Best Anti-Theft Backpacks for Travel in 2026: Our Pacsafe EXP Picks

Pacsafe is the global leader in anti-theft travel gear, and has been for over two decades. Born from a genuine need for smarter, safer travel bags, the brand has built a loyal following among solo travellers, digital nomads, backpackers, and frequent flyers around the world.

Picture this. You're weaving through a crowded market in Barcelona, navigating the metro in Rome, or catching a tuk-tuk in Bangkok. You're present, you're exploring, you're having the trip of your life. And somewhere in the back of your mind, a small voice is asking: is my stuff safe?

With the right bag, that voice goes quiet. That's exactly what the Pacsafe EXP collection is designed to do, and it's why these bags are our top pick for the best anti-theft backpacks for travel in 2026.

Is Pacsafe a Good Brand? Absolutely.

Pacsafe is the global leader in anti-theft travel gear, and has been for over two decades. Born from a genuine need for smarter, safer travel bags, the brand has built a loyal following among solo travellers, digital nomads, backpackers, and frequent flyers around the world. What sets Pacsafe apart isn't just clever marketing. It's patented technology that is genuinely engineered to outsmart the most common theft techniques used by pickpockets and opportunists worldwide.

Pacsafe is also deeply committed to sustainability. Every bag in the EXP collection is made with recycled materials, reflecting the brand's commitment to protecting not just your belongings, but the planet you're travelling on. It's a brand that thinks about the long game, and travellers who care about both security and sustainability are choosing Pacsafe in growing numbers.

Do Anti-Theft Backpacks Actually Work?

This is a question we hear all the time, and the answer is: yes, when they're built right. Most bag theft is opportunistic. A slash of a strap here, a hand dipping into an open zipper there. Anti-theft backpacks work by eliminating those opportunities entirely. The Pacsafe EXP line uses multiple layers of protection working together: slash-resistant fabric and straps woven with stainless steel wire mesh, lockable security zippers that can't be quietly unzipped by someone behind you, RFID-blocking pockets that prevent electronic data theft from your cards and passport, and anchor points that let you secure your bag to fixed objects when stationary. No bag is 100% theft-proof, but Pacsafe gets as close as any brand on the market, and the EXP line represents the very best they make.

The Pacsafe EXP Technology: What Makes These Bags Different

Before diving into each bag, it helps to understand what Pacsafe's proprietary security features actually do, because every EXP bag shares these core innovations:

eXomesh Slashguard is a stainless steel wire mesh embedded within the fabric of the bag and straps. It cannot be cut through with a knife or box cutter, making slash-and-grab attacks on the go essentially impossible.

Roobar Sport Locking System allows you to lock the main zippers together using a combination lock, and also anchor the bag to a fixed object like a chair leg or luggage rack. This is the travel backpack with a lock that serious travellers have been waiting for.

Carrysafe Slashguard Straps extend the cut-resistant protection to the shoulder straps themselves, so the bag can't be grabbed and run off with by slicing through the strap.

RFID-blocking pockets shield your credit cards, passport, and contactless IDs from electronic skimming devices, making every EXP bag a true RFID backpack for travel.

Turned and lockable zippers face inward and use a zipper loop design that makes them impossible to open without releasing the lock, even with two hands.

Our 2026 EXP Picks: A Breakdown by Traveller Type

#1: Pacsafe EXP 28L Anti-Theft Backpack — Best for Day Trips and City Exploration

The EXP 28L is the everyday carry of the EXP lineup: compact enough for day trips and urban exploration, but roomy enough to hold a 16" laptop, a change of clothes, and everything you need for a full day out. It features all of Pacsafe's core eXomesh slashguard technology, RFID-blocking pockets, lockable zippers, and a padded laptop compartment. If you're looking for the safest backpack for travel that won't slow you down, this is it. The 28L is ideal for city breaks, weekend trips, commuters who travel often, and anyone who wants maximum security in a streamlined package. Available in Black and Slate.

Shop the Pacsafe EXP 28L Anti-Theft Backpack

#2: Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP35 Anti-Theft Travel Backpack — Best for Multi-Day Adventures

Step up to 35 litres and you're in serious travel backpack territory. The Venturesafe EXP35 is built for travellers who are on the move for multiple days, hiking between hostels, doing carry-on-only trips, or simply want more room without sacrificing security. It carries all of Pacsafe's anti-theft features, adds a dedicated hydration sleeve, and is designed with an ergonomic harness system for comfortable all-day wear. For anyone asking what the best anti-theft backpack for travel is when the itinerary involves more than a day bag, the EXP35 is consistently our answer. Available in Black and Slate.

👉 Shop the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP35 Anti-Theft Travel Backpack

Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 ECONYL Anti-Theft Recycled Carry-On Travel Pack

#3: Pacsafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack — Best for Carry-On Only Travel

At 45 litres, the EXP45 is the big sibling of the collection and the ultimate carry-on travel backpack. It's designed to replace a checked bag entirely, fitting within most airline carry-on size limits while offering a massive, clamshell-opening main compartment that packs like a suitcase. All of Pacsafe's security technology is present in full force, including the Roobar locking system, eXomesh slashguard fabric and straps, RFID-blocking pockets, and lockable zippers throughout. For travellers who want to move fast, skip baggage claim, and never worry about their bag being accessed without their knowledge, the EXP45 is in a league of its own. It's the safest backpack for travel when you're living out of a single bag for weeks at a time. Available in Black and Slate.

👉 Shop the Pacsafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

Bonus Pick: Pacsafe EXP 12" Anti-Theft Sling Crossbody — Best for Light Carry in the City

Not every moment of a trip calls for a full backpack. Sometimes you just need your phone, wallet, passport, and a few essentials as you explore a new neighbourhood, hop on a ferry, or grab dinner in a busy piazza. That's where the EXP 12" Sling Crossbody becomes essential. This compact anti-theft sling carries Pacsafe's full security DNA in a slim crossbody format: RFID-blocking pocket, slash-resistant body and strap, and lockable zipper. Worn across the chest, it keeps your valuables visible and secure at all times. It pairs perfectly with any of the EXP backpacks above and is the ideal companion for lighter city days when you don't need to carry everything. Available in Black and Slate.

Shop the Pacsafe EXP 12" Anti-Theft Sling Crossbody

Which EXP Bag Is Right for You?

Here's a quick guide to help you decide:

The EXP 28L is your pick if you want a secure daily carry for city travel, short trips, or urban commuting with a laptop.

The EXP35 is your pick if you're doing multi-day travel, want a bag that can handle active itineraries, and need more room without going full carry-on size.

The EXP45 is your pick if you travel carry-on only, want to replace your checked bag, or are spending extended time on the road out of a single pack.

The EXP 12" Sling is your pick for light days in the city, excursions, and any time you want to leave the big pack at the hotel and explore hands-free.

All four are available in Black and Slate, made with recycled materials, and backed by Pacsafe's commitment to building the most secure travel bags in the world.

The Bottom Line

If you've ever worried about your belongings on the road, the Pacsafe EXP collection is the answer. These aren't just the best anti-theft backpacks for travel in 2026. They're the most thoughtfully engineered travel bags we carry, period. Slash-resistant, lockable, RFID-blocking, sustainably made, and designed for real travellers who refuse to let their guard down or slow down.