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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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.
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.
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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