After a few trips to Europe, I was in search of replacing my college backpack for something with more security. Don’t get me wrong, my camelback backpack was great, but it was great for lugging around tons of books from class to class. Now that I graduated (hooray!) and have a 9-5 job, it was time to upgrade my travel backpack. I wanted something that would be functional, stylish, and timeless. I did some research but nothing stood out….until I was on a tour to see Stonehenge. A fellow passenger on the tour had this cool looking backpack that had a BUILT-IN LOCK. YES, THOSE BACKPACKS EXIST! I was shocked seeing that there was such a thing and luckily, I caught the brand that made the backpack.
Pacsafe City Safe Backpack
Who makes this fantastic backpack? Pacsafe. They have great travel accessories that focus on keeping your personal items out of the hands of pick pocketers while still looking sleek and timeless. There are a ton of styles to choose from and they are now producing sustainable products! I chose the City Safe CX Anti-Theft backpack in black since I didn’t want to worry about stains or being very careful with the backpack.
P.S. They have sustainable options and they donate 1% of every online purchase to turtle conservation!
Key Features
The city safe backpack I bought is black with pink interior lining with an outer zipped compartment and is water-resistant. The outer compartment has two small pockets to help keep things separate and the zipper has a pull through tab to help prevent theft. One of the straps also can be wrapped around a leg of a chair or table easily in case you want to set it down while you’re at a coffee shop or restaurant. On the back, there is a luggage strap to help secure it to your suitcase if you want to give your back a break. Both sides have pockets for water bottles to help keep your hands free. There is a laptop pocket, RFID zipped pouch and two small pockets in the main compartment. To secure this main compartment, Pacsafe has a Roobar locking system that prevents anyway for pick-pocketers to unzip the backpack when you’re not looking.
- Outer Shell is Water Resistant
- Outer Shell is Slash Resistant
- Main Compartment has a Locking System
- Small Outer Compartment has a Secured Zip Tab
- Several Pockets to Organize Your Items
- RFID Pocket to Protect Your Personal Data
- Side Pockets for Water Bottles
- Luggage Slip
Things to Consider
There are a few quirks to the backpack to consider. The main compartment zipper can kink when the two sides aren’t aligned, you will have to ensure that both sides are even before zipping up the backpack. This is due to the stiffness and the design of the zipper area, but this doesn’t really bother me. Another thing to consider before buying this backpack is that it will take longer to get in and out of the backpack if the zipper is locked. However, that’s also a reason to get the backpack, it makes it harder for thieves to unzip your backpack and get access to your important belongings. The straps are adjustable, but the clasps will eventually slide down due to the slick material (unlike the braided/coarser straps of other backpacks that help create a non-slip effect). This will cause you to have to reset the strap length several times throughout your use of the backpack.
My Personal Use
I’ve had this backpack for two years and used it every time I traveled. The main reason I got it was to ensure my items were secure from thieves and protect my items from the rain during my trip to Thailand. The water-resistant material kept the inside completely dry when it was pouring rain! I also just toss my backpack on the ground and don’t really baby it but somehow it still looks like the day I got it. I haven’t had many issues with the inside of it staining either, but I usually keep items that could stain it in other bags since I’m traveling.
Tip: Separate items into several smaller bags to keep everything organized!
The locking system for the main compartment is great and still works like a charm! It gives me a sense of calm knowing my stuff is secured and I don’t have to worry as much. Despite the few issues I have with the backpack, I would still highly recommend it. So, if you’re in the market for a new travel backpack, check out Pacsafe!
If you’ve tried any items from Pacsafe, let me know what you think of them!
