Backpacks are excellent for work, travel, and even just as fashion accessories. They’re more convenient than shoulder bags and can usually fit a lot more items, especially the more elaborate backpacks with loads of different pockets and compartments. But they’re also not quite as safe, at least when you’re wearing them on the back and have no idea what’s going on behind you.
If you like using backpacks for everyday carry but spend a lot of time on busy streets or on public transport, an anti-theft backpack might just be the best thing you could buy.
At A Glance: Best Anti-Theft Backpacks
These are backpacks with loads of safety features that promise to keep all your most valuable items safe from thieves and pickpockets, and most of them are very stylish. Here’s a quick overview of some of the best women’s anti-theft backpacks money can buy!
Best EDC Anti-Theft Backpack
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Best Convertible Anti-Theft Backpack
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![]() | Best Budget-Friendly Anti-Theft Backpack
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![]() | Most Stylish Anti-Theft Backpack
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![]() | Excellent Anti-Theft Features
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The Citysafe backpack from Pacsafe has been one of the brand’s most popular items for years. If you’re looking for a cute and stylish anti-theft backpack that performs exactly as it promises, this is certainly one of the best options.
It’s a pricey bag, but it’s much cheaper to just get this backpack than to have to replace your tech if it ever gets stolen. Pacsafe manufactures loads of different anti-theft bags and they’re all premium quality.
The anti-theft features of the Citysafe include a cut-resistant material, slash-proof adjustable straps, turn-n-lock security hooks, interlocking zipper pullers, and RFID-blocking fabric. It’s important to note that the entire backpack is not made with RFID-safe fabric; instead, you get a few different RFID-safe pockets.
The Citysafe backpack features a dedicated laptop sleeve inside, as well as lots of smaller pockets for easy organization. It’s also got an extra zippered pocket on the front panel, open pockets on the sides, and a convenient trolley sleeve in the back. Overall, it’s one of the best anti-theft backpacks money can buy, at least in terms of security features and their real-world performance.
The Citysafe convertible backpack is from the same collection as the previous Pacsafe backpacks I’ve told you about, but it’s got a few different features. This is an Anti-theft backpack/purse, thanks to the convertible design that allows you to carry the bag two different ways. It’s great if you want to get a versatile bag and you’re not looking for something with a massive capacity.
All the main anti-theft features of the original Citysafe backpack are incorporated into this model as well, so you get slash-proof material, an RFID-safe pocket, and locking zippers. The main difference is in the size and style of the backpack; while the original pack can easily fit a 16” MacBook Pro, this tiny bag can hold an 11” iPad Pro or a similar-sized laptop inside the main compartment.
This pack has two zippered external pockets that are great for items you want easily accessible. The great thing about these pockets is that you can easily access them even when the bag is in purse mode.
That’s the other way of carrying this bag – fold the top over the front panel, take off the detachable shoulder strap, and attach them to the D-rings in the middle of the bag, and you’ve got yourself a cute little purse.
It’s great for those outings when you don’t need to bring too many items, but you still want to have a secure bag that can protect those belongings. Off the top of my head, I think this bag would be a really good solution for travel.
Travelon is another excellent brand if you’re looking for stylish bags with anti-theft technology. The Addison backpack is available in three styles, including a beautiful floral print perfect for ladies who like colorful bags.
The small backpack features a body and straps made from slash-resistant fabric, an RFID-safe organizer inside the roomy main compartment, and locking zippers that will deter pickpockets. The bag also has lock-down straps similar to Pacsafe bags, which allow you to secure the backpack to a pole or a bench, while you’re sitting nearby.
The main compartment is surprisingly spacious and it features multiple smaller open and zippered pockets. You’ll easily keep all the smaller items organized in this bag, but it’s worth noting that the Addison backpack is too small to fit a 13” laptop. You can fit tablets up to 11” inside the pack, so keep that in mind.
Another thing to note is that this backpack is very affordable. The floral print model is currently the cheapest option out of the bunch, retailing for a third of what the Citysafe backpack costs. If you’re on a tighter budget but still want to get a sturdy anti-theft backpack, this is a really good option.
Travelon’s Signature Slim backpack is a great option for ladies on a tighter budget. The backpack normally retails for around $75, but at the moment of writing this, certain colors are discounted by as much as 40%. It’s a small anti-theft backpack so not the best option if you need something functional for EDC, but definitely a bag to consider if you just prefer packs over handbags.
It’s stylish, lightweight, and equipped with excellent anti-theft features. The bag is made from slash-resistant fabric, it’s got lockable zippers, and RFID-safe pockets inside. It features a magnetic front flap closure for easy access, and you get multiple zippered and open pockets inside the backpack.
There’s also another zippered pocket on the front for items you want easily accessible. The shoulder straps are not padded so they’re not super comfortable, but they are detachable and can be secured around fixed objects.
The main downside of this backpack is that it’s too small to fit a 13” laptop. The main compartment can fit an 11” iPad (or laptop) at most, so this won’t be ideal for anyone looking for a proper EDC bag.
The Cheruty backpack is one of the most affordable and probably most stylish options. You can choose from bags that are made from PU leather or nylon; the leather looks a lot better in my opinion, and it generally makes the bag feel like it’s worth twice the retail price. The bag is also available in two different sizes, and all the different models retail for less than $50.
Is this a cute and stylish everyday backpack? Absolutely. Is it a great anti-theft bag? Probably not. From what I can tell, it looks like the only anti-theft features are a couple of hidden compartments. Sure, it’s great to have a zippered pocket on the back panel so you can keep some items extra safe, but that’s not enough to call a bag “anti-theft”. At least in my book.
If you’re not that concerned with anti-theft features, this can still be a good option, especially for the price. It’s a solid backpack with lots of pockets and enough room to hold a laptop (if you get the bigger one), but I’m not that thrilled about the opening in the back.
It makes it harder to access items quickly, not to mention that it’s very easy for items to just fall out if you’re opening the main compartment on the move.
The shoulder straps are adjustable, but not padded. Also, there’s an extra strap attached to D-rings at the middle of the bag, which allows you to carry this like a classic messenger bag. Overall, it’s certainly not the worst bag money can buy, but if you’re looking for a super safe anti-theft pack, this just isn’t it.
The Telena backpack is absolutely gorgeous, and possibly one of the top options if you’re prioritizing form over function. It’s available in a wide variety of colors and designs, plus it’s a very affordable bag. However, the only notable anti-theft feature is that the main compartment opens up through the back panel.
There’s no cut-proof fabric to speak of, no RFID pockets, or even lockable zippers. The only thing that makes this bag “anti-theft” is the fact that the main compartment zipper is not on the front panel, and honestly, that can just make your life harder. Accessing items isn’t as simple, and the wide zipper opening means that any items that are not secured inside the pockets can easily fall out.
The bag also has an extra zippered pocket on the front panel and open pockets on the sides, for stuff you’d like to keep within reach. The shoulder straps are adjustable but not padded, so they won’t feel super comfortable to wear. The bag features an additional carry strap secured to D-rings at the middle of its body, so it’s possible to wear it like a standard crossbody bag.
The one thing I actually like about this backpack (apart from the adorable design) is that it has loads of pockets inside. You can easily keep everything organized in the bag, and that’s always a bonus for me. However, it’s worth noting that this bag is too small to fit even 13” laptops. At best you can fit an 11” iPad inside it.
The Baggallini Securtex backpack is neither cheap nor stylish, but it’s got awesome anti-theft features. Let’s face it – the bag is a little bit ugly, but I don’t think that should be a dealbreaker, especially since it retails for about half the price of the cute and functional Pacsafe bag.
This backpack features slash-resistant panels on the inside, cut-resistant straps, RFID-safe pockets, and locking zippers. It boasts a roomy main compartment and five additional external pockets, one of which has an RFID-safe organizer inside. The RFID-safe pocket is on the back panel, so everything inside it will stay super safe while you’re wearing the bag.
There’s also one more RFID-safe pocket inside the main compartment, as well as a couple of other open pockets and one zippered compartment. The only downside of the bag for me is that it can’t fit a 13” laptop, but it will comfortably fit tablets up to 11”.
Overall, the Baggallini backpack is definitely one of the best options in terms of anti-theft features and their execution. It might not be the most stylish bag out of the bunch, but it will do an amazing job of protecting your items from theft.
The Bagsmart anti-theft backpack is an excellent option if you are looking for a proper backpack. This is a big bag with a dedicated laptop compartment that can fit computers, tablets, and accessories, as well as keep them safe. But it’s important to note that, in terms of anti-theft features, the only one included in this backpack relates to the zippers.
The bag features interlocking zippers, which is convenient, but not enough to call this an excellent anti-theft backpack. Especially because not all of the exterior compartments feature this type of zipper. There’s also thick EVA foam padding in the laptop compartment to protect the device from impact, as well as a hidden zippered pocket behind the back panel.
The other features of the backpack are awesome, and it’s honestly a good deal because it’s so affordable. It’s got padded shoulder straps, a breathable back panel covered with mesh, a convenient trolley sleeve in the back, and a very spacious main compartment. The bag also features a dedicated laptop compartment, two pockets on the front panel, and two pockets on the sides.
There’s also a USB charging port that allows you to easily charge your electronics on the move. Overall, it’s a solid option for anyone looking for a proper backpack, but not the best option if you’re prioritizing reliable anti-theft features.
The Shraddo laptop backpack is another interesting option if you’re looking for a bigger laptop pack. This is a big backpack that can fit 17” devices, and it’s got loads of different pockets and compartments. I’m pretty sure you could use this bag for weekend trips and you’d be able to fit everything you need inside.
The main anti-theft feature is the combination lock that allows you to secure the zipper of the laptop compartment. It will definitely deter thieves, but I’m not thrilled that it’s the only real anti-theft feature on the bag. Also, it’s only possible to lock the zippers of the laptop compartment; the main and front compartments cannot be secured in any way.
The upside of the backpack is that it’s got loads of space. The front compartment has a convenient organizer panel, and you also get an extra zippered pocket in the front and two on the sides. Also, the back system is padded and ventilated, for excellent carrying comfort.
Another important thing to mention is that this backpack is super affordable, so a really good solution for anyone on a tight budget. It retails for under $30, which is pretty cheap for a backpack with so many great features. It might not be the best anti-theft backpack money can buy, but it certainly performs well for the price.
The Lovevook backpack is another affordable and stylish option that performs a lot better than you would expect. The first thing you should know is that the backpack is available in multiple different sizes, so you should buy the one that’s the best fit for your laptop. Even the smallest Lovevook backpack can fit 15.6” computers, which is awesome.
There’s a dedicated laptop sleeve inside the main compartment, as well as a bunch of other pockets. In fact, this bag features a total of 19 separate pockets, which is pretty amazing. Some are inside the main compartment, others are inside the smaller front compartment, and there are a few extra pockets on the exterior of the backpack.
There’s even a dedicated pocket for tissues in the back of the bag, which is pretty cool. The back panel and shoulder straps are both padded for better carrying comfort, but only the shoulder straps also feature breathable mesh for ventilation. There’s a convenient luggage strap in the back that makes this bag a solid option for travel.
What about the anti-theft features? I’m afraid that’s the only respect in which this backpack falls short. The only real anti-theft feature is a pocket hidden in the back panel, which can keep some of your more important items extra safe. But there are no other anti-theft features to speak of, and that’s the main downside of the pack.
I’ve looked through dozens of different anti-theft backpacks for women, and I’ve come to the conclusion that you have pretty much two options – a big anti-theft bag that functions as a proper backpack, or a smaller bag that can barely fit an iPad.
If you need a bag to use for school or work, a bigger backpack is definitely the better option. It should fit all your EDC necessities, especially if you don’t have to carry around thick books and folders.
The smaller packs are a decent option for women who don’t really like traditional handbags and prefer packs or are just looking for a cute anti-theft pack for travel or errand running. There are loads of options, just don’t expect those bags to be super spacious and functional.
Do you want a bag packed with anti-theft features, or would you be happy with something that has just lockable zippers? Some backpacks included in this review are packed with useful anti-theft features, and others barely have an RFID-safe pocket, so make sure you’re getting a bag that checks all your boxes.
If you need a very secure backpack, don’t settle for anything without lockable zippers and cut-proof fabric.
Can’t decide on just one backpack? Then go with one of my top choices, depending on what you’re prioritizing in your ideal bag.
The Pacsafe Citysafe is one of the most secure backpacks you can buy, and it’s a great option if you need a bag with generous capacity for everyday carry. The bag has a dedicated laptop compartment and loads of smaller pockets, so you can keep all your must-haves organized and easily accessible. The pack also features slash-proof materials, lockable zippers, and RFID-safe pockets for maximum security.
The Travelon Anti-Theft Signature backpack is a good budget-friendly option. This inexpensive bag features a stylish design, along with cut-resistant straps, RFID-safe pockets, and locking zippers. It’s got multiple compartments and (hidden) pockets, for easy organization of all your everyday necessities.
The Baggalini backpack has excellent anti-theft features, including cut-proof fabric and lockable zippers. There’s also an RFID-safe organizer for maximum security. It’s not the cutest backpack out of the bunch, but it’s affordable, functional, and features loads of different pockets and compartments.
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PACSAFE VS. TRAVELON BACKPACKS
Some anti-theft backpacks are resistant to being cut. It depends on the fabric of the bag; if the backpack is made from cut-proof or slash-proof fabric then it is resistant to cuts.
Some anti-theft backpacks are waterproof, others are water-resistant, and some are neither. It depends on the material and build quality of the pack.
It’s worth it to invest in an anti-theft backpack if you spend a lot of time on public transport or just in large shared spaces, whether that’s a library or a coworking space.