11 Best Anti-Theft Backpacks [2023] Stop Thieves

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Anti-Theft 20L Laptop Backpack

This is a high-end backpack with a high-end price tag. However, I’d say that the price is justified because this backpack has a lot of different anti-theft technologies incorporated into it. In terms of design, the Pacsafe backpack is made of 100% polyester on the outside and features nylon lining. It’s available in 4 colors – Charcoal and Navy, Tweed & Black.

This backpack has 6 different anti-theft features, and I’d say that it’s the most secure one, out of all the backpacks in this review. First, there is the eXomesh slash guard, which will protect your belongings in case someone tries to cut them open with a knife.

Second, there is the Roobar anti-theft anchor lock, which allows multiple compartments to be locked together. It also allows you to secure your backpack to a pole, for example, and no one apart from you would be able to detach it from the pole.

In addition to that, one interior pocket of the Pacsafe features RFIDSafe fabric – so it is definitely classified as an RFID backpack. This fabric obstructs all transmissions between 10 MHz to 3 GHz. Those frequencies are usually used to read ID cards, e-passports, and credit cards, and so this fabric will also protect you from any tech-savvy thieves that want to rob you electronically.

This is the backpack that you can leave unattended for some time, and come back to find intact. Another great anti-theft feature is the design of smart zippers – they have zip sliders that are meant to overlap so that you can secure them with a padlock. However, if you want to try out this feature, you’ll have to get the padlock separately.

In terms of other features, there is a dedicated laptop compartment inside, as well as a dedicated tablet compartment. The main compartment is also quite roomy, and you could fit a lot of things in the 20-30L capacity of the security backpack.

Lewis N. Clark Locking Day Pack

The Lewis N. Clark lockable backpack is the ideal anti-theft daypack if you are on a budget and just need a simple bag. It is the lightest and cheapest backpack on this list but still has enough features to be usable.

Starting at the top, I found their simple 3-digit lock on the rolltop strap to be a great way to keep your things secure. And if you know roll tops like I do, then you know opening them is not fast anyway, so thieves will have a hard time getting to your stuff.

The rest of the lightweight anti-theft backpack is quite simple, with a front organisational pocket and a decent-sized side water bottle pocket. If you are like me and always have water with you, this pocket is a must.

The back panel is well-padded, along with the shoulder straps. And although there is no hip belt strap to enable you to carry heavy loads, there is a sternum strap. This helps keep the shoulder straps comfy and in place.

All in all, if you just want something that keeps your gear secure for a commute or while you sit in a public place, then this locking backpack will meet the brief and it is affordable too.

LOVEVOOK Anti-Theft Travel Backpack

This is a great backpack for travel. It’s large enough to fit everything you’d need on a short trip, and still small enough that you can use it as a carry-on backpack when you’re flying somewhere. It’s made from water-resistant Polyester material, and it features a padded and ventilated back panel.

The main anti-theft feature is a combination lock for the main compartment. So, all your valuables and laptop or iPad are safe and sound no matter where you are traveling or sitting. And there is a hidden pocket on the bottom at the back, so you can stash your most important documents or passport there.

It is great that you can actually choose between multiple sizes for this backpack. That means. you can choose the one that is large enough for your laptop. They have packs that fit 15″, 17″, and 18″ laptops!

The main compartment opens up quite wide, for convenient packing. And the backpack features lots of 18 external and internal pockets, for easy organization. So, if you are like me and love a place for everything, this is the secure travel backpack for you.

Overall, it’s definitely a great anti-theft daypack for travelers who are looking for something safer than a basic backpack and has space for everything you would take on a business trip or while working at a cafe..

Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack

If you are looking for a stylish, well-made option for work or travel, this secure backpack is an excellent choice. It comes with enough anti-theft features to keep your gear secure but is still a comfortable organisational powerhouse for one the road.

How is it theft-proof? The back 15.6″ laptop pocket is lockable with a cable lock. So there is no way anyone can steal your computer. And the two hidden credit card pockets are RFID blocking for extra security

The organisational features impressed our reviewers. They said that “you can never lose a thing in this comfy travel backpack”. Starting with the back area for your laptop, huge main compartment with a spot for your table too. Then there is top pocket for things like your glasses, front pocket for electronics and cables and hideable side pockets for your water bottle or umbrella. Yes, there is a spot for everything.

And being a Briggs and Riley anti-theft backpack not only is it safe and full of great features but it is also extremely comfortable and well made. All in all, this is a top-end backpack that will be your travel companion for years to come!

Oscaurt Anti-theft Travel Backpack

The Oscaurt bag is another super-affordable anti-theft backpack with a very modern design. You will either love the look of it or hate it. It is made of water-resistant PCVC polyester, with a padded back panel. Inside the backpack, there are several pockets, one of which is specifically designed for your laptop (up to 15.6”).

If you love organization, this pack is smart, with the tilting backpanel to access the inside. But I am not a fan. I find it complex and all the pockets, although they have a purpose, limit the packing space, as I mentioned.

Of course, there are a few external pockets on this backpack. There is the main one on the front, which is designed to be slim and not easy to access (against thieves I guess!). And there are semi-hidden side pockets for the usual – water, umbrella, etc.

This tilting design is also part of the security of the pack as the zipper runs around the back and is then hidden by a fold of the material. Not a bad idea, but certainly not as great as a Travelon or Pacsafe pack.

Other cool features of this anti-theft backpack include a USB port that connects to your battery which is in a dedicated pocket on the inside (of course, there are lots of dedicated pockets :>). 

All in all, not a bad pack if you like organization and a little security, along with a super modern design. However, I would go for something else on this list.

AMBOR Business Laptop Backpack

The AMBOR backpack is made of eco-friendly waterproof nylon, and you can get it in 2 colors, Grey and Black. It is also very lightweight and durable, and therefore a great choice for travelers, but also for students.

Additionally, there is a dedicated laptop pocket (up to 15.6” laptop) in the main compartment – another very convenient feature for both travel and school.

This waterproof anti-theft backpack features a combination lock that can fully secure the main compartment, but not the exterior pocket.

The original combination is 000, and you should immediately change it. You can do that quite easily; press the button of the lock, and then set the combination to whatever you like. Once you have done that, release the button and rotate the numbers again, and you’re done.

Both a headphone jack and a USB port are included in this backpack. A USB cable is also included in the purchase, but a power bank is not.

As for the other features, there are several pockets in the roomy main compartment – for your accessories, glasses, phone, etc.

Additionally, there are also several different pockets in the exterior compartment, but just keep in mind that it can’t be locked. Therefore, I’d say that the exterior compartment is great for any items that are not really valuable (financially), such as pens, notebooks, water bottles…

Overall, this is perhaps the best anti-theft backpack for students because it combines low cost with functionality.

Pacsafe Metrosafe Anti-Theft Sling Backpack

The Metrosafe is a great small anti-theft backpack. It’s made from cut-proof materials (steel mesh), and it has lockable zippers. In addition to that, you’ll also find an RFID safe pocket in this pack, which can hold your ID and credit cards.

The backpack features a main compartment and a front pocket. The main compartment is roomy and features a padded tablet sleeve. It has lockable zippers, which you can secure with a padlock (not included in the purchase).

The front pocket is zippered and it also features lockable pullers. But the star of this pocket is the organizer panel, with slip pockets for your phone, pen holders, a key clip, and a padded sleeve that fits a 7” tablet. Oh and a zippered mesh pocket on the lid.

The downside to Metrosafe is its size. Even though it has two padded sleeves, only the one in the main compartment can fit a regular-sized tablet. The sleeve in the front pocket can fit a 7” device – a tablet or one of the newer smartphones.

But you won’t be able to fit a laptop in this pack. Maybe you can squeeze in an 11” baby, but anything larger is out of the question. Therefore, this backpack is only good for people who have smaller devices, or who are used to working on their tablets.

Also, this is a sling anti-theft bag, and not everyone will like that. But that’s another anti-theft feature – the turn & lock security hooks ensure that this thing stays on your body until you decide to take it off.

Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Backpack

If you want high-end protection at an affordable price, this is a very safe backpack to get. It’s made by Travelon – a high-end brand that specializes in making safe, anti-slash backpacks and travel bags.

And this particular slash-proof backpack has several anti-theft features. It is mostly made from slash-resistant mesh, which includes shoulder straps. Additionally, you get RFID-safe slip pockets inside the front pocket, that will protect you from identity thieves. And on top of all that, the secure pack also features locking zippers and lock-down straps.

But this backpack is not just safe. It is also very stylish and great for organization. It features an organizer and a key clip in the front compartment, multiple pockets and a sleeve in the main compartment, and two side pockets.

Only one side pocket is zippered and completely safe. The other one is a slip pocket, so it’s best for holding a water bottle or a small umbrella. And you don’t have to worry about your belongings inside getting wet, thanks to the water-resistant materials.

But it has a downside – you can’t really fit a laptop in this backpack. The sleeve in the main compartment is large enough to fit an iPad, but it’s not padded. Therefore, the impact resistance of the pack is not that great.

It’s not the best backpack out of the bunch. But you can get it for under $50, which kind of makes up for the features it lacks. At least for me.

XD Design Bobby Elle Anti-Theft Backpack

This one is for all the ladies who want a stylish and safe backpack. Yes, it’s possible to have both – the Bobby Elle pack is very stylish, but it’s also one of the safest backpacks in this review.

However, it does have a hefty price tag. So, definitely not a great option if you’re looking for something affordable.

This anti-theft backpack for ladies has the features to justify that price. For one thing, it’s made from (expensive) cut-resistant and water-resistant faux leather. It also has no access points on the front – all the fun is in the back. Kind of like a mullet.

So, the zipper to the main compartment is all the way in the back. There’s also a small zippered pocket on the bottom of the backpack, as well as an additional pocket on the backpanel.

The main compartment is rather spacious. It has a padded tablet sleeve (fits 9.7” devices), and several zippered and slips pockets. You can actually fit quite a lot of stuff inside this backpack, even though it doesn’t look like it. And that’s one of my favorite things about it.

The shoulder straps are a bit of a downside, though. They’re very thin and feature belt-buckle adjustment points. Definitely not as functional or comfortable as plain padded shoulder straps. But remarkably stylish, for sure.

NOMATIC Anti-Theft Backpack

If you’re looking for a truly premium option, then this is the backpack for you. The Nomatic backpack is as expensive as it looks – but for a damn good reason.

The backpack is made from coated nylon and polyester water-resistant materials. Its anti-theft features include a locked RFID-safe internal pocket, ideal for passports and credit cards and a hidden compartment.

The Nomatic features expandable capacity, a laptop sleeve that fits 16” laptops, a tablet sleeve, a retractable key leash, a padded back panel, a sternum strap, a removable hip belt, and a cord pass-through.

There are two side pockets on this backpack, which are designed to hold water bottles. But they are magnetic – they snap pack into place when empty, for a sleeker look.

Another thing I have to mention is that you get a case for your sunglasses when you buy this pack. It’s a hardshell case, which features a removable (softshell) sleeve inside.

Here’s the downside – although this bag has lots of packing options, a big compartment when expanded and quite premium materials, this is not the safest backpack you can get. However, it is the best edc backpack with some great anti-theft features.

Kopack Anti-Theft Backpack

The Kopack is a good affordable option. It’s not too expensive, and it has some really cool features. The exterior of this slash-proof backpack is also waterproof, and the bag has hidden zippers and lockable zipper pullers. However, they aren’t interlocking, meaning you will need a padlock to secure the opening of the main compartment.

This pack also features two rear hidden pockets, which are great for all the items you want to keep very safe. And it has a padded and ventilated back panel, for your carrying comfort. This makes it a great backpack for the warmer months since the ventilation ensures you won’t sweat too much while you are wearing it.

Additionally, it is also a TSA-friendly backpack. It has a 90-180 degree opening, which exposes your laptop immediately. Pretty useful for getting through TSA checkpoints fast.

But what I like the most about the Kopack is the shock-proof padding of the laptop sleeve. It will protect your (17”) device in case of a nasty fall or a bump, which is rather useful.

One thing to note is that this backpack is available in two sizes. I’ve listed the dimensions for the larger one, which can fit 17” laptops. The smaller backpack can fit 15.6” devices at most, and it’s recommended for smaller people.