As someone who’s traveled a lot — and filed more insurance claims than I’d like to admit — I’ve learned the hard way how important it is to keep your stuff safe. I’ve had a camera stolen from a sleeper train in Spain, a bag slashed at the Johannesburg airport, and a backpack swiped from a bus in Nicaragua, just to name a few. That’s why I’m a big fan of using an anti-theft backpack when I travel. These backpacks often have cool features like slash-proof straps, lockable zippers, and even cables to secure your bag to something sturdy. Honestly, I really wish I had one of these back in Nicaragua.
To help other travelers avoid the same mistakes, we put 24 anti-theft backpacks to the test in the Travel + Leisure lab. We tried to cut them with box cutters, locked them to chairs and simulated theft attempts, and even tested how easy it was to sneak into hidden pockets. We picked our favorites based on design, size, comfort, protection, durability, and value. Plus, we’re continuing to test them over six months to see how they hold up during real trips.
Best Value Backpack
SHRRADOO Anti-Theft Laptop Backpack
Why We Love It:
It’s affordable, spacious, and packed with lots of organization and anti-theft features for the price.
What to Keep in Mind:
It doesn’t have slash-proof fabric, and the inner lining feels a little flimsy.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the Shrradoo Anti-theft Laptop Backpack is a great pick. It costs about half as much as our top overall winner but still impressed us with its strong outer fabric and hardware (though the inside lining isn’t as tough). It’s lightweight for its size and can fit laptops up to 16.3 inches. We were able to pack both a laptop and a tablet, but they had a bit of room to move around. Thankfully, there’s a built-in combination lock to keep them safe.
The main compartment is huge — we fit several jackets and toiletry bags — and the front section is packed with pockets, pen holders, and a hook for your keys. For extra security, there’s even a hidden pocket on the back where you can stash your passport, wallet, and phone. Other features include a luggage strap, an external USB port (you’ll need your own power bank), and a chest strap for extra stability. After three months of real-world use, we found this bag is awesome for travel but can feel a little bulky for everyday use.
Details: 19.5 x 14 x 10.5 inches | Locking zippers | Hidden pockets | Laptop pocket | USB port | Water-resistant
SHRRADOO Anti Theft Laptop Backpack
Also Read: Which Travel Tech Gadgets Should I Pack for Business Trips?
Best Personal Item Backpack
Pacsafe Metrosafe LS350 Daypack
Why We Love It:
Small but mighty, it’s full of smart organization features, including a padded laptop sleeve.
What to Keep in Mind:
The side pocket is too tight for most reusable water bottles.
The Pacsafe Metrosafe LS350 is the perfect size for fitting under an airplane seat or taking on day trips. It comes in black or teal and is made from eco-friendly materials like recycled nylon and polyester, with a water-repellent coating to protect your stuff from rain. Security-wise, it’s packed with features: the main and front compartments have lockable zippers, and the fabric is cut-resistant, although we did manage to slice through the outer layers with enough effort.
One feature we really liked was the cut-resistant anchor strap, which you can use to secure your bag to a chair or table — super handy when waiting at airports or cafes. Inside, there’s an RFID-blocking pocket for cards and passports, a padded sleeve for 13-inch laptops, and a clip for your keys or wallet. The padded shoulder straps and mesh back panel made it comfy to wear all day. Just know the side pocket is a bit too small for a regular water bottle.
Details: 16.5 x 11.6 x 5.1 inches | 1.6 pounds | Slash-resistant fabric and straps | Locking zippers | Chair lock | Laptop pocket | Water-resistant
Pacsafe Metrosafe LS350 15 Liter Anti Theft Laptop Daypack/Backpack
Also Read: What Travel Tech Innovations are Trending in 2025?
Best Backpack for Outdoor Adventures
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
Why We Love It:
It’s tough, weatherproof, and built from recycled nylon canvas — perfect for outdoor trips.
What to Keep in Mind:
It has so many features that it can feel a little complicated for everyday use.
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is made for serious adventurers. It’s built from weatherproof, recycled nylon canvas with a reinforced bottom for extra toughness. You can expand it from 35 liters to 45 liters, making it super versatile for one-bag travel. We loved that you can open it up like a suitcase for easy packing, and even split the inside into two sections with a zippered divider. You can also access your gear from the top, sides, front, and back — talk about convenience!
It has padded sleeves for your laptop and tablet, a quick-access pocket for sunglasses, and hidden side pockets for passports or wallets. The water bottle pockets are nice and stretchy, fitting everything from water bottles to camera gear. The zippers are super strong, but they can be a bit tricky to use quickly. Lastly, the padded shoulder straps and hip belt tuck away neatly when you don’t need them.
Details: 22 x 13 x 9.5 inches (standard); 22 x 13 x 11 inches (expanded) | 4.5 pounds | Locking zippers | Hidden pockets | Laptop pocket | Water-resistant
Peak Design Travel Line Backpack
Also Read: How do Travel Tech Accessories Enhance the Overall Travel Experience?
How We Tested the Backpacks
We held two lab sessions and tested 24 different anti-theft backpacks. For each one, we started by checking out the security features and examining the quality of the materials. We packed each backpack with a set of items — like a fake laptop, phone, passport, jacket, headphones, and toiletries — and judged how easy it was to pack and organize everything.
We also wore the backpacks around the lab to check for comfort. If a bag could convert into different styles (like from backpack to shoulder bag), we tested that too. For backpacks with slash-proof fabric, we used a box cutter to mimic real-world theft attempts. We also tested the straps by locking them to a chair and trying to yank the bag away. For bags with hidden pockets, we tried to access them without the wearer noticing.
In the end, we rated each backpack based on its design, capacity, comfort, protection, durability, and overall value. Testing is still ongoing, and we’ll keep updating our reviews after traveling with them for six months in the real world.
