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The Best Anti-Theft Backpacks, According to Our Tests

Traveling is already stressful, but these backpacks help you worry less about losing your belongings.

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VerifiedReviewed by Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director
the best anti theft backpacks

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The first time I traveled to Europe, my Mom gave me a stern lecture on safety precautions: Never hang your purse on your chair. Bring a bag that has a top zipper. Don't leave your phone in the front pocket! While I was annoyed at the time, her pep talk prepared me for solo trips and living in NYC. Had we known about anti-theft backpacks, though, my mom would have ordered two on the spot because they come equipped with safety features like lockable zippers, chest straps and hooks to attach your backpack to a chair.

Pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab test quality backpacks across categories to determine the most durable packs that are comfortable to wear and fit everything you need on your journey. When evaluating the best anti-theft backpacks, we began with market research and narrowed down our selections by pulling consumer feedback from previous tests.

We prioritized backpacks that were feature-rich and comfortable to wear because while security is the number-one concern in this category, you are more likely to keep your pack on and close by when it isn't painful to wear — even when exploring a new city or rushing to a connecting flight.

1
Best Overall

Pacsafe Metrosafe Anti Theft Laptop Daypack

Metrosafe Anti Theft Laptop Daypack

Pros

  • Shoulder strap can lock to your chair
  • Spacious interior
  • RFID technology tracks valuable personal items

Cons

  • Not yet formally tested in GH Institute Lab

Dimensions: 16.54" x 11.61" x 5.12" | Weight: 1.46 lbs | Material: Nylon, polyester

Based on our initial research, Pacsafe packs look to be designed with top-tier safety features in mind.

From lockable zippers and multiple interior pockets to padded shoulder straps that can hook onto your chair, the Metrosafe Anti Theft Laptop Daypack checks all of our boxes. We also appreciate the roomy interior and a special pocket that has Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) to keep track of your valuables via radio waves if your bag is stolen.

The backpack also features concealed stainless steel wire mesh that is meant to protect vulnerable areas around your backpack if someone were to try and slash it. We haven't confirmed this claim in our formal Lab testing yet, but we appreciate the use of stainless steel which tends to be durable in our tests.

2
Best Value

Matein Travel Laptop Backpack

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Travel Laptop Backpack
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Credit: Matein

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Multiple zippered compartments, including a hidden compartment in the back
  • Recurring favorite among GH readers and analysts

Cons

  • Not as feature-heavy as pricier backpacks

Dimensions: 18" x 12" x 7.8" | Weight: 1.56 lbs | Material: Polyester

At under $40 (before sales) with over 19,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this travel backpack from Matein is a total steal. We have featured it in multiple guides — including the best laptop backpacks and the best backpacks for school – and the backpack is consistently popular among our readers.

Despite its budget-friendly price point, it still packs convenient features like multiple zippered compartments that help keep your items organized. Our tester appreciated the hidden anti-theft zippered compartment in the back which is an ideal spot to store valuables like your passport or wallet.

While this backpack doesn't feature as many anti-theft features, it will help keep your items well organized which means it will be easier to tell where everything is — and when something is maybe missing.

RELATED: Best Backpacks You Can Shop on Amazon

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3
Best Compact

Baggallini Securtex Anti-theft Travel Backpack

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Securtex Anti-theft Travel Backpack

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Hidden compartment with RFID technology
  • Versatile, stylish design

Cons

  • Compact size is less ideal for longer trips

Dimensions: 10" x 13" x 3.5" | Weight: 1.18 lbs | Material: Nylon, polyester

Our travel pros often recommend Baggallini bags to our readers because the popular brand combines practical features with on-trend designs. The Securtex Anti-theft Travel Backpack is the lightest backpack on our list but it isn't so compact that you can't fit your travel essentials. If you are traveling for multiple weeks or even months, we recommend opting for a more spacious pack.

The backpack features a hidden wallet compartment and an interior pocket, both of which are protected by RFID technology. The pack is also designed to be resistant to slashes, per the product description, and durable straps. On a less technical note, you can choose from 10 solid colors and neutral patterns to match your pack to your other luggage.

Associate Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab Emma Seymour appreciates the pack's "locking zippers that add a bit of security while still making it easy to access your items on the go." The front pocket also has a loop you can pull the zipper through to keep items safe in an easily accessible compartment. Its versatile design makes it a great option for casual travelers because they can use it during day trips on a train or as their personal item while flying.

4
Best for International Travel

Bagsmart Blast Travel Backpack

Blast Travel Backpack
Credit: Bagsmart

Pros

  • Roomy interior that fits everything you need
  • Numerous pockets and storage compartments
  • A GH analyst traveled with this bag in the states and abroad

Cons

  • Adjustable straps can loosen

Dimensions: 12.2" x 16.5" x 8.1" | Weight: 2 lbs | Material: Nylon

Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine was blown away by how spacious the Blast Travel Backpack was during testing — even when packed at capacity. She gave it perfect scores for fitting everything she needed and for having plenty of compartments and easy-to-use zippers. It even features compression straps akin to some of our favorite luggage pieces.

"While I was packing, I kept uncovering more pockets and small storage compartments and even found a couple more on my trip," shared Constantine. Two small zippered pockets in particular "were the perfect size to stash some cash and my passport and were completely discrete when zipped," she added. So far, Constantine has traveled to four states and five countries (including a solo trip to Paris!) and had no security issues.

She did notice, however, that the adjustable straps tended to loosen up as she wore the backpack, but that may be due to it being (just a tad) overpacked. The front straps can help heft a heavier load, but also add peace of mind when securing personal belongings to your body.

RELATED: Best Carry-on Backpacks

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How we test anti-theft backpacks

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Experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute have been testing travel gear like backpacks for decades. We evaluate each backpack's durability in the Lab via our specialized abrasion tester and conduct packing tests with a standardized load. Our pros also note the strap's strength and amount of padding, as well as any organizational or design features.

In addition to these Lab evaluations, we also pair our consumer testers with a backpack so they can provide feedback on comfort and ease of packing. Sometimes we bring backpacks with us during our own travels to note how they hold up in real-time situations.

What to look for when shopping for the best anti-theft backpacks

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If you're new to this backpack category or need some direction when it comes to finding the perfect bag for your needs, we ironed out the details below.

✔️ Pockets: Seymour recommends skipping small front pockets or open pockets because "these are easy for someone to open and grab items out of without you feeling it or noticing." Instead, consider pockets located against your back as these are harder for a pick-pocketer to sneak into. Another pro tip: Don't put your phone or wallet in the side water bottle compartment.

✔️ Zippers: Anti-theft backpacks will often feature zippers that lock or tuck into a clasp. Either of these features makes it difficult for someone to unzip a pocket and grab what's inside.

✔️ Hooks: We like backpacks that either have a hook or removable shoulder straps that let you secure your pack to a chair while you're eating at a café or restaurant.

✔️ Straps: Similar to a pack you may wear while hiking, some anti-theft backpacks have chest straps that better secure your bag to your body and make it more difficult for someone to pull the backpack off your shoulder. These types of straps also distribute the pack's weight more evenly to help prevent strain.

✔️ Locks: Besides built-in locks on zippers, some backpacks are compatible with external locks that let you add that extra layer of security (at an extra cost).

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What makes a backpack anti-theft?

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"This is a broad category of backpacks that have features which make it harder for a pick-pocketer to access your belongings," explains Seymour. Popular features you may notice include "secure zippers, built-in locks, hidden pockets and hooks to secure the pack to a chair," adds Seymour.

We recommend considering which features will be most helpful for you while traveling because you don't need every feature to keep your items safe. You may find yourself never using certain elements or struggling to navigate all of the possibilities.

How to protect your backpack against theft

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Whether or not you have an anti-theft backpack, the best way to protect your backpack from theft is by keeping it on your body.

"It’s much easier for someone to swipe your bag when it’s sitting down next to you than when you’re wearing it," explains Seymour. If your backpack doesn't have a specific way to attach to a chair, you can hook the shoulder strap around the leg of your chair while enjoying your meal. If you need to snooze on a train, make sure your bag is secured to you.

Seymour also recommends keeping valuables secure on your person, whether that's in a money belt under your clothes or in a fanny pack attached to you at all times. You can also wear your backpack on the front of your chest so you can better monitor its pockets and more easily see if someone tries to grab something.

"It’s still important to travel smart and know that theft is much more common when traveling because you generally have lots of bags and are in congested areas," she says.

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Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she refreshes our product guides and reports on style categories such as daypacks. She is prone to misplacing items while traveling so a backpack with anti-theft features makes airport chaos a whole lot easier to handle.

To write this story, Berry collaborated with Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab Associate Director Emma Seymour for product recommendations and shopping advice. Seymour has led testing for luggage at the GH Institute since 2018.

Headshot of Elizabeth Berry
Elizabeth Berry
Updates Editor

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

Headshot of Emma Seymour
Reviewed byEmma Seymour
Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director

Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance. 

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