8 Best Anti Theft Backpacks for Travel 2022
There are few things scarier than having your ID, money, and credit cards stolen while traveling. It’s frightening and infuriating, especially since thieves have gotten craftier in their art. To help keep your belongings safe, we’ve put together a list of the best anti theft backpacks for travel.
In 2016, I got my small backpack stolen, with all my essential items in it, while I was waiting at the airport in Berlin to fly to Poland. One minute it was there, and then *poof* – gone.
Passports, bank cards, iPad, flight tickets, cash, drivers license – pretty much everything I needed as a digital nomad was never to be seen again. Thieves are always watching – and they are freaking fast once they’ve picked out a target. Which in this case, was me.
Since then, I’ve always travelled with an anti-theft backpack for safety and I haven’t had any more problems.
Read more: Travel Safety Tips For Digital Nomads
Anti-theft backpacks aim to curb theft with special features designed to thwart would-be thieves and keep your items secure. From backpacks with locking zippers, to special fabrics and high-tech pockets, these bags aren’t your standard accessory. They provide peace of mind for anyone who carries their life on their back.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about these bags, including key features and a list of the best anti-theft backpacks of this year.
8 Best Anti Theft Backpacks
You have dozens of anti-theft backpack options, making it tough to choose the best one. Here are a few of our top picks to help you start the search.
Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Anti Theft Laptop Backpack
This backpack is one of the best anti-theft travel backpacks available. It’s large enough to fit in everything you need without being cumbersome.
- Dimensions: 18.9” x 11.8” x 6.7”
- Weight: 1.84 pounds
- RFID blocking: yes
- Laptop sleeve: yes
- Color options: black, grey, navy, sandstone, khaki
It’s sleek and non-assuming but packs some key features and plenty of room for your belongings. The Metrosafe LS450 is durable with a water-resistant, slash-resistant exterior and lockable zippers.
You get several hidden pockets and a quick-access front pocket for important items, like keys and passports. Plus, it’s comfortable to wear with padded shoulder straps and a quilted back.
Travelon Anti Theft Classic Backpack
This Travelon backpack blends classic style with modern amenities for a useful anti-theft day pack.
- Dimensions: 12” x 16” x 6”
- Weight: 1.15 pounds
- RFID blocking: yes
- Laptop sleeve: yes
- Color options: black, chocolate, midnight, sand, purple, black and white stripe, black and with white flowers, geometric tiles
The Travelon Classic design features slash-proof panels and straps so that thieves can’t cut into the bag or slice them free from your body. Plus, this lockable backpack features locking straps and compartments to keep your items safe.
Sherpani Quest Anti Theft Backpack for Women
Although it’s marketed as a women’s backpack, this chic bag is not particularly feminine – but it is versatile.
- Dimensions: 11” x 15” x 5”
- Weight: 1.59 pounds
- RFID blocking: yes
- Laptop sleeve: yes
- Color options: carbon, copper, or sterling
The Quest has two exterior and two side pockets with zippers. Plus, there’s a fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses. The main zipper pocket locks and it has a chair loop lock.
One of this bag’s key features is its unique material. While it is still anti-slash like the other bags on our list, Sherpani uses a nylon and melange blend to create a durable yet lightweight bag. Plus, the interior lining is bright green to make it easier to find your items in a hurry.
XD Design Bobby Hero XL Anti Theft Laptop Backpack
XD Design’s Bobby Hero XL might be one of the most minimalist anti-theft backpacks on the list.
- Dimensions: 12.4” x 18.1” x 4.9”
- Weight: 2.13 pounds
- RFID blocking: yes
- Laptop sleeve: yes
- Color options: dark blue, green, grey, light blue, red, blue, black
Environmentally conscious travelers might appreciate this eco-friendly backpack with hidden and locking zippers (though the lock is not included). It’s water-repellant and slash-resistant with no front access and plenty of hidden pockets to stow your items.
This bag includes a bonus feature that’s excellent for travelers. A secret pouch with a USB port allows you to connect devices to a power bank inside.
Pacsafe Citysafe Mini Backpack
This water-resistant Citysafe backpack by Pacsafe is slightly smaller than the others, but it still has all of the key features you need from a theft proof backpack.
- Dimensions: 14.2” x 10.2” x 5.2”
- Weight: 1.34 pounds
- RFID blocking: yes
- Laptop sleeve: yes
- Color options: black, plum, grey, red, blue
While it doesn’t have as many pockets as some of the full-sized packs, it’s roomy enough to manage most devices, including tablets and laptops up to 13 inches. You can even secure this locking backpack to tables and chairs.
Mancro RFID Anti Theft Travel Backpack
This Mancro anti theft backpack is an affordable option that can accommodate most laptops up to 17 inches and has some key anti-theft features.
- Dimensions: 20” x 12.2” x 5.7”
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- RFID blocking: yes
- Laptop sleeve: yes
- Color options: grey, black, navy, blue, red,
This bag is one of the few backpacks with locks included, and you can set the password yourself.
It features padded straps for comfort and has an external USB port, though the charging pack is not included.
Kopack Slim Laptop 15.6” Anti Theft Backpack
Kopack’s slim anti-theft backpack is another affordable option with a low-profile design.
- Dimensions: 17.7 x 11.8 x 4.3
- Weight: 1.95 pounds
- RFID blocking: yes
- Laptop sleeve: yes
- Color options: black, dark grey, grey, magenta, purple
Though this bag is a slim design, the Kopack is still a sizable bag with plenty of space to hold everything you need for a day at work, school, or running around town. It has tear-resistant material and anti-puncture zippers as well as hiding compartments that you can only access when not wearing it.
Travelon Active Tour Anti Theft Backpack
If you don’t need to carry your laptop and want something smaller and lighter, the Active Tour is a solid option.
- Dimensions: 9” x 11” x 3.5”
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
- RFID blocking: yes
- Laptop sleeve: no
- Color options: black, charcoal, teal
Travelon crafted a smaller backpack for those days when you need less gear. You get plenty of pockets and protection, including a mesh pocket for a water bottle. It also has a key clip with LED light.
What to look for in a good anti theft backpack
The best anti theft backpacks have many similar features to protect your items. Let’s discuss the key features to help you decide which ones you can pass on and those you can’t live without.
Slash-Proof Material
Cut-resistant materials offer varying degrees of protection, but for anti-theft backpacks it’s all about preventing thieves from slicing bags open. Typically, manufacturers use materials that incorporate some form of steel mesh to prevent slices. Some bags even include slash-proof straps to prevent thieves from cutting them loose and taking everything.
Special Zippers
Anti-theft backpacks typically feature hidden zippers, locking zippers, or a combination of both. Hidden zippers blend with the bag, typically within a seam, to deter thieves.
Selecting a backpack with a lock means the zipper pulls can accommodate a padlock of some sort. It’s one of the best options for preventing theft. Packs can have one or more locking zippers, so consider how much you need to lock up.
Hidden Pockets
Hidden pockets may or may not have zippers, but they are typically inaccessible while wearing the bag. It’s a great place to store your passport, credit cards, or phone.
RFID Protection
RFID blocking protection is a technology that prevents thieves from scanning your credit cards through your bag. Most anti-theft bags feature at least one pocket with RFID protection.
Built-in Cables for Locking Backpacks
Unless you plan to wear your backpack the entire time you’re out, locking cables come in handy. You can use them to lock an anti-theft backpack to a chair, table, post, and so on.
Final Thoughts – Best Anti Theft Backpacks For Travel
The best anti theft backpacks can’t prevent all theft, but they can deter many opportunistic thieves who are looking for an easy target. It’s still important to be aware of your surroundings and keep track of your belongings whenever you’re in public.
