Anti-theft backpack cover - necessary or not?
Replies: 16 - Last Post: Nov 30, 2012 3:10 AM Last Post By: Brax
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Anti-theft backpack cover - necessary or not?
My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Thailand and probably Malaysia next summer - it'll be our first time in SE Asia although we've backpacked a lot around Europe & N America. My parents have just told me they were thinking of getting us those anti-theft backpack covers for Christmas (like these) so we could take them on the trip, but wanted to check with me whether we'd actually want them as they're pretty expensive. I've never had anything like that before when travelling and I haven't ever had an issue with anything getting stolen or tampered with, but what do people think? I haven't really heard anything about Thailand or Malaysia being any worse than other places for having things stolen, as long as you have some common sense and keep an eye on your stuff, but would you recommend having something like this just to be on the safe side? I've always felt like having things like that is like having a big sign saying "hello, I'm really paranoid and don't know what I'm doing!", but that's probably just me :-)1
I haven't really heard anything about Thailand or Malaysia being any worse than other places for having things stolen, as long as you have some common sense and keep an eye on your stuff,
Correct.
But read about thefts on buses from Khaosan road. Take buses leaving from the bus stations.
would you recommend having something like this just to be on the safe side?
No. Waste of money.
2
I agree with compadre... not worth it. I also agree that you need to be careful with theft from the night tourist buses, particularly Songserm. I've traveled with Lomprayah numerous times and have never had a problem. The anti-theft covers are usually the kind with the locks that can be opened with the skeleton keys airport security has, so they can check your luggage if they want. Thing is, the thieves also have keys that can open them so it's really not worth it.Keep any valuables (money, cards, passport, electronics etc) with you at all times. Then you'll be fine!
3
Pretty much what I thought then - I'm also aware that if I'm walking round looking like I'm carrying something really really valuable then I'm more likely to get robbed than if I just had an ordinary bag!We're planning to travel by train as much as possible (I get travel sick on buses so I want to avoid them when I can), so hopefully we wouldn't have issues with the night buses - assuming your bag stays with you on trains.
4
Hi,Ok you asked for it and you got it from differing beliefs. I always travel with a pacsafe. The mesh net variety. I use it as a safe in my room when I do not have one, locked to an immovable object. I travel with it on my back, stops taking from or putting in my bag and most important slashing of said bag. I have locked it to object and stowed it when going on the beach and it saves my bag getting knocked about during air transit.
True they are not everyone's cup of tea, it really is a matter of personal choice. I note that some of the anti posters decry then inform of dodgy bus travel. Cannot have it all ways. If you buy a mesh just remember they come in several sizes, choose wisely.
6
While I would agree that a pacsafe mesh cover is over the top (expensive and they ARE heavy - BTW you use your own lock on these), for extra peace of mind I always use this type of pacsafe bag due to it having anti-slash mesh and strap plus tamper proof zips. A good investment.7
Hi,So PM you think that to pay $100 for a little bag to carry heaven knows what is ok but the (less than) $90 that I paid to cover my sizeable rucksack is over the top? The mesh is not heavy, yes adds a couple of pounds but they ARE not heavy!
Horses for courses, over 50 years of travelling and I wish they had been invented sooner.
8
I decided against getting one for all the above reasons.My solution: 1 metre of chain & a padlock to tether my pack to an imovable object. The 2 ends are fed through the camel back opening & a piece of 3"x6" cutting board, which acts as a stop & prevents access to the padlock. Then, a combination lock on the 2 zippers. If they're after the pack, they'll have to destroy it. If they really want to get at what's inside, they will (if they have enough time); a Packsafe won't prevent them using a knife to cut their way in, only to find my dirty laundry.
Should add: I've never taken precautions like this before when travelling, but reading this forum does tend to make you a bit paranoid
Edited by: farengi
9
My valuables are always either in my hand luggage when on the move or locked in my safe if in my room. I find the easiest and lightest deterrent is http://pacsafe.com/bucklesafe-100-backpack-buckle-lock-with-tsa-accepted-lockIt's very versatile in that you can safely tie your bag up to something fixed on boats, trains, in your room etc. You can lock up wardrobe doors with it in your room thereby keeping everything out of sight. Very light, takes up no room at all and effectively deters the opportunist thief. Bear in mind the opportunist thief is the only one you can deter as anyone intent on getting your bag will probably get it.
The Pacsafe net on the other hand is not going to stop anyone either slashing parts of your bag or simply walking off with the whole thing and the weight of the net is noticeable.
I personally never have travel insurance, only medical.
12
Looks like I've unintentionally started a bit of a debate!I can definitely see the plus side to having something like a Pacsafe cover if you're seriously concerned about theft, and if it's unavoidable to put things that aren't easily replaceable in your backpack. I doubt I'd have anything particularly valuable or difficult to replace in there, my valuables would be the usual passport, money & camera which would all be in a separate bag or spread around pockets/money belts etc anyway.
I've been pretty lucky as far as theft while travelling is concerned - the only incident I've ever had was when I was in America and someone unzipped a pocket on my backpack, obviously hoping it'd contain something valuable. Sadly for them they chose the one that contained a selection of dirty underwear (the other pocket they could have chosen would have been exciting things like sunblock & shampoo, so not much more exciting) so I guess they were disappointed ;-)
