How to keep your backpack safe

Add extra security to your hard shelled luggage bag using safe coded padlocks and pre-assembled locks.

When your backpacking around any country with your worldly possessions strapped to your back, backpack security is always a concern. Everything you’ve held dear for the past 6 months plus the souvenirs you’ve picked up while on your holidays (the hand carved bong, the “authentic” Vietnamese conical hat and the Hill-tribe necklace) are all there for the taking. Your backpack is not designed to be safe… It’s designed to be easy to carry! Lets face it even the best backpacks wont stop a plucky thief with half an ounce of determination.

There are devices on the market designed to keep your backpack safe:

Pac Safe
Locks
Bag alarms

But a bit of savvy will go a long long way!

5 Budget ways to keep your backpack safe

Keep your backpack safe: Use a day sack

If you’re traveling with expensive electronics keep them with you at all times, use a separate day sack and try not to flash them around… If you remove temptation, your half way there.

Keep your backpack safe: Spread your gear out

Most backpacks have an amazing amount of pockets – too many in fact. And most have secret compartments. if your backpacking with cash or travellers cheques spread them out inside you bag, your shoes – even your underwear!

Keep your backpack safe: Buy the right backpack

If you read the label of any backpack it will give you a handful of reasons why its the only one you should choose. from a security point of view – get one with lockable zips. Don’t rely on locking the two zip ends together, that’s about as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle, what you need is specific padlock holes on the zipper body.

Keep your backpack safe: Stay close

When traveling on a bus or train try and stay close to your backpack, pick a seat above the cargo hold or use it as a pillow. It will be most at risk when your face is stuffed in a good book or your sound asleep.

Keep your backpack safe: Use zip ties (cable ties)

I’ve been through plenty of backpack locks in my time, while I’m not against them I do think they are a waste of money if you think they’re going to keep your backpack safe. You will undoubtedly loose the combination / key. To fit through a zip they need to be so small that they could be opened with nothing more than strong language. A zip tie however if fool proof, if you pull one as tight as you can through the zip holes and cut off the excess you’ll have a tamper proof way of seeing if anyone’s been in your backpack after your flip flops.

Most people aren’t out to steal from you, in reality – they see an easy target and take an opportunity. If you don’t make your backpack a target it will probably go unharmed and be safe for years of backpacking travel.

Related posts:

1. Why Singapore is the Safest City to Backpack in Asia

Aaron Bradford has written 62 articles. Aaron is the leader, mentor and chief geek of the Happytime team. He put together this crack team of travel writers known by codename “The Firm“. Twitter: @b4ubackpack | Google profile | More articles by Aaron