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?

I bought the small crossbody bag by Uniqlo for a trip to Paris. I also thought pickpockets would be swarming at me the minute I got off the train but it was fine. Just be alert and keep hand on your bag.

https://www.primark.com/en-gb/p/packable-crossbody-bag-multi-991128887935

the Primark one is perfect travel bag better than Uniqlo/Prada etc IMO.It’s in a few colours , is ultra-light so can wear it on front and under jacket and can be changed to bumbag length easily so hands free at passport control.You can just wear it all the time, without ever putting it down or if in a cafe just loosen it and wear around waist. They always have some iteration of this bag. Wear it for a while before you go,so you’re used to it & I agree w some kind of dummy wallet in outer clothing (-I got this fake one nicked in Porto in a crowd but kept the bag itself so wasn’t bothered)

I used a bumbag in a busy city centre. I used the back compartment (closest to my body) for my debit card and phone. The zipper had an optional metal clip attachment that can clip to your belt hook for added security.

Passenger are good. Lots of pockets and zips and can be worn across the body or round your waist like a bumbag.
https://www.passenger-clothing.com/products/boondocker-hip-pack-khaki

I have this bag from Mia Tui. I like the fact you wear it on your front where you can see it and it’s much harder for anyone to get into when it’s right under your nose. It also has a pocket on the back of the bag that’s out of sight and right next to your body.
https://miatui.com/collections/across-body-bags/products/emma-sling-bag

Please don;t let this worry spoil your holiday. Any style of cross body bag is going to be better than a shoulder bag or rucksack. Leave your passport in the hotel safe, only take as much cash as you need for that day. Keep your wits about you - large cities overseas are not more dangerous than cities like London.

When I was in New York last year there were a lot of people with their phones in a clear plastic crossbody pouch thing, you could use the phone (although not for making calls) while inside the bag and I assume that was to stop people grabbing it from your hand.

I'd go for whatever is available in Primark or Amazon, rather than fifteen hundred quid's worth of very obviously branded Prada.

I travel a fair bit for work, family and leisure. 10 years ago I was turned away from the flow of people on a pavement in Barcelona looking at my phone and then... I was looking at my hand. Much of my childhood was spent in Spain and I thought I was situationally aware at the time, but I was focused on meeting up with a demanding relative and.. snatch. Still not entirely sure how. 10 years on losing a phone would be even more disrupting.

So I have two. The streetphone is a basic cheap Android with stripped down apps, but with those suited to where I am. Main is in the safe. One can easily wipe the other.

Pre-loadable Visa / Mastercards are useful too for everyday transactions. A friend was a victim of a major card scam abroad and getting that put right took time. The max you can use is the smallish amount you have put on it and freezing is easy.

Cross-body bag? A must. I have 3 acquired over the years and one is a Radley. More important things are in a pouch from Amazon tucked down my front. I don't care if it looks silly.

I'm probably more at risk out and about in London, but any loss is even more inconvenient away from base.

I certainly wouldn’t pay £1500 for a bloody nylon bag. Ridiculous.

My Roka Paddington is epic, rokalondon.com/pages/paddington-size-guide

£1,490 for a nylon shoulder bag?

Yes watch out for London too. A friend had her bag with passport etc stolen at Kings Cross or St Pancras.

I'd double up with a running buddy magnetic pouch that you can wear under your clothes but still access fairly easily - it clips to a waistband and has strong magnets that will hold it in place. i have the small version which holds credit cards cash and keys comfortably.

https://rokalondon.com/products/willesden-b-sustainable-crossbody-avocado?_pos=1&_sid=c97a26f3c&_ss=r

I have this one. Love it. Holds much more than expected.

I used these on a cheap cross body bag on a trip to Rome. They are simple enough to use, but add an extra step for someone trying to open your bag.

www.amazon.co.uk/CSLGDMAI-Backpack-Outdoor-Traveling-Gunmetal/dp/B0CZS7HDHT/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=IOVW6J4KSN94&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HEy33oeGuM8jsDZ2zHhjlGpdjqjC3Cf-6RdulzLOiNS7mhosxIT9GOBVA5iCfk0buQkco2-NGoQAe_P_68ln0jcJKf7GaphT4szx4VNI5KKZDw-AnlvyGakgvzT3OV_hzN0nRc7eSXbW1bGqFn5QBhp_GzDpqyHn6gQ7fZwyr6WCZ6DeRIAgnjKCe88bHCKJJrFKWgGd3dt9y7ioSqRaVZpwfygc47pTcZ_dXnLyD73L4JuCjUgCK7XazCLRjXN0Hgc73nbJLBHVosJdDGfMBXCo2BjbQ0TqrtbGV4wNflI.4kKNLpLjtzSAyF_ROnIBzdd8uZ3kQOBweBouFgw2Me8&dib_tag=se&keywords=bag%2Bclips%2Bfor%2Bbackpack&qid=1747740851&sprefix=Bag%2Bclip%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

I've got two of these 😄 -

https://www.fjallraven.com/uk/en-gb/bags-gear/backpacks-bags/daypacks/high-coast-crossbody/?frt=23&gadsource=1&gaddcampaignid=22355131816&gbraid=0AAAAADiUHBQEuCg6NOM3NrDzXRRyRmznO&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInsX93L2yjQMVdZRQBh0nCBqtEAQYASABEgLTcvDBwE

They look great, and they're like mini-Tardises despite being ostensibly small.

Have a look at Rohan clothing. Most of their shirts and trousers have secret pockets where you can put credit cards, passports etc. They are also quick and easy to wash while you are travelling.