Travelon’s Anti-Theft Classic Backpack Turns Crowded European Streets Into Low-Stress Zones

Summer travel season brings crowded planes, trains, and walkways in Italy, France, and Spain. The same crowds that create unforgettable experiences at tourist attractions and markets also allow quick-handed thieves to target distracted visitors. A typical daypack exposes wallets, phones, passports, and cameras in ways that professional pickpockets use every day. The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Backpack, priced at $49 (was $104), addresses this issue with practical barriers.

It measures 12 inches wide, 16 inches high, and 6 inches deep, and has a capacity of 11 liters, which is manageable given its weight of only 1.2 pounds. The padded laptop sleeve inside is designed to handle a 13-inch laptop, and the overall size is compact enough to carry all day in the city without feeling weighed down on your shoulders or back.

Three layers of protection work together to keep your gear safe and secure. The shoulder straps are strengthened with steel cables to keep pickpockets from cutting them, and the body panels are composed of extremely robust slash-resistant mesh that will withstand rough handling in crowded areas. Instead of just closing, the zippers clip securely to built-in rings, and any attempt to force them open results in a good hard tug on the user. To protect against electronic card readers, RFID-blocking material is used in the front and interior slots.

They’ve also paid close attention to how this design is organized. The front compartment puts your passport, cards, and small items right where you need them while keeping them safe from prying eyes, and a tethered key clip prevents your house keys from vanishing in a quick grab. The main compartment includes a laptop sleeve as well as some zippered and drop pockets for segregating wires, chargers, and documents, which is a very useful feature for keeping things organized. You also have a side pocket for a water bottle or umbrella, as well as a little tuck pocket on the other side to put anything that you want to keep out of sight but easily accessible.

Travelers who have tested this product in Europe have all reported the same thing: the locking zippers eliminate the possibility of a silent unzip, which crooks enjoy employing in crowded trains or shoulder-to-shoulder situations. The cut-resistant straps and panels are a great way to keep someone from simply slashing the bag and running. Plus, RFID protection adds another layer of security against contactless card theft.

According to data and insurance analysis, Italy has the highest pickpocketing rate in Europe, with tens of thousands of cases reported in Rome alone each year, including the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon. France isn’t far behind, thanks to all of the bustle surrounding Paris landmarks, and Spain is also seeing its fair share of problems in areas such as Barcelona’s Las Ramblas and key plazas, as it’s not surprise that the same busy destinations receive so much attention year after year.