Anti-Theft Travel Gear That Is Worth the Money

Which anti-theft travel gear genuinely helps, which is marketing, and how to layer bags, locks and trackers for city travel.

TRTravel Review HQPublished Updated 5 min read
Anti-theft crossbody bag with locking zippers and a cable lock on a cafe table
Anti-Theft Travel Gear

What theft actually looks like

Almost all traveller theft is opportunistic: an unzipped bag on a train, a phone on a cafe table, a wallet in a back pocket. Gear should make the easy grab hard.

Bags

Look for locking zip pulls, slash-resistant panels and a strap you can loop around a chair leg. A crossbody worn in front is the single biggest improvement.

Locks

TSA-approved cable locks secure a bag to a fixed object. A small padlock on the main compartment stops casual openings in dorms and overhead bins.

Trackers

An AirTag or Tile in checked luggage turns a lost bag into a recoverable one. Put a second one inside your day bag.

What to skip

Money belts worn under clothes are slow and obvious when used in public. Use a hidden zip pocket instead.

Gear mentioned by our reviewers

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