Best Anti-Theft Travel Bags

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When choosing a bag (a handbag, travel purse, daypack, or backpack) for travel or city use most people will give some thought to 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.

Update: The world has supply problems right now. Some of our recommended “best” anti-theft bags and purses are unavailable. We are looking for alternate suppliers. This Travelon bag does seem to be in-stock, and it’s a best-seller, but supply is limited and you probably need to buy before they’re all gone. (it may, become unavailable, please check.) Likewise, this Bagallini bag is available at time of publication. If you’re in the UK, this unisex cross-body anti-theft sling or sash bag is hugely popular and available. It’s ideal for men to use while travelling. In Australia you can buy Travelon anti-theft bags here, in the US look here. Most links on this page will work for Europe, the Americas and Asia. Now we’ll run you through features, plus more models with photos.

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.

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.

Anti Theft Laptop Bags or Day Packs

Above – Low Cost Anti Theft Business Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port Fits 15.6 inch Laptop

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.

Above – Again, pretty cheap – Oscaurt Anti-theft Travel Backpack, Business Laptop School Bookbag with USB Charging Port

The Original Bobby Bag

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.

The most expensive of these 3 and Amazon’s Choice – XD Design Bobby Original Anti-Theft Laptop Backpack with USB port (Unisex bag) bag)

If you are in Australia the original Bobby Bag city anti-theft laptop bag is here.

Anti-Theft Bags Available in the UK

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!

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.

If you'd like to hire a car during your stay, use this car rental comparison tool to find the best deal!

We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance.

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