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Last Updated on December 30, 2023 by Natalie

I decided that I must have an anti theft travel purse for our adventures abroad. After my initial research, it seemed like the majority of anti theft purses for travel had very similar security features. Wonderful! All I had to do is find a purse I liked! I wanted to find something stylish, but not so fancy that it screamed “full of money!” It needs to be the perfect travel purse, the best anti theft purse I can find. Am I looking for a unicorn?

What is an Anti Theft Purse?

Anti theft travel bags or purses include features to help deter would be pickpockets or purse snatchers. Purses and bags with anti theft features are often advertised as slash-proof, RFID  blocking credit card slots, and include at least one “locking” compartment (read more about RFID skimming here).

Whether you are looking for the best purse for international travel, the best cross body bag for travel, or simply the best travel purse ever, you have many options!  There are so many styles of anti theft travel bags available, making it easier than ever to find a style that will work for you. In essence, that beautiful narwhal of purses (unicorns of the sea and they are real!)

Disclaimer

Blissmersion a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain contain affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. I purchased my anti theft purses with my own funds and have not received free products or compensation.

For the best travel purse, try this one!

 

Which Is the Best Travel Purse Ever?

If the pickpocket proof purse features are equal, then all you have to do is pick the style that is right for you! Here is my comparison guide for the best travel purse ever. Bear in mind that most companies call them anti theft travel bags, so I compared the ones that are small enough to be called purses yet large enough to be useful as a travel bag. Most anti theft bags are unisex and great products for both men and women!

BUT! If you don’t have time, my choice is the Travelon Travel Cassic Mini Shoulder Bag. I love this bag so much that I have purchased two. There are two locking compartments and four zippered compartments in total. I consider this one of the best travel handbags and I love both of mine! In fact, I’ve been using the second one for several years and it is still holding up really well to every day use.

 

The Top 5 Anti Theft Purses

Travelon Travel Classic Mini Shoulder Bag

I’ve been using the Travelon Travel Classic Mini Shoulder Bag for over 3 years now. I did replace my first one with a different color, as I have a tendency to spill things all over my purses. It’s a medium size purse, which is exactly what I wanted. It fits the following items: cellphone (with a large case), slim wallet, 4 passports, large glasses, along with all the other odds and ends that live in purses.

It is durable and made of water resistant material. Everything has held up great so far! I’ve traveled with it on every trip we’ve taken, international or domestic, and use it daily. Other than a little water staining, it still looks good. There are also a lot of colors available. Security features include: locking main compartment, second locking pocket, slash resistant body and shoulder strap, RFID blocking card slots. There’s also a removable LED light, which is helpful at night.

I have been really happy with this purse and impressed with the durability.

Best for: Medium size, Two zipper locked pockets

 

Pacsafe Citysafe CS200 Anti-Theft Travel Handbag

If you need a larger size purse, the Pacsafe Citysafe CS200 is a great option. It’s a roomy 10.5 liters of space and includes zippered main and front pockets, an expandable side pocket with snap, and a padded laptop compatible sleeve (11 inches). Security features include the slash proof mesh embedded in the fabric to protect from a slash-and-run style theft and a flexible, stainless steel wire in the purse strap. The zipper locking main compartment also includes an RFID blocking pocket for your credit cards, key cards, or e-passports. All that technical mumbo jumbo means you can fill this purse with all of the items you need, including a laptop, and be better protected from various types of thefts.

You can definitely fit a tablet, phone, wallet, keys, makeup, water bottle, and more in this roomy purse.

Best for: Large size, Easy to use security features

 

Lewis N. Clark Anti-theft Commuter Bag

This fun little number is lightweight, has water resistant coating, and is made from slash resistant material (nylon, with steel cable in the strap and magnaloft side panels that help with anti-slash protection). I find it a little on the small side. It has sturdy locking mechanisms. It’s a nice smaller sized purse, but it can fit the essentials comfortably. It also has a lovely interior zip pocket, which really helps with organization. It has a lovely wide crossbody strap.

Best for: Smaller purse

 

Travelon Women’s Anti-Theft Tailored Hobo Travel Purse

This stylish hobo purse by Travelon is pretty and practical. It’s big enough to fit a tablet, along with your phone, wallet, etc. It has a locking front pocket and an additional regular zipper pocket. Other security features include slash-resistant construction and strap. The main compartment also features RFID protected passport and card slots and a tethered key clip with LED light, which is a great feature when digging into your purse to find things.

Best for: Large hobo style bag

 

Travelon Women’s Anti-Theft Heritage Small Cross Body Bag

This cute bag is the smallest on the list. If you’re a minimalist traveler, this is definitely the bag for you. It’s made of cotton canvas and suede, with a polyester lining. Security features include a locking main compartment with an RFID blocking pocket, slash-resistant shoulder strap, and a rear slash pocket with a snap closure. It only weighs 5 ounces. It is a little bigger than I thought and you can fit the essentials for a single traveler with ease (cell, wallet, passport).

Best for: Smallest purse, Minimalist travelers

 

The Time It Happened to Me (Why I Use Theft Proof Purse)

I started taking a pottery class in my neighborhood, something I’d always wanted to do. At one point, I left my purse on the other side of the room during an open art class. A woman came in, sat down, and talked to all of us. She was friendly, asked us what we were doing, and even feigned interest in our amateur projects. Then, she casually wandered out the other door. I realized at the end of the class that she’d taken my wallet. It was a perfect opportunity.

I’m far more wary nowadays and even more vigilant – I don’t let my guard down even in “safe” situations. Now, I keep my purse on my body most of the time. I like a cross body strap and locking zippers. It’s also important to be prepared. This crime happened right in my neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. Purse thefts and pickpockets are a little more common in touristy areas and I’d like to do what I can to try and prevent it.

Even though a theft proof purse wouldn’t have necessarily deterred the criminal in my case, I realize just how easy it is to be distracted by a diversion in any situation. I now know that some people will take advantage of an easy opportunity. Also, I know the inconvenience of replacing my wallet’s contents and that was in the USA. Can you imagine trying to replace documents while abroad?

Why Purchase a Pickpocket Proof Bag?

Once I had children, I feel like I’m always distracted. My children’s safety is always my first priority. Moms, I know you understand! When I visit busy areas, the type that pickpockets are easily able to take advantage of distractions, at least I have taken some advance precautions to avoid losing the important items I regularly carry. Buying a theft proof bag is a small, inexpensive thing I can do to calm my mind.

It’s also easy to use and adjust to locking and unlocking the zipper, one of the safety features of anti theft purses.

Tips for Using Your Perfect Travel Purse to the Fullest

• Avoid carrying all of your valuables and passports in your travel purse when you are visiting busy places (you can purchase a portable travel safe for this purpose).
• Hold your purse under your arm, especially in busy areas.
• Keep your bag in front of you, instead of on your back.
• Always wear the strap across your body.
• Research the types of scams and thefts that tend to occur in the areas you are planning to travel. In some countries, people on motorbikes will attempt to snatch a purse from their victim. Sometimes, the victim is dragged for awhile. Use your best judgement.
• Don’t be afraid to travel – you’ve done your best for prevention and no one can think of every single thing. If a theft happens, the blame lies solely on the person who chose to steal and not on the victim.

Conclusion: Be Aware of Your Surroundings

When I go anywhere with kids, whether it be an exotic destination or a regular part of our every day life, I’m almost permanently distracted. My number one priority is my children’s safety. I know moms and dads can relate! I feel like the distraction written on my face makes me an easy mark for would-be pickpockets. For those times when I need to be aware of my surroundings, carrying around an anti theft handbag gives me some peace of mind. I use mine daily.

Whether you travel with all of the things or prefer only the essentials, there is a travel purse out there for you. Find your narwhal. Go forth and travel!

What’s your favorite anti theft travel purse? Please leave a comment with your feedback.

 

 

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