A little over a year ago my bag was stolen in Spain. Ever since then, I’ve been a lot more careful about how we carry our important stuff each day we travel. So many of our readers and followers have been asking us about how to choose a day bag or a travel bag that keeps their important stuff as safe as possible. That’s why we created this list of the best anti-theft travel bags for 2023. This includes the best anti theft travel purses as well as travel bags for men.
*This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my DISCLAIMER. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check out the Best Anti Theft Bag On Amazon
The Best Anti Theft Bags For Travel
We recommend Amazon for many of our travel-related products. First, they have a wide variety of products, including travel bags. Second, we try to recommend products that are part of Amazon Prime, which provides purchasers with free and often super-fast delivery. (Get 30 days of Prime free here.)
We include full reviews for all of our recommended travel bags below. If you are short on time, though, feel free to use the table below.
What Are RFID Anti Theft Bags
We are members of several travel-related Facebook groups where travelers can ask for advice about a variety of topics. One of the most frequently asked questions we see relates to how to keep valuables safe while traveling. Understandably so.
In the end, anti-theft technology will not keep your bag from getting snatched from out of your hands. It will, however, prevent people from unzipping your bag or slashing the strap.
Some of the features included in anti theft bags for travel include special materials to make them slash proof, include locking mechanisms, or allow you to attach your bag to a chair or a table leg for extra security. And RFID technology included in many of these bags will keep your digital information secure.
What Is RFID Technology?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Devices. Many passports and credit cards today have small chips that store your account information and personal details using RFID technology. This technology is what lets you wave or touch a credit card to make a payment. Cool and convenient but it can create problems.
High-tech thieves are now able to use handheld scanning devices to capture this personal information. This means you don’t need to have your actual credit card physically stolen for someone to access your account. They can do it from several feet away.
RFID blocking prevents thieves from accessing this information. Anti theft purses and bags have a metal fiber mesh inside that protects your passport and credit cards. It creates a cage or a box around your electronics to prevent these craft thieves from accessing your data.
What Are The Main Anti Theft Bag Brands
There are two primary brands for anti-theft crossbody travel bags, Travelon and PacSafe, although other reputable companies also use this type of technology. Both brands offer similar technology and features. In the end, a lot of the decision comes down to style. Travelon has more variety and offers more options for bags that don’t necessarily look like travel bags.
Looking for more travel tips? Check out our Priority Pass Lounge Review & Save 10% on membership here.
Anti Theft Bag Reviews
In this section, I share individual reviews for the best anti theft bags for women, although a few of these can be considered unisex. Below I include a separate section for travel bags for men as well as travel wallets.
Check out this post on the Best Hard Sided Luggage For Europe, which also includes a TSA-approved lock for security.
Check out the Best Anti Theft Bag On Amazon
Travelon Anti Theft Bag Reviews
There are a variety of options when it comes to Travelon anti theft handbags for women and bags for men too. Some of the reasons why I like Travelon products include the fact that they have locking compartments, slash proof materials, slash-proof straps, and RFID blocking technology. Some of them also have lock down straps. This means that the straps are easily adjustable so that the bag can be attached to a chair or a table while at a cafe or a restaurant or on a train too.
They also have one of the largest product portfolios with bags for men and women, wallets, and so many different varieties of each. This includes backpacks, tote bags, shoulder bags, sling bags, and more.
When considering what to pack for travel in Europe or even Asia, some of these bags are the perfect fit regardless of how long the trip is. These could be the best travel bag for 2 weeks in Europe when it comes to day bags.
Travelon Anti Theft Crossbody Purse
The classic Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag is one of the most popular options from Travelon. There’s a locking main section and a removable LED light for security. Both the body of the bag and the shoulder strap is slash-resistant. The adjustable shoulder strap can attach to tables or chairs.
This bag comes in about a dozen colors and patterns. It’s also relatively slim and fits up against your body making it easy to carry. There is also RFID blocking technology for the built-in card slots.
Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Slouch Hobo
The Travelon Anti-Theft Hobo Bag is another classic option from Travelon. It has a lot of the same features as the crossbody bag but is a little larger. There is RFID blocking technology. The fabric and the shoulder strap are slash-proof. This bag has a front zipped pocket that is perfect for a smartphone so that it is easily accessible.
Travelon Anti-Theft Heritage Tote Bag
The Travelon Anti Theft Tote Bag is part of the Heritage line of Travelon bags. I like this one because it doesn’t look like a travel bag. This makes it great to use at home as well as on the road. It’s got loads of pockets and is large enough to hold everything you need to explore during the day. It includes an RFID blocking pocket. This bag comes in pewter and sage. They also sell the Heritage design in an anti theft hobo bag too.
Pacsafe Anti Theft Bag Reviews
There are a variety of options when it comes to Pacsafe anti theft handbags for women and bags for men too. Some of the reasons why I like Pacsafe products include all of their fancy technologies and features. This includes eXomesh slash-proof materials and straps and Lockabout security clips to keep bags securely closed. Their bags have a variety of different locking mechanisms depending on the bag style.
In the end, I think Travelon has a greater variety but some of the Pacsafe women’s anti theft bags tend to look a little more feminine. The pictures below are all in black, but there are other colors available in each of these bags.
Check out the Best Pacsafe Anti Theft Bags On Amazon
Pacsafe Citysafe Anti Theft Crossbody Bag
The Pacsafe Citysafe Anti Theft Crossbody Travel Bag is one of their more basic models. It has all of the anti-theft features and technology in a simple travel purse. There are two zip pockets, two slip pockets, and one exterior pocket. It is made of slash-proof material and a slash-proof shoulder strap.
It comes in black, purple, and beige. The PacSafe crossbody bag includes RFID blocking pockets. The inside pocket is large enough to fit a small tablet or iPad mini.
PacSafe Anti Theft Convertible Backpack
The PacSafe Anti Theft Backpack fits a lot into one bag. The most interesting is that it is convertible. It can be a backpack or a regular handbag. This makes it a great bag for travel because you can carry it out at night without feeling like you are carrying a backpack. It also holds up to a 13 inch laptop computer or tablet.
The anti theft bag includes interlocking zippers and is made with cut-proof material. There are also RFID-blocking pockets. This bag comes in black, tan, purple, merlot, and navy. The shoulder straps can be attached to chairs or poles too. It’s also super lightweight, weighing in at only one pound. They also make a similar anti theft backpack that does not convert into a handbag.
Pacsafe Women’s Daysafe Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag
This Pacsafe Daysafe Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag is a good alternative to the one above. It’s a lot smaller and is meant really to only hold credit cards and a mobile phone. It also can be attached to a table or pole. The Pacsafe Daysafe is made of slash-proof material, including the strap.
This bag comes in black, purple, orange, and navy with polka dots. There is RFID blocking technology throughout the entire bag. It is also thin enough to fit in your luggage or carry-on bag while flying and then be used as a day bag when exploring.
The Best Men’s Anti Theft Travel Bags
Anti theft technology is not limited to women’s travel purses. There are a good number of options for men as well, whether you want a small bag or something larger. Most of our recommended anti theft bags for men also are from Travelon and Pacsafe, although there are other options available.
Check out the Best Anti Theft Bags For Men On Amazon
Travelon Men’s Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag
This Travelon Anti-Theft Active Tour Bag is technically unisex but looks a little more masculine than the other recommendations above. It comes in charcoal, black, and dark blue. The bag is made from water and stain-resistant nylon. There is a roomy main compartment with RFID blocking technology with room for credit cards and a passport. There are plenty of zipped pockets.
This men’s anti theft bag is also great for outdoor use. There is an LED light on the bag as well as reflective material for use at night. Some of the anti-theft features include slash-resistant material and straps and locking compartments.
Pacsafe Metrosafe Anti Theft Shoulder Bag
The Pacsafe Metrosafe Anti Theft Laptop Bag holds a small laptop, up to 11 inches. The anti-theft bag features include lockable zippers, slash-proof materials, a slash-proof strap, and RFID blocking technology. There are loads of pockets to keep things organized. There’s a clip inside for keys and the shoulder strap can be clicked onto table legs or chairs. It’s also water resistant and there are outside pockets for a water bottle or umbrella.
Pacsafe also has a slightly smaller version, which can fit a 10-inch tablet, but is not big enough for a laptop. Both versions come in black and charcoal. The smaller version comes in blue, green, and khaki. Both bags come with a Pacsafe warranty.
Travelon Men’s Anti Theft Messenger Bag
The Travelon Anti-Theft Urban Messenger Bag is a compact messenger bag that is a little taller and more narrow than a traditional messenger bag. It is large enough to hold up to a 14 inch laptop or tablet. It includes RFID blocking technology too to both credit cards and a passport. The strap is adjustable, slash resistant, and can be attached to a chair or post. There is a locking compartment and the material is slash-resistant. The bag comes in black and charcoal. There is also an outside pocket for a water bottle or umbrella.
Wisfruit Anti Theft Sling Bag
The Wisfruit Anti Theft Sling Bag is a more contemporary looking bag that is also large enough to hold everything needed as a day bag or carry-on bag.
It also has an exterior USB charging port that can connect to a power bank inside the bag (buy a battery power pack here). This enables you to charge a phone on the go. It comes in black, charcoal, navy, green, and red. It’s lightweight and waterproof to keep electronics safe.
Some of the anti-theft features include a lock on the bag, but it doesn’t include RFID blocking technology. This means the bag is super lightweight but doesn’t have the same features as some of the other bags.