PacsafeUnisex's Anti Theft Backpack

I already have the Pacsafe Citysafe Convertible Backpack which I abandoned using in favour of a Baggallini Anti-theft Convertible backpack. The reason the Pacsafe Citysafe didn't work as a convertible, is due to the straps - when you take it off your shoulder, the strap slides to one side, making it a faff to get back on again. Basically, a lot of wriggling back into it and adjustment is needed. However, I'm going on a city break soon, and wanted a larger bag than the Baggallini. So I thought I'd give the Pacsafe Go a try, as it clearly has dedicated backpack straps. Generally, the bag is nice enough. The pink colour was pretty and it has a decent number of compartments. The docking mechanism on the front side pocket is also good. You need to pull the zip up hard and it then slots into a sort of plastic dock - meaning someone would need to give it a good yank to open it up when it's on your back (which you'd definitely feel). However, as with the convertible backpack, I found this backpack is let down by one BIG design flaw - and that's the locking mechanism for the main compartment. For some reason, rather than fitting this backpack with the regular Pacsafe 'Roo-bar' (a slightly fiddly mechanism at the top, which you pull apart and feed both zips through), this one has something entirely different. I'd suggest trying to watch a video of how this locks. The larger 25l backpack has the same mechanism. However, it's possibly not as troublesome on a larger bag which you might not be accessing so much throughout the day. But if you're wanting to get into the main compartment a fair bit, especially if you're out shopping with it (the RFID holder is on the inside, where you're likely to keep your credit cards), then this bag is likely to get your blood pressure up.I'll try to explain .... to lock it, you need to slide both zippers to one side. There's a small 'pocket' there (presumably to hide the zips better). You have to burrow into that, and you'll then find a 'hook'. You need to press part of that down to open it, then line up both zippers (so the holes in the top meet) and feed both through the tiny space in this latch. It's difficult and fiddly. Technically, you could just feed the top zipper through (rather than lining both zippers up), as once the top one is secure, it's not possible to pull the bottom one past that. But that feat is no easier. Essentially, Pacsafe has buried a very small, fiddly locking mechanism inside a little flap. And it's equally fiddly to re-open. I have no idea why they've done this. I find that top-locking mechanisms are not only easier to navigate, but are more useful, as you can slide one zip down to open the bag, rather than having to bring both zips down to the same side.Compare this to the Baggallini's anti-theft mechanism, which is easy to use (but still would be difficult for would-be thieves to open). With that, the end of each zip has a push-down locking mechanism. You can either link both zips together (so the bag can't be opened) or hook each clip individually onto a round metal piece at the top.I knew that this bag would cause no end of frustration, so I returned it. I then found that Baggallini do a larger backpack bag than the one I have (13" tall - so well roomy enough for a 10inch tablet) - the Women's Securtex Anti-Theft Vacation Backpack. So I ordered that instead. It's a great bag with more compartments, a better thought-through layout e.g. the RFID pocket is at the back (so lays against your back) and also clips securely (but simply) and is large enough for a phone, as well as a passport and, of course, your bank cards.I think this particular bag is a case of a manufacturer not properly understanding how people are likely to use the bag. The thought seems to have simply been put into making it safe. But not accessible. It's absolutely possible to make a bag accessible for the user, but not a would-be thief. Baggallini has managed to do this. Pacsafe themselves do it with their top-positioned Roo-bars (which are still sort of faffy but nowhere near as bad as this). It seems that a design that maybe works for their larger backpack has just been shoved onto this one too, with no appreciation for the fact that because the bag is smaller (more of an everyday size), people would want to get into it more often/easily. So, in a nutshell, what I, personally, view as one major design flaw, makes this bag pretty unusable for me.

I really appreciated the safety features of this backpack as I travelled through Rome during high season. My mother was pick-pocketed within 2 mins of leaving our hotel, but I never had even an attempt on mine. The only thing I would add is a few more interior pockets for better organization, but the size was perfect, the safety features excellent, and it was very comfortable to wear. I would definitely recommend if you are travelling in a known high-theft area.

My wife really loves this bag. Just the right size for travelling. Looks small but actually spacious. Highly recommended!

Love this bag. Perfect for traveling and keeping things locked up. Light weight, water proof, great color with camo inside.

Produkt wie beschrieben. Langzeittest folgt im Sommer 2022.

Comfortable