Handbags- magnetic clasp or zip top?

[BetsyBrowny]

I'm looking to replace a bag with possibly a Kate Spade.

There are 2 versions of it, (both shoulder/across the body).
The bags are the same size except one is deeper. Same height and width.

But the bigger one has a flap-over design and fastens with a magnet.
The other one has a zip right across the top (like the bag I have already.)

I slightly favour the bigger bag but am concerned the magnet won't be secure (I travel into a busy city sometimes by bus/tube/train) but it does have an internal zipped pocket.

Anyone have any strong feelings on this (I've never had a magnetic clasp.)

I'd prefer the extra security a zip offers so it would depend if the internal zipped pocket is big enough to get everything of value you're likely to be carrying in it. (Magnetic clip probably wouldn't work for me on those grounds.)

Always prefer a zip

Interesting! I thought that too but it's sod's law that the clasp bag is a bit bigger.
I'd want to keep my phone and c cards in the internal zipped pocket. Hard to judge online.

I've recently got a bag with a magnet and hate it. It always seems to be gaping open. I like the bag but it's being relegated to occasional use and I'm going back to my zipped bag for every day.

Zip for me.

Especially for when the bag tips over and bloomin' upside down in the car.

I would go for the zip for security.

Keep any bank cards or hotel room cards away from the magnet it can deactivate them.

zip if your'e travelling about or commuting

I have a very lovely drawstring leather bag with an additional magnet middle fastening. It really isn't secure enough for general use as the drawstring is lovely and chunky but means it doesn't close tight-tight and I don't trust the magnetic closing with a committed pick pocket... so it is now my holiday bag.

Shame as I love it, but zips all the way for me. Especially since I was almost got outside the bank this time last year by a mother/son duo who did a good job of distracting the usually streetwise me by admiring my dog. If I'd had my clasp bag the money would have goine in a millisecond. Luckily they had to deal with double zips and fringing which delayed the quick fingered son by enough time for me to cotton on to what was occurring.

Zip. Even if the magnetic one has inner zipped pockets you have to make sure you use them. Inner zipped pockets can be fiddly and in a rush you might not. The zipped bag is easier.

Both have different merits, but the majority of my bags have open tops without a zip. (I live in central London and have never been pickpockets or had anything stolen out of my bag).

When using a bag with a magnetic fastening (like the one you describe), I always make sure it's against my body rather than facing outwards. For me, size is the most important thing, plus I always keep my cardholder in the zipped compartment of my bag anyway (if there is one).

Thanks all!

I'm going to wait until new stock comes in later because there's nothing that really grabs me at the moment that's the right size, with a zip and within what I'm prepared to pay(up to around £350 for something special.) Most are too small or too big that I've seen - or fasten with a magnet.