suzski

First off, I'm a bit of a purse pack-rat so I know that I need a bigger purse.

Particulars, I'll be sailing on a 12 day cruise from Rome, visiting France, Italy, and Greece. We'll be arriving in Rome 2 days before the cruise sails and I would like to get a security-style purse that can be worn either as a shoulder bag or as a cross body bag. I have looked at DayRunners, Travelsmith and PacSafe City Safe 200. Any recommendations on the merits of the above, or suggestions on others?

denisea

You might try looking for an old thread by user mariacallas2...she talks about all her travel gear and many posts are there...I believe purses were part of the discussion

joannyc

Many people like the Pacsafe bags including one of my sisters. I used one and it ruined all of my Polo shirts and sweater sets with pulls and pills in the material.

pdx

I think the bigger purse makes you a bigger target when combined with being a tourist. No scientific evidence, just that it was the woman with the big purse that got 'hit' out of a group of four on our trip in Rome. Something to take into consideration

telechick

I have the PacSafe City 200 and I love it. I don't think it's overly big, but it does hold a good amount of stuff - granted I'm not much of a purse person. I've only used it in the winter, so I'm not sure about its pilling tendencies.

travelerjan

I'm not even sure what a "Securit-style purse" really is, although I've carried a bag on my 9 extended Greece trips since 1999... but then, theft is not a major part of the Greek culture (the recent Athens pickpocket ring bust was almost entirely illegal immigrants). However I have heard of women in Italian cities having bags ripped off their shoulders by "scooter thieves" who slash thru the straps, so I guess it may be a danger there.

Myself, I've carried & replaced the standard garden-variety "SportSac" made of strong black (nylon? ) material, with adjustable very strong ribbed-fabric strap. 2 outside zip pockets, 3 inside zip pockets ... big enough for money-purse, etc., water bottle, small guidebook, camera, scarf, even a sandwich. Strap shortens to work as one-shoulder thng with bag held by elbow, or longer, as cross-body carry. Hand on zip -- and never a worry.

Have no idea why one would want a huge bag to burden oneself with -- to carry major purchases? If u need that, why not look at Travel Smart's cute nylon thingie sipped inside itself with a 3 side zipper... 4 x4 & unfolds to LARGE 2 x 2 bag w. shoulder strap

RainyDay09

I have a PacSafe City200 and love it. I've taken it to Paris, Rome, Brussels, London, and all over Italy. It doesn't fit as much as I would like to carry, but it is great for a piece of mind. I always carry it across the chest, like a messenger bag and I clip it to the chair at restaurants. I use it in the US on a daily basis as a regular purse too.

november_moon

I carry a smaller handbag - a SportSac like travelerjan mentions. I love it. And a smaller bag means less stuff to carry around - your stuff and that of travelling companions. I also have a bag that folds into itself and zips up very small - unfolded it is reasonably large, so I take that along in case I buy stuff and want something to carry them in.

nytraveler

Have o idea what a security purse it. Have used either my regular pure (business trips) or a Sportsac smallish tube (vacation) for far more than 70 trips to europe and havve never had a problem.

Security isn't the purse - it's your awareness, attitude and hanging on to your belongings - as well as basic city smarts. (Without the latter toting around a safe won;t help.)

RainyDay09

I meant "peace of mind" in my earlier post. A colleague of mine splurged on a Longchamp purse and loves it. I am considering getting one too. Here is a link: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/longcham...a-001b2166c2c0

suzski

For those questioning what a security purse is, it's a purse that has anti-theft features such as:

Zipper lock
Slashguard front & bottom panels
Slashproof shoulder strap
Snatchproof strap lock

Also, as the OP, I intend to use this purse other than in my travels abroad. As for the size, I want to be able to carry my sunglasses, his sunglasses, a small wallet, a guidebook, medication, kleenex, sanitizer....that's why I was looking at something the size of the CitySafe 200 vice 100.

Thanks all for your advice and I'll check out some of the other recommendations!

nancythenice

I also love my PacSafe 200. I purchased it for a 16 day trip to Italy, and it worked so well I now use it not only for travel, but often around town. It is not very heavy, nor is it overly big - but it sort of expands or contracts depending upon what you need to carry. At one point I had a DSLR Nikon, a guide book, and all the "normal" stuff I carry in it. If I am only carrying a few things, however, it sort of squishes down and molds to my body. It has good organizational pockets inside. It can be carried across body very effectively because the strap is long and adjustable. This year for my trip to France I purchased a padded wrapping for the strap that will make it even more comfortable when I wear it cross body while carrying a lot of stuff. I also think it has a neat and trim appearance, making it appropriate for city use. The best part is knowing no one can open it easily, or slash it open or cut the strap. I have never experienced any damage to my clothing while using it, and I have used it a lot. Geez - I sound like a commercial, but honestly, if you are concerned about purse "security", this is a terrific product.

zeppole

For what it's worth, on a recent trip to Napoli, Italy, I bought a fully transparent tote and carried everything in that except my keys, credit card and walking around money, which I stowed in a wrist wallet

http://www.sprigsville.com/banjees/index.html

I figured if thieves saw what I was toting, they wouldn't want it. One of my concerns is that by carrying a bag that is obviously meant to protect valuables, it looks like you are walking around with valuables. I also never carry "cross-body" bags in places where purse-snatching (especially from motorcycles) is known to occur. I don't want go get dragged or beaten for my bag.

Here are pictures of some cheap and not so cheap choices in transparent totes, which are also fashionable in Europe in spring and summer. Mine cost 10 euros, and had leather-type handles long enough to slip over my shoulder.

http://unrestrained-shopping.blogspo...-tote-bag.html

http://www.chinawholesalegift.com/pi...8162889170.jpg

http://s9.thisnext.com/media/largest...n/21EA4312.jpg

http://www.pursepage.com/wp-content/...ravel-tote.jpg

http://www.fushionmag.com/wp-content...clear-tote.jpg

http://www.efashionhouse.com/images/...WHT83214QX.jpg

zeppole

PS: Ignore those comments that it's all about "your attitude" or "street smarts." They are -- to be blunt -- stupid. The fact that such people claim they've never been robbed is irrelevant to your question and happy travels. They are just here to talk admire themselves, not help you.

lizziea06

Rainyday - what aspect of that Longchamp bag seems particularly safe to you? It's a flimsy nylong bag with no useable inside pockets. Everything gathers in the bottom and you have to find a flat surface to dig anything out of it. The lone pocket in the bag is a not very structured piece of nylon that folds over and drops everything into the main cavity of the bag. Those bags are meant to be used as shopping bags, not secure purses.

nytraveler

My fear is that someone will think they have a "security purse" and forget to do all of the things that they need to do to actually keep themselves and their belongings safe.

CarolA

I have the Longchamp being discussed. In spite of the dire posts on purse safety I carry it. I like the fact that you can just keep piling it in. (wine, cheese, bread, etc....). No need for a shopping bag. I figure that even if they slash it they still have to find the stuff as it falls out. And they willnhave fifty euros not the end of my world

Fodorite018

I too have the Longchamp bag that is being discussed. As much as I love this bag, I probably will not take it with me to France this summer. I like having various internal pockets to organize my things and this bag does not have that. Although it might work to deter theft if everything is thrown in there willy nilly. Someone would have to work to find the important stuff, lol

That said, for traveling I usually use an Overland bag that I got several years ago. It has great organization for me, and will carry a small water bottle. It is a cross body style, which is nice for freeing up hands.

RainyDay09

Wow, purse controversy, I love it.

lizziea06

It's not meant to be controversy! I use a Longchamp bag as my everyday work bag b/c it fits my laptop and my gym clothes. It's just the last bag I would use as a travel bag for the reasons listed above. I would maybe pack it as a back up bag to carry home excess souvenirs, but never for walking around and sighteeing. I use my normal handbags that I carry at home for that, or I shove my credit card and lip gloss in my cross body camera bag if I can't be bothered to carry a handbag altogether.