in search of the perfect pickpocke-proof Cross body bag for euopean City break

[Everleave]

I have 2 short city breaks coming up and it's been a long time since I've travelled abroad (pre-covid).

I'm travelling solo and paranoid that I'll be pick-pocketed and left stranded - so I'm in search of a good cross body bag.

Any recommendations of ones you've used? So many out there - indeed room for usual things such as passport, wallet, keys, small sun lotion and camera - small travel guide and phone too.

Not too fussed on colour but suppose neutal-ish best as wouldn't stand out?

Uniqlo

got this one recently. The smaller version tend to lose things in but this one has a small pocket hidden on outside which can wear next to body so good for phone access without opening whole bag

I always use Kipling bags, most of them are crossbody and they have plenty of compartments. If you are going visiting somewhere that may be a particularly dodgy area, is useful to be wearing something with good zipped pockets so you can put any vulnerable things in them like phone, bank card and passport. Generally I find the Kipling bags are good for holidays and are showerproof

this is what you need! A few options and they’ve all got great pickpocket proof zips & locks.

the other thing you can do is buy a little clip to clip the zip on a current bag to eg a hook on the handle. They can be found easily on amazon!

https://pacsafe.co.uk/collections/crossbody-bags

If you're really anxious about this, consider some sort of ultra thin money belt for just your passport and credit cards etc, that you wear under your shirt.

Much of it is about being sensible - always zip.your bag, keep the end of the zip forward on you and your bag to the front. Don't stick your phone in a pocket etc

I always take a Prada crossbody bag for sightseeing. Black and indiscreet.

i like a slightly bigger bag -

https://www.prada.com/gb/en/p/re-nylon-bag/1BC421_RV44_F0002_V_D1M

But a smaller one might be more what you’re after -

https://www.prada.com/gb/en/p/re-nylon-shoulder-bag/1BC167_RV44_F0002_V_B1M

I have the Uniqlo one too. But I never put everything in a bag - I’d keep passport, a credit card, some cash etc at the hotel in the safe rather than carrying it around with me.

I think it is more about the person than the bag, tbh.
Stay alert - have a drink, but don't get drunk.
If you keep a hold of your bag, against your body, you'll be fine. Don't wave your phone about, don't put stuff in your pockets etc etc
Make good use of your hotel safe (passport, car and house keys, spare credit card), so that you're not carrying everything around with you.

Just back from Florence (3 adults) & no issues.

I recommend Kipling bags too, so many pockets but keep them facing towards your body not facing outwards iyswim. Also be careful on trains and stuff, don’t stand near doorways as pickpockets like jump on at stops and grab stuff then jump off before the doors close.

I have Travelon bags - they have many pockets and have secure closures. This is the US site but they are easy to source in the UK https://www.travelonbags.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopr91CZ-dxNwWJgrI2sxKwiXqXtuojqiFLXODAgxquCO7iszGcH

Edited to add - look for the cross body bags with a metal strip in the strap - they not only are nigh impossible to pickpocket but they also can't be cut off you (a trick in some cities is to cut the bad strap and take the whole bag - fast and easy)

I have the 'healthy back bag' The Healthy Back Bag and it is perfect for this as the main zip is aligned to your body/tucked in. Also very good capacity & lots of choice of colours

The first time I went to Barcelona I was OBSESSED with being pickpocketed. I read up about it extensively and was convinced I would be relieved of my valuables the second I stepped out of the hotel!
Needless to say it was fine. I did take all of the precautions recommended already and all the advice here sounds great. A crossbody bag is ideal because you can create a physical barrier with your arm in most situations, even just walking down the street, but particularly in cramped spaces like a train, where you might be standing and holding a hanging strap. Think about where you put your bag when you are eating, particularly outside. My friend had her bag stolen from under her table in Paris where she thought it was safe.

I remember reading about a frequent visitor to New Orleans who always took a ‘stunt wallet’ in case he got mugged. It was an old wallet with some out of date credit cards and a small amount of cash. I always thought that was quite a good idea though maybe a bit OTT.

I would also say that there is no harm in reading up about street scams. They usually involve getting you to hold something or spilling something on you. Practice walking briskly and if someone tries to stop you for any reason, give them a big, friendly smile, raise your hand to create a barrier and say ‘thank you, no’ and keep walking. You don’t need to smile obviously, but it always makes me feel less rude. My husband always stops and it drives me mad. He’s been embroiled in some nonsense over the years.

Pickpockets are looking for easy targets. They don’t want to make life difficult for themselves. People get complacent on holiday and there will be plenty of people wandering around with bags gaping open and backpacks unsecured on their backs for them to prey on, so if you are taking precautions you should be ok. Please don’t be too anxious and have a wonderful holiday.

Just realised this is style and beauty. Oh dear. Still the advice stands. And I hope you have a wonderful time.

I do not have any recommendations for appropriate body bags.
🤣

Op alone I'd have two.
Have the ultra thin under clothes one and an anti theft cross body.

I have a Foldie and it's perfect for that although it might be a bit small. I can fit in my phone, keys, sunglasses (not in the case though) cards get slotted into the slots, a few makeup items, small bottle of water.

Or the pom pom original Mayfair which is a bit bigger and a bit more dressy so maybe a better option. I only use the Foldie for bare essentials because it's small and sits close to the body so doesn't annoy me by flapping.

Both bags can be "locked" to prevent anybody opening the zips..

I used the uniqlo one on recent city breaks but also had a money belt thing under my clothes on the days we were travelling and I couldn't leave passports etc in a safe

I have clips from Amazon. They clip the zip shut and i clip my purse inside my bag.

An older (in my mid 60s) woman here who travels solo a bit.

The trick is to have a normal smallish cross body on the outside where tissues, water, some cash etc. go, or a small backpack (without valuables). Then under T shirt or jacket is a leather flat passport size bag for more cash and a card, + the name and number of the hotel (in case I get lost lol). I also have two bras with ahem, pockets in the cup, and a bit of cash goes in each for emergencies. I put my phone on a lanyard cross body too, so I'm like a bandolier! I leave my passport in the accommodation safe together with spare card and cash. I'm a belt and braces kinda gal as you can see!

Years ago I bought a specific anti theft bag from Amazon. It wasn’t much (£30-40) but has wires in the strap and a slash Perot body and clips on the zips etc. it has also proved to be completely waterproof. Big enough for water, umbrella and other bits and pieces

Arson Cove do anti theft anti slash bags, that wouldn’t stop them being pulled off you though if someone very determined.

They are vegan leather as an aside would they use real vegans?

A metal chain strap will stop any potential drive by attempts as they rely on being able to slash a bag strap with a knife.

Prada bags are a tad expensive dahling !

I second Travelon bags, might not be the most beautiful but they are very practical.

Bumbag
Can wear round waist leaving arms free
Or
Wear like a cross body bag

YY Travelon bags
I bought one for my last holiday ( I've had them in years gone by for London)
The zips have a fastening ( press and clip ) and the fabric is slash resistant .
Not pretty but practical

I have a hip bag from Forage, similar to a bum bag but way more stylish! https://foragedesign.com/