I just thought of something I do when I need to carry more than just money. I also use a day pack and wear it in front of me in crowded places such as the metro. (We called it the "baby" when we were in Greece.) It looks stupid, but, hey, it seems to work. The key is to buy an unstructured one. I have a Samsonite one that can be stuffed in a pouch and it has held up great for ten years. There are photos all over Europe of me with my "baby."

"I was in Italy this summer for the European Backpack Slashers Convention. It was pretty huge. I'd be worried."

Oh no, say it isn't so....Backpack slashing has escalated into a form of organized crime!!


BEWARE, WATCH YOUR BACKPACK!!

There have been some backpacks I have wanted to slash while sitting on planes or trains after getting banged on the head with them! Wish everyone who used a backpack would be aware of people around them. Those heavy backpacks can really hurt when you get hit with one.

LOL, LoveItaly!! Did you want to attack the backpack, or the irresponsible person who hit you with it?? :-))

Thanks for all of the input everyone!-I was previously only worried about someone opening the zippers to steal stuff. The backpack I have has lots of compartments, most with their own zippers. Since this still seems to be the most practical for me, I'll just have to keep aware and maybe carry it in front around crowds.

>>>>This has been going on all over the world, not just Europe, for decades. This is not news. Sure, it happens from time to time, but it's not something to get worked up about or make special arrangements for.<<<<<<

What??????

It does not hurt for people to take extra security measures to insure their own personal security.
Or is this being a typical mean American to you? #:-S #-o

I think packing the backpack as light and small as possible (not overstuffed where it's hard for you to manage) helps make it a somewhat more safe and reasonable solution.

Okay, so let me get this straight: I only wear black walking shoes and all black clothing in 100+ degree heat to "blend in" with the locals and not look so "touristy" - only to cart a backpack around in front of me like some sort of weird psuedo baby.

I think I'm better off wearing my white sneakers, comfy shorts, looking like a tourist, and just taking precautions with whatever I use to tote my stuff in. All this well-meaning advice just gets too jumbled up sometimes!

I think common sense needs to take a front seat here, but that's just my uneducated opinion.

I've heard rather frequently about soft-sided tote bags slashed while in Russia. Backpacks where not common then. This is not something new.

<<Or is this being a typical mean American to you?>>

Huh? I have no idea what you're talking about, sunstar.

I stick by my point that the fact that some thieves have been known to slash backpacks in Europe does not mean I or anyone else has to make SPECIAL arrangements. Obviously, the usual precautions are in order.

Hi P_M, well if the truth be known I have felt like bopping a few people carrying backpacks on the top of the head with my shoulder bag, LOL. But one must restrain themselves.

LoveItaly, now you know better - just slash them! LOL

<It does not hurt for people to take extra security measures to insure their own personal security.>

sunstar, no one on this thread has been talking about personal safety. we're talking about the most practical kind of luggage.

People go to great lengths to protect their backpacks... as far as wrapping them in a chain-metal kind of casing &/or securing them with combination locks. I'm no expert because it's not my style of travel, but as I mentioned above, if you post and read on a backpackers website you can get input from others who actually use backpacks.

But,but,but Faina, would I still be able to log onto Fodor's if I was in prison? You see the problem! So I restrain myself.

I've never had any problems... my backpack is made of 1/2 inch thick steel with a double combo lock. Between that and the shotgun, most folks just leave me be.

<b>LoveItaly:</b> You should come to my school! We do have internet access, PLUS we have halls full of children carrying half their body weight in unwieldy backpacks! They have no CLUE how big they are sometimes! I can't tell you how often I get clobbered!!

<b>Faina:</b> When we go to Russia, my kids look like the LLBean Squad, but they all do the &quot;pregnant look&quot; on the metro!

Oh, I wondered why some tourists have their backpacks backwards! Training to replace Schwartzenegger in his pregnant movie re-run! (forgot the name of that movie)

I carry a 22&quot;suitcase on wheels and a backback, but I would never ride public transportation with the backpack, though not big, on my back (or while shopping.) I had a bump on my head from some American riding the Metro who turned and hit me with his large pack.
Slashing handbags and luggage happens all over the world. We once left a party in the early hours of the morning when someone wearing larceny shoes silently ran up and slashed the shoulder strap of my bag.

LOL, julie Colorado, the shotgun? Funny.
I remember years and years ago, friends having their purses cut off their shoulders in
New York City. Perhaps that is where this thiefy trend started, or would it have been in Paris, where so many trends begin? Or Milan?
I have learned that a big part of having a good time on a trip is to Not believe everything you hear from friends and neighbors. They all say the darndest things!