12 Best Anti-Theft Backpacks: Reviewed, Rated & Compared

Why Are Anti-theft Backpacks a Good Idea?

At first, the idea of an anti-theft backpack might seem a little counterintuitive. After all, if your backpack is compromised, aren’t the items inside compromised too? Maybe not.

Anti-theft backpacks are large enough to hold our most prized possessions and are built with features to protect our items in transit and from theft. Some anti-theft backpacks are even made with slash-resistant materials, meaning that even if your backpack is stolen the goods inside can’t be easily got at.

Anti-theft backpacks are ideal for anyone who is traveling with personal possessions, and are a staple for many business people, photographers, students and travellers.

Common Features of Quality Anti-Theft Backpacks

We’re going take a close look at the following items, assessing each to help you choose the right anti-theft backpack for your personal needs:

Material

Anti-theft backpacks are made from a variety of different materials that make them hard to cut open from a thief’s perspective. An example of a material used is a nylon fabric with a stainless-steel mesh embedded into it. A benefit of such materials is that they are more durable and will make your backpack last longer.

Many anti-theft backpacks also have a special compartment that has RFID-safe blocking material. These compartments are used to carry things like your credit cards that you would not want scanned without your permission.

Shoulder Straps

Backpacks are usually meant to be worn for an extended period while the user is commuting or traveling. Shoulder straps, above all, should be comfortable for the user. We look at how comfortable, breathable, and dependable the shoulder straps of each backpack are and whether they stand up to the test of a long commute.

Style

Anti-theft backpacks come in a variety of styles, and you’ll want to do your research to decide on the best fit for your needs.

For example, if you’re a photographer looking for a reputable bag to carry your finest lenses, you probably won’t need an anti-theft backpack that also has a compartment for a hydration pouch. Or maybe you will! That’s for you to decide.

We look at all the different styles of anti-theft backpacks and break them down.

Warranty

Many of the backpacks we look at in this article come with at least a limited warranty, and some also come with extra protection plans that can be purchased separately for a small fee.

In general, warranties cover any flaws to the product design (such as a seam that has come undone or a zipper that doesn’t function properly). Warranties do not usually cover general wear and tear that’s expected with long-term backpack use.

What To Look For In a Good Anti-theft Backpack

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a good anti-theft backpack:

Purpose

The most important factor in choosing an anti-theft backpack is to consider what the backpack will be used for. Some questions to ask yourself are:

Style & Design

It would be easy to assume that anti-theft backpacks are built specifically with the idea of keeping laptop computers safe, but you would be wrong. There’s a wide array of styles and designs of anti-theft backpacks, built to ensure that your belongings, big or small, are protected on all your journeys.

There are slim designs made with neutral tones that are perfect for the average businessman to carry into a meeting, and there are bright colored, sporty weather-proof backpacks that are designed for the adventurer on long travels. There are bags that are big enough for just the essentials, and bags big enough to carry a week’s worth of items.

Size

After you’ve discovered the purpose and style/design of your preferred anti-theft backpack, it’s important to look at the size that will be right for your carrying needs.  We look at the size of each backpack in both dimensions and liters to help you ensure that all your items will be able to fit while still allowing maximum comfortability on your commute.

Many of the business designs are slim and might be described as “essentials only,” whereas there are also some larger backpacks that would be more suited as an airport carry-on than an every-day purpose backpack.

Ease of Use

Anti-theft backpacks are designed in a way that make it nearly impossible for a thief to access your backpack while you’re wearing it.

This is great in the sense that you’ll never have to worry about a pickpocket sneaking off with your phone while you stand on a crowded subway. It’s not so great in the sense that you’ll have to work a little bit harder to get that granola bar out for a quick snack.

Given the anti-theft features, we’ve looked at how difficult the bag is to access from the owner’s point of view. Do all the compartments lock, or are some still accessible? How long do the locks take to open?

Multiple Compartments

Just as backpacks come in many different styles and designs, they’re also built with multiple compartments and for multiple purposes. Some questions to ask yourself when it comes to compartments on an anti-theft backpack include:

Waterproof or Water Resistant

Price Vs. Quality

When it comes to price, anti-theft backpacks have a large range, from very affordable to several hundred dollars. When planning out your budget, it’s important to consider the other factors that we’ve already mentioned, and what type of backpack will best suit your specific needs.

A more expensive backpack doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s built better or better able to protect your belongings, just as a cheaper backpack might not have all the qualities you require in an anti-theft pack.

That’s why it’s important to look at the bigger picture before purchasing your backpack. Once you have determined your needs and have accessed an appropriate quality, you’ll be able to find the right backpack for you within your set budget.

1. Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 Anti-Theft Adventure Backpack

The Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 is the best anti-theft backpack for travel and is perfect for the true outdoor adventurer. This large pack can hold up to 30 liters and is great for using as an airline carry-on bag or for your two-to-three-day travels.

I love that the nylon has a wire mesh built right into it (you don’t notice it) that protect your items from being cut through to, and even though the bag seems hefty and a little bulky, the actual backpack weighs less than 3 lbs. total.  

The laptop sleeve fits a 15” MacBook perfectly, but if you’re not using a laptop it can also double as a hydration pouch sleeve. The hip-belt adds extra comfort when the pack is full, but it’s detachable which is nice because it’s not always needed.

2. BAGSMART Anti-theft Professional Gear Backpack

3. Bobby Original Anti-Theft Backpack by XD Design

4. KOPACK Waterproof Anti-Theft Laptop Backpack

For long treks across campus when you might get caught in a downpour, I highly recommend this KOPACK backpack as the best waterproof anti-theft backpack. Its fabric is extremely durable and water-resistant, meaning that most water will run right off it.

If the rain is heavy, it has a built-in rain cover that can be used to double the protection. Unlike some of the other rain covers I’ve seen on backpacks, this KOPACK backpack has a cover that fits really snugly against the backpack. It’d be difficult for the people around you to even realize that you’re using a rain cover.

My favorite feature of this backpack, besides keeping my belongings safe and dry, is the secret pockets that are built into the straps. They’re just the right size for holding an ID or a credit card, which means I don’t have to remove my backpack and dig around in my wallet just to get a coffee.

5. ULAK Casual Mini Backpack

Built more for fashion than for function, this ULAK Casual Mini Backpack is a great alternative for women who’d rather not carry a standard purse. Its cute design is small but mighty with eight different compartments.

It won’t hold your laptop, but it will have plenty of space for your wallet, check book, small umbrella, phone, and other small accessories.

I’d rate this ULAK model as the best anti-theft mini backpack for two reasons. The first reason is that the main compartment is only accessible by lifting the buckled design cover (which looks like it would take a while to undo, but it’s actually magnetic).

The second reason is that there’s a secret anti-theft compartment that fits against your back, perfect for cash or other valuables. The straps are comfortable and can be adjusted to ensure a snug fit.

6. LOCTOTE Flak Sack - The Original Theft-Resistant Drawstring Backpack

The LOCTOTE Flak Sack is by far the best small anti-theft backpack that you can buy, with so many different anti-theft features, including: slash-resistant material, the main compartment locks, there’s an inside pocket with RFID safe materials, and the ability to lock the backpack to a larger structure for added protection.

I love that the makers of this bag have gone so far as to create it using the same Honeywell Spectra Fiber that’s used in police vests. It truly is slash-proof, but somehow remains soft and comfortable!

The bag itself is more on the sporty side, and won’t fit a laptop larger than 13”, so I wouldn’t recommend this bag for work or school. However, its an awesome fit for outings to the beach, festivals, the gym, around town, etc.

7. KOPACK Slim Business Laptop Backpack

Not only is this KOPACK model the best anti-backpack for women, but it’s also one of the most affordable backpacks on the market (anti-theft or not).

Why women? Technically, this backpack is unisex, and it could be a great fit for men as well, but I think women in particular will like this backpack because it’s built to be big enough to carry books and a laptop, but not so bulky that the weight is going to become an issue.

Its slim design comes in a variety of colors and the exterior is weather-resistant, making it ideal for a long trek across campus in any weather. I love that the laptop compartment can only be accessed under the straps (or while you’re not wearing it).

I wish that it came with locks for the main compartment, but they can be easily added.

8. Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Backpack

The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Backpack will help you travel safely through airports and to your next destination. It functions as more of a daypack than a backpack, as besides the tablet compartment, the main compartment is just one large space.

This classic style bag has many anti-theft features, including an RFID-safe compartment, interlocking zipper pulls, and anti-slash mesh material built-in. These features alone make it ideal for travel, but its size is also excellent in that it can be stored as your personal item beneath an airplane seat.

For these reasons, you’ll never have to let your bag out of your sight, and we rate this as the best anti-theft carry-on backpack.

9. Pacsafe Metrosafe LS150 Anti-Theft Sling Backpack

Crossbody backpacks (or sling backpacks, as they’re sometimes known) are a great alternative to the traditional backpack style. They can be worn securely over one shoulder and are meant to distribute the weight of their contents evenly across your back.

This backpack by Pacsafe is great for a person who is out running errands but doesn’t need to bring too many items along. For instance, it will carry a cell phone, wallet, tablet and any other small accessories with no problem.

But if you’re looking for space to store your laptop or an extra change of clothes, this one will be too small. I love that the zippers latch on to lock spots, making it hard for anyone to sneak into your bag behind your back.

10. Pacsafe Venturesafe 25L GII

This unique backpack from Pacsafe is the best multipurpose anti-theft backpack. It can take you from carrying important documents and a laptop to your next business meeting, to carrying a hydration pouch and extra pair of clothes on your next long-distance hike. The versatile design will make sure that your items are stored safely inside no matter where you go.

You’d think that the eXomesh Slashguard that’s built into the nylon would really add a lot of bulk to this pack, but it’s unbelievably lightweight! It weighs just over one pound but can carry so many items. The waist straps make it extra comfortable, so you’ll have no problem wearing this backpack on an all-day tour.

The only downside of this backpack is that several users with small body frames have commented that they weren’t able to tighten the straps enough for a secure fit.

11. Oscaurt Anti-theft Travel Backpack

The sleek design of the Oscaurt Backpack almost makes it look like something from the future. While wearing this backpack, there’s no way an intruder could open it, as the main compartment zipper is completely concealed by your back.

The bag does completely open up, which makes it ideal for traveling through security without removing all of your items like your laptop.

I especially love the added padding on the backside of this backpack. Not only does it provide an extremely comfortable fit, but it also adds extra cushion to the laptop compartment.

The USB port is an added bonus. All you need to do is insert a power bank and you can easily charge your phone while on the go without a bunch of wires hanging out.

12. XDDESIGN Bobby Bizz Anti-Theft Backpack & Briefcase

‘Anti-Theft’ Technology Explained

There are several different ways that backpack manufacturers can label their bags as “anti-theft.” Some technologies are more complicated, and some are pretty obvious.

Here we break down the different functions of the anti-theft features, so you can best decide what options work best for you.

Compartment Locations

Something as little as the physical compartment locations can deem a backpack anti-theft. For most of these backpacks, the compartment zippers are located out of reach of anyone walking up to you, usually they rest where your back sits.  

This is a great feature if you’re worried about someone sneaking into your bag while you’re on a crowded subway or out and about. However, once the bag is off your body, it’s easy to access through the zippered pouches. Some of these compartments come with extra locks or you can add your own.

Another way compartment locations are used is by putting them in areas where you wouldn’t expect a compartment to be, like hidden within the straps of the backpack itself.

Zippers

Anti-theft backpacks often have hidden zippers. Either on the section where your back is, as mentioned above, or by being concealed in various ways, like covered by flaps of material or tucking in to small ports.

Many of these zippers also have the ability to lock, either with a physical lock that you attach between the two pulls, or the pulls are designed to interlock with each other to make immediate access much more difficult.

Slash-resistant Materials

Slash-resistant materials are heavy duty fabrics that are built to make cutting through them nearly impossible. This way, even if your backpack is compromised, the items inside will still be hard to attain.

Some of these slash-resistant materials are basic backpack materials like nylon that have a layer of metal mesh embedded in them. Others are more proprietary blends, like the Honeywell Spectra Fiber, a tough-as-nails fabric that’s also used in police vests and by the Department of Defence.

Physical Locks

Physical locks are a great way to protect your assets. Many anti-theft backpacks have built-in locks that can be opened with a combination code. Others have zippers that lock together. Most backpacks can have locks added for a reasonable price, like these locks on Amazon.

RFID-Safe Compartments

RFID is short for radio frequency identification. This applies to items that have scannable information on them, like your credit cards, ID and passport.

Unfortunately, there are scanners that can trace this information from you even while your cards are safely stored in a wallet or backpack. For this reason, many anti-theft backpacks have an RFID safe compartment made with special blocking materials to make remote radio frequency harder.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Are these backpacks really going to keep my stuff safe?

The safest way to keep your items safe in a backpack is always by keeping the backpack on you during your transit. The anti-theft features are designed to deter pickpockets. Should your backpack be compromised, the added features like locks and mesh-guard material will make it much more difficult for a thief to access your personal belongings.

What else can I do to stay free from theft?

You can further protect yourself from theft by leaving important items at home, always using the locks and anti-theft materials provided on your backpack, and by avoiding leaving your things unattended at any time.

Where can I expect to be targeted by thieves?

Thieves like to catch people off-guard. You might think that you’d be safer in a large crowd, but this actually makes it easier for sneaky fingers to get the items they seek and get away with it. The best thing you can do is to keep your backpack on your person while out and about.

Are slash proof bags a good idea?

Yes, slash resistant materials will make it much more difficult for your items to be compromised in the event of a backpack theft.

What is the price range of these bags?

Depending on your needs, these backpacks range from very affordable to upwards of several hundred dollars.

Where can I purchase backpacks at a good price?

Amazon has a large selection of anti-theft backpacks available at reasonable prices.

Conclusion

It’s unfortunate that we live in a time in which we’re greatly concerned about the safety of the items that we carry with us daily, but fortunately, there are many anti-theft backpacks on the market to help protect our goods.

The designs and specifications of the backpacks vary greatly, but with a little research and help from us there is surely an option that is right for you and within your price range. Whether you’re walking across campus, commuting to work or traveling across the world, we want to make sure your back is covered.