This is a question that pops up in my inbox frequently and one that backpackers often have during the mid-to-latter part of the travel planning process. A Pacsafe is certainly something to consider while you’re choosing the right backpack but let’s focus on whether you need one to keep your electronics and other valuables safe.
What Is A Pacsafe?
I should clarify that Pacsafe is a brand name referring to the company that makes several travel security products; but also the common name for that company’s most popular product – a stainless steel wire mesh that covers the exterior of a backpack. That mesh which can be locked to some fixture in a hostel, hotel, or guesthouse. Pacsafe aren’t specific to backpacks technically (though they tend to shaped for them) and can be fit around other handbags as well as some smaller bags and suitcases. There are also some competing products out there, though for the sake of simplicity I’ll stick with calling all backpack-protecting steel meshes Pacsafe for the rest of this post.
How Does A Pacsafe Protect Your Stuff?
Exterior-fitting Pacsafe work by making your backpack mostly slash-proof, protecting it against someone who might slice through the fabric to steal your things when you’re out, say, sightseeing. Pacsafe are also designed to be locked on to things like radiators and the like that are bolted down so someone can’t bolt with your entire bag. It’s worth noting that the company Pacsafe and others make some form of internal steel mesh that can protect some of your things while you’re actually traveling but for the most part a Pacsafe goes into action when you’re not around.
Sounds Good In Theory: The Drawbacks Of A Pacsafe
Much like our waistlines, backpacks tend to gain weight over time if they go unchecked and a Pacsafe will add 600 grams (~1.3 pounds) to your luggage. That’s not an insignificant amount of weight, especially when considering most airlines’ upper limit before fees is around 20 kilograms (~47lbs).
- You can of course put your backpack on a diet to compensate for the added gravitational down force if you’re willing to take it on.
In addition to the added weight, a remember the physical space inside of your bag a Pacsafe will take – 16 x 10 x 5 cm (or 6 x 4 x 2 inches) – under ideal conditions. Ideal conditions meaning that you’ve been able to wrap up the Pacsafe how it came first packaged; which for many (including myself) requires summoning the powers of magic helper elves or drinking enough vodka not to notice. Pacsafe also tend to be quite cumbersome to take on and off, requiring some practice to get the technique down on a consistent basis.
Yet There Are Advantages, Even If You Don’t Have Magic Elves
I may have made Pacsafe seem like a nightmare not worth its weight in security but they can be very useful in particular travel situations. Guesthouses, in particular, are a good example as they typically don’t have safes and realtively little security from the outside. (Camp sites are another good example.) They can also give you added protection against cleaning staff and others who may have access to your room legitimately while you’re not around. Those of you carrying specialized equipment (e.g. video and sound) in one bag may also think about a Pacsafe depending on where you may be traveling and staying.
Pacsafe also not only protect you from bag-slashers, but also from those who know how to undo a zipper whether it’s locked or not.
How To Get (Close To) Pacsafe Security Without A Pacsafe
Pacsafe tend to run around $75-100, a cost you can save on with some preparation and alternative tools. You won’t be able to get the exact kind of security a Pacsafe provides (it’s hard to beat a backpack covered in steel mesh bolted to a pipe in a hotel bathroom) but you can get pretty darn close while remaining a bit more conspicuous.
- Start With Planning – Most hotels and hostels will list whether or not they have lockers on booking sites (I recommend you always travel with a least 1 large padlock) and it’s something you should look for.
Before we go on, remember to focus your protection on the things that need protecting most – electronics, jewelry, and other valuables. I once had socks stolen from me, I can’t say I was too broken up about it and you too should compartmentalize what counts most.
- Lock Your Zippers – Two locked zippers are often enough to deter most opportunistic thieves who generally don’t have much time to waste. Airport baggage handlers (or the TSA), hotel staff, and shifty dorm-mates go for the easiest targets and simple locks can put you ahead a step. For added protection you can even use a laptop lock to loop through the zipper locks to secure to something bolted down.
You may be able to get away without a Pacsafe but can still use Pacsafe – the company’s products, that is. Pacsafe make many smaller bags with the steel mesh built-in, which protects you against bag slashing and is inconspicuous at the same time. They also make smaller, lockable travel packs for passports, wallets, and other, smaller, essential travel items.
So, Do You Need A Pacsafe?
For most people, the answer to this question is going to be no. I travel with more electronics than the average traveler – having traveled with and without a Pacsafe I’ve come to the conclusion many of its benefits can be had with things you’re likely already traveling with. That’s not to say a Pacsafe shouldn’t be a part of your backpack security system – just that it’s not an essential component or the end all to theft on the road.
Typically common sense and adding time to a potential theft is enough to protect your belongings, rather than using a more visible, brawny solution.
[photos by: Sheep”R”Us (Pacsafe), The Prudent Cyclist (yellow lock)]
Couldn’t agree more – really all that really matters is cash ,cards and your passport and they should be on your body not in any bag. I do carry a decent camera and a netbook – but they are not irreplaceable – I have backups and travel insurance – and if I was nervous – they’d be in my daypack with me.
And when you are getting locks – get combo locks and set them all alike to a simple to remember combo (for you – like a DOB) – losing a key is far too easy
I’m actually a bit of a different mind about it – I never carry a passport on me and rarely have cards. In general your bag at the hotel or hostel is less of a target than your person – of course depending on where you are in the world.
The locks though do go pretty far and don’t look quite as enticing as an entire bag covered in steel mesh 🙂
Where in the world are you talking about Anil? In my extensive experience of Asia, South America and Europe is that almost all theft is opportunistic and non-violent- it is very, very rare to be confronted by a thief. Of course I am assuming that you don’t keep a passport in a back pocket 🙂
That is true – it’s my belief though there’s more opportunity for theft when the target and valuables are moving around. I’d say this is probably more true in South America and parts of Africa for confrontational theft but it could also make a pickpocketing more of a pain to loose a passport.
But your passport shouldn’t be IN a pocket unless you’re actually about to show it at a border. That’s what money belts are for. And there’s no way I considered lugging a bunch of steel mesh around with me for more than a nanosecond!
I don’t think in most cases it’s worth carrying your passport on you at all, pocket or not.
Fantastic! As you know, this was a question I had – in thinking about preparation for my own RTW trip. There’s lots of information about the benefits of a PacSafe device out there, but it’s really good to hear that my anticipated drawbacks (weight and complexity) weren’t unfounded.
I guess in the end the decision over whether or not to get one will come down to circumstance, and that will be different for everyone – but this has certainly helped me come to the decision that I’ll be ok without one.
Thanks Anil!
Really glad I could help and thank you for giving me the inspiration to revisit a very common travel topic further in depth 🙂
Back in 2011 I was robbed in a Church In Bulacan in Northern Luzon, I used a small messenger bag for the first time ever as I normally use a Photographers sleeveless Jacket and up until I used this bag had never had a problem needless to say I went back to using my Jacket, also I never put travel docs or wallets in a backpack lucky for me on that day I did not have my passport with me
Were you pick-pocketed or was the bag forcibly taken from you?
One point about lockable zippers: they’re meant to deter casual theft, not the pros. If you lock your bag’s zippers in a hostel dorm, you probably won’t have to worry about your morally casual roommate going through your stuff.
If you’re somewhere filled with professional thieves, leave. Otherwise, a slash-proof bag and covered zippers are necessary.
Very true, no security is absolute and even good wire cutters make a Pacsafe useless in about 10 seconds. Thieves tend to go for the easiest target with the highest reward and locks can tip the balance in your favor 🙂
I have a Pacsafe and, while I think it’s big and bulky and difficult to use, the few times that I’ve chosen to use it, I’ve been glad I had it. Though I never want to travel with too much stuff, I do try to think about the situations where I might need something and be prepared. I’d rather carry it and not need it then need it and not have it.
Hi JoAnna, I’m curious in what situations you’ve found a Pacsafe particularly useful in your experience?
never had one and never lost anything in 6 months, i guess im lucky lololol… but i think using the wire mesh just makes you more of a target… it attracts thieves because you look like you’re protecting a valuable thing in your bag… the only things im worried about are my passport, cards and cash, i do use a money belt to keep them safe whenever im travelling 🙂
ps
i saw a couple of those wire mesh left in hostels… i even tried to return it to the last occupant of the room but they just said they dont need it anymore, so we just threw it in the trash bin…
…sounds like a good way to make money reselling – eBay!! 😉
Agree its not an essential and here in the Philippines if your going to get robbed its either going to be a pickpocket that is quick enough to rob you take your cash and put your wallet back leaving your credit cards intact (yes know several people have this happen to them) or at gun or knife point. Any of these situations wouldn’t make any difference having a locked backpack.
Guest houses I can understand but then again generally anyone I leave with my backpack or other gear will guard it with their life if I am out as they are paranoid about things being stolen.
Crimes of opportunity usually require you not to be the best opportunity for protection with a dose of luck 🙂 I’m surprised the pickpockets bother putting the wallets back – any insight as to why they do?
(I’m thinking of a story I heard by http://Turkeysforlife.com – who everyone should read btw – where burglars took their shoes off before emptying out a house. That’s one ingrained tradition – maybe something like that in the Philippines, or just ditching evidence?)
Great pros and cons regarding the pacsafe. We’ve traveled with and without them. In India we were very happy to have it. When sleeping on the upper bunk of a train while our packs were on the floor we felt more secure. And when we were in flimsy beach bungalows, we felt safe knowing our electronics were locked to a metal bar, or the bed while we were out. On the other hand, it is heavy, takes up a lot of room and most of the time we don’t use it. We are still sitting on the fence. Sometimes we bring it, sometimes we don’t. How’s that for advice:-)
Advice is usually some shade of gray I suppose! Thanks for sharing how the Pacsafe has worked for you on your (many!) travels 🙂
I’ve been to some pretty shady places, and maybe I’m just naive. But I’ve always felt like it you throw one of these on a shinny new backpack it makes it more of a target, because it’s gotta have something valuable in it. I think if you pack a plain looking boring bag no one will give it a second glance haha.
They definitely draw attention to a backpack – a more difficult but enticing target.
Do you lock your bag at all or just use lockers, safes, etc. at the places you stay?
If I was a pick pocket and I saw one backpacker walking with a pacsafe on there backpack and one with out you would go for the one with the pac safe. you want to grab the bag with the most value and you wouldn’t put one on your bag if it had no value in it. your right takes a wire cutter a minute to get through it.
not only are they expensive they are rather bulky as well like you mentioned and something you later regret bringing on your trip.
I think the best saying is, if your worried about losing it, don’t bring it. be prepared to have it stolen and put systems in place so if it does happen its not a problem and in most cases if your a little street wise and read up on places it shouldn’t matter.
The only point at which a Pacsafe might help significantly (justifying the cost, weight, etc.) is when your bag is along in a shared room. That said, someone can either steal the entire bag, or slash it to get some contents. Locking the zippers or using any safes/lockers provided gives you practically the same protection and vulnerabilities – much less conspicuously as you point out.
pacsafe or not when a knife is at your back you will just have to give it away..
That’s true of most any security precaution.
I like those nets. Quite sophisticated.
I think it’s good to use a combination of 2-3 techniques to protect bags.These external nets are a great addition to the bag. Provided that the bag’s zipper itself is resistant enough and it’s locked as well.
Especially considering how easily zippers can be opened: