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Security bags for travel normally have anti-slash fabric, lockable zips, RFID blocking measures, wire enforced straps and hidden pockets to prevent theft and pickpockets. This post brings you some of the best security bags for travel available to buy today, each one should be easy to buy online, and we explain the features that make these bags more secure.

When choosing a bag (a handbag, travel purse, daypack, or backpack) for travel or city use most people consider security. It makes sense to buy a bag for travel that makes a bag snatcher’s or pickpocket’s life as hard as possible.

Let’s look at the best security bags for travel, the bags designed to keep your passport, cash, credit cards and other travel essentials attached to you. These security bags work just as well for daily use, anywhere in the world and are great for cruise ship shore excursions or busy travel days.

In my personal experience as a global traveller of many years, a small cross-body handbag or travel purse is extremely useful. You don’t always want to carry your day-pack, backpack or suitcase if you’re just going out for the evening, for instance. For times like this I generally use a small cross body bag, there are several designs below suitable for evening use.

I have a couple of cross-body fabric bags that I pack for travel, both have internal pockets and I can easily add a little extra security with a safety-pin or two. If you want to buy a travel bag designed to keep the thieves at bay and look put-together or formal, somebody has thought of that!

Here are the best and most popular anti-theft bags for travel and for travellers. As an extra security measure, some bags also have RFID blocking capacity in compartments or pockets.

The new security backpacks with built in charging ports are another travel must-have, see them at the end of the post along with a few extra travel security devices you may like. All are suitable for use as travel bags and have similar security features while having slightly different uses.

These bags are mostly aimed at women, but some would work just as well for men.

My husband uses a small cross body bag on airport days, his is a small Kipling bag similar to this one.

Although not designed as security bags, the Kipling is rugged and sturdy with a strong strap and zipper to fully close it. These can be ideal for men or women. A small bag like this worn cross-body and kept close to you is ideal for airport days when you will be producing ticlets, bording passes, your passport and phone multiple times.

We think they’re a great, long-lasting, good-looking, option for a travel bag that is not designated “a security bag.”

My husband has used his on travel days for almost 20 years. But if you’d like a designated “security bag” look at the options below.

Security Bags

Security Bags For UK, Europe, and USA

If you don’t have time to read this full post, our top picks are here. One is a security bag for travel, work, or city and will be just great for seeing the sights in Europe. See it here.

The other is an anti theft backpack ideal for city life or travel days. See it here. Find full descriptions and specifications further down the page.

Security Bags Available in Australia

If you are in Australia these are the two best security travel bags we can find for you to buy. The Travelon security bag is here. and the original Bobby Bag city security laptop bag is here.

Tips For Buying and Using a Security Bag or Purse

Before we get into the best security bags here are some extra tips for travel bag security:

• Keep your bag across your body, not on 1 shoulder.
• Wear the bag on your front, not on your hip or behind.
• Keep a hand on it on busy trains, buses or in markets or tuck it under your arm.
• Don’t keep everything in one bag, spread valuables around various hiding places.
• Avoid scooter bag snatchers by keeping yourself and the bag away from the road edge, walk on the inside edge of the pavement.

What Features Should a Security Bag Have?

A security travel purse or bag should have features such as these. Always look for the features below in a genuine security bag.

• anti slash fabric
• locking pockets and locking zippers
• RFID blocking
• steel enforced shoulder straps
• locking hardware for securing to immovable objects such as the table while dining
• hidden or secret pockets

The Travelon security bags generally have all of these anti theft features.

Cross Body Security Bags

We’ve shown most of the bags below in black but they do come in multiple colours from blue to red to gold, click-through on each item to check the range.

The Baggalini security bags, below, have a particularly good colour range including cool stripes but they don’t have the tough anti slash, anti cut technology of the Travelon bags.

Take a look here! Lewis N Clarke Secura Anti Theft Bag. This is perfect if you’re out and about in wet weather.

My favourite! Unfortunately not available yet in the UK without extra import / shipping fees, ( to the best of my knowledge, I’ve looked but that could change) although other Lewis N Clark products are available. USA and Canada can buy this cool green, blue or black bag.

We were able to purchase a Lewis N Clark travel umbrell recently, in Australia, so supply may be improving. This is a good travel brand in our opinion.

This security bag has the following features:

• water resistant outer
• durable exterior
• fabric lined
• anti slash fabric and internal steel shoulder strap reinforcement
• exterior locking pocket
• locking hardware to secure to tables etc.
• RFID blocking pocket for cards
• internal organiser pockets including zip pocket
• slimline profile
• 11 x 3 x 9.5 inches
• 49 inch strap
• main locking zip compartment
• also available in onyx

Travelon Classic Security Messenger Bag with Water Bottle Holder

If you are in Australia, the Travelon security bag is here. The following features make this bag a security bag.

• internal pockets
• external water holder
• RFID blocking card and passport sections
• cut proof, cable reinforced shoulder strap
• lobster claw clasps on pockets and straps
• slash resistant internal mesh on body panels
• main strap can be used to fasten to immovable objects using lobster claw
• strap length 28-48 inches
• size 11 x 10 x 4.5 inch
• a range of colours, I like the blue.

New – Travelon Messenger Urban Security Bag

Take a look at the new urban Travelon messenger here. This could be my new favourite!

I like this one a lot. It’s a little more expensive than most of the travel bags on here, but for people like me who often carry their laptops (I’m what’s known as a digital nomad, I work online from anywhere) a bag like this is gold. I love the style too, plus the usual security features along with a laptop pocket.

I’m going to call this one the best security bag for digital nomads!

• Take a small laptop, plus ipad or tablet in a padded buckled compartment (up to 14 inches)
• Has a pass-thru strap on the rear to secure this bag to your wheeled luggage.
• RFID blocking pockets for passports and credit cards
• Strengthened strap which can be attached to fixtures and furnishings.
• Slash resistant mesh

Security Bags, Conclusion

These security bags give you extra peace of mind when you travel. You don’t “need” one but they’re reasuring to have and could save the day in an emergency situation. It’s your choice, do you need one? While a handy-sized cross body bag is always a good idea, particularly for airport days when your documents (see organisers here) need to be accessible and extra pack security is reassuring, we don’t want you to think your belongings and documents are always in danger of theft. Of course you should always take out good travel insurance for added protection.