Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more
Travel / Travel Gear
By Valentina Valentini, CNN Underscored
Updated 8:09 PM EDT, Fri September 15, 2023
What's in this story
- Anti-theft travel belt bags and sling bags
- Anti-theft travel purses and crossbody bags
- Anti-theft travel backpacks
So, you’ve booked your flights, you’ve rented the RV or booked your hotel, you’ve planned your route and as you begin to think about what the next steps are so you can have a joyful and triumphant trip, safety might not always be at the top of your list. But it should be. And it’s not all that difficult to make it so.
Wherever you’re going and whatever you’re doing on vacation, making sure you have travel gear that will keep your belongings safe should be your next step in getting ready for your adventure. And while the anti-theft travel bag market has dwindled quite a bit over the years, according to travel skills trainer Kevin Coffey, there’s still a decent selection out there if you look in the right places. From belt and sling bags to crossbody bags and travel purses to travel backpacks, all the anti-theft bags we’ve chosen come with at least one security feature.
We’ve also gathered some of the best tips from Coffey, a retired detective with the Los Angeles Police Department for 35 years, where he founded the Crime Investigation Detail for airport and travel-related victims and has spent the past 28 years speaking at corporate events and for various media on how to make travelers street-smart and savvy so they can enjoy their time away from home.
“The number one issue that’s going to be faced in this vertical of traveler loss theft is going to be pickpocketing,” Coffey says. “And it’s going to be one of two ways: one, it comes out of your pocket itself, and the other is going to be coming out of a bag that you’re carrying. [The second feature to look for when buying a bag] is having the ability to detach a strap and secure it to a secondary device. The third is going to be anti-slashing features, and the last one is going to be RFID blocking.”
These anti-theft travel bags will keep your belongings the safest while not sacrificing on style, comfort and, ultimately, peace of mind.
Anti-theft travel belt bags and sling bags
The Lewis N. Clark Travel Pouch is an excellent choice for functionality and protection against travel security threats. The waist belt has an ultra-slim design that fits discreetly underneath your clothing and is constructed with RFID-blocking technology and durable rip-stop nylon. It’s even got self-repairing zippers. The multiple compartments keep your currency, electronics, passports, travel documents and more organized and ready for easy access when needed.
It’s all about the sleek design with the Monos Metro Sling. A single-strap bag that can be worn around your waist, over your shoulder or across your body allows you to pack all your essential on-the-go items and still know they’re safe with cleverly designed interior pockets and an integrated keychain carabiner to keep keys close. It’s also got a full-length back pocket to hold wallets, phones or passports securely yet accessibly. Eco-bonus is that it’s designed with only vegan materials and available in nine great color choices.
At a higher price point than the Sling Pack, the Pacsafe Vibe 100 Anti-Theft Pack comes with all the same anti-theft features plus some, like a Roobar locking system. It can hold more, too, such as a 7-inch tablet along with the usual suspects — keys, phone, wallet. Keep your valuables safe while on the go with lockable zips and cut-resistant materials all made in a hip pack made from recycled PET for optimal sustainability.
“As an avid beachgoer, I absolutely love the Aqua Vault Flexsafe anti-theft bags,” says travel blogger and consultant Marla Cimini. “It’s really a portable safe that offers peace of mind. You can fit a lot of things in this small bag that attaches to your beach chair or umbrella (or a fixed object), and it has a combination lock that you set yourself."
Expect to fit all of the usual suspects you might want to bring on a beach day: phone, keys, wallet and any other small valuables. "It also features mesh pockets on the outside and a sturdy belt loop and a handle on top so you can carry it with you and use it as a purse or a bike bag if you need to," Cimini says. "The material is tough, splash-proof, anti-theft and features RFID-blocking material. I highly recommend this bag for travel and especially peace of mind at the beach!”
“Pacsafe has been a leader in the field for years,” Coffey says. “They’re one of the ones that probably, in my personal view, really invented and took the category to where it is today.”
The Pacsafe Go Anti-Theft Sling Pack is one of the safest sling bags on the market. With its dual-release security clip and Carrysafe slashguard strap made with Dyneema fabric, it’s the perfect solution for traveling far or near — on a run or ride, backpacking through Europe or heading to your local music festival. The pockets are also RFID-safe, which shields you from electronic pickpocketing and identity theft, giving you peace of mind even when you’re not keeping both eyes on the bag.
Anti-theft travel purses and crossbody bags
“There are bags that pickpockets and opportunists will specialize in and love to go after and the easiest one is an open tote bag,” Coffey says. “That’s easy to get your hand into. So, you’ll want to look for a product that’s going to be zippered and, better yet, has some type of locking mechanism. A purse that’s easy to get into — it’s easy to zip, easy to open a flap — they can get their hand in there and remove your wallet, remove your cell phone.”
This 15-liter Peak Design Everyday Tote really lives up to its name. It’s great for an adventure or your photo equipment, but it also works for everyday trips because it combines sleek aesthetics with functionality that protects, organizes and gives quick access to your gear. The extra-wide opening has a weatherproof UltraZip, seals with a magnetic clasp and folds over to provide extra pickpocketing protection.
“I really love my Baggallini,” says travel journalist Elizabeth Heath. “It has RFID-blocking [technology] and a detachable strap, and for its modest size, it really does fit a lot." You'll find plenty of compartments and pockets inside to store all of your smaller items.
We also love the options on offer, with more than 30 colors and designs available. "I bought the bag in a neutral/unisex color so that my spouse can carry it, too. That way, we can get by with one ‘purse’ when we travel, and I’m not left holding the bag and the phones, wallets, tickets, et cetera!”
Editor Favorite
“If [a thief] is not getting into the purse or bag, they’re physically stealing it,” says Coffey. “How many times have you seen someone put their purse on the back of the chair when they’re in a restaurant, right? Someone can just come by and steal that or put a jacket over a purse when someone’s not paying attention. So, you’ll want to able to detach one of the straps to secure it through some type of hole or the chair itself, so it can’t be easily removed.”
The Travelon Anti-Theft Essential Messenger Bag offers this protection. Its five-point anti-theft security system includes slash-resistant mesh inner lining throughout all panels, a slash-resistant strap, locking compartments and an RFID-blocking organizer.
Read our review.
With the same five-point anti-theft security system, including a lockdown strap, the Travelon Urban Anti-Theft Messenger Bag updates the Essential Messenger Bag with a sleek, squared design and a main compartment with two padded sleeves that can hold up to a 14-inch laptop along with an iPad or tablet. Buckles secure the flap over the main compartment, while front and rear pockets have zippers, offering excellent security. It can be worn as a crossbody or over the shoulder.
The Pacsafe StyleSafe Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag is a stalwart in the industry. It comes with a zipper security system that lets you can secure the zipper through a small loop — something Coffey says is an excellent and straightforward choice for added zipper security. The bag itself is made out of slash-resistant materials, including an anchor strap with a turn-and-lock security hook that secures around any fixed object. It might look small, but this crossbody bag fits an 11-inch screen and includes hidden pockets and an internal attachment to secure keys.
Anti-theft travel backpacks
The Pacsafe CitySafe Convertible Backpack is a great design with a two-in-one option — it can be worn as a travel backpack or folded down as a handbag or crossbody bag. Any way you wear it, you'll get all the anti-theft features standard for Pacsafe bags. There’s smart zipper security, cut-resistant fabric and a cut-resistant anchor strap that stores away neatly or secures to a fixed object, along with RFID-blocking pockets.
“Being professional photographers, anti-theft features in backpacks are incredibly important to us, as we often travel with huge amounts of expensive equipment in unusual locations,” says Jarryd Salem, one half of adventure duo Nomadasaurus. “We tend to carry our camera gear in backpacks, and our go-to now are the Everyday Backpack and Travel Backpack from Peak Design.
"Besides being excellent quality gear, they come with solid anti-theft features such as lots of hidden pockets and lockable zippers. But the biggest anti-theft feature for us is that these camera backpacks don’t really look like camera backpacks at all. While other brands and packs we’ve used (and admittedly love) scream out, ‘I’m full of camera gear!’ the Peak Design bags are more subtle, meaning they’re less likely to draw attention. What better way to avoid theft than not attracting thieves in the first place?”
Travelon’s Signature Anti-Theft Backpack is a great choice for travelers looking for anti-theft features alongside a clean and functional design. The main compartment has an RFID-blocking slot that holds credit cards and passports. There's also an inner zippered wall pocketwith an attached key clip with an LED light. The hidden anti-slash pocket under the flap is perfect for your cell or sunglasses.
Ultimately, you want to find an anti-theft bag that's easy to operate. “Find one that fits your dexterity level,” Coffey says. “If the features are difficult to use and quickly secure, you’re probably not going to be using it all the time and then [the anti-theft features become] pointless.”
The Lewis N. Clark Locking Day Pack provides a roll-down main compartment with a three-digit combination lock that’s simple to set and protects your valuables at all travel points — it's also large enough to accommodate a laptop. Perfect for everyday use or while on your latest adventure, the backpack also has an external zip pocket for quick access to specific items. However, there are no lock features on this section, so don’t put your valuables in there.
Away’s Everywhere Zip Backpack is constructed with water-resistant nylon with a breathable mesh back panel for extra comfort and a full wraparound zip opening for access to its spacious main compartment. Its anti-theft features include a padded 15-inch laptop pocket with a magnetic locking zipper, an external secure front zip pocket and a hidden easy-access slip pocket for your phone or passport.
Ultimately, it pays off to keep security in mind. “I know plenty of smart travelers who’ve let their guard down for half a minute and had either their bags stolen or something lifted from their purse or backpack,” Heath says. “Those moments when you’re fumbling for your wallet or ID, frazzled over a missed train or juggling multiple bags, those are the times when you’re most vulnerable. I don’t think anyone should travel with a sense of fear, but a healthy sense of caution is a necessity anywhere in the world.”
Looking for a travel credit card? Find out which cards CNN Underscored chose as ourbest travel credit cards.
More recommendations
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
More recommendations
Thanks for signing up! Your welcome email is on its way.
Get the CNN Underscored newsletter
Receive product recommendations, reviews and deals three times a week.
By entering your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. CNN and its affiliates may use your email address to provide updates, ads, and offers.
By clicking 'Sign up', you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. CNN and its affiliates may use your email address to provide updates, ads, and offers.
Opt out via the Privacy Policy.
