When I was a kid, I had a pickpocket slice my backpack open and all my pens and pencils fellout.. I shouted Molester!! and he ran for this life with several people chasing him. :)

Excellent advice, ideas I'd not thought about. Here are others: 1. Use a rain cover and cinch it up tight. That leaves no zippers exposed. 2. Bind the zippers together with a wire loop that joins by screwing the two sides together. Much harder to defeat. 3. Store the most valuable small items in a pocket between the pack and your back. My travel pack has a strap storage system than can be used for that. 4. When resting, have a strap that can connect that pack to a post or table leg. That will prevent grab and run theft. The same strap can join the pack to an item you often have out, such as a camera. That also prevents you from forgetting that item. 5. If you have a dirty clothing back, hide valuable small stuff there. Thieves are unlikely to prowl through smell socks. 6. Have a strap between valuables you have out a lot, say a phone or wallet, and your belt. Again, that prevents grab and run. 7. Last but not least, make your stuff look like junk. I once read about a guy who had a very valuable bike used for commuting. To make theft less likely, he painted over it in an ugly color and scratched it up. It was still a great bike. I just did not look like one worth stealing.

I was in Italy and saw a pickpocket try to pick an old man getting on a train. The crowd pushed the pickpocket onto the tracks. That was a surprise.

My idea is simple. A potential pick pocket has no point of reference if they can not SEE any zippers or pouches so why not simply cover your backpack with a rain cover? Its inexpensive and easy to use. And if a sternum strap is available USE IT. This will be a visible deterrent since it thwarts a slash and grab by just cutting a shoulder strap. Just a thought. Thanks.

I keep my wallet in a zipped mesh pocket in my backpack. I also carry a dummy wallet that has a bit of cash in it, and maybe some junk cards (used gift cards) that I do not worry about getting stolen. When I say cash, not more than 10 dollars in it, usually less. Here in Europe we have bag slashers on the bottom of the bags, so I put pen pouches or something down there. My laptop is not side open only and use the Velcro or something so it cannot be grab and go. When on public transport I take it off, and hold it in front of me. I got pick pocketed once, it was enough to teach me to be safer and develop a risk strategy of what I can and cannot lose.

My folks raised me with thinking about these things, and I grew up with having my wallet around my neck, so my backpack had my books and food. Ziplock bags help, so does always taking off your bag and checking your zippers when waiting for the bus, etc. Thank you for sharing these great tips. One other thing - always opt for leather straps for cameras, more difficult to cut.

Step 1, actually zip up your bag. Seriously the number of people just going through life with their bag wide open baffles me.

A trick to alert you for slicing pickpocket: put some marbles on the bottom of your backpack. The noise of them falling out will alert you.

On trains etc many people have black luggage. It is very easy for someone to take your bag from the luggage area & if confronted pretend they thought it was theirs. So I bought a large colourfull scarf from a charity shop & have tied it securely through two or three handles with many knots, so it is not easily removed & not easily mistaken for someone elses bag, whether genuinely or not.

There are backpacks from Tavelon and Pacsafe that have anti theft zippers and fabric and straps that have metal mesh in the fabric material to avoid slashing.

I usually put rain cover which wraps the entire bag and locks itself

I'm not a rocket scientist but I know a large SAFETY PIN through both zippers wold work wonderfully as an extra measure of security. (I wear a money belt for passport & cash + credit cards).

I always cinch my zipper pulls together with carabiners. If possible, I also use a carabiner to latch the other carabiners to any bag hardware on a strap. I do this for my daily "fashion" backpacks, too. A waist pack is a good place for the phone and other quick need items. You can carabiner those zippers, too.

I use mini carabiners (like the kind you can get for keys) to clip the two zipper pulls together. If the zipper pulls don't have an opening or a loop I replace them with zipper pulls that do.

My Nomad Lane Origami backpack purse has a hidden zip pocket under the flap that slides down your roller bag handle. It holds a passport and thin wallet easily, and sits between your shoulder blades and directly against your back when in backpack mode. The only side zip is for an internal water bottle compartment. I love this bag because it can be worn three ways and holds everything properly. The one time I opted for a regular purse? My wallet got pick pocketed out of it, within two blocks of our hotel. Lesson learned.

I was on an escalator and had my backpack zippers on top and felt someone tug sideways, thieves tend to use one hand to be more inconspicuous. It's also a good idea to get a small lock to hold the zipper loops closed.

Yes, I travel all over Europe and I use zip ties on all zippers .. At the bottom of my backpack I have a small pocket that is against my back that I carry a small pair of scissors and a ton of extra zip ties .. So when I need to get in I just cut off ...get what I want and replace the zip tie with a new one. I have never had anything stolen. I feel comfortable that they will move on to the next person...

Thank you and all those who educate people how to protect their valuables and themselves.

Backpacks with a storm flap over zip are great as the zip can't be seen and is alot harder to open and close. I have a DCShoes backpack with this feature and it's perfect for travelling.

I use paper clips to keep the two zipper pulls together. The small inconvenience is worth keeping the zippers closed.

Have the zips on the part that rests on your back!

when i bought my tsa approved lock, there were several in there so i've got my backpacks all locked down! i do like the rain cover idea that someone mentioned as well. ordered mine a few days ago.

Thanks for the info. This is a nice strategy that I hadn't thought about. My tip: If I want to be super cautious, I'll use carabiners to lock the zippers together. My only concern is that if a thief is highly motivated, I've heard of them actually slashing the bags to get at the insides. I mean... at this point, I should be more concerned with staying alive than anything else, but I digress.

My wife used to put a couple of mouse traps in her bag all ready set,none of the family would just put their hand in there, and yes in Spain a pickpocket did dip their hand in and got nipped, they let out such a scream everyone including the police turn around.

the hand with "sticky fingers" coming in from the right got me to big LOL. Great video. Informative!

Good to know tips ! Very useful especially when you are traveling.

The simplest and most practical theft prevention is by ignoring the 'backpack" thing and start carrying your bag in "front" of your body. Whether you're carrying an ordinary bag or the one designed for back carrying, if you still insist in placing it at the most remote and ill-attended part of your body it will always be a magnet for thieves. Another practical advantage of carrying whatever bag you have in front of your body instead other than theft prevention is for "accessibility for you" of its contents, not to mention the added convenience of not having to offload your bag whenever you want to just sit down and relax, simple.

10 lashes in the town square might alter the pickpocket’s risk/reward calculation. At least a bit more than hoping he targets your neighbors instead.

Individually folded cash only pull out what need.

I use zipties on buckles or straps that I think could be disconnected in a tight space. I even use them on a smaller daypack that if I'm not fully alert could be unclasped then run off with. The ties are black and blend in with the material and almost invisible. I secure zippers with a simple wire keyring through the zipper's pull. Being secure while traveling alone through multiple trains and stations makes me less of a target or victim. I'm not paranoid, but I am alert and looking around at my surroundings. Thanks for your helpful videos.

I like cross body bags as well. Also if I’m using my back pack I hold on to the straps a lot. I feel as though I can feel it when and if someone is touching my bag. We also work as a team to watch each others bags and such when we are on a subway or something.

What about mousetraps? A couple of painful mousetraps in your backpack should be enough to keep your stuff safe.

Good advice! I use “S” shaped carabiners by Nite Ize on all of my zippers.

Thank you !!!I have little 'pickpocket' grandbabies so I use a key ring (the sort that have a spring opening) to anchor the zipper to the handle of my tote bag. The tips about back packs are splendid as I do travel a lot with a back pack. In Rome one is under multiple attacks ,both sexual and luggage. I found that suddenly standing backwards usually not only scared molesters and thieves off, but also sent the person limping away, usually swearing. My son , also in Termini station in Rome, had an eel skin wallet in his jeans back pocket , he felt someone try to remove it and turned around to grab the person by the throat (his usual method) but found it was a very small man, not an Italian .. who was terrified .My son is 6 ft 3 and the man sped off before the police came to see what the ruckus was. Eel skin is good, because the scales mean that you can feel someone pull on it , It is smooth to put in your pocket, but very difficult to pull out with one hand. His other technique is unprintable but involves saying he is from Texas and that is where we don't take kindly to pickpockets and have ways of dealing with them.

Thanks for the info I needed to make sure my stuff is safe!

Ah… I already do this ! But I also add a lock. But if I don’t have a lock .. I braid the zipper pulls so they tie together. But now I may bring good zip ties or zip ties.

If space in your backpack isn't too much of an issue put a solid block of polystyrene foam, the same inner dimensions as the bottom of your pack, in a plastic bag then place that snuggly in the base of your backpack. Don't go mad and use a huge block just enough to keep it's shape and counter the "slit bag" attack method. This will stop anything being removed or dropping out.

When I was in Amsterdam last year I had a guy messing with my backpack in the old town in the evening. I was standing on a canal along with other people and was watching and listening to the sound the clock of a church made at the full hour. I noticed the guy before and he was holding a phone and it looked like he was recording the church. For some reason I suddenly turned around and saw the guy standing right behind me. I was looking directly at him and he was akwardly saying "I just wanted to go that way." which made no sense to me to say that and I just gave him a look that said "whatever man". A little later when I checked my backpack I noticed that my zippers were not on top, in the 12 o'clock position, as I usually have them but in the 3 o'clock position and they were also open a little. Luckily I had my most valuable items (keys, purse) in the fron pockets of my pants where I can always touch and feel them with my hands and the backpack was only full with clothes, water, food and a ten year old pocket camera and an old mp3 player and nothing was missing.

A cheap dollar store carabiner though the zips works well too.

Great video, thanks. Suggest using carabiners to “lock” both zippers to each other. Tricky for pickpockets to undo!

Thanks for usefully tips

Obus a German padlock company . Makes simple small padlocks for backpacks with a three number combination .

Too much theory. I challenge you to travel a week in Buenos Aires subway at rush hour. 😊

Lengths of parachord and the rings that keys are held on can be used to secure bags and zippers. Cheap and easy.

Connecting the zipper pulls with a 2 cent clip, such as those used to hold a key, before you orient the zippers at the top will work much better. You will definitely feel someone trying to open the clip. But, most likely they will just pass you by.

Standard military method. Been doing that for years. Also, getting a back pack with a waist strap and/or chest strap helps to increase sensitivity and significantly reduce back strain. Think military where the AVERAGE weight of a back pack is up to 85 pounds, or more. The idea of cable ties is ok but, not great for quick access. Strong thread which can be broken in a moment will work since it will deliver a strong sensation to the body when it is parted by a potential thief. Some people have taken to using small hand towels at the top of the compartment to shield the contents. I wonder what would happen if a mouse trap were to be in the pocket and some clown reached into it? LOL

I used PACSAFE with exomesh and lock period

Thanks for the good tips

You can use a Carabina to perform the same function as twist ties, especially those with a screw collar. . Or I use cable "zip" ties, but reusable ones with a tab to open them. You can orient the tab in such a way that it's facing down, and tuck the free end into the cavity. Most thieves won't even know how to open them anyway. They can even be quickly looped around a chair frame or table leg if you're in a restaurant, etc. . I've even used suitcase padlocks if the rucksack is going to be out of sight, on an aircraft, etc.

The twisty ties from bread bags, or from things like headphones are also useful and cheap. I avoid using carabiners because to me they stand out as too touristy.

I use key chains attached to the zippers, it takes two hands to unwind and always keep them near my right hand!

Thks , easy and realistic tip to care about

Often when I am travelling I don't even have my backpack on my back, like when I am sitting for example. In this situation I put my leg through the shoulder strap. Another option is to use a little padlock to lock the zips together.

Super helpful! Thanks alot!

Traveling later today, my passport is going in a waste pouch (a.k.a. fanny pack) that is attached to me along with my phone and will be in front of me at all times. Good advice on keeping the zippers at top, I already thought of that as I DTA and am always on the lookout for the bad guy.

Thank you so much for useful tips 😊❤

Put a towel between your valuables and your zipper opening.

I always thread the cord loops of the zippers together. Take a couple of seconds to do or undo, but does require two hands, and if one zipper is moved, the opposite zipper is going to follow it and keep the opening closed. I hope that by the time a thief has figured it out, I will have noticed.

Wear a big jacket over your backpack, weather permitting

Some backpacks unzip themselves when the zipper is on the top.

I take a small carabiner and put it through the zipper pulls just like you would with a travel lock. It's not locked, it still easy to get off but it takes a lot of maneuvering, making a quick grab virtually impossible.

Or you could just get a luggage lock and lock the tabs together. I zipped a bag at the top like this and it came open while I was riding a bike and stuff actually fell out.

Yes, I have my own tip and trick: be vigilant at all times, keep your belongings in your sight. Wherever you go. Better safe than sorry.

I have fantasized going to Europe (worst pick pocket population ever!) with a back pack filled with poop … so their hands get full of it 😂 … but of course not very much fun for me either 😂

Put a cloth cover over all the items so the bottom of the cloth is to the bottom of the backpack, this way the thief has turned rummage around before he can get anything, n so more noticeable when they try to steal. Dinesh Jamnadas

The one thing I would say about putting your zippers at the top is if you are using a lightweight bag the zippers could eventually fall open throughout the day with your movement. Not everyone would be traveling with a stiff bag like that.

I have a backpack, where the straps are mounted between the large main-pocket and the laptop-pocket towards my back. That way the straps has a flap, covering the top of the zipper for the laptop-pocket. Then there is a quick access pinched towards my back, when I have the backpack on. And it's cushioned, even if I put some keys or other odd shape, it usually cause no discomfort.

Thanks again

I always tie my zippers together as well. I also recommend both arms to be over your shoulders. as if you only have one its easier for them to cut the straps.

Zipper locks and rat traps!

Put a rat trap in.

I put all my zippers at the top even on my suitcase. That way I know if someone has messed with it.

i use a simple wire twist like you get on all things that have wires and usually throw away. they are easy to thread into the zip and stop the zips coming apart.

The problem with his method is that zipping it to the top, sometimes doesn't stay zipped at all. It would be far better to use a rainfly for backpacks that go around your pack and has an opening for the straps, such that the only thing accessible is those straps. Velcro wrap around the zipper pull area of backpack and the backpack itself, with the opening at your back, will help prevent them from getting in too.

Thank you.

Very good ty

When I was in Europe, I put a small lock on my major backpack zipper and kept the key in my zippered K-Way. Also, if it is raining, put your poncho over your backpack with the zippers up. It is another way of knowing if someone is after your stuff. I always kept a bit of cash in my zippered K-Way and locked away all essentials. This way you don't have to rummage and open a lock all the time. No one bugged me and everything was safe. Having a money belt is also great. The more you use to protect yourself- the less likely thieves are going to make you the target. And don't kid yourself, in Paris, the pickpocket guys will go right for your stuff in full view of cops as well!

you can open a zipper in any place with just a pen.. alot faster and more quiet than pulling the handles

I use a small carabiner style metal clip to clip my zipper ends together. Not fool proof but it adds another layer the thieves would have to get through to access the interior of the pack. I also try to keep the sternum strap clipped. That makes it more difficult for a thief to grab the entire backpack off of my back and run off.

Zipper trick blabla to the max

Another trick is to use a small carabiner or a safety pin through the loops of the zippers of your backpack, so it makes it harder for any thief to open the zippers

I use locking micro carabiners to attach my zippers together. Definitely a deterrent.

Thank you ❤

I watched thieves at work and they opened backpacks on the stairs, because when walking down the stairs the backpack is at the height of arms and easy to reach. If they don't find anything they will close the bag. Safest thing is not take any backpack. There are cities where is better that you leave anything of value at home.

Nice advice but, to my own experience, most thieves use a knife or a sharp objet (as a blade) to cut rapidly the bottom of your backpack and get to your stuff. The rarely use the zipper in my case!

i've used paperclips and small carabiners to secure the zippers to each other. Makes it hard for theives to randomly open them.

Awesome info and even though viewing today is 2 years since published still good information.

Why not secure the zippers closed with combination locks?

Liked and subscribed great video.

I use nite ize micro s-biner on my zipper pulls.

Visiting South Korea I saw people leaving their bags unattended. It is normal there.

I have a Nordace Sierra Mini. It has a secure pocket on my back. Plus it has a magnetic zipper connection which I can put a large baby diaper pin through the magnetic zipper lock. Hopefully a thief will decide I am not worth struggling with. All valuables are in the back or in a money belt.

I carry my backpack in front n hold the zips. Same with my handbag. I carry one with backstraps, so it's always in front. I look stupid and unfashionable but my valuables are safe.

Backpack zipper at the top…..thumbs up. thanks.

My purse in the back pocket of my backpack was stolen in California a long time ago. Since then, I have stopped carrying a backpack on my back.

A set mouse trap inside a pocket that looks easily accessible is a great deterrent!

I'm just surprised that many are not aware of this.

I use a thin belt bag the kind you use for jogging to keep my valuables.

If you can, carabiners hooked through the zipper is a good way too

The technique of using a ballpoint pen to open any luggage utilizing a zipper, is one that's been publicly disclosed for some time now. Having the zippers at the top doesn't protect against this.