After reading of all the pickpockets, and strap/bag, slashers in train stations and buses, I am considering purchasing a pacsafe purse.

Has anyone had experience with their products, purses in particular.

Do they draw more attention to the fact you are walking around with a more secure purse?

Any other hints on things to watch for, do, or not do (no...I do not plan to have this alter HOW I vacation, just make me a wiser consumer)when on a trip of this sort.

Thank you

I don't know that anyone can tell there's anything different about the bags just from looking at them...
but I just use regular daybag b/c we put our passports and extra cash/c.cds in security pouch underneath our clothes.

I have three of the Pacsafe products and love them. I use the Totesafe as my laptop computer bag when I board the plane, the Pouchsafe as my small purse instead of a money-belt and the Citysafe purse if I want to carry a larger purse.

I use the Totesafe bag instead of a backpack when I'm walking in Europe. It has lots of inner pockets and a zip lock on the zipper. It doesn't look any different than a large cloth tote bag and I would highly recommend using the bags.

After hearing all aboat the terible pickpocket problems and finding a really good sale price, I bought one of the not huge size tote bags before our recent trip to Rome. Once I got there I was very glad I had some other bags with me as an alternative. I found that I could really tell I was carrying the extra weight of those slash-proof cables, so I usually left it in our apartment and chose something else for the day. I doubt if I would take this with me again.

I travel with a normal purse like I use at home, one that is secure and fits close to my body. I believe what makes you safe is your behavior 9 times out of 10, not the particular pocketbook you buy.

For extended travel, add a money belt under the clothes.

How much heavier is the pacsafe purse (and I'm talking one big enough basically for sunglasses, lipstick, a few maps/papers and some meds) than any other purse?

After many trips to Europe, and 1 purse theft, I now never carry a purse. Of course, on the plane, I have a large tote bag. After that, I put a few things in my pockets.

www.travelsmith.com has some great pants with hidden zipper pockets for cash and credit cards. There are also many other belt, neck wallets, etc.

I found that I hauled alot of things around that I really didn't need---don't miss a purse at all.

Ikemerson

I too have a couple of Pacsafe bags.

The backpack which I use as my carryon (along w/a 22" suitcase) has all my onboard usual stuff. I found it was no heavier than carrying a regular backpack. The main compartment opens against your back, not on the outside like most backpacks. It worked great in the crowded train station from London to Paris, and on the crowded Paris Metro. Here's what it looks like:
http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...tail&id=64

If I don't want to carry it while roaming about I have a smaller bag I hang across my chest which has just enough room for my necessities. Here's what it looks like:

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...tail&id=20

Hope it helps.

OK. I bought the tote & I am the one who commented it is too heavy. Here is the link to the one I purchased.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...Tote-Safe.html

It was interesting to see as I was reading customer reviews that some others also commented that it is too heavy to carry around all day. To me it was fine for airports and trains, but we usually spend about 8-10 hours a day walking around. This one weights 1 lb. 10 oz. I am sure the smaller ones would weigh less.

What is your opinion on this Pacsafe waist belt?

http://www.tamperseal.com/pacsafe-co...let-p-468.html

aznguy2011: OK-ish if you wear it under your clothes. But if you use it that way --it is a 'body safe' and should never be seen. You wouldn't use in place of a purse/wallet. It would be for the valuables you won't be accessing that day.

If you wear it outside like a fanny pack -- awful.

BTW -- it is usually better to start a new thread instead of topping one from 3+ years ago. Your post may get lost in the shuffle since folks may think they are answering the original question(s)

Yes, i will use it under my shirt from the airport to hotel. I will only bring a copy of the passport, a credit card, and ATM for sight seeing. Money belt will most likely be left at hotel safe with original passport, plane ticket, extra credit card, etc.

I have used both the Pacsafe backpack and purse. I never found either one to be heavier than others. One thing I will caution you on is not to become complacent just because you are carrying a Pacsafe bag.

I always carry my backpack in front of me on crowded buses, but last spring when we were in Sicily, I didn't bother -- because I had a Pacsafe backpack. Big mistake. I felt something happening behind me and when I brought my bag to the front EVERY zipper was gaping open. Apparently, the zipper clips were no deterent at all. Thank goodness I had no cash in the bag and nothing worth stealing.

also leave some cash in belt at hotel too.

see what I meant . . Magster is answering the original post . . .

OK -- back to the question at hand: If you aren't going to use it and plan on leaving it in your hotel room -- WHY are you even considering buying it?

It doesn't serve its purpose in the hotel room . . .

I might not want to pull up my shirt everytime i need to get cash, credit card, etc. from it if i go out sight seeing. I will probably wear it for the entire day on 1st day there to see how it goes. If it isn't too much of a hassle, i might use it all day each day. I am hoping it will be comfortable enough for hours on end. We'll see.

"<i>I might not want to pull up my shirt everytime i need to get cash, credit card, etc. from it if i go out sight seeing.</i>"

Of course not. Did you read my post --if you wear it under your clothes, you would not access it at all . . .

It would be for valuables <u>you don't need</u> such as excess €€€, or your passport, or the spare/backup CC/ATM card. You'd carry your walking around money, a credit card, etc securely just like you would at home -- in a wallet or front pocket or cross body bag.

Buying a waist safe and then leaving it in your room-- doesn't make sense. Either buy it and use it, or don't buy it.

I wouldn't buy that specific product myself -- but if you do --then use it. It does you no good in your hotel room.

(BTW -- I personally do use a type of money belt - but lots of people don't. Neither is right/wrong. But if you do decide to --then learn how to use it correctly.)

My plan is to leave the valuables i don't need during the day with the hotel safe like extra cash, credit card, and original passport. I can carry a photocopy of my passport with me throughout the day. Are the museums, restaurants, etc. gonna ask me for my passport? Not sure why i can't just carry a photocopy of passport. I don't see the need to carry the 'extra' valuables around all day in the city. My original plan was to use the waist wallet pac for walking around money and just pull up my shirt a little to get my walking cash, credit card, and atm. However, i have never worn something like that for hours on end, so it might get uncomfortable. If it does on the first day, i might just use my front pockets or shoes as holders of credit card, atm, and some cash for the day. Maybe i should buy it now and wear it to work everyday to get used to it. I'll have to see how it goes.

"<i>I don't see the need to carry the 'extra' valuables around all day in the city.</i>"

That's fine. But then you don't need a money belt. A money belt is for people who DO want to carry all their valuables. If you leave them in the hotel safe . . no need for a money belt.

"<i>My original plan was to use the waist wallet pac for walking around money and just pull up my shirt a little to get my walking cash, credit card, and atm.</i>"

If you do that -- you can almost guarantee being targeted by a pickpocket. The whole point of using one is that it is <u>hidden</u> and no one ever sees it.

So I'll repeat-- if you use it, then use it correctly. If you plan on leaving it in the room or displaying it out in public, then don't buy it.