Backpack lock - Are they worth it?

Aurora Borealis

Hey...

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on those backpack mesh type locks that cover your entire bag and can be locked onto things...? Think they called Pacsafe or something. Can't decide whether they actually draw more attention to your stuff or are a good deterrant. Heading to India on my own soon and was half thinking they might prove handy for nodding off on a train type thing. They expensive enough - €65 ish...

sarkozy

A deterrant is a deterrant. You can always cover them with a raincover.

I've had one travelling in China (safe) and South America (much less safe). I got people looking at the Pacsafe, but nobody touched it. It gives you extra peace of mind and if you're stuck in a train station bursting for a leak, you can actually lock up your bag knowing it'll be there when you get back.

That's my experience.

Civilian_Target

I'd be in the opposite camp. Best deterrent is a bag that blends in - I've had my old cloth army bag fall off buses in Ghana, with money in the bottom, and they've turned up the next day unopened.

Your mileage my vary - having a bag that stands out has pros and cons

dory

Personally I'd never put one of those things on it. I just get a small little padlock for my bag and then a bicycle lock I got in a 2 Euro store to chain it to a bed or a chair or something on the train. It looks cheap and crap and no one has ever wanted to steal it.
The main thing about travelling in India is to travel light. If you're overloaded you really draw attention to yourself and everyone will be trying to help you (which can get dodgy if you've 12 people around you trying to help).

breadmonkey

Not worth the hassle imo. I just make sure there's nothing in my bag worth stealing and then I never have to worry about it.

Aurora Borealis

Yeah in agreement. I just get gadget happy in outdoorsy shops.

kevrr

Would be against it myself, just because it would probably draw attention to your bag, and make it look like it's got valuables inside. It depends on how you're traveling but in somewhere like India, if you've got an expensive looking bag and you lock it to something and then go for a snooze/toilet, there's a good chance someone would have a go at it..... pacsafe or not, that's not an ideal situation.

Hibrion

Has anyone any thoughts on using a pacsafe and putting a rucksack cover over the bag with the pacsafe already on it? Might be the best of both worlds?

mccarre4

i have to agree, blending in is the best option, i'd wear an under shirt money belt for storing my valuables and leave just general items of little value in your backpack.
its very easy to draw unwanted attention while in india so the more you blend in the better