In most cases, having your valuable items and/or your pack stolen will ruin your near future plans, in terms of both time and personal finance – not to even mention losing the valuable personal items & digital content you collected through lots of time and effort.
To avoid this nightmare once and for all & enjoy your time outside, taking necessary precautions in advance is a must nowadays; and hence secure backpack industry came up with 4 main ideas:
- Locking zippers
- Hidden pockets, compartments and zippers
- Anti slash shoulder straps and body
- A hook to attach the pack securely to a steady object (e.g. chair leg)
To find out which pack is equipped with which of these methods and how well it performs without sacrificing from comfort, organization and versatility – we reviewed 20+ most popular theft resistant backpacks in today’s world, and we’ll get down to the nitty gritty of the top 6.
1- Pacsafe MetroSafe LS450 Review
Although unique locking mechanism and other anti theft features make Pacsafe MetroSafe LS450 Anti Theft Backpack | $119.95 stand out, its legit organizational features and comfort provided by the generously padded shoulder straps can’t be ignored.
Theft Resistance
Pacsafe’s “eXomesh slashguard” is a lightweight stainless steel mesh built inside the body and shoulder straps. Not only it’s impossible for thieves to tear your pack from front, back and shoulder straps; but also bottom and sides since they’re covered with this mesh as well which is unfortunately left out in some packs we reviewed.
RFID Protection
According to CSO, no reliable actual RFID crime has ever been reported. Yes, it might be a feature that you don’t need, but there isn’t an identical backpack out there only without the RFID protection.
Additionally, bottom of shoulder strap is attached to pack with a turn and lock security hook. Not many backpacks offer this feature. Attaching it to a steady object such as the chair leg you’re sitting on outside crowded cafes and restaurants, you can stop worrying about having your backpack stolen.
Comfort and Organization
After Travelon’s Anti Theft Urban Backpack, this pack scored the highest comfort as it’s generously padded on shoulder straps and top carry handle although back panel could be more comfortable. Straps are also thick and doesn’t chafe your shoulders or slip downwards.
Although it isn’t as light as other packs in this review, despite its larger volume it’s quite light at only 1.84 lbs. Zippers, straps and anti theft features are very durable.
Internal pockets in all 3 compartments (main compartment, front compartment and lower front pocket) allow organizing valuables (passports, cash, credit cards etc), electronics (laptop, tablet AND smartphone sleeves!) and any other frequently used item.
In the end, Pacsafe MetroSafe LS450 Anti Theft Backpack is a very comfortable backpack that offers unique anti theft features, great organization and sufficient comfort.
It’s the most recommended anti theft backpack out there as long as you aren’t under 5’3″ due to poor fit and don’t plan storing a 17″ or larger laptop inside.
2- Korin Design ClickPack Pro Review
Korin Design ClickPack Pro | $159.00
This pack is the only theft proof pack out there with all the anti-theft features. As this requires the absence of any external pocket due to rear opening, we kind of did wish having easier access to our frequently used items although Korin did try to make external attachment and very tiny pockets as available as possible.
Theft Resistance
Unlike all the other packs in this review, thanks to its lock mechanism below, you don’t need buy a luggage lock along with ClickPack Pro to achieve full protection. YKK zippers are double layered and explosion proof e.g. impossible to slash.
Contrary to popular belief, slash proof fabric isn’t black and white – some packs are more slash proof than others. Along with Travelon and Pacsafe products which are covered by internal stainless steel mesh inside the body and straps, ClickPack Pro scored the highest in terms of being slash proof. In addition to that, unlike other packs in this round-up no marks are left after any slash attempt thanks to its material distribution:
Slash proof fabric consists of 60/30/10 polymer polyethylene fabric/ultra-fine polyester silk/military glass fiber and is 2 times stronger than carbon fiber.
But here’s our favorite thing:
Attaching your pack securely to any steady object makes traveling much enjoyable when you leave your pack in your ho(s)tel’s luggage storage room, put it down on the floor when sipping your coffee in a cafe or in the bus traveling with your pack in the cabins.
MetroSafe LS450 and Travelon’s Classic & Urban Anti Theft Packs offer this feature by a shoulder strap hook and the bottom – but a metal wire lock allows a longer reach.
Comfort and Organization
ClickPack Pro scored even higher than Uoobag KT-01, MetroSafe LS450 and Bobby Original in terms of internal organization. It’s also the only pack in this review that comes with a rain cover and its carrying bag.
If you’re a regular reader, you know we’re a fan of packing cubes and we recommend investing in them all the time to keep your items more organized. But, since this pack comes with them, you already got them covered, and even more so than the regular packing cubes as with this pack internally divided mesh pockets are offered inside the packing cubes. Pack-ception?
Laptops up to 15.6″ and tablets up to an iPad Size (up to 10″) fit inside. If you have a 17″ Laptop, navigate to our reviews of Kopack and Bobby.
Packing cubes are a huge pro for everyone, but they make life much easier especially for those who stay in shared rooms and/or use shared bathrooms. Toiletry bag, our favorite, makes limited unpacking area much less of a nightmare in hostels.
ClickPack Pro is designed in a way to lean flat against your back – so the weight isn’t pulling your shoulders downwards.
In the end, we highly recommend this best anti theft backpack with rear hidden opening if you aren’t going to be packing laptops larger than 15.6″.
3- Travelon Anti Theft Urban Backpack Review
Travelon Anti Theft Urban Backpack | $80.89
This pack turned out to be the most comfortable anti theft backpack out there. Back panel is the most padded, adjustable sternum strap is very helpful when walking more than 15 mins. Also it’s highly organized and even ventilated!
Theft Resistance
This pack is protected the same way Travelon’s Anti Theft Classic Backpack is:
For the sake of not repeating, please navigate to Heading 2: Travelon Anti Theft Classic Backpack Review for their in depth explanations with photos.
Comfort and Organization
Back panel and shoulder straps are generously padded and breathable. S-shape of shoulder straps corresponded well to neck, shoulder and chest anatomy and didn’t chafe our shoulders as they’re completely covered with breathable, thick mesh.
It’s perfect to have the laptop sleeve located inside the rear compartment since it pulls the center of gravity closer to your body.
Horizontal ventilation channel in the middle of the back panel did keep us less sweaty when walking longer distances although it isn’t even close to being as ventilated as backpacking backpacks.
At 1.76 lbs and 22 liters of volume this pack is nowhere near being heavy not to even mention it’s literally made of steel.
Most room is provided inside the main compartment (2nd zip from behind) and we had no problems with any internal organizers. If you’re planning to carry a 17″ laptop, navigate to our Kopack or Bobby Reviews as this pack can only fit those up to 15.6″ inside the rear compartment.
We highly recommend this pack if you’re looking for a mega comfortable anti theft backpack as long as you aren’t planning to carry a 17″ laptop in the sleeve and don’t mind its somewhat bulky structure and less color options.
A perfect alternative to Pacsafe MetroSafe LS450.
4- Travelon Anti Theft Backpack Review
Among tens of backpacks we reviewed, Travelon’s Anti Theft Classic Backpack | from $47.25 is single handedly the best anti theft daypack we tested. Travelon is one of the very few security backpack brands out there that provides lockable zippers AND slash resistant construction.
Theft Resistance
What makes this pack SO popular is its complete protection without pissing you off or sacrificing from the design.
Reinforced flexible panel that constructs the slash resistant body is made from stainless steel mesh, just like the shoulder straps. They’re impossible to be teared by grab-n-go thieves.
Locking straps are used for attaching the pack to a steady object such as fences or chair leg you’re sitting on.
Yes, the slash proof body and shoulder straps are great – but what we truly LOVED about Travelon is the innovative easy to use locking zipper mechanism.
When closed, zippers of 2 exterior pockets meet at the top left side of this pack (right image – upper box) and the zipper of other pocket stays below (right image – lower box). There they’re easily locked to the chain loops (left images). Super easy to use and feels secure although not as much as those of Pacsafe MetroSafe LS450.
Comfort and Organization
…And you always sacrifice comfort with a super durable and secure pack. Right?
Wrong!
Although it’s quite lightweight at only 1.4 lbs and small with 13 liters of volume, since it’s made of steel (literally…) we didn’t expect Travelon’s Anti Theft Classic Backpack feel this comfortable especially on our shoulders.
Shoulder straps are lengthy and hence can be easily adjusted to fit a 5′ and a 6’4″ person at the same time. So size options are non-existent but also not needed.
The only gripe we had in terms of comfort was the not-so-padded carry handle at the top. MetroSafe LS450 and ClickPack Pro felt more smooth and pleasant on our hands.
Durability is the last thing you should be worrying about this pack. Its simple features don’t risk any mechanism failure and, well, it’s literally made of stainless steel mesh. We didn’t have any problems with zippers, shoulder straps or carry handle either.
In the end, Travelon Anti Theft Backpack is a very comfortable backpack that offers all the security measures the other packs do plus a slick lockable zipper mechanism and slash proof construction with stainless steel flexible mesh.
Highly recommended if you’re not planning to carry a 13″+ laptop & you don’t mind its small size.
5- Bobby Anti Theft Backpack Review
XD Design Bobby Original Anti-Theft Backpack $95.00
Minimalist design and easy to use anti theft features make Bobby Anti Theft Backpack a pretty legit choice for those who are looking for something very basic with the intent of daily uses between school-work-home-library-coffee shops etc.
Theft Resistance
Rear hidden compartment ensures no thief will be able to find the way to your belongings – let alone stealing them.
Unlike ClickPack Pro and Kopack (packs with rear hidden opening design), even the zippers are hidden this time.
Fabric is made slash proof with the help of a cut proof PP protection board.
Although it’s a pretty cool innovative way of thinking and it does ensure slash proofing, we had two main gripes: (1) it’s not available at the bottom side of the pack and (2) unlike ClickPack Pro, marks are left after the slash attempts.
Also… Since Bobby doesn’t offer lockable zippers, or a secure attachment wire or strap unlike many packs in this review, we wouldn’t recommend this product if you plan using your anti theft pack mainly while traveling.
Comfort and Organization
Along with ClickPack Pro and MetroSafe LS450, Bobby Original is the second best anti theft backpack in terms of internal organization.
Equipped with a tablet AND a laptop sleeve, 2 bottom unenclosed stretch pocket and a zippered internal top pocket, designers tried to compensate the lesser room in Bobby Original and provide easier access to your items. An additional pro here: It sits upright when put down.
Generously padded straps and back panel provide more than the comfort you need for this small pack as it’s impossible to overload. But it’s not ventilated and the fabric that contacts your back feels somewhat rough, so it’ll make you sweat.
Hidden back, side & strap pockets are another reason to use Bobby in public transportations and within city. Quick card access makes everything much easier.
Also there is a luggage strap – but since we don’t recommend traveling with this pack due to lacking theft resistance, we didn’t wish having it.
Recommended mainly for students who won’t be traveling with the pack.
6- Kopack Anti Theft Backpack Review
Kopack Anti Theft Travel Backpack | from $35.99
This pack also provides rear hidden opening (although normal zipper version is also available) to make pickpocketing literally impossible. It’s slash proof (although not as much as Pacsafe, Korin and Travelon) and can fit laptops up to 17″.
The problem with them was not only that none of them were slash resistant, but also they couldn’t fit 17″ laptops (Hanke up to 14″, Seehonor under 17″, Oscaurt up to 15.6″).
Theft Resistance
A backpack with zips against back is the most useful in super crowded concerts, public transportation vehicles etc.
Forget about the locking – now your zips aren’t even there! This feature alone eliminates the need for any quick zip lock mechanism like those of Pacsafe and Travelon – although they are lockable with a padlock such as Sure Lock Travel Luggage Locks | from $12.95
However we’d like to have shoulder strap hook for secure attachment as we found it pretty useful especially when attached to the chair leg you’re sitting on outside crowded restaurants and cafes.
Comfort and Organization
As you can guess, having only one compartment is the biggest downside of a backpack with secret pockets although it freely opens 180 degrees like a suitcase. Still, it’s one of the very, VERY few anti theft backpacks that can fit a 17″ laptop.
Our main gripe about this pack was the organization. The elastic band couldn’t really prevent some of our items get tangled (fate of ALL backpacks with hidden back pockets). We highly recommend investing in packing cubes such as Shacke Pak Set | from $24.99 if you decide to go for this or any other backpack with hidden pockets.
There is a somewhat hidden lower back pocket and a private lower side pocket for valuable stuff, but regardless we still felt the need to have more room in the exterior pockets.
On the other hand, this pack succeeded in giving the cushioned feeling against our backs and felt highly comfortable on our shoulders.
Having the laptop and tablet sleeve located right against the back perfectly gathers the heaviest portion of your load closest to your body. This way the momentum on your body is decreased and hence the load feels lighter.
An amazing extra feature especially for fellow globetrotters here: Attach your Kopack to your rolling luggage using the elastic bandage to save a lot of frustration inside the airport.
We’d highly recommend this pack if (1) you’re looking for a backpack with rear hidden pocket, (2) have a relatively large (up to 17″) laptop (and hence less options) and (3) you’d do equally fine with lacking internal organization and exterior pockets or you can invest in packing cubes such as Shacke Pak Set | from $24.99.
We hope this review was helpful for finding which anti theft backpack is the best one for your needs.
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Redacted from published piece by Ryan Alston for Outdoor Crunch, December 2018. Read full article here.
