PACSAFE REVIEW: ANTI-THEFT BAGS FOR CARRY-ON FRIENDLY TRAVEL
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We put three Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags to the test
As heavy travellers, one of the questions we ask ourselves all the time is "which bag best suits my needs?". We're ever on the search for something that's practical, durable and preferably fits in the overhead compartment of a plane - especially when there's a strict one bag policy in place. Throw in the need to carry extra camera equipment and/or laptops on pretty much every journey, and suddenly, there's even more to consider. Especially when it comes to the security of our kit. We heard about PacSafe making some of the best anti-theft bags for travellers out there, so we reached out to see if we could test drive a few packs and hopefully find a new solution to make travelling a little less stressful. In picking the right anti-theft bag for us, we decided they had to:
Work as carry-on bags (meet most airline restrictions)
Be quick to handle at security checkpoints (laptop and liquids are easily accessible)
Had to feel durable (will withstand being checked if needed)
Be versatile to suit most general-purpose travel needs
We picked the following bags and put them to the test on our travels. Click to check pricing or scroll down for more info on each bag.
VIBE 28L ANTI-THEFT COMMUTER BACKPACK
Great for: Commutes, Short trips, Minimal Travel, Daypack - You could probably even fit this one under the seat of a plane.
VENTURESAFE EXP21 ANTI-THEFT WHEELED CARRY-ON (41.5L)
Great for: Carry On or Checking, Wheeling around airports and cities when you're already carrying a backpack.
VENTURESAFE EXP45 ANTI-THEFT 45L CARRY-ON TRAVEL PACK
Great for: Carry On, Single Bag for most general purpose trips (excluding trekking and adventure backpacking)
Why buy an Anti Theft Bag for Travel?
Sneaky Thieves and their Devious Ways
After a dear friend had his entire camera kit and passport stolen on a trip to Barcelona, we started thinking a little bit more about how we could mitigate the risk of theft. Not only was he unable to continue working for the time being, but he wasn't allowed on his flight home until he could sort a new emergency passport. It sucked!
While nothing beats being vigilant all the time, it's just not possible to be hyper-aware 24/7. Travel provides plenty of opportunity for distraction, sleep deprivation and stress. Thieves are looking for opportunities everywhere: In the air, on the road, crowded streets and hotel rooms to name a few. So what can you do to better protect your valuables? We've listed some common types of theft and how the anti-theft technology in our PacSafe bags is designed to deter them. Keep in mind, a prepared and determined thief will most certainly find a way to get into your bag, but at least these features provide some pretty solid deterrents. Your bag won't be invincible, but at least it means there are other easier targets for thieves to go after.
Slippery Fingers Vs. Anti-pickpocket Measures
A skilled pickpocket can just as easily gain access to your bag as they can your pockets. Before you know it, your wallet, cash, phone, cards, or camera can have mysteriously disappeared while you were distracted for a few seconds. Thankfully, all three of the bags we tested feature a form of PacSafe's Roobar technology, which allows the zippers to be secured to a single locking clip and discretely tucked away, out of sight. Anybody trying to quickly slip into your bag will have a much harder time doing it without you noticing if they have to release and fiddle with the zippers.
Premeditated Pilferers Vs. Lockable Compartments
You've made it to your gate early for once and decide to re-watch some episodes of Friends (it never gets old) on your laptop. Mr Pilferer couldn't help but notice, as he's hanging out in the lounge keeping an eye out for travellers with valuables on his next red-eye... When they finally call up your section for boarding, you tuck away your laptop and find your seat. Mr Pilferer happens to find space to put his bag right next to yours in the overhead compartment. While you're donning your new noise-cancelling headphones and drifting off to fight the jet lag, he goes to get something from his bag. Only, it’s your laptop he slips out. Even if you do notice something's missing as you get off, there's not all that much you can do. There's no way they are going to search every passenger before letting them off the flight. Thankfully, the Roobar system we mentioned earlier also allows room for a small padlock. Additionally, both the VentureSafe bags (which won't fit under a seat) have puncture-resistant ToughZips to stop somebody from getting into your bag by slipping a pencil or pen between the zipper seam and unzipping it that way. We also suggest putting the bag with the zipper facing towards the back of the compartment to add one more step for a would-be thief.
The Old Slash and Grab Vs. ExoMesh
A method preferred by more brazen thieves, often in busy urban areas, involves slashing a bag open with a box cutter or knife to catch or grab any exposed valuables. All three PacSafe bags we tested are equipped with an ExoMesh slash-guard, which is basically light-weight steel cable mesh between the outer and inner lining to protect your contents from this type of theft.
The Greedy Bag Snatcher Vs. Locking Cables
Why not just take the whole bag? It can happen in the blink of an eye - you're paying a bill, or chatting with a friend and poof, your bag has somehow disappeared from right next to you. One of my favourite features of the Venture Safe bags is that both come with a locking cable, which allows you to secure your bag to anything you can wrap it around. This is great for hostels and hotels too. I've managed to secure my bag to a heading pipe, the rail in a bus, and if there's nothing else, another one of my bags (it's harder to run with two, right?). The Vibe has a PopNLock security clip built into one of the straps, which happens to have a built-in steel cable. It allows you to strap your bag around a static object with room for a small padlock to secure it.
The Techie-Thief Vs. RFID Safe
A more recent development in the thievery world is the use of tech to gain access to your bank or personal details with devices that can pick up the RFID chip on your credit cards and any other documents that contain the technology. Both the Exp21 and the Vibe 28 have built-in RFIDSafe pockets to stop any sensitive documents from being scanned. For the Exp45, I keep a couple of PacSafe RFID sleeves handy for when I need them, but if you want to go the extra mile, you can pick up a PacSafe RFIDSafe wallet.
Again, any thief with the right tools can easily cut through any of these security devices or flat out threaten you to hand over the goods. That being said, we like to think that a deterrent makes you a far less likely target for a would-be thief who might quickly spoil your travels.
Which pacsafe Bag is Right For You?
Uses for the vibe28
Living in a city like London, this bag is perfect for daily tasks. We've used it to carry our laptops and some essentials to meetings and offices on trains, cycles and motorbikes as well as for our clothes on short city-hops and weekend trips.
Security Features of the vibe28
Exomesh Slashguard - Wire mesh lining to protect contents from slash and run theft.
Roobar Sport Locking System - Central system for securing zippers to all compartments with optional space for a small padlock to deter pick-pockets.
RFID Safe Pocket to help prevent electronic identity theft.
Pop and Lock Security Clip to quickly secure your bag to a static object via the straps. These also have a thin cable in them to stop them from being cut.
What We Like about the vibe 28
We love that this bag functions as a backpack, but also allows for full clamshell access, giving it more of a luggage feel when you're travelling with it. It's big enough to allow for several days away, but also compact enough to use as a day bag once you can leave the rest of your contents at a hotel or hostel. Pro Tip: Pack your clothes in packing cubes, so you can easily remove them without having to 'unpack' everything.
The Laptop compartment is close to your back, which is in our opinion the optimal position for weight distribution. Access to it is quick and easy, making security checkpoints a breeze. For those of you who like to keep things organised, there are a few pockets in the lid for small items. Additionally, the backpack straps can be completely tucked into slots on the back, giving the bag more of a briefcase/small duffel feel.
What could be improved on the vibe 28
Overall, we were both super happy with the Vibe 28. One small niggle we have is that the front pocket is quite deep. While this makes access for would-be thieves tricky (they would have to reach all the way into the bag), it also makes it very difficult for us to reach things at the bottom. If you fill the main compartment of the bag, it can bloat out making access to the front even more difficult.
For me, the cross strap providing extra chest support is not an issue at all. In fact, I welcome it. Mandy, on the other hand, struggles with it. It's definitely designed with flat-chests in mind and can be uncomfortable if that's not the case. Unfortunately, the strap is not removable, meaning it kind of just dangles there when unengaged. It makes the bag look more back-packy and less businessy, despite its otherwise urban-friendly appearance. Really, that’s down to preference on an otherwise very useful and stylish backpack.
You Can Purchase the PacSafe Vibe 28 on Amazon:
Uses for the VentureSafe Exp21
This bag is by far my favourite roller bag, and certainly the most used bag in my travel arsenal. It's big enough to pack for pretty much any length of trip but still fits into most overhead compartments on planes. That being said, it's robust enough to be checked where needed, offering plenty of versatility. When empty, it flattens out quite nicely for a wheeled bag, which is a plus for storage when it's not in use.
Security Features of the Venturesafe exp21
Exomesh Slashguard - Wire mesh lining to protect contents from slash-and-run theft.
Roobar Deluxe Locking System - Central system for securing zippers to all compartments with optional space for small padlock to deter pick-pockets.
RFID Safe Pocket to help prevent electronic identity theft.
Puncture Resistant TougZip - Double-layered zipper to prevent people from gaining access by poking through the zipper seam.
Locking Cable - included steel cable for securing the bag to static items.
What We like About the venturesafe exp21
I like wheeled bags because they are relatively easy to manoeuvre, don't require you to bare all their weight, but also allow you to carry a backpack where needed. I have, thus, claimed this one as mine (sorry, Mandy). The VentureSafe Exp21 has sturdy, large wheels, which make it easy to pull along on paved roads and cobbled streets alike. The bearings are super-smooth, a small but much-appreciated detail that makes a big difference when you're hauling it through airport terminals. It kind of feels like it's hovering along behind you. With a big open main compartment, the bag allows you to configure it to your needs.
The Exp21 has really sturdy handles on four sides, a feature we wish more bags of this class had. The handles are really useful for getting the bag in and out of overhead compartments, storage racks and onto security scanners. Speaking of which, the laptop sleeve on the outside of the bag provides really quick access, which speeds up the process of removing it for security purposes.
If I can use only one bag, this is probably the one that's coming along for the ride. Pro Tip: Consider using it with a camera cube to provide a lockable, rollable solution for heavy kit.
What could be improved in the venturesafe 21
Because this is a soft bag, it's relatively easy to overfill. It's tempting too, given the built-in synch straps which really are a plus. That being said, even the slightest bit of overfilling makes the laptop sleeve practically impossible to use, because the bag bloats into this compartment. My biggest complaint has to do with the zipper: It only runs about 2/3 of the way down the bag. This means that the lid only opens 2/3 of the way. In turn, you sometimes have to remove everything to get to contents at the bottom. It becomes much less of an issue, however, if you're using packing cubes, which we generally recommend anyhow. The VentureSafe Exp 21 is also rather heavy, in part, due to the extra security features. For me, this is a non-issue, but if you have strict weight constraints for luggage, it could become a problem... The cost of a more secure bag, I suppose. Other than that, I really have no complaints. Have I mentioned that I love this bag?
You Can Purchase the PacSafe Venturesafe exp 21 on Amazon:
Uses for the venturesafe exp 45 backpack
This bag is a versatile backpack for use during pretty much any type of general travel. It thrives where the roller bag simply can't. It opens like a clamshell allowing different packing arrangements and fits within most carry on restrictions. Small pouches allow you to stow away the straps and turn it into a duffle. The VentureSafe Exp45 might well be PacSafe's answer to the very popular Osprey Farpoint 40, with the bonus of added anti-theft features.
Security Features on the venturesafe exp 45 backpack
Exomesh Slashguard - Wire mesh lining to protect contents from slash-and-run theft.
Roobar Deluxe Locking System - Central system for securing zippers to all compartments with optional space for a small padlock to deter pick-pockets.
Puncture Resistant TougZip - Double-layered zipper to prevent people from gaining access by poking through the zipper seam.
Locking Cable - included steel cable for securing the bag to static items.
NOTE: Unlike the other two bags, this one does not come with RFID safe pockets. If that's a concern, you can pick up a spare RFID Pouch or wallet from PacSafe.
what we like about the venturesafe exp 45 backpack
The fact that this bag opens like a book means that you have access to all your contents, without having to remove anything else. It's a rather uncommon, yet much-welcomed feature for a backpack of this size. The interior is rather uncomplicated, which allows for more room to pack, as well as providing versatility in how you go about it. We have been able to pack a camera cube along side all our clothes, making this great for one-bag-trips. Because the bottle pouch on the side is adjustable, we can easily synch down a tripod in it when needed. The quick access laptop and accessories sleeve on the outside is, again, a must for any digital nomads. Security checks are such a pain if you can't remove your electronics quickly and easily!
What could be improved on the Venturesafe exp 45 Backpack
My biggest issue with this bag is the fact that the laptop compartment is at the front (farthest away from your back). I prefer having the heavy items closer to my back for optimal weight distribution, but that comes down to preference. Speaking of weight distribution: when I'm carrying camera equipment in it (and probably adding more weight than I should) the straps can get a bit uncomfortable. The bag is really not designed for that, so I'll let this one slide. That being said, the straps could definitely use some width to distribute the load better. They are relatively narrow, meaning that the bag fully loaded can get slightly uncomfortable when you are carrying it for longer periods. I wouldn't recommend it for trekking, for that reason but for most other uses, it’s great. Think city breaks and definitely backpacking if you're not spending a whole day at a time with your full pack on your back. Fill it with clothes, slide your laptop in the sleeve and you are good to go. As a general single-bag-travel backpack, this bag is definitely worth considering and one that will continue to accompany me on my adventures.
you can purchase the pacsafe ventureSafe Exp 45 on amazon
our verdict on pacsafe anti theft bags
Overall, we are both super impressed with our PacSafe bags. It’s hard to find decent looking anti-theft bags, so we were pleased to discover these three. They feel secure, rugged and have passed the "get-through-airport-security-with-seconds-to-spare,-or-we'll-miss-our-flight-test"™. We are happy to say that they have replaced our old bags and feel like they will probably last a while (even with the heavy use we put bags through). We will certainly continue to use them on our travels and hope this review helps you decide if PacSafe anti-theft bags are the right fit for you. We'd love to hear from you in the comments below if you end up buying one or have any questions about them. Safe Travels!
