When choosing a bag (a handbag, travel purse, daypack, or backpack) for travel or city use, most people consider security. It makes sense to buy a bag that makes a bag snatcher’s or pickpocket’s life as hard as possible. We’ve taken a look at the best anti theft travel bags for travellers, the ones designed to keep your passport, cash and other travel essentials attached to you. These anti theft bags work just as well for daily use, anywhere in the world. We have been the victims of theft, and theft seems to be getting more common in some countries. These anti-theft bags are a great solution.
This post has a few sections, you can use the following links to jump to the part of the post you need.
In my personal experience as a global traveller of many years, a small cross-body handbag or travel purse is extremely useful. You don’t always want to carry your day-pack, backpack or suitcase if you’re just going out for the evening, for instance. For times like this, I generally use a small cross-body bag, there are several designs below suitable for evening use.
I have a couple of cross-body fabric bags that I pack for travel, both have internal pockets and I can easily add extra security with a safety-pin or two. If you want to buy a travel bag designed to keep the thieves at bay and look a bit dressy or formal, somebody has thought of that!
Here are the best and most popular anti-theft bags for travel and for travellers. As an extra security measure, some also have RFID blocking capacity. The new anti-theft backpacks with built in charging ports are another travel must-have, see them at the end of the post along with a few extra anti-theft devices you may like. All are suitable for use as travel bags and have similar anti-theft features while having slightly different uses.
These bags are mostly aimed at women, but some would work just as well for men, My husband uses a small cross-body bag on airport days, his is a small Kipling bag similar to this one. Although not designed as anti-theft travel bags, the Kipling is rugged and sturdy and is ideal for men or women. We think they’re a great, long-lasting, good-looking, option and of course, can be worn crossbody. My husband has used his on travel days for almost 20 years.
Anti-Theft Bags
For UK, Europe, and USA
If you don’t have time to read this full post, our top picks are here. One is an anti theft bag for travel, work or city. See it here. The other is an anti theft backpack ideal for city life or travel days. See it here. Find full descriptions and specifications further down the page.
For Australia
If you are in Australia, the Travelon anti-theft bag is here. and the city anti-theft laptop bag is here.
Tips For Buying and Using an Anti-Theft Bag or Purse
Before we get into the best anti-theft bags here are some extra tips for travel bag security:
Keep your bag across your body, not on 1 shoulder.
Wear the bag on your front, not on your hip or behind.
Keep a hand on it on busy trains, buses or in markets.
Don’t keep everything in one bag, spread valuables around various hiding places.
Avoid motorised bag snatchers by keeping yourself and the bag away from the road.
What Features Should an Anti-Theft Bag Have?
In an anti-theft travel purse or bag look out for features such as:
anti slash fabric
locking pockets and locking zippers
RFID blocking
Steel-enforced shoulder straps
locking hardware for securing to immovable objects
hidden or secret pockets
The Travelon bags generally have all of these anti-theft features.
Cross Body Anti-Theft Purses and Bags
We’ve shown most of the bags below in black but they do come in multiple colours from blue to red to gold, click-through on each item to check the range. The Baggalini bags, below, have a particularly good colour range including cool stripes but they don’t have the tough anti slash, anti cut technology of the Travelon bags.
My favourite! Unfortunately not available yet in the UK without extra import/shipping fees, ( to the best of my knowledge, I’ve looked but that could change) although other Lewis N Clark products are available. USA and Canada can buy this cool green, blue or black bag.
water resistant outer
durable exterior
fabric lined
anti-slash fabric and internal steel shoulder strap reinforcement
I like this one a lot! It’s a little more expensive than most of the travel bags on here, but for people like me who often carry their laptops ( I’m what’s known as a digital nomad, I work online from anywhere) a bag like this is gold. I love the style too, plus the usual Anti Theft features along with a laptop pocket.
Take a small laptop, plus ipad or tablet in a padded buckled compartment (up to 14 inches)
Has a pass-thru strap on the rear to secure this bag to your wheeled luggage.
RFID blocking pockets for passports and credit cards
Strengthened strap which can be attached to fixtures and furnishings.
Larger Anti Theft Travel Bags, Backpacks and Daypacks
With most of these bags you will need portable chargers or power banks, we created a post on our favourite (often solar) chargers here. The Bobby Bag is the most expensive of these 3 but it’s so feature-packed it’s hard to ignore. This one is my pick for city use or even to use as a small carry on bag. I regularly use a small backpack or daypack as a travel purse, it’s far more convenient and like the cross-body bags, more secure.
Baggalini (a well-known anti-theft travel bag brand) now make their own stylish anti-theft women’s small backpack or daypack for vacations, perfect for European trips. Take a look here. This one features Baggalini’s Securetex textile.
The Bobby Bag was out of stock the last time we checked, check out this very inexpensive one instead, we are keeping the information below for now, as these may become available again. The Bobby Bag is a costly purchase, I’d rather spend more in this instance.
A backpack that will take your laptop safely and securely is an absolute God-send and these days I’d say that any daypack you choose, other than for trekking, must be laptop-sized. This one has all the bells and whistles. The zips are lockable with a combination padlock and his has an external USB port for charging your mobile devices. This Mancro bag is an Amazon Best Seller and the price is budget friendly.
The Original Bobby Bag below would be my choice. It’s so packed with features that I can’t possibly describe them all here. Again you can charge, again it has protective layers, I love that you can keep public transport cards handy in front pockets ( the perfect bag for London use!). Just click through and see the features, it’s a brilliant design. Next time I’m in London I’m getting one of these, pink, blue and yellow compact versions are available too.
Just click below to see a selection of anti theft bags available in the UK currently. For our USA readers and all other countries, you should be fine with any of the other links on this page. Pacsafe are very popular in the UK and you’ll see a few choices below.
Are Anti Theft Bags Worth Buying?
Yes, we think the added peace of mind and security of using an anti-theft travel bag is helpful. Anti-theft bags have features such as slash-proof fabric, hidden lockable pockets, hooks and straps to attach to furniture and cut-resistant cross-body or shoulder straps. They also often have RFID blocking technology. I have had a bag, a backpack, slashed on a train. I had an anti-theft layer inside the outer bag. The thieves got nothing.
Extra Anti Theft Devices For Travel
In addition to your anti-theft bag, you may want some other anti-theft devices for your trip.
Cable locks allow you to secure your bags to a bench, a train luggage rack, a table, your other bags, or anything that will make them harder to snatch. Useful at airports, train stations and anywhere you sit-a while, the brand below is one of the most well respected and TSA compliant. Cheap versions are easy to break. Cable locks are brilliant if you need to attach bags to an immovable object like on a train for instance.
Most of the dedicated anti-theft bags remove the need for a cable lock, but your main luggage may still require locking up.
Then you can think about hidden wallets and pockets in secret pouches. They’re all going in our new post, coming soon!
More Anti-Theft Bags and Other Travel Essentials
Anti-theft bags can be cross-body, a shoulder purse, a small backpack, large backpack or and main luggage bag. We think they should be items on your travel essentials list.
Visit our other posts in our “travel gear” category for more items to pack and carry with you on your trip, to Europe, Africa, Asia, the world!
Small Cross-Body Anti-Theft Purse vs Travel Organiser
This is a small anti-theft travel bag that I’m trialling against using a travel organiser. So far the quality is very good and it looks great and is available in multiple colours
This year (2023 and 2024) I’m trialling a very small cross-body bag by Bagallini to use in place of my travel passport wallet organiser. I think this will work well and be more “hands-free” at the airport.
I used this bag in Japan last fall and it was great for the airport and on the plane. For evenings it was good, but for big sightseeing days, I took my daypack and kept this little bag inside. I was very happy with this anti-theft bag and I will use it for my extended solo travels in 2024, alongside my daypack, which doubles as my carry-on luggage.
This is the bag I chose to buy. It’s a Baggalini triple zip, I chose beige to match my boots and it has a glorious pink lining.
Don’t Worry About Theft Too Much
I want to reassure you that theft isn’t a major issue from the moment you leave your front door to travel.
In 20+ years of travel, to 50+ countries I’ve had one pickpocketing incident. I stupidly left my bag unzipped on a crowded bus in Malaysia.
We have had one bag stolen completely, we took our eyes off it in an airport in Australia.
On one occasion we had a bag slashed by a potential thief, luckily it had a metal mesh inner to make it knife-proof.
We travel full-time and have lived in London (which some travellers consider high risk for theft and sadly our theft problem is rising, scooter thieves are targetting pedestrians) for many years.
Conclusion
These anti theft travel bags exist, mostly, to give you extra peace of mind. It’s your choice, do you need one? While a handy-sized cross body bag is always a good idea, particularly for airport days when your documents (see organisers here) need to be accessible and extra pack security is reassuring, we don’t want you to think your belongings and documents are always in imminent danger. Make sure you take out good travel insurance too, this is the one we use.
Alyson Long is a British medical scientist who jumped ship to chase dreams. A former Chief Biomedical Scientist at London's West Middlesex Hospital she started in website creation and travel writing in 2011.
Alyson is a full-time blogger and travel writer, a published author, and owns several websites. World Travel Family is the biggest.
A lifetime of wanderlust and over 6 years of full-time travel, plus a separate 12 month gap year, has given Alyson and the family some travel expert smarts to share with you on this world travel site.
Today Alyson still travels extensively to update this site and continue her mission to visit every country, but she's often at home on her farm in Australia.
We absolutely love your post on anti-theft travel bags – very useful information. We are going to buy the Lewis N Clarke Secura Anti Theft Bag – thank you.
Really many many thanks for your great advice. Actually anti theft bag is really so helpful for a tourist or for a traveling. In your blog I find few tips which are helps me on my next travel. Thanks for everything.
This idea was absolutely nice, it gives travelers peace as they travel. to their different Africa safari destinations. Thieves will now have nothing un worked for!
Alison, you may want to update these recommendations . I purchased a Travelon anti theft bag that you recommended from Amazon. It looked fantastic….. until I read the small sticker attached that warned me that the fabric of the bag had been treated by a chemical that is known to cause cancer and birth defects in the State of California !
I was really shocked to see this sticker on the bag and that Travelon and Amazon are allowed to sell products that carry a health warning. Needless to say, I packaged it up and used Amazon’s return system to send it back. To their credit, Amazon were great and I got a full refund .
Whenever I travel, I usually got so stressed out because of how I make sure to look after all my things thinking someone is just out there waiting for his perfect time to grab my belongings from me. This is maybe a result of a traumatic experience I had a couple of years ago when someone tried to pickpocket me. The experience created a hole in my heart to the point that it is really hard for me to trust people anymore. Good thing the market already have these kind of bags that offers protection to its market. I’m really very glad that at least I can be assured of my safety especially when i am on the road with these bags. Thank you for this article. I will definitely grab one. You’re such a blessing.
I have been searching better anti theft bags for months and it would be great if I found it before March coz I am planning to travel to Germany for the very first time and need something light and easy to lug around. Thanks
Good post – I have had three Travelon bags now – after being pickpocketed in Barcelona on the metro from what I thought was a hard to steal from bag (not one of theses obvs), but those guys are the best! I got a small one initially and used it at home and travelling. Great for cash and passports, but that was all so I replaced it with a bucket bag last year and while it is ideal for hand luggage as an addition to checked in luggage, not so much for everyday, too big and it looked like a travel bag. Researching them for a friend I found the Travelon Hobo bag, with all the security features but it looks like the canvas bags of my student days. Love it. Doesn’t scream traveller. As you say Alyson, theft is not a major threat, I have been pickpocketed twice, once in 1982 in St Tropez and once about 10 years ago in Barcelona and these are two places where the professionals practice their art – but the reassurance that I have taken the best precautions to prevent theft makes me feel better (the Barcelona event stressed me for weeks after as I felt I had been stupid). The belt, I am getting one for my husband, as he is the back up money guy and hates taking his belt off at airports. He also wants a man bag, so I may look at the Kipling. Thanks for the research and advice.
It’s oly happened to us in Malaysia Coral. A pick pocket on a bus just stuck his hand into my day pack, which was open. The betrayal of trust is hardest to deal with for me. Thieves are not a major threat, but there are always a few and taking precautions is good for peace of mind. A lot of trouble in London recently too with scooter thieves snatching bags and phones as they ride past, particularly areas like Mayfair. I’ve lived in London years, but these days I’m cautious. Did you see the shooting of that boy yesterday? Oh my gosh crime is getting bad there.
I liked the idea of an anti-theft backpack. Along with added security, it helps to store the laptop and other essential belongings while going on a trip or while using daily commutes.
It is just a perfect post. With all the aspects clearly mentioned, this is going to help me pick up the best anti-theft travel bag. Your small miniature bag is lovely! I liked it.
Awesome post! I love the security belt! I discretely keep back up cash in local currency, american dollars and I also insert certified copies of my documents such as passport and birth certificate. Best travel buy ever!
This is a great list. I love Baggalini, my everyday go-to is a Baggalini. I bought the Travelon Anti-Theft Cross Body Bucket Bag in purple for traveling to Paris. It was great! It held 2 bottles of water, a nappie and wipes, and small snacks, in addition to my wallet. It is a great size.
Really useful article – I haven’t really thought about this in much depth yet but will definitely come back here when we cross that bridge in our travel plans.
I really like the look of the Kipling one, but might have to purchase one of the ones with inner mesh for our next adventure too. Always thought about them but never bought one. I really must!
We’ve had a Kipling backpack style bag for sixteen years and they are very robust-really fancy one of the across the body anti-theft ones. Really stylish too.
Great bags, I did not know there are antitheft travel bags. Thank you for this article. So useful! My mother got her bag cut on the bus. Fortunately they did not steal her wallet, but the bag was ruined. I will look into these for her.
It is common to get your bag stolen during travel or trip. Making sure that you have anti-theft in which you can put essential would be best idea. I appreciate the suggestions and buy 1 for my next travel with my family.
We absolutely love your post on anti-theft travel bags – very useful information. We are going to buy the Lewis N Clarke Secura Anti Theft Bag – thank you.
Oh good, that one is my favourite!
Really many many thanks for your great advice. Actually anti theft bag is really so helpful for a tourist or for a traveling. In your blog I find few tips which are helps me on my next travel. Thanks for everything.
I love your travel bag. It is really good for travelling.
Great post! Thanks for the tips on the best bags to keep from the thieves.
This idea was absolutely nice, it gives travelers peace as they travel. to their different Africa safari destinations. Thieves will now have nothing un worked for!
Alison, you may want to update these recommendations . I purchased a Travelon anti theft bag that you recommended from Amazon. It looked fantastic….. until I read the small sticker attached that warned me that the fabric of the bag had been treated by a chemical that is known to cause cancer and birth defects in the State of California !
I was really shocked to see this sticker on the bag and that Travelon and Amazon are allowed to sell products that carry a health warning. Needless to say, I packaged it up and used Amazon’s return system to send it back. To their credit, Amazon were great and I got a full refund .
Interesting, thanks Julie. It happens all the time. We eat stuff here in Australia that is banned elsewhere and vice versa.
Whenever I travel, I usually got so stressed out because of how I make sure to look after all my things thinking someone is just out there waiting for his perfect time to grab my belongings from me. This is maybe a result of a traumatic experience I had a couple of years ago when someone tried to pickpocket me. The experience created a hole in my heart to the point that it is really hard for me to trust people anymore. Good thing the market already have these kind of bags that offers protection to its market. I’m really very glad that at least I can be assured of my safety especially when i am on the road with these bags. Thank you for this article. I will definitely grab one. You’re such a blessing.
Thank you, I even can’t think about such blogs. Very helpful. I will love to purchase one for my India trip.
Good selection of bags thanks for sharing. I am looking for a Anti Theft bag and your analysis has narrowed down my choice.
I have been searching better anti theft bags for months and it would be great if I found it before March coz I am planning to travel to Germany for the very first time and need something light and easy to lug around. Thanks
Incredible analysis. Anti-theft bags are brilliant in design. Again, good job.
Good post – I have had three Travelon bags now – after being pickpocketed in Barcelona on the metro from what I thought was a hard to steal from bag (not one of theses obvs), but those guys are the best! I got a small one initially and used it at home and travelling. Great for cash and passports, but that was all so I replaced it with a bucket bag last year and while it is ideal for hand luggage as an addition to checked in luggage, not so much for everyday, too big and it looked like a travel bag. Researching them for a friend I found the Travelon Hobo bag, with all the security features but it looks like the canvas bags of my student days. Love it. Doesn’t scream traveller. As you say Alyson, theft is not a major threat, I have been pickpocketed twice, once in 1982 in St Tropez and once about 10 years ago in Barcelona and these are two places where the professionals practice their art – but the reassurance that I have taken the best precautions to prevent theft makes me feel better (the Barcelona event stressed me for weeks after as I felt I had been stupid). The belt, I am getting one for my husband, as he is the back up money guy and hates taking his belt off at airports. He also wants a man bag, so I may look at the Kipling. Thanks for the research and advice.
It’s oly happened to us in Malaysia Coral. A pick pocket on a bus just stuck his hand into my day pack, which was open. The betrayal of trust is hardest to deal with for me. Thieves are not a major threat, but there are always a few and taking precautions is good for peace of mind. A lot of trouble in London recently too with scooter thieves snatching bags and phones as they ride past, particularly areas like Mayfair. I’ve lived in London years, but these days I’m cautious. Did you see the shooting of that boy yesterday? Oh my gosh crime is getting bad there.
I liked the idea of an anti-theft backpack. Along with added security, it helps to store the laptop and other essential belongings while going on a trip or while using daily commutes.
It is just a perfect post. With all the aspects clearly mentioned, this is going to help me pick up the best anti-theft travel bag. Your small miniature bag is lovely! I liked it.
Awesome post! I love the security belt! I discretely keep back up cash in local currency, american dollars and I also insert certified copies of my documents such as passport and birth certificate. Best travel buy ever!
Yes, it can be a smart move and with a belt you can just wear it and forget it, no sweaty pouches under your clothes.
Love the sound of these. Fantastic post, thanks!
This is a great list. I love Baggalini, my everyday go-to is a Baggalini. I bought the Travelon Anti-Theft Cross Body Bucket Bag in purple for traveling to Paris. It was great! It held 2 bottles of water, a nappie and wipes, and small snacks, in addition to my wallet. It is a great size.
Really useful article – I haven’t really thought about this in much depth yet but will definitely come back here when we cross that bridge in our travel plans.
I really like the look of the Kipling one, but might have to purchase one of the ones with inner mesh for our next adventure too. Always thought about them but never bought one. I really must!
Lots of great suggestions. I’d never heard of the travel security belt, great idea!
We’ve had a Kipling backpack style bag for sixteen years and they are very robust-really fancy one of the across the body anti-theft ones. Really stylish too.
I have a Kipling too, a bit bigger than your husband’s. I love it because it’s super cute and light.
Great bags, I did not know there are antitheft travel bags. Thank you for this article. So useful! My mother got her bag cut on the bus. Fortunately they did not steal her wallet, but the bag was ruined. I will look into these for her.
Great advice! And these were exactly what I was looking for, thanks!
It is common to get your bag stolen during travel or trip. Making sure that you have anti-theft in which you can put essential would be best idea. I appreciate the suggestions and buy 1 for my next travel with my family.
It’s not common. Don’t worry.