If you are in a hurry and want to find out what the best anti-theft backpack for travel is, then we recommend the XDDesign Bobby Pro Anti-Theft Backpack as the best one.
If traveling worldwide is your passion, you would know how difficult it can be to select a good backpack carrying all your essentials in a neat, small space.
Also, it would be best to have a bag you can rely on for its security features, sturdiness, and durability over the years.
Given how I have been traveling the world for more than half a decade, I feel I can say something of value about the best anti-theft backpacks for travel.
Many companies have decent products on the shelves, but here is a list of the top ten anti-theft backpacks for travel that I feel ace the competition.
The Best Anti-Theft Backpack For Travel Reviews
XDDesign Bobby Pro Anti-Theft Backpack
This backpack is the most stylish polyester anti-theft backpack. There are hidden compartments and secret holders throughout, and you can store a lot of pocket carriables in this backpack.
It has all the features of the Bobby Original backpack but has much better and more advanced anti-theft features, e.g., a lockable main zipper and many lockable hidden zippers.
In addition, numerous concealed pockets include RFID protection to lock and unlock, making it one of the best anti-theft backpacks. There is also no front access to increase the bag’s security further.
The bag allows you to carry a 15.6-inch laptop, camera, gears, and 12.9-inch tablets in 18 L capacity. There is an integrated USB charging port with both regular and Type-C connections.
There is a “Fidlock” system – a patented pouch for the phone and keys next to the shoulder strap for easy access.
The bag itself has multilayers of recycled polyester fabric. Recycled material mainly involves plastic soda bottles. There are weight balances placed in the bag’s bottom section, making the bag more comfortable to carry because it does not pressurize your spine.
The bag also keeps your posture upright. The water-repellent fabric of the bag keeps your valuables safe. The main zipper can open to 30, 90, and 180 degrees for easy packing.
Pros
- Compact
- Slash-proof, anti-cut material
- YKK zippers
Cons
- Expensive
- No external bottle pockets
BOPAI 30 L Travel Backpack
It has the best invisible anti-theft backpack for travel design. It includes a concealed double zipper that increases security and one hidden zip pocket for your wallet, phone, mouse, and pens.
Its inner compartment is spacious enough to hold a small umbrella. Because it has a USB charging port, you can charge your devices quickly.
You can use the side pocket to stuff a water bottle of about 750ml. The zippers and shoulder straps are built to withstand extreme limits of stuffing.
The sleek black microfiber leather coupled with ballistic nylon makes it nearly indestructible. The bag’s black color makes it look ergonomic; it seems gender-neutral, hence appealing to a broader audience.
The breathable back saves the user from unnecessary sweating.
The bag compartment is made from soft flannel and can contain a laptop of 15.6 inches in length. The material is unobstructed, so X-ray imaging is done without a problem during airport scanning.
Pros
- Stylish
- Hidden pockets for phone and wallet
- USB charging port
Cons
- Expensive
- The charging port is faulty after continuous usage
Pacsafe Women’s Citysafe CX Anti-Theft Backpack
Its dimensions are 15.8” H x 11” W x 5.9” D, and it weighs 1.55 pounds (0.73 kgs). This backpack is lighter and is made of strong materials such as regenerated nylon and recycled polyester to ensure long-lasting usage.
Pacsafe guarantees that the backpack has a 5-year warranty. The zippers are highly sophisticated with their new and improved Roobar-style locking mechanism.
This lock system involves two zippers on either side of the main compartment that come together, and then a flap locks them down, making it efficiently secure.
All the pouches in the bag come with mesh-lined RFID protection. The bag has a TurnLock security hook to hook it to any sturdy material to prevent snatching.
The shoulder straps are cut-resistant and include an additional luggage sleeve to help you stack your backpack on top of your suitcase if you do not want to wear the backpack.
The front pocket is RFID-protected and contains many small pouches for your camera, passport, and small makeup equipment. The main compartment design is a bucket-shaped opening so the valuables do not fall off whenever you open your bag.
There is a separate padded sleeve for your laptop, and you can easily fit a 16” MacBook. The side compartments are expandable so that you can add more stuff.
Pros
- Lightweight yet spacious
- Impressive anti-theft features
- Durable top clasp to carry the bag in one hand
Cons
- Faulty zippers
- There is no compartment separator to keep things standing inside the bag
Kenneth Cole Reaction Brooklyn Commuter Backpack
Its dimensions are 18 x 14 x 8 with a 2.9-pound weight ( and it has an ergonomic square design that keeps the look fresh and trendy.
This imported backpack is a lot cheaper than many of its competitors. It is made of polyester and has a sturdy polyester lining throughout.
The bag material is checkpoint-friendly, so you do not have to pull your laptop out whenever you go through security at an airport.
There are also RFID-protected “business organizer” pockets in the bag, which allow you to safely stash away your passport and credit cards without fearing that your identity might be compromised during scanning.
There is a front compartment that is wider than other anti-theft backpacks, and it includes a mesh pocket inside where you can keep your small belongings.
The bag’s back comes with a breathable polyester lining that allows the user not to feel too hot or sweat while wearing it. The shoulder straps are super comfortable, and you can easily adjust them for your suit.
There is a top grab handle and a side pocket for exterior keeping, e.g., you can keep a water bottle. The side pocket is zippered to keep it secure.
Pros
- It can easily hold a 16” laptop.
- Improved RFID blocking protection technology.
- Slim body
Cons
- The plastic adjuster for shoulder straps breaks easily.
- It can feel quite heavy after being stuffed.
Silent Pocket Faraday Waterproof Backpack
Silent Pocket is the only reliable company in this list of the best anti-theft backpacks for travel, producing technologically advanced backpacks.
They come with the world-famous revolutionary shielding technology. These backpacks are not only water-resistant; they can even block frequencies,
The bag material forces the users to go off the grid whenever they travel to make the experience more immersive. It also keeps the valuables safe and secure from any malicious data theft due to its shielding feature.
The bag can block all EMR radiation, static shock, and any forms of identity theft, block RFID chips in passports and credit cards during scanning, and is applicable on smart keys and electronic key cards.
The bag material is sturdy nylon, with high-tension RF welded nylon thread that makes it wear and cut-resistant. The main compartment is a roll-down compartment with a safety lock on top.
The price is worth all the impressive anti-theft features the bag provides the users.
Pros
- The anti-theft mechanism is strong, with additional signal-proofing and blocking.
- Durable build
- 20 L capacity that can hold laptops of 16 inches or more
Cons
- Huge
- Expensive
Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Anti-Theft Backpack
The bag has a 25 L capacity and weighs 835 grams, i.e., 1.85 pounds. The main compartment has a padded laptop-compatible elastic sleeve and an internal zippered RFID pocket.
The front pocket has an internal mesh zippered pocket, a padded open sleeve for electronics, a key fob, and pen sleeves.
The shoulder straps are adjustable and padded for your comfort. In addition to that, the zippers are YKK zips and tear-resistant. There are two side elastic stretch pockets.
The warranty for the backpack is five years.
Pros
- RFID-safe blocking pockets that prevent identity theft
- Security hooks and straps to prevent snatching
- The front, bottom, and side fabric comprises stainless steel wire mesh panels.
Cons
- Small laptop compartment
- The holding strap is not comfortable for more extended periods of holding
XD Design Bobby XL Anti-Theft Laptop
The backpack is 12.4 x 4.9 x 18.1 inches and weighs 2.13 pounds (0.96 kg). The bag is comfortable to lug around for extended periods without the straps feeling like they are cutting the shoulder skin.
Because of its rigid design, it is perfect to wear in crowds and busy areas. You can move around quickly without bumping into people.
There is a side pouch to keep a small water bottle. The bag compartments can house 13 L worth of carriables.
Also, if you do not know how to navigate the lock systems, you will have quite a tough time figuring it out for yourself.
The interior is padded with polyurethane lining, while the body is multilayered and cut-proof polyester. You can quickly put a 17” laptop and 13” tablets in the main compartment.
Pros
- Hidden zippers and pockets
- Integrated USB charging port
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Not spacious
- Shoulder straps loosen over time
Mark Ryden Anti-Theft Backpack
The backpack weighs 2 pounds, which is roughly about a kilogram. A double-layered main pocket can fit laptops of 15.6 inches and 10 inches tablets and iPads.
You can open the main compartment to various angles to make packing easy: 90 and 180 degrees. You can do this by unlocking the side Velcro.
There are two sides, zippered stash pockets, and a luggage strap for hooking to a trolley or rolling suitcase. There are many hidden zippers inside the main compartment where you can safely put your valuables.
A hidden back pocket can help you keep valuable documents safe from marauders’ reach. There is an external USB charging port for charging your phone. Moreover, the bag is check-point friendly.
Pros
- Slash resistant
- Cheaper than its competitors
- Compact
Cons
- Not cut-resistant
- No zipper for the back hidden pocket
KORIN ClickPack Minimalist Anti-Theft Travel Backpack
KORIN Minimalist’s best anti-theft backpack for travel has dimensions of 17.7” x 11.8” x 6.3” and a weight of 2.2 lbs (0.99 kgs). Its 17 L capacity is large enough to carry your daily valuables on your back in a neatly designed bag.
The bag has a built-in rain cover to protect it and its contents from water damage. The bag has a threefold anti-theft protection design: retractable metal wire lock and a double-layer, explosion-proof zipper mechanism.
The material used is a high-quality molecular-weight polyethylene with tarpaulin for water-repelling and fine polyester fiber.
A great backpack feature is that you can easily remove the inside pockets and store makeup or toiletries.
The bag has a retractable locking cable, and its TSA-approved zipper makes your items safer within unrevealing compartments. A USB charging port hangs out of the bag, and small hidden stash pockets with straps.
Pros
- Lockable zippers
- Slash resistant
- Retractable locking cable
Cons
- Unsecure hidden pockets
- It does not have instructions to set up/fix the retractable lock system.
Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Backpack
It is one of the smaller contenders but very stylish and popular among female travelers. It is a 16″ x 12” x 6” with 2 lbs of weight (0.91 kgs).
It is made entirely of nylon with polyester lining. The shoulder straps are sturdy but shorter in drop. Its material makes it slash-resistant.
The zippers attach to a D-ring at the base of the zip, which is all there is for anti-theft. However, the interior pockets are RFID-protected.
Since it is smaller, it has no space to hold a laptop. However, you can fit a tablet or iPad easily. It is only 13 L in size.
You can still fit many daily objects, including a camera, a light sweater, a phone, and headphones.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Slash-resistant
- RFID protected pockets
Cons
- No hidden pockets
- No proper locking mechanism
How To Choose The Best Anti-Theft Backpack
When looking for the best anti-theft backpack, here are some features to look for:
Price
The price range for these bags is generally $50 to $100, although you can also find cheaper or pricier units. The extra security features make the price ranges higher than standard backpacks.
Anti-theft features
As the name suggests, these bags are designed to help thwart pickpockets. It starts with the material, including a slash-resistant outer shell and shoulder straps.
Then, there are other factors on/in the bag. They include hidden zippers/pockets that keep the compartments out of view.
RFID backpacks help block the potential scanning of barcodes on credit cards, passports, etc. This identity theft can happen quickly as someone walks by you.
You can even find laptop compartments with combination locks to protect your computer.
Size
Anti-theft backpacks are offered in various sizes. If you’re selecting a laptop bag, this will be based on the largest size display you can fit. Make sure to pick a bag that can accommodate your laptop.
You should also consider the size of the bag’s interior in terms of the overall space. That includes all compartments and pockets since the latter can add extra space.
Material
Look for sturdy materials, and slash-resistant ones are better for better security.
Besides the outer shell material, you should consider compartments/pockets, zippers (YKK zipper is the best), snaps, etc. You’ll have many problems using the bag if these items are cheap.
Ergonomics
Make sure to look for shoulder straps that are padded/adjustable. This will add more comfort when wearing the backpack.
It’s also important for the backpack to be well-balanced. This will help take the weight off your shoulders, so it’s more evenly distributed on your body.
USB Port
If you want to charge your mobile devices while using the backpack, then this is a must-have feature to look for. Keep in mind the power bank usually isn’t bundled with the bag.
Compartments
This includes main compartments for items like:
- Tablet
- Laptop
- Clothes
- Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Umbrella
- Toiletry bag
Then, you can find a wide range of pockets to store smaller items like smartphones, glasses, passports, wallets, etc. Make sure the pockets are durable and secure to get the best results.
Warranty
It’s better when a bag has a warranty for 1+ years. Check how long the warranty is valid and what it covers. A lifetime warranty might only cover certain things like defects.
FAQs
What are the applications of an anti-theft backpack?
They can be used for different applications like school, work, outdoor activities, etc. If you’re storing textbooks, ensure the bag can handle the weight.
What size laptops can fit in the backpacks?
This figure differs, although typically, you can fit computers up to 15. Some bags are large enough for a laptop and a tablet.
What’s the price range of anti-theft backpacks?
They tend to range from $50 to over $100. Factors include materials, size, quality, security, and comfort. As always, set a budget and shop around for the best deal.
What makes the bag “anti-theft”?
This can include several features, including slash-resistant body/straps, combination lock, hidden zippers/pockets, REID liner, etc. More anti-theft features will result in a higher price tag.
Can I charge my phone using the backpack?
Some units include a USB charging port to charge mobile devices. However, the power bank usually isn’t bundled with the backpack.
Are anti-theft backpacks waterproof?
No backpack is 100% waterproof. However, you can find several that are water-resistant, and sometimes, an extra rain cover is also available to make the backpack more waterproof.
What is a REID backpack?
These backpacks include a lining/material that prevents the illegal scanning of items like credit cards, driver’s licenses, and IDs. This scanning often happens when someone is walking by you.
Are Anti-Theft Backpacks Worth It?
A quick answer is Yes. Check out this article to find out more.
Conclusion
Among these ten best anti-theft backpacks for travel, XDDesign Bobby Pro Anti-Theft Backpack is the best in pricing, anti-theft features, storage capacity organization, laptop size, ergonomics, material, and target audience.
Although many other contenders come close to XDDesign, I recommend this backpack because it provides state-of-the-art anti-theft features at a lower price than many other companies.
Moreover, all Bobby backpacks use specialized materials for their backpacks, making them highly cut-proof and water-resistant.
If there is one thing that I have learned from traveling, you need a backpack that is immune to tears and water, and only then can you rest at ease and enjoy your travels to the fullest.
