of the posters on here) and then it has a buckle over the zippered compartments. Finally I wear it so the buckle is facing inward. I always either it have it on me when I am at a restaurant so forgetting it or having someone take it from me is not a concern. When I am in a crowded situation I have it in front of me.

I opted for the shoulder bag. I have it on my back when I am hiking or away from crowds. In the cities or on transit, I move it to my front. I have also taken to using a small carabiner to secure the two tabs of each zipper to one another, making it next to impossible for someone to pilfer from me unnoticed.

I just bought an Osprey shoulder bag at REI (on sale). I went with the shoulder bag for several reasons

1. I can sling it to the front for more for more security.

2. I can carry my main bag and the shoulder bag at teh same time, try doing that with a back pack.

3. Shoulder bags are usually more organized and smaller than backpacks. It's easier to find things and you're not tempted to carry more than you need for a day. Anytime you need something out of a backpack you have to take it off. A shoulder bag you can sling to the front and open.

My bag has pen pockets, notepad pockets, a mp3 player pocket and earphone wire tab on the strap so I can listen to my Rick Steve tour guides with my bag on and feeling safe my ipod won't be taken out of my pocket.

The only downside to a shoulder bag is that a backpack is more comfortable and can carry more. To me the whole point of a daypack is travel really light and just have the things you need. I can fit my rain jacket, megazoom camera, notepad, pen, ipod, sunglasses, waterbottle, maps/guidebooks all comfortable in my daypack.

Remember, if you get a shoulder bag, its not an excuse to carry your money in. Always wear your moneybelt!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I experienced in Europe is across the body bags are better because alot of museums if they do allow handbags are wary of the backpack type. They would ask you to carry it in front when touring the facilities. In little shops they are concerned also in case you swipe some merchandise. I am not a backpack type of person anyway and I would suggest with the cross-body bags. I think it blends you well in most cities.

One more vote for a shoulder bag. My wife used a Baggalini and she really liked it; didn't you hon? She said it really worked well with surprising capacity. It was versatile with being able to easily shift it to the front in crowded situations. It has a water bottle holder on one side and plenty of zippered pockets. A wine bottle was carried around in the bag for about three hours without any issues.

I like my timbuk2 messenger bag. It has nice safety features like ridiculously strong velcro that makes the most awful sound when you open it and also it clips. Ain't no one getting into my bag without me knowing. My boyfriend likes to carry his Oakley backpack because since he has to carry all the purchases, he can deal with them being on his back. The messenger style bag he has carried before hurt his upper trap and neck in the past.