fannie packs
 

Are the fannie packs that I see european tourist wearing here a good idea to use when walking around Rome or other cities for security to foil pickpockets?

I don't know about foiling pickpockets with fanny packs.<BR>To me, in the US or anywhere else, they<BR>might as well be a neon sign that you are from out of town. "Not that there's anything wrong with that", but<BR>in my opinion it can make you more of a target, not only for pickpockets but for scam artists in general. Pickpockets and such are pretty sophisticated these days, often they work in teams or packs and one person can be squirting mustard on you while the other is cutting off your pack.<BR>I've traveled to several countries, and<BR>I've been safe and lucky with just a deep microfiber totebag, zipper on top, zippered compartments inside, held on my shoulder close to my body. I am not uncomfortable or paranoid, I do tend to clutch it a little tighter when I'm on a crowded subway train. That's all.<BR>Even after my previous travels, I have to admit that some of the advance warnings about Rome pickpockets made me a little nervous about Rome before I went, and for the first time I briefly considered using a security wallet. Then I remembered that I live in New York and if I can "make it here I'll make it anywhere." So I was perfectly fine with my usual totebag in Rome, and I was on my own and believe me, I went to all the touristed locations. <BR><BR>On the other hand, you should use whatever makes you feel safe and confident.

If you do wear one I think it's best to have the pack in front of you where there's less chance of someone pickpocketing you. With the pack in back I think it's an easy target. BTW, Brits I've spoken with cracked up when they heard them called "fannie (or fanny) packs since fanny is slang for part of the female anatomy, not the rear end.

Even with the fanny pack in front, experienced thieves can remove it in a matter of seconds, with you even knowing about it. I've heard several such tales of woe while overseas.<BR>Avoid fanny packs.

Check out Magellans. They sell a security fanny pack that has a wire cable running through the waist band that can't be easily cut unless somebody comes at you with a pair of bolt cutters. The belt clip is covered with a wrap around velcro cover. It also has small horse-leash type clips that clip onto the zippers that take a certain amount of dexterity to get undone. I reinforced the waist buckle with another small horse-leash clip, so that somebody can't unsnap the buckle from the rear. I am sure that a pickpocket could not get into it without a razor knife and a lot of fumbling around. I wore mine in London last year, kept it around in front with my hands generally resting on it. I am going to Italy this year and plan on keeping back-up money, tickets and passports in a leg holster. Guess thats just another reason I won't be able to wear Bermuda shorts, argyle socks and black oxfords on my trip. LOL

A travel companion, fanny pack worn in front, rides to the top of the metro escalator. The man in front of her stops right at the top, travel companion struggles to keep her balance, he reaches behind and unzips the pack.<BR><BR>I don't think anything that has an exposed zipper is a good idea. For women, a purse slung across the chest with the flap or zipper against the body; for men, either a "money belt" pouch that tucks inside the waistband or zippered pockets (pants front, inside jacket). <BR><BR>The other thing I don't like about fanny packs is the entire contents are exposed when unzipped - I've stood next to people while paying for something, their wallet(s), passports, tickets, everything is open to view and snatching because the zipper opens AWAY from the body. Nope nope nope, not a good idea .

I think it depends a bit on where you're traveling. When we were in Ireland, I used the fanny pack as we traveled through small towns and in areas less crowded. I like it because of its convenience. But in larger cities where pickpockets lurk, an across-the-body shoulder bag might be better.

Many,many years ago, we were suddenly surrounded by small children in Paris and <BR>and they attempted to unzip my fanny pack and remove the contents. Fortunately, I caught on and they ran away. This was near the Louvre. No more fanny packs in big cities for me after that.