Travel Value Finder
The best anti-theft crossbody bag for travel isn’t really a fashion decision; it’s a response to a documented, specific risk.
- The Pacsafe Metrosafe X uses steel-mesh construction that’s the strongest physical deterrent in this category, and it’s the pick for travelers who want maximum protection without compromise.
- The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic covers the same core protections with slash-resistant panels, locking zippers, RFID blocking, at roughly half the price.
- The Pacsafe GO trims both bags down into a lighter build for travelers who don’t need to carry much.
Find out how they actually compare, plus what U.S. government travel advisories specifically say about pickpocketing risk in the cities where these bags matter most.
Find more about the best travel packing list that suits most travelers.
Leslie Nics, TravelValueFinder.com | Last updated: Aug 2026 | Based on first-hand experience and on what’s the best travel gears (compared and tested) for travelers
Which Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag Should You Buy?
All three cover the non-negotiable basics: slash resistance, lockable zippers, RFID blocking. The differences come down to how much protection you want versus how much you want to spend or carry.
- Want the strongest available protection, no compromise? Get the Pacsafe Metrosafe X.
- On a tighter budget but still want real security? Get the Travelon Anti-Theft Classic.
- Just need light protection for museum days, not an all-day bag? Get the Pacsafe GO.
The smartest travelers I know actually carry two bags: a secure one for the main day and a light one for evenings when they’re only carrying a phone and a card. One bag doesn’t have to do everything. – Leslie Nics, Founder & Lead Travel Writer, TravelValueFinder.com
How Pacsafe Metrosafe X, Travelon Classic, and Pacsafe GO Compare
Pacsafe and Travelon are the two brands that consistently lead independent anti-theft bag testing and comparison coverage, and all three of these are established, well-reviewed, currently in-stock Amazon listings:
| Product | Why It Made the List | Get It |
| Pacsafe Metrosafe X Anti-Theft Crossbody | Best overall security. Built around Pacsafe’s patented eXomesh stainless-steel mesh embedded in the bag body and strap; the most robust physical anti-slash barrier in this category, plus lockable zippers and RFID-blocking pockets. The pick for travelers who want the strongest deterrent available, not just the minimum. | Check Price on Amazon |
| Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Crossbody | Best budget pick. Travelon’s 5-point anti-theft system covers the same core basics; slash-resistant panels, locking clips, and RFID-blocking organization at roughly half the price of the Pacsafe. The organization feels a step more basic, but the core protection is genuinely comparable. | Check Price on Amazon |
| Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Crossbody | Best lightweight pick. A slimmed-down version of Pacsafe’s security features in a smaller, lighter build, aimed at travelers who want real anti-theft construction for a light museum day or dinner out, not a bag built to carry a tablet and a water bottle all day. | Check Price on Amazon |
Pacsafe Metrosafe X : Best Overall Security
Pacsafe’s eXomesh construction embeds a stainless-steel wire mesh directly into the bag body and strap, which is a meaningfully different level of physical security than fabric alone. It’s specifically built to resist the slash-and-grab technique that’s the most common method professional pickpockets actually use.
Add lockable zipper clips and RFID-blocking pockets for cards and passports, and this is the bag built for travelers who want the strongest available deterrent rather than the minimum acceptable one.
Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Crossbody : Best Budget Pick
Travelon’s 5-point anti-theft system hits the same core protections as Pacsafe; slash-resistant panels, locking clips, RFID-blocking organization at roughly half the price.
It doesn’t use the same steel-mesh construction, and the internal organization reads a bit more basic, but for a traveler who wants real, tested protection without paying Pacsafe’s premium, it’s a genuinely solid starting point rather than a compromise pick.
Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Crossbody : Best Lightweight Pick
The GO takes Pacsafe’s security features and puts them in a smaller, lighter shell. The right call for an evening out or a light museum day where you’re only carrying a phone, a card, and a bit of cash, rather than a full day bag’s worth of gear.
Pair it with a larger secured bag for full travel days and you’ve covered both ends of a trip without either bag being the wrong tool for the job.
What Do Travel Advisories Actually Say About Pickpocketing?
This isn’t a vague, generic risk. It’s specifically documented for the exact destinations most travelers are packing for.
The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory for France states that pickpocketing and phone theft are frequent crimes occurring in crowded areas, and its advisory for Italy specifically warns that organized groups of thieves and pickpockets operate at major tourist destinations, train stations, bars, and cafes; exactly the settings a crossbody bag is worn in.
This isn’t a reason to avoid these destinations; millions of travelers visit safely every year. It’s the actual, sourced reason a slash-resistant, lockable bag is worth the extra weight over a normal tote, rather than a marketing scare tactic. Find out more on how I pack for my Europe packing list, and how I traveled Europe on a budget.
What I’d Pack Differently Next Time
I carried a normal tote bag on my first few European trips and only started using an anti-theft bag after a friend had her bag’s outer pocket opened on a crowded metro without her noticing until she checked for her phone later.
Nothing was taken that time, but it was close enough to change what I pack. The lockable zippers matter less for stopping a determined thief and more for removing the easy, silent opportunity that most pickpocketing actually relies on.
Most pickpocketing isn’t a dramatic grab-and-run. It’s quiet and it’s over before you notice. A locking zipper mostly just removes the quiet part. – Leslie Nics, Founder & Lead Travel Writer, TravelValueFinder.com
Travel Packing & Gear Guide
- Best Travel Adapter for International Travel
- Best Water Purification Bottle for Travel
- Best Travel Neck Pillow for Flights
- Best E-Reader for Travel: Kindle vs. Kobo Compared – Kindle Paperwhite
- Best Luggage Tracker for Travel
- Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Travel: Sony vs. Bose vs. Apple
- Best Carry-On Travel Backpack: Osprey vs. Nomatic
- Best Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag for Travel
- Best Tech Organizer Pouch for Travel: FYY vs. BAGSMART vs. tomtoc
FAQ: Best Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag for Travel
Is Pacsafe worth the extra cost over Travelon?
If maximum physical security is the priority, yes. The steel-mesh construction is a genuine step up. If budget matters more and the core protections (slash resistance, locking zippers, RFID blocking) are enough, Travelon is a legitimate lower-cost option, not just a downgrade.
Does RFID blocking actually matter?
It protects against a specific, lower-frequency risk (contactless card/passport skimming) rather than the more common pickpocketing threat, but it’s a low-cost feature to have included given how standard it now is on both brands.
Which cities actually need an anti-theft bag the most?
Per current State Department advisories, crowded tourist areas and public transit in cities like Paris and Rome are specifically flagged for pickpocketing risk; the exact settings these bags are designed for.
Can I wear a crossbody anti-theft bag every day, not just abroad?
Yes, none of these are styled to look like security gear, and the same slash-resistance and locking features are useful in any crowded city, not just on vacation.
Sources
About the Author
Leslie Nics is the founder and lead researcher at TravelValueFinder.com, helping travelers understand what trips really cost, not just the prices advertised in brochures. The focus is on uncovering the true costs, so travelers can compare options, avoid hidden expenses, and make smarter decisions with their travel budget.
Affiliate Disclosure
TravelValueFinder.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. See our full Trust & Transparency Policy for details.
