jor

You get your Mom to sew a pocket on the inside of three pair of underwear where you can store your passport, credit cards, and some cash. Carry your camera in your front pants pocket. Don't put anything but junk in your back pockets. And use the daypack for things which can easily be replaced.<BR><BR>If anybody tries to get in your pants to get at your stuff (trying to make a joke, but I'm serious) you will know about it, and you can punch them in the face!

alan64

I've used a small camera bag (w/out a camera brand logo) and other times a messenger bag (something like http://www.timbuk2.com/products/peewee.html). I don't like backpacks because I want my stuff in front of me or under my arm. A backpack is easier for a thief to get into without me knowing it. <BR><BR>When I put my camera in the bag I used a clip inside the bag to attach the camera's wrist strap. That way in case someone openned up the bag they couldn't just lift the camera out. It slowed me down a minute when I wanted a photo, but saved my camera from a young woman in Sevilla who tried to get into the bag.

elle

My husband carries a black leather camera bag that manages to be both masculine and attractive, but I still refer to it as his &quot;purse&quot; .<BR><BR>Another option--I've done this myself for guidebooks and stuff--is to buy something in a grocery store that uses plastic bags and tote your stuff about in that bag. Even better if it has a logo on it that is unassuming, yet recognizable.

travling

As a note of CAUTION: Never put anything of value into your socks thinking it is a safe hiding place. My husband was targeted last week in a Paris Metro (Anvers) station. The would-be thief pretended to be picking up his metro tickets from the floor and while at it placed both hands on my husband's ankles for no other reason than to be searching for a wallet, money, etc. I wish my husband would have kicked the guy in the face but he was too polite to do so.

Marilyn

Wow, travling, I sometimes wear a &quot;leg safe&quot; that goes around my calf, and I don't know about kicking the guy in the face, but I certainly would have KICKED if he put a hand on my leg.

suze

Since the concern of the Original Poster is that a bag draws pickpockets (at the risk of stating the obvious)...<BR><BR>use a daypack or messenger bag for your waterbottle, guidebooks, newpaper, and don't take an expensive camera. BUT keep your cash, passport, valuables on your person somehow (moneybelt, neck pouch, whatever).

capo

&quot;If it weren't for pickpockets, I'd have no sex life at all.&quot; -- Rodney Dangerfield

Owen_ONeill

I have a small black Cordura bag made by Jansport. not sure if they still make one but it's about 6&quot; wide, 10&quot; tall and about 2 - 2 1/2&quot; from front to back. Zipper is on top on the short side, has a clip insode for keys and has an open slide-in pocket on back that's perfect for a pocket sized guidebook or map. It has a belt loop but I carry it on my shoulder. In crowded areas it hangs against my front side between my body and arm. For easier walking in open and safe places(i.e. pickpocket free), I sling it across my back. It holds a 16 oz water bottle, sunglesses in a hard case, a rtuube of sunblock , a map and also has a small xipper pocket on front that I use for miscellaneous and to carry loose coins in. I'm one of those folks who hates to be encumbered by stuff in my pockets and really dislike the feelign of obstructions in pockets when I'm sitting or walking. <BR><BR>I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a fanny pack (hey... I'm not very fashion conscious but just can't stand the way they look). I don't envy women, having to carry purses everywhere - this little bag of mine is great for necessities when touring but I ditch it whenever possible and just carry my wallet.

Amanda

my husband copies the French males and carries a small bag with the wrist strap on so he can't drop it and it's small enough to hold with his hand. Similar to the website of &quot;hipsafes&quot;. Think Seinfeld's episode of his &quot;purse&quot; and that's the size for all those things you require. Bought it at a luggage shop - has 2 zippers.

Travelgirl

For a quaranteed quality bag that won't peg you as a tourist get a Mandarina Duck.<BR><BR>http://www.mandarinaduck.com/<BR><BR>If you're in Italy, Rome has many stores which are much cheaper than buying say in Hong Kong (almost double!).<BR><BR>I have bought my boyfriend many of these over the last 7 years and he can't get enough of them. Uses them everyday at home too. <BR><BR>I also bought their 'frog' luggage. Amazing expanding luggage! http://www.mandarinaduck.com/english/frog.html<BR><BR>Hmmm... love bags.... can you tell?

Owen_ONeill

I just checked the mandarinaduck web site. I was interested in checking out their luggage and bag options but found it more than a trifle inconvenient to navigate the site. Surely this web site must qualigy for a proce as the most poorly designed and irritating Flash site on the Web (with no option for bypassing Flash). &quot;travegirl&quot; - can you point me to another info source.... perhaps an online vendorr whos tocks the product and has more easily accessibel info?

Travelgirl

As a web developer I do sympathise the usability is very low on their site. I googled mandarina duck and got: http://www.taschen.ca/Mduck/Mduck_main.htm<BR><BR>Last time I went to Europe I bought the 'Task' Bag (47T08) in Paris and used it the whole rest of the 6 week trip. It was made from a synthetic rubber material and was very sturdy but light. It was small enough not to be intrusive but big enough to fit my guidebook, camera and bottle of water. I carried it across my body and behind but it was easy enough to swing it around to the front and rest my hand on the zip if i felt there was potential for pickpocketing.

baker

Just in case anyone's interested (and for some it may be more convenient) there's a Mandarina Duck store on Bloor Street in Toronto.

tubby

UCSUN- Capo and Jor have the right idea, just don't carry anything irreplaceable in your bag whatever type you decide on. Keep your credit card and cash in a neck pouch or other safe place and don't worry about junk like water bottles and guidebooks. You can get more!

TimS

I like the convenience of a daypack, but it's true that wearing it on your back makes it harder for you to notice a thief at work behind you. There are several ways to make it more secure. Buy some small locks and fasten the zippers together. Before you get on the tube or the metro, take it off and hold it in front of you. (You're also less likely to whack other passengers with it that way.) Wear it over one shoulder and grip it with one hand whenever you're walking in a crowd.

Absurd

Take a look at www.eastpak.com and www.jansport.com.