I’m not sure where you’re traveling that has you worried about bag-slashers, but Pacsafe clearly wants you prepared. Personally, I treat the anti-theft features as a nice bonus. What really sold me is how much this little guy can pack, and the way it’s engineered to carry comfortably.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s what you’re looking at: made from post-consumer recycled PET, PFC-free water-repellent shell, external attachment points for small items, padded sleeve for an 8-inch tablet, internal pockets and pen loop, plus an internal attachment point for your wallet and keys. And then there’s the laundry list of security features: RFIDsafe blocking pockets, PopNLock security clip, Carrysafe slashguard strap with Dyneema, eXomesh slashguard, and the Roobar Sport locking system—my personal favorite.
The recycled materials are great for sustainability, but the PFC-free water-repellent shell is what you’ll feel day-to-day. I got caught in a light rain for about five minutes, and when I reached shelter, there was zero sign it had been wet. Haven’t tested a downpour. I ain’t volunteering for that. Also, I am not putting it under the knife to test the slash-proof feature. This bag is my daily carry, not a dedicated review product.
Now, design-wise, it’s actually built to be a crossbody bag. Many “crossbody” bags have straps sewn straight down in line with the bag, which feels awkward. Pacsafe angles the strap so it sits naturally on your back or side, with the weight hanging vertically. It makes a huge difference in comfort, especially when you load it up.
Structurally, it holds its shape like a soft-shell suitcase, even when empty. It will not slump or collapse like some bags when empty. The PopNLock clip lets you secure it to something fixed, like your luggage. And then there’s the Roobar Sport locking system — the star of the security show. Each set of zippers (two pulls per compartment) uses specially cast zip pulls that interlock with each other. When interlocked, they form a square opening that threads perfectly into the Roobar lock. Once both pulls are in, you slide the Roobar into place, and a small catch keeps it from being accidentally moved. That also makes it harder for someone to intentionally open it in a hurry — perfect for sardine-can public transport. You can even loop a small padlock through the Roobar for extra security.
I’ll admit, it’s not 100% smooth every time; the locking motion can be a little finicky, and sometimes the zip pulls need a wiggle before they align. But I use it even in safe areas, partly for the peace of mind, and partly because it stops the zipper pulls from clinking like wind chimes when I walk.
Storage is well thought out. There’s a rear main compartment with a mesh zip pocket and a tablet sleeve — mine fits a tall 300ml insulated bottle, a folded reusable shopping bag, a bottle of sweets, TWS earbuds, and a vitamin box. I keep my Pixel 7 in the tablet sleeve, and my Sharge MagSafe power bank in the mesh pocket. The front compartment is narrower but still has a mesh pocket (tissues and a Flow Mini power bank live here), an RFID-blocking pocket for my Smoll Envelope Compact wallet, and a pen slot. Once full, there’s only room for flat items like a pack of masks.
Now, the not-so-great bits. It’s on the heavy side thanks to the materials and security hardware. The strap is narrower than it should be for this size and digs into your shoulder when loaded. I fixed that with a third-party shoulder pad. The RFID-blocking pocket is a good idea, but execution, not so much. The velcro closure is sewn onto thin fabric, and mine already had a fray. The strong velcro plus weak stitching feels like something that’ll give way sooner than later, so I try to hold the velcro when opening it.
Overall, it’s a well-engineered, thoughtfully designed bag. Quality is excellent except for that one pocket. Even coming from a lighter Cabin Zero, I’d still recommend it for everyday carry or travel. No bag will make you theft-proof — being alert is still your best defense — but Pacsafe’s done about as much as you can reasonably expect in one bag. And no, this wasn’t sponsored. I bought it with my own hard-earned money.
Speaking of which, if anyone’s keen, the Pacsafe V Anti-theft Companion Crossbody is available now for US$109.95. And no, it is not an affiliated link.
Images: Mike for Mikeshouts.