Traveling the world is an incredible experience, but staying safe while exploring new places is paramount. One essential aspect of travel safety, especially for women, is choosing the right travel purse. Forget about juggling multiple bags or worrying about theft – the key is to find one reliable travel purse that combines security, style, and practicality.
For years, I traveled with a simple crossbody bag, realizing quickly that less is more when it comes to travel accessories. A crossbody design is inherently safer, making it significantly harder for pickpockets compared to tote bags or handheld clutches. This realization led me to delve deeper into what truly constitutes the best purse for traveling, especially in theft-prone areas like Europe.
Therefore, if you’re searching for the best anti-theft travel purse, focusing on a crossbody style is your first smart move, regardless of the specific brand you choose. It’s about taking proactive steps towards securing your valuables while you explore.
Why Anti-Theft Travel Purses are Essential
Taking your safety seriously while traveling involves more than just being aware of your surroundings. It’s about equipping yourself with tools that deter theft and protect your belongings. This is where anti-theft purses come into play, especially beneficial for solo female travelers or anyone navigating crowded tourist destinations.
What exactly makes a purse “anti-theft”? These specialized bags are designed with features that significantly enhance security. Think of elements like:
- Wire mesh reinforcement: Built into the fabric, often in key panels, to prevent slash-and-grab theft.
- Slash-proof straps: Reinforced straps, sometimes with embedded wires, making them incredibly difficult to cut through.
- Lockable zippers: Zippers that can be secured together, preventing easy access for pickpockets in crowded areas.
These features collectively make it considerably harder for thieves to access your bag’s contents without your knowledge. Whether you’re navigating bustling city streets or enjoying a popular tourist attraction, an anti-theft purse adds a crucial layer of security.
Key Features to Look For in Anti-Theft Travel Purses
When selecting the best anti-theft travel purse, understanding the different levels of protection is important. Slash-proofing, for example, isn’t always uniform throughout the bag. Some purses offer full coverage, while others may have reinforced panels only in specific areas. Similarly, straps can have varying degrees of slash resistance. It’s crucial to check the product details to understand the extent of protection offered.
The primary goal of slash-proof features is to prevent “cut and run” theft – a common tactic where thieves quickly slash open a bag, grab valuables, and disappear into the crowd before you realize what’s happened.
Lockable zippers, another key feature, rely on your diligence. They are effective only when you actively use the locking mechanism. It’s a simple step – latching the zippers – but it adds a significant deterrent to pickpockets. Developing a habit of locking your zippers, especially after accessing your purse in public, is a smart travel safety practice.
Beyond locking, consider the zippers themselves. Some anti-theft purses feature puncture-proof zippers, also known as “Tough Zips.” These zippers are designed to resist being pierced open with a pen or similar object, adding yet another layer of security to the best anti-theft travel purse.
The Importance of RFID Protection
In today’s digital age, theft extends beyond physical items. RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) skimming is a growing concern. Thieves can use RFID readers to wirelessly steal information from your credit cards and passports, even from a distance.
RFID protection in a travel purse involves incorporating materials that block these radio waves, preventing unauthorized scanning of your personal data. While not all credit cards are vulnerable, passports often contain a wealth of personal information, including your name, address, nationality, and even your photo, all of which can be accessed via RFID readers.
If identity theft is a concern for you, prioritizing RFID protection is crucial when choosing the best anti-theft travel purse. It’s an essential feature for modern travel security.
My Top Pick: The Best Purse for Traveling in Europe
Having explored the crucial features of anti-theft Travel Purses, I want to share my personal recommendation for the best purse for traveling in Europe: the Travelon Messenger Bag. My experience with this bag over numerous trips has convinced me of its superior design and functionality.
I discovered the Travelon Messenger Bag in 2021, prior to a trip to Barcelona. Heeding warnings about pickpockets in Spain, I sought out a reliable and secure travel purse. The Travelon Messenger Bag quickly became my constant travel companion and has proven its worth trip after trip.
Travelon Messenger Bag: Why It Stands Out
My choice of the Travelon Messenger Bag as the best purse for traveling in Europe wasn’t arbitrary. I started my search on Amazon, valuing the extensive customer reviews available there. The “Overall Picks” badge on the Travelon Messenger Bag initially caught my attention, but my final decision was based on a combination of factors that make it exceptionally well-suited for travel.
Style and Aesthetics
While practicality is key, style still matters. I wanted a travel purse that wouldn’t scream “tourist” and could complement various outfits. Fanny packs, while secure, didn’t align with my personal style. The crossbody style, offering both security and a more classic look, was the ideal choice. The Travelon Messenger Bag strikes a good balance, offering practical features in a discreet and versatile design.
Color Versatility
Opting for a black travel purse was a deliberate choice for maximum versatility. Black goes with everything, making it suitable for any travel wardrobe. Beyond style, black is also incredibly practical for travel. It hides dirt and wear exceptionally well. My Travelon bag, even after years of use in diverse environments from dusty Tuscan roads to Thai jungles, still looks remarkably new. This is thanks to its water and dirt-resistant fabric, a testament to its durability.
Top-Notch Safety Features
The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag truly shines when it comes to security. It incorporates a comprehensive 5-Point Anti-Theft security system:
- Lock-down straps: Allow you to secure the bag to a chair or stationary object, preventing grab-and-go theft. While I haven’t used this feature extensively, it’s incredibly useful for outdoor dining or situations where you need to set your bag down momentarily.
- Locking zippered pulls: Secure the main compartments, deterring pickpockets from easily opening your bag. This feature provides significant peace of mind, especially in crowded areas.
- Slash-resistant body: Features a slash-resistant mesh barrier on all sides and the bottom panel, protecting against slash-and-grab theft. While I haven’t personally experienced an attempted theft, knowing this protection is in place is reassuring.
- Slash-resistant straps: Reinforced with stainless steel wire, preventing thieves from cutting the strap and running off with your bag. This is a crucial feature for crossbody bags, adding another layer of security.
- RFID blocking pockets: Protect against electronic identity theft by blocking RFID scanners from accessing your credit card and passport information. Essential for anyone concerned about digital security while traveling.
- Tethered interior key clip: Keeps your keys secure and easily accessible, preventing them from getting lost at the bottom of your bag and making them harder to snatch.
Ideal Size and Capacity
The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag measures 9 x 3.5 x 12.5 inches. This size is perfect – spacious enough to carry all my travel essentials without being bulky or cumbersome. I typically carry my passport, phone, journal, wallet, credit cards, contact lens case, glasses case, sunglasses, portable charger, and various smaller items. It comfortably fits everything I need for a day of exploring. Determining the right size involved comparing it to bags I already owned and assessing its proportions in product photos to ensure it wasn’t too large or too small for my needs.
Practical Shape
The messenger bag shape is particularly functional for travel. It’s tall enough to accommodate items like a journal or a water bottle upright, preventing spills and making organization easier. Unlike some asymmetrical bag designs, the classic messenger bag shape is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Smart Pocket Organization
The Travelon Classic Anti-Theft Messenger Bag excels in organization. It features multiple interior and exterior pockets, including a rear zippered wall pocket that serves as a built-in wallet. This eliminates the need for a separate wallet, reducing bulk and keeping valuables closer to your body for added security. I use the rear pocket for my passport, as it sits securely against my body, making it virtually inaccessible to thieves.
Adjustable Strap for Comfort
The adjustable strap is a fantastic feature, ensuring a comfortable fit regardless of your height or how you prefer to wear your crossbody bag. This adjustability is crucial for long days of sightseeing, preventing strain and ensuring the bag sits securely.
Convenient Water Bottle Holder
One of the standout features of the Travelon Classic Messenger Bag, and a key reason it’s the best purse for traveling in Europe in my opinion, is the built-in water bottle holder. Staying hydrated while traveling is essential, and having a dedicated space for a water bottle is incredibly convenient. This zippered expansion pocket on the side also promotes sustainability by making it easy to carry a reusable water bottle. Beyond water bottles, this pocket can also hold other items like sunglasses or a beanie, providing flexible storage.
Positive Customer Reviews
Finally, the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon solidified my confidence in the Travelon Classic Messenger Bag. With a high star rating and a large percentage of 5-star reviews, it’s clear that many users have had excellent experiences with this bag. Reading through the detailed reviews provides valuable real-world insights into the bag’s performance and confirms its reputation as a top anti-theft travel purse.
Minor Drawbacks of the Travelon Purse
While my experience with the Travelon Messenger Bag has been overwhelmingly positive, in the interest of fairness, there are a couple of minor points to consider:
- Mesh Pocket Durability: After several years of heavy use, the mesh in one of the zippered expansion pockets has ripped slightly. While still functional for larger items like water bottles, it’s no longer suitable for very small items. However, considering the extensive use, this seems like reasonable wear and tear and hasn’t impacted the bag’s overall functionality.
- Scarf Snagging: In extremely cold climates, like Finland, where scarves are essential, I noticed my scarf occasionally catching on the main compartment zipper. This is a minor inconvenience and likely to occur with any zippered bag, not specific to the Travelon.
FAQs about Travel Purses for Europe
What is the safest type of purse to travel with?
For optimal safety, a crossbody bag is the best purse for traveling in Europe. The crossbody design makes it significantly harder for thieves to snatch compared to shoulder bags or handheld purses.
Do I need an anti-theft bag in Europe?
While not strictly mandatory, I strongly recommend using an anti-theft bag in Europe, especially in major cities and tourist hotspots known for pickpocketing. Personal anecdotes and reports of increased pickpocketing incidents, even in destinations like Barcelona and Paris, highlight the importance of proactive security measures. Investing in an anti-theft bag provides peace of mind and significantly reduces your risk of becoming a victim of theft.
What should I pack in my travel purse?
My typical travel purse essentials include: passport, phone, journal, wallet (or cards and cash), contact lens case, glasses case, sunglasses, portable charger, power cord, pen, earphones, driver’s license (or ID), cotton swabs, medication, and miscellaneous small items. For comprehensive packing advice, refer to my guide on how to pack light for travel!
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Purse for Traveling in Europe
Travelon has a long-standing reputation for producing reliable travel gear focused on security and organization. With over 35 years in the industry, they are a trusted name in travel safety. The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag embodies their commitment to quality and security, making it, in my experienced opinion, the best purse for traveling in Europe and beyond. Its combination of anti-theft features, practical design, comfortable wear, and positive user reviews makes it an exceptional choice for any traveler prioritizing safety and convenience.
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