As someone who’s traveled a lot (and filed way more insurance claims than I’d like to admit — like when my camera got stolen on a sleeper train in Spain, my bag was slashed at Johannesburg airport, or my backpack was snatched from a bus in Nicaragua), I’m a big believer in doing everything you can to keep your stuff safe while you’re on vacation.
One thing I always recommend? An anti-theft backpack. They come with all kinds of features — like slashproof straps, lockable zippers, and even cables so you can lock your bag to a chair or a table. Honestly, if I’d had one of these in Nicaragua, things might have turned out a lot differently.
To help other travelers avoid becoming easy targets, we tested 24 different anti-theft backpacks in the Travel + Leisure lab. We got pretty rough with them — slashing them with box cutters, locking them to chairs and trying to steal them, and sneaking around to see if we could access hidden pockets without getting caught.
We picked our favorites based on design, storage space, comfort, protection, durability, and overall value. We’re also continuing to test them during real-world trips over the next six months to see how they hold up outside the lab.
Best Locking Zippers: Baggallini Securtex Anti-Theft Vacation Backpack
Why We Love It:
This bag has locking zippers on the main and back pockets and comes with great organization options.
What to Keep in Mind:
Most laptops might be too big to fit inside.
The Baggallini Securtex Anti-theft Backpack, available in colors like black and portobello, is made from lightweight, water-resistant material with slash-resistant panels. Our box cutter could scratch it up, but not slice all the way through — it held up impressively well. It also has double-cable, cut-resistant straps and RFID-protected pockets. Our favorite part? The locking zippers.
Sure, they add about five seconds when you’re opening or closing the bag, but that could be enough to stop a thief. There’s even an anti-theft zipper pull hoop on the front pocket. It’s a small bag, and bigger laptops might not fit, but the smart organization makes a big difference. There’s a padded tablet sleeve, water bottle pockets, a headphone port, and a wallet section with tons of storage.
Details: 10 x 13 x 3.5 inches | 1.1 pounds | Slash-resistant fabric and straps | Locking zippers | Hidden pockets | Water-resistant
Securtex® Anti-theft Vacation Travel Backpack
Also Read: What is the Best Travel Backpack for Budget Travelers?
Best Carry-on: Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 ECONYL
Why We Love It:
Big clamshell opening, lots of organization, and comfy straps for your shoulders, chest, and hips.
What to Keep in Mind:
It’s a bit heavy, especially for smaller travelers.
The Pacsafe EXP45 is designed to meet most airlines’ carry-on rules. Made from recycled, water-repellent polyester, it can be worn as a backpack or carried like a briefcase. It has puncture-resistant, lockable zippers and even a built-in padlock for extra security. We found the locking system a little tricky at first, but definitely worth it for the added peace of mind.
We slashed at it with a box cutter and while the outer layer got scratched, the inner, wire-reinforced layer stayed strong. Editor Taylor Fox liked that the laptop sleeve is buried deep inside, making it much harder for thieves to reach. It also has a steel cable to lock it to fixed objects.
The clamshell-style main compartment is huge — we fit a jacket, toiletry bag, headphones, water bottle, keys, laptop, phone, passport, wallet, and chargers, and still had space left. The only downside? At 4.3 pounds, it’s not the lightest option, and after long use, the shoulder straps could use a little more padding.
Details: 21.7 x 13 x 7.9 inches | 4.3 pounds | Slash-resistant fabric and straps | Locking zippers | Chair lock | Laptop pocket | Water-resistant
Pacsafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack
Also Read: What are the Pros and Cons of Using Smart Luggage Options?
Best for Commuters: XDDesign Anti-Theft Backpack & Briefcase
Why We Love It:
You can use it as a backpack or briefcase, and it opens flat for easy packing.
What to Keep in Mind:
No lockable zippers or cut-resistant straps.
The XDDesign Bobby Bizz is perfect for commuters. It easily switches from backpack to briefcase and comes with an extra messenger strap. It’s made from tough polyester with a reflective print for nighttime safety, and it has a metal frame with anti-shock padding to protect your stuff.
While the fabric is slash-resistant, the straps didn’t survive our box cutter test. Still, after three months of use, we loved features like the locking chair strap (super handy at airports!) and hidden USB charging port. Even though the zippers don’t lock, the main compartment opens fully, making packing a breeze, and there’s separate space for a 15.6-inch laptop and a 10-inch tablet. Editor Taylor Fox mentioned how comfortable it was even when fully packed.
Details: 16.1 x 11 x 3.9 inches | 2.8 pounds | Slash-resistant fabric | Hidden pockets | Chair lock | Laptop pocket | USB port
XDDesign Bobby Bizz 10 Liter Anti Theft Laptop Backpack
Also Read: Which Travel Duffel Bag is most recommended by Frequent Travelers?
Best Value: SHRRADOO Anti-Theft Laptop Backpack
Why We Love It:
Super affordable, with tons of space and useful anti-theft features.
What to Keep in Mind:
The inner lining feels a little cheap, and there’s no slashproof fabric.
The Shrradoo Anti-theft Backpack is a great choice if you’re on a budget. It’s not slashproof, but the outer materials and hardware felt surprisingly good for the price. The inside lining wasn’t as strong, but overall, it was lightweight and roomy. It fits laptops up to 16.3 inches — though if you put both a laptop and a tablet inside, they might move around a bit. Good news: the compartment is protected by a built-in combination lock.
The main section is massive — we packed multiple jackets and toiletry bags easily. The front has lots of pockets, pen loops, and a key hook. Plus, there’s a hidden pocket on the back for your passport, wallet, or phone. Other nice touches include a luggage strap, an external USB charging port (you’ll need a power bank), and padded shoulder and back panels for comfort. Just know: while it’s awesome for travel, it might 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
How We Tested the Backpacks
We ran two lab tests with a total of 24 anti-theft backpacks. First, we checked out each bag’s security features, looked at the quality of the materials, and weighed them empty. We packed them with standard travel stuff — a jacket, laptop, passport, phone, headphones, and a toiletry bag — to see how much they could hold and how easy they were to organize.
Then we wore them around to test how comfortable they were and tried out all the carrying options. For bags with anti-slash fabric, we used a box cutter to try to cut them — first a light swipe, then a more serious attack. We also tested the straps the same way.
For bags with chair locks, we tried yanking them away from a chair while someone was sitting on it. We also tested locking zippers for ease of use and strength, and we tried sneaking into hidden pockets to see how hard it would be for a thief.
We focused on design, space, comfort, protection, durability, and value. And the testing’s not done yet — we’ll keep using these backpacks during real trips for six more months to see how they perform in the real world.
