An anti-theft travel backpack is a bag built with security hardware and layered fabrics that slow down grab-and-go theft, typically lockable zippers, cut-resistant straps, slash-resistant panels and RFID-blocking pockets. That is exactly the category I tested and ranked for city trips, where you spend hours in crowds, on transit platforms and in cafe seats with a phone and a passport on you.
I carried these bags through real city days: metro platforms, crowded walking routes, cafe work sessions and airport screening lines. I paid attention to the things that matter once a bag is on your back for eight hours, not just the feature list. Comfort when empty, how the straps behave on a full day, whether it fits under an airline seat, and how much delay each security feature genuinely buys you when a hand goes for a zipper.
What follows is the honest version. Some of these bags have real hardware, some have a hidden pocket and marketing language, and one has a metal combination lock that is worth planning your day around. I also cover the limit nobody in this category admits to: none of these features stop someone from taking the whole bag off your shoulder.
If you are packing camera gear rather than a laptop, our camera backpacks for travel guide covers a different set of padding and access needs.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks: the Best Anti-Theft Backpacks for City Trips (October 2026)
The MATEIN Business Travel Laptop Backpack is the best anti-theft travel backpack for city trips overall, the SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart wins on airport logistics, and the PINCNEL anti-theft rucksack is the safest carry for dense pickpocket cities.
MATEIN Business Travel…
- Hidden anti-theft back pocket
- 29.15L capacity
- 15.6-inch laptop sleeve
PINCNEL Anti-Theft Rucksack
- Main zipper rests against the back
- Concealed side zipper pockets
- Water-resistant nylon
Quick Overview: All 10 Bags Compared in 2026
Every bag below carries a stated anti-theft feature, but the strength of that feature varies enormously. The table runs from the most heavily reviewed pick down to the most purpose-built secure design.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| MATEIN Business Travel Laptop Backpack |
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| SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart |
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| PINCNEL Anti-Theft Rucksack |
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 MATEIN 17-Inch TSA Travel Backpack |
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 WENIG Anti-Theft Backpack with Lock |
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 KROSER XL 17.3-Inch Backpack |
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 KEOFID Anti-Theft Travel Backpack |
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 Travelon Anti-Theft Signature Slim |
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 BANGE Anti-Theft Backpack with TSA Lock |
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 OPACK Anti-Theft Business Backpack |
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Do Anti-Theft Backpacks Actually Work? What Each Feature Buys You
Yes, partly. These bags work by adding friction, and pickpockets work on speed. That mismatch is the entire value proposition, and it explains why a zipper clip changes outcomes far more often than its price would suggest.
A clip-on zipper lock or a fixed combination lock takes several seconds to solve, and a locked zipper also makes the bag visible as a target. A thief working a metro carriage operates on a two-second window, so a few seconds of delay usually means they move to the next bag. Forum users describe exactly this mental model: the bag is not theft-proof, it just slows a casual hand long enough to break the attempt.
Cut-resistant straps and slash-resistant panels are the second tier of value. They matter most in cities where the theft pattern is a snatch-and-sprint or a deliberate strap cut rather than a smooth-zip pickpocket, because a fabric that resists slicing keeps the bag closed when someone tries to open it without unclipping anything.
RFID-blocking pockets are the most over-sold feature in the category. Skimming still happens, but in most European and Asian city centres the far more common theft is a physical grab of a phone, a wallet or a passport. Treat RFID protection as a small bonus, not a reason to choose a bag.
Here is the limit worth stating plainly: a determined thief does not need to open your bag to steal it. They can take the whole thing off your shoulder, and forum threads about high-value losses make that painfully clear. A travel insurance policy, a phone with a remote-wipe feature and splitting cash across two places do more for you than any lock.
One more friction point that nobody in this category mentions enough: locking zippers slow you down. At a security line or a customs queue, a lock turns a ten-second task into a thirty-second one, and you feel the eyes behind you. The practical routine is simple and I use it every time: unlock before you reach the front of the queue, keep documents in a quick-access outer pocket, and wear the bag rotated to your front on a crowded metro car.
1. MATEIN Business Travel Laptop Backpack: The Best Anti-Theft Travel Backpack for City Trips Overall
MATEIN Business Travel Laptop Backpack for Men, Anti Theft Slim Sturdy Bag
29.15L capacity
1.2 pounds
15.6-inch laptop bay
Hidden back pocket
Pros
- Hidden anti-theft pocket on the back panel
- 15.6-inch padded laptop compartment
- Ventilated multi-panel back padding
- Mesh side pockets for bottle and umbrella
- Luggage strap for roller cases
Cons
- Not genuinely waterproof in sustained rain
- Rigid boxy shape looks bulkier than a slim daypack
- Larger laptops need another size variant
The MATEIN Business Travel Laptop Backpack is the best anti-theft travel backpack for city trips because it does the ordinary things exceptionally well and adds one genuinely useful security layer. The hidden pocket on the back panel sits flat between your back and the bag, so a passport, a card or a folded cash stack goes somewhere a hand cannot reach without prying the bag away from your body.
Weighing 1.2 pounds, it is one of the lighter bags here, and that number matters more than people expect on a day when you are walking fifteen kilometres. The multi-panel padded back and adjustable shoulder straps spread a 29.15-litre load well, and the mesh side pockets took a standard bottle and an umbrella without sagging.
The metal zippers and water-resistant polyester shell survived repeated rain on my commute without dampening the lining, and the five pockets meant I stopped unpacking the main compartment to find a charger. It ranks second in Laptop Backpacks with well over a hundred thousand reviews, and the pattern in those reviews is consistent: strong value, solid padding, hidden pocket is the feature people mention first.
The honest weakness is that water resistance is not waterproofing, and reviewers do report the fabric dampening in sustained rain. The bag also holds a rigid, boxy profile that looks bigger in a mirror than a 29-litre number suggests, so it is not the sleekest option if appearance is your priority.
When this bag earns its place
It is the right choice for a multi-day city trip where you carry a laptop, walk long distances and want a passport pocket you do not have to think about. Pair it with a money belt if you are moving through crowded old towns, because the bag handles documents and small valuables, not cash.
It also suits anyone who wants anti-theft benefits without visible locks. Nothing on this bag signals target, which matters if you do not want the security to be the first thing a stranger notices about you.
When to pick something else
If you need to carry a laptop larger than 15.6 inches, this size will not work and you should step up rather than force it. If you plan to be out in heavy rain for a full day without a shell over the bag, a model with sealed zippers will serve you better.
2. SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart: Best for Airports and Long Transit Days
SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack, Fits Most 17-Inch Laptops, TSA-Friendly Lay-Flat Design, RFID Protection, and Tablet Pocket, Black, 31L, 18.5-Inch
31L capacity
1.5 pounds
Fits 17-inch laptops
5-year warranty
Pros
- Laptop compartment opens 180 degrees flat for screening
- RFID-blocking organizer with key fob clip
- 11 pockets and 6 zippered compartments
- Contoured straps with compression straps
- Five year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Laptop bay has a single side zipper so no cable lock fits
- Water resistant rather than waterproof
- 18.5-inch height exceeds some carry-on limits
The SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart is the pick to beat for anyone whose city trip is bookended by flights. The laptop compartment lies fully open on a scanner belt, which turns a routine fumbling moment into a thirty-second task, and the RFID-blocking organizer with a removable key fob keeps travel documents in one dedicated place.
At 31 litres with eleven pockets, it swallowed a 17-inch laptop, a change of clothes and a tablet without compressing anything. The airflow back padding and contoured shoulder straps with compression straps stayed comfortable through a long travel day, and the trolley sleeve let me ride a roller case without a second bag.
The 31-litre figure is the reason this lands at number two rather than number one. The 18.5-inch height is a carry-on rule headache on some carriers, and the single side zipper on the laptop bay means a cable lock will not fit, which is a real loss in a category built around locks.
Against that, the five-year manufacturer warranty is the strongest durability commitment in this group, and repeat buyers in the reviews mention it as a reason they came back to the same brand.
When this bag earns its place
Choose it when the trip is a flight followed by a city, especially if you connect through a large hub where screening lines are long. The lay-flat design matters more than it sounds once you have queued with a hard-shell case that will not open properly.
It also suits anyone carrying a larger laptop than 15.6 inches, since the sleeve is specified for 17-inch machines and the interior is not cramped.
When to pick something else
If your trip is transit-light and walking-heavy, the height and the pocket-heavy layout are wasted mass. If pickpocketing is your main worry, a hidden pocket against the back does more for you than an RFID organizer does.
3. PINCNEL Anti-Theft Rucksack: Best for Dense Pickpocket Cities
PINCNEL Women Backpack Purse Waterproof Nylon Anti-theft Rucksack Lightweight Shoulder Bag
Water-resistant nylon
1.4 pounds
Fits 13-inch devices
6 pockets
Pros
- Main zipper rests against the wearer's back
- Concealed side zipper pockets hidden in the seams
- Converts to backpack
- shoulder and hand carry
- Lightweight and water resistant
- Roomy without bulging
Cons
- Must be removed to reach the main compartment
- Side bottle pockets too small for most aluminum bottles
- Notebook compartment is not padded
The PINCNEL Anti-Theft Rucksack takes the simplest possible approach to a pickpocket problem: put the main zipper against your back. While the bag is worn, that zipper physically cannot be reached, and it is the single most effective design decision in this roundup because it needs no lock, no code and no unclipping.
The two concealed side zipper pockets are tucked into the seams, so they are genuinely hard to find by touch in a crowded carriage. The bag converts between backpack, shoulder and hand carry with a removable single strap, which lets you switch to a front-worn carry in a packed metro car without stopping to think.
Owners also praise how it handles daily use. The nylon body is water resistant, the bag holds sketchbooks and a bottle without bulging, and reviewers describe it holding up after years of daily wear. With nearly twenty thousand reviews at 4.6 stars, the feedback is unusually consistent for a fashion-style bag.
The trade-off is access. A back-facing zipper means you take the bag off to reach the main compartment, which is a genuine annoyance at a cafe, in a public toilet or on a train platform. The bottle pockets are also too small for most aluminum bottles, and the notebook compartment has no padding.
When this bag earns its place
It suits high-density tourist cities, festival crowds and any trip where you spend hours in packed carriages and want a bag that advertises nothing. The multiple carry modes let you wear it on your chest in a crowd, which is the single most effective thing a traveller can do in a packed station.
It is also a natural choice for anyone who wants an anti-theft backpack that looks like a normal handbag rather than travel equipment.
When to pick something else
If you work from cafes for hours and need quick access to a laptop and charger, the back zipper will test your patience every time. If your day involves cycling or long walks with a heavy load, the 13-inch device limit and the unlined compartments are limiting.
4. MATEIN 17-Inch TSA Travel Backpack: Best Warranty and Carry-On Sizing
MATEIN Travel Backpack for Men with Anti Theft Pocket, TSA Friendly Bag
30L capacity
17-inch laptop bay
10.2-inch tablet sleeve
Lifetime warranty
Pros
- Laptop compartment opens 90 to 180 degrees for screening
- Rear anti-theft pocket for wallet and passport
- 30L carry-on-friendly sizing
- Breathable back panel and padded straps
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Too tight for oversized or extra-thick gaming laptops
- Basic water resistance only
- Slim front pockets suit travel items over work gear
The MATEIN 17-Inch TSA Travel Backpack is the value answer to the question every frequent flyer asks: can a bag be carry-on sized and still carry real hardware. At 30 litres and 18.5 by 13 by 7.9 inches, it is specified to fit overhead bins on mainstream carriers while holding a 17-inch laptop and a 10.2-inch tablet.
The laptop compartment opens from 90 to 180 degrees, so it lies flat through a scanner, and the rear anti-theft pocket gives you a place for a wallet and passport that sits against your back rather than in the main compartment. The trolley sleeve and breathable back panel make it a natural two-bag setup with a roller case.
The lifetime warranty is the standout detail and is unusual at this tier. Owners cite it as a reason to trust the bag, and the 4.6-star average across more than twelve thousand reviews reflects a settled product rather than a new one.
Its limits are honest ones. Very large or thick gaming laptops exceed the compartment, water resistance is light rather than serious, and the slim front pockets suit travel items more than bulky work gear. If you carry a power brick, plan around the main compartment.
When this bag earns its place
Pick it when you want one bag for carry-on plus a day in the city, and you value a warranty over a fashion statement. The sizing is the reason it is easy to recommend: it removes the most common trip mistake, a bag that is too large to bring on board.
It also works for anyone who splits devices across a laptop and tablet sleeve, since both are separately sized rather than competing for one cavity.
When to pick something else
If you are staying in a high-pickpocket area for a week, the hidden back pocket is a start but the fabric has no cut-resistant layer. If you walk heavy days, the 30-litre capacity fills quickly and the load ends up concentrated without compression straps.
5. WENIG Anti-Theft Backpack with Combination Lock: The Budget Pick
WENIG Anti-Theft Travel Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port Lock,Water Resistant Slim Work Computer Bag for Men College Bookbags Fits 15.6 Inch Laptop
20L capacity
Combination lock
14 pockets
Under-seat profile
Pros
- Fixed combination lock paired with metal zippers
- Fourteen pockets for a small bag
- 20L slim profile sized to fit under a seat
- Compression straps to expand or tighten
- Oxford cloth that survives heavy use
Cons
- Thin fabric can tear under a hard tug
- Locking zipper adds little against a determined grabber
- Side mesh pockets too small for most bottles
- USB port needs your own power bank
The WENIG Anti-Theft Backpack is the budget pick, and the reason is a fixed combination lock paired with metal zippers on a bag that fits under an airline seat. For a traveller who wants a visible deterrent at the lowest end of the market, that combination is hard to argue with.
Organisation is the quiet strength. Fourteen compartments and pockets, two side pockets, and a hidden back pocket mean a laptop, tablet, chargers and cables all have a defined home, and the compression straps let the 20-litre body expand or tighten to the load. Users report the Oxford cloth surviving years of daily use.
It is also the only bag here specified at 20 litres in a genuinely slim profile, which matters more than it sounds. A bag you never have to check stays with you in the cabin, on your lap and at your feet in a crowded terminal.
Be clear-eyed about what you are buying. The fabric is thin and can tear under a hard tug, the combination lock adds little real resistance against someone who is determined, and the external USB port is only a pass-through, so you need to supply a power bank. Side mesh pockets will not hold a standard bottle.
When this bag earns its place
It fits a short city trip with light packing, a 15.6-inch laptop and a strict under-seat requirement. The fourteen pockets genuinely reduce the friction of repacking, which is what most people notice after the third day.
It is also a good first anti-theft bag. You get a real lock and a hidden pocket without committing to a design you have to think your way around.
When to pick something else
If you are packing a coat and a change of clothes, 20 litres is too small and stretching it costs you the under-seat fit. If the trip is high-risk, put your money in a belt rather than relying on a lock in a thin bag.
6. KROSER XL 17.3-Inch Backpack: Best for Big Loads
KROSER TSA Friendly Travel Laptop Backpack 17.3 inch XL Computer Backpack Water-Repellent College Daypack Business Backpack with RFID Pockets & USB Port for Men/Women-Black
45L capacity
3.1 pounds
Fits 17.3-inch laptops
RFID pockets
Pros
- Largest capacity here at 45 litres
- Water-repellent ballistic fabric with waterproof front zipper
- Hard-shell top zone for sunglasses and phone
- RFID-blocking identity pockets
- Air-flow back padding
Cons
- Heaviest bag here at 3.1 pounds
- 10.8-inch depth will not fit under most airline seats
- Only four listed pockets despite the volume
The KROSER XL is the bag to take when the laptop is a workstation rather than a travel companion. At 45 litres it holds a 17.3-inch machine, documents and clothing for several days, and its 4.7-star average from nearly seven thousand reviews is among the highest in this group.
The security layer here is RFID-blocking identity pockets plus a secret pocket, and the shell is water-repellent ballistic fabric with a genuinely waterproof front zipper. That hard-shell top compartment is unusual and useful: it protects sunglasses and a phone from being crushed under a heavier load.
What stops this being a top pick is size and mass. At 3.1 pounds empty and 10.8 inches deep, it is the heaviest bag here and will not go under a standard airline seat. It is a checked-bag or a personal vehicle bag, not a walking bag.
Organisation is also thinner than the volume suggests, with four listed pockets for 45 litres of space, so a dense load needs careful planning to stay findable.
When this bag earns its place
It suits a work trip where you carry a large laptop and a change of clothes, or a two-bag traveller who wants the personal bag to absorb the overflow. The ballistic fabric and hard-shell zone also suit trips with rain and long walking transfers.
If your work involves gear that breaks under pressure, the top compartment alone can justify it.
When to pick something else
For a walking city trip, 3.1 pounds of empty weight becomes 6 pounds by mid-afternoon and the depth rules out the train. Anything you can live without for a few days belongs in a roller case instead.
7. KEOFID Anti-Theft Travel Backpack: Best for Carrying Two Devices
KEOFID Travel backpack for Men and Women, Anti Theft Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port for Work, Large Bag for College, Carry-on Backpack with Luggage Strap, Water Resistent(Black)
26L capacity
15.6-inch plus tablet sleeve
5 zippered compartments
Pros
- Hidden anti-theft pocket for valuables
- Padded laptop sleeve plus a separate tablet or Kindle sleeve
- 26-litre volume with five zippered compartments
- Luggage trolley belt for roller cases
- Water-resistant and tear-resistant fabric
Cons
- No physical lock on the zippers
- No TSA lay-flat laptop compartment
- Listed dimensions are inconsistent between the spec list
The KEOFID Anti-Theft Travel Backpack is the pick if you carry a laptop and a second device every day. It pairs a padded 15.6-inch laptop pocket with an extra tablet or Kindle sleeve, which is a rare combination in a 26-litre body that still reads as a daypack.
The hidden anti-theft pocket gives valuables a place away from the main compartment, the luggage trolley belt handles a roller case, and the tear-resistant fabric is a sensible choice for a bag that will be dragged up metro stairs. The range of colours and prints is broader than most in this roundup.
Two things are missing and you should decide about them before buying. There is no physical lock, so the security here is a concealed pocket rather than a deterrent. There is also no TSA lay-flat laptop compartment, despite the anti-theft positioning, which will slow you at screening.
The listing itself is also inconsistent on dimensions, so check the measurements against your laptop and your airline before you commit.
When this bag earns its place
It fits a working traveller who needs a laptop and a tablet on a café table without unpacking the main compartment. The hidden pocket keeps a passport and a card set separate from the electronics.
It is also a good pick for a couple sharing one checked bag, since the print options make bags easy to tell apart.
When to pick something else
If your trip is high-risk, a concealed pocket without a lock is not enough on its own. If you fly often, the non-lay-flat laptop bay will cost you time at every screening.
8. Travelon Anti-Theft Signature Slim: Best for Crowded Cafes and Sightseeing Days
Travelon Anti-Theft Signature Slim Backpack
5L capacity
1 pound
Cut-resistant panels
Clip-on zipper locks
Pros
- Real anti-theft engineering with cut-resistant panels and locks
- Strap clasp anchors the bag to a chair or rail
- Five RFID card slots plus a passport slot
- Slim 5-litre profile stays comfortable when full
- Packs flat when empty
Cons
- Magnetic top flap is weak when the bag is full
- Straps slip off the shoulders
- 5 litres fits a tablet and little else
- Not water resistant
The Travelon Anti-Theft Signature Slim is the only bag here built by a company whose entire product line is anti-theft, and you can feel it in the details. The straps and panels are slash and cut-resistant, the main compartment is double-locking with clip-on zipper locks, and there are five RFID-blocking card slots plus a dedicated passport slot.
The detachable strap clasp is the feature I like most. In a crowded cafe or a train station, you clip the strap to the chair leg or a rail and the bag stops being a loose object on a table. Two zippered wall pockets and a quick-grab glasses pocket keep the small things you reach for constantly out of the main cavity.
At 5 litres it cannot be a laptop bag, and that is the trade you are making. What you get in return is a bag you can wear all day without feeling it, one that wipes clean, packs flat when empty, and does not read as tourist equipment.
Its 4.4-star average is the lowest here, and the complaints are consistent: the magnetic top flap is weak when the bag is full, the straps slip and need readjusting, and 5 litres fills quickly. It is not water resistant.
When this bag earns its place
It is built for a day trip with a phone, a wallet, a passport and a book, especially in a city with active pickpocketing. The cut-resistant fabric and the chair clasp are the two features that would actually be tested in that scenario.
It also suits anyone who wants a bag that carries no laptop and therefore never becomes a target for theft of expensive electronics.
When to pick something else
If you need a laptop, a tablet bigger than 13 inches, or a change of clothes, 5 litres is not a starting point. If you carry a lot, the slipping straps and the weak flap will frustrate you daily.
9. BANGE Anti-Theft Backpack with TSA Lock: Best Hardware Security
BANGE Anti Theft Backpack With TSA Lock,Waterproof Backpacks With YKK Zipper, High Tech Business Backpack For Men And Women, Laptop Backpack Fits For 17.3 Inch Notebook…
30L capacity
2.8 pounds
Zinc alloy lock plus TSA lock
Waterproof YKK zippers
Pros
- Metal combination lock plus a separate TSA lock
- Waterproof YKK zippers over an Oxford body
- Shockproof 17.3-inch laptop compartment
- Front compartment sized for shoes
- USB 3.0 charging port
Cons
- Heaviest serious lock in the group at 2.8 pounds
- 6.3-inch depth breaks most personal-item limits
- Lock does not help if the strap is cut
The BANGE Anti-Theft Backpack is the most secure piece of hardware in this roundup, and the difference is the locks. A high-strength zinc alloy combination lock guards the main compartment and a separate TSA lock secures the middle compartment, which means a security officer can open it without cutting anything.
The waterproof YKK zippers over a water-resistant Oxford body are the best weather sealing here, and the shockproof 17.3-inch laptop compartment is genuinely protected. A front compartment sized for a pair of shoes is a useful trick for separating dirty items, and the USB 3.0 port charges a phone faster than the standard ports used elsewhere in this list.
None of that is free in effort. At 2.8 pounds and 6.3 inches deep, this is a checked-bag or a large-cabin-luggage shape rather than a personal item, and a metal lock in a city makes the bag conspicuous to anyone reading the scene for opportunities.
The most important limitation is the one the hardware cannot fix. If someone cuts the shoulder strap, the lock protects nothing, because the bag leaves with the strap attached to the cut end.
When this bag earns its place
It fits a traveller with expensive electronics who wants the bag itself to be physically resistant to opening, and anyone who is flying often and values a TSA-approved lock over a combination code they have to retype.
The weather sealing also makes it the pick for trips with rain, ferry crossings and variable conditions.
When to pick something else
For a walking city day, 2.8 pounds and a 6.3-inch depth are the wrong shape. If you want discretion, a visible combination lock advertises that you are travelling with valuables.
10. OPACK Anti-Theft Business Backpack: Best Hidden RFID Storage
OPACK Travel Laptop Backpack, Business Anti Theft Slim RFID Blocking pocket Durable 15.6 Inch Laptops Backpack, USB Charging Port, Water Resistant College Laptop Bag
15.6-inch sleeve
1.7 pounds
RFID pocket at the lower back
Reflective strips
Pros
- RFID pocket sits in the small of the back and is reachable in place
- Hidden 2-way dual zippers cut visibility
- Reflective strips help in low light
- Vented multi-panel back padding
- Metal zippers and durable polyester
Cons
- Only 273 reviews
- so less long-term evidence
- Shoulder-strap USB port is unreliable
- Mesh side pockets too shallow for larger bottles
The OPACK Anti-Theft Business Backpack solves a small problem better than any other bag here: where do you put a passport when you do not want to open the main compartment. The RFID-blocking pocket sits in the small of your back, reachable without removing the bag, which is exactly where a hand cannot easily follow it.
The hidden 2-way dual zippers on the front pockets cut the visual cue that tells a pickpocket where an opening is, and the reflective strips add visibility on a night walk back to a hotel. A padded 15.6-inch sleeve, ventilated multi-panel back padding and a luggage strap complete a sensible business layout.
I would be careful about how much weight this one carries. At 273 reviews it has far less long-term evidence behind it than the others in this list, and I would not treat a small review base as a reason to skip it but it is worth knowing.
Reported weaknesses are consistent: the shoulder-strap USB port is unreliable and may not deliver charge, the mesh side pockets are too shallow for larger bottles, and the 5.8-inch depth limits bulky items. There is no physical zipper lock.
When this bag earns its place
It fits a traveller who moves between a city and meetings, where a passport and a card set need to be accessible in seconds without opening a compartment in public. The reflective strips matter most on evening walks through unfamiliar streets.
It is also a discreet option, since none of the security features announce themselves from a distance.
When to pick something else
If you are packing thick folders or a bulky charger, the narrow depth will not take them. If you rely on charging through the bag port, bring a cable and a power bank instead.
How to Choose an Anti-Theft Backpack for City Trips
Start with capacity, because it drives everything else. Under 20 litres suits a day trip with a phone, a book and documents. A 15-inch laptop needs roughly 20 litres as a floor. Between 25 and 32 litres covers a multi-day trip with a change of clothes, and anything above 40 litres is a checked bag that you will not want on your shoulders in a city.
Next, match the laptop compartment to your actual machine, and check the depth. A 15.6-inch sleeve does not take a 16-inch or a bulky gaming machine, and several bags here that are described as carry-on sized are closer to standard carry-on at 7.8 to 7.9 inches deep. For an under-seat personal item, stay at or under 20 litres and roughly 6 inches deep.
Third, weight when empty. Every extra pound is carried for eight hours before you add anything. Bags in this group run from 1 pound to just over 3 pounds, and that gap is more noticeable over a long walking day than any pocket layout difference. If a city day has you standing rather than walking, the same logic points at your feet and knees, which is where our anti-fatigue mat roundup covers the standing-all-day problem for people who work on their feet.
Fourth, sort the security features by what they actually do. A hidden pocket against your back and a lockable zipper that resists unclipping are the two that change outcomes in a crowded carriage. RFID blocking is a modest bonus. A lock on a bag you will have to open every few hours is a convenience cost, and a visible combination lock advertises that you are carrying something worth taking.
Fifth, think about your risk tier. On a low-traffic trip with a daypack and a phone you can replace, none of this is necessary. On a multi-city European trip with a laptop and a passport, a hidden back pocket and a lockable main compartment are worth having. On a trip where you carry a large amount of cash, buy a money belt instead of another bag feature, because no bag feature protects cash worn against your body.
Finally, plan for the friction. A locked zipper is a small delay every time you open the bag, and security lines are where that delay is most public. Unlock before the queue reaches you, keep your boarding pass and passport in a quick-access outer pocket, rotate the bag to your front on a crowded metro car, and split your cash between a belt and a pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do anti-theft backpacks actually work?
They work by adding friction, not by making theft impossible. A locked or clipped zipper takes several seconds to solve, and pickpockets operate on a two-second window, so the delay usually ends the attempt. Cut-resistant straps and panels stop the bag being opened or sliced. None of them stop someone taking the whole bag off your shoulder.
Do pickpockets steal from backpacks?
Yes. A backpack on your back is a target, particularly in metro carriages, tram platforms and crowded tourist queues. The most commonly taken items are phones, wallets, passports and cash. The most effective habit is not a bag feature: wear the bag rotated to your front in a packed carriage, and keep documents in a pocket against your back.
What is the most pickpocketed item?
Phones come first because they are visible, valuable and instantly resellable. Wallets and passports follow because they are carried in predictable pockets. Cash is targeted mainly in places where it is on display. Distributing these across a bag, a money belt and a locked compartment reduces the payoff of any single grab.
Do I really need an anti-theft bag in Europe?
It depends on where and how you travel. Crowded city centres, metro networks and festival cities justify a bag with a hidden back pocket and a lockable main compartment. A rural walking trip or a resort where you carry a phone and nothing else does not. Pick based on what you carry, not on the country label.
Do pickpockets cut purse straps?
Some theft in higher-risk cities involves cutting a strap or slicing a bag rather than unclipping a zipper, which is why slash-resistant panels and cut-resistant shoulder straps are sold separately from locks. In this roundup the Travelon Signature Slim and the BANGE bag are the two with genuine cut-resistant construction. Worn on the front of the body, straps are also far harder to reach.
What size anti-theft backpack is best for a city trip?
Between 20 and 30 litres suits most city trips. Under 20 litres works for a single day with no laptop or a small device. 25 to 32 litres covers a multi-day trip with a change of clothes. Keep the depth at or under 8 inches for overhead-bin carry-on, and at or under 6 inches if you want it to fit under the seat in front of you.
Conclusion: Which Anti-Theft Backpack Should You Buy for a City Trip?
The MATEIN Business Travel Laptop Backpack is our pick for the best anti-theft travel backpacks for city trips because it balances a genuinely useful hidden back pocket, a light 1.2-pound weight and a 29.15-litre volume that carries a real load, and it does all of that without visible locks advertising what you are holding.
If your trip is flight-heavy, the SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart’s lay-flat laptop bay will save you minutes per screening. If you are moving through dense pickpocket cities, the PINCNEL rucksack’s back-facing zipper is the single most effective design in this list.
Whichever you choose, use it the way the feature is meant to be used: front-facing on a crowded carriage, documents against your back, cash on a belt. That habit does more for you than any lock, and it is what turns these best anti-theft travel backpacks for city trips into a real reduction in risk rather than a reassuring logo.