Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Large

Why it is our Trending Pick

Travelers planning a first big trip abroad, especially to Western Europe, keep landing on the Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Large, and that is who it suits best. It is for people who want the anti-theft checklist covered by a brand that specializes in it, at a price well below the premium options, without studying the fine print.

It holds the Trending slot because it is the Travelon design that travelers most often recommend to one another: locking zipper pulls, a slash-resistant body and straps, RFID-blocking card and passport slots, and a locking strap that lets you secure the bag to a chair or railing. Nothing about it is novel, which is the point. It is an established, simple answer to the question of what to carry on a crowded train. Note that our research originally pointed to the XD Design Bobby Bizz; the Amazon link sells this Travelon instead, so we describe the Travelon here.

In practice it shines at the cafe. You loop the strap around the chair leg, lock it, and stop worrying about the bag when you go to the counter. On the metro you clip the zipper pulls, and at the hotel the RFID pocket holds your passport and cards. The organization is generous for a daypack, with a tablet slot and room for a light jacket and a water bottle.

The drawback: the Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Large leans on hardware, so it is heavier and more fiddly than a plain backpack, and its look is more utilitarian than the Baggallini. The laptop space is modest. Skip it if you want a sleek urban style or a dedicated laptop bag; pick it if you want proven anti-theft features without the Pacsafe price.