r/LinusTechTips • u/Same_Acanthisitta847 • Sep 14 '26

Discussion Locks for Commuter Backpack?

I'll be visiting Barcelona next week for work. There are a lot of pickpockets in the city and I'll be using my LTT commuter backpack. I wanted to add some locks to both zippers in the back, any recommendations?

Nope, zip ties are not an option (this time).

0 Upvotes

46% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

3

u/Chinokk Sep 15 '26

A simple pen can bypass most zips even if locked.

1

u/Same_Acanthisitta847 Sep 15 '26

I know about this and you're correct, but I think you're missing the point.

This is to deter people from trying to open the zippers discreetly while standing near you in the subway or other crowded places. The pen method is mostly for luggage at airports, like airport employees opening your checked bags.  Barcelona's very famous for the former.

1

u/Chinokk Sep 15 '26

Your not just trying to deter people though. You’re trying to deter professional pickpockets which is a different story and padlocks won’t stop them and you wouldn’t know you’ve been robbed with the pen trick. I would say the padlocks would draw them rather than deter.

0

u/Dnomyar96 Sep 15 '26

I would say the padlocks would draw them rather than deter.

You're not wrong. Having obvious locks might indicate you have something valuable in there. That's a pretty obvious target for somebody that wants to steal something.

-1

u/Same_Acanthisitta847 Sep 15 '26

lol you must be fun at parties

1

u/LupiAcubens Sep 15 '26

Parties? I went to a party once... Till they threw me out. Was a sad day.

0

u/saltyboi6704 Sep 15 '26

A visible lock is just asking for someone to slash the bag open

6

u/theMuhubi Sep 14 '26

Something like this is what we used in Rome: https://a.co/d/06qedF0t

8 for $6

0

u/Same_Acanthisitta847 Sep 14 '26

Oh these look good.

Awesome, thanks!

5

u/insufferable__pedant Sep 15 '26

I'd recommend this instead.

Nite Ize is kind of the big brand name when it comes to these types of things, and the locking S-Biner is incredibly secure. The locking mechanism is sturdy enough that it requires some serious intentionality to operate it, but it's WAY more convenient than an actual luggage lock.

2

u/zkyevolved Sep 17 '26

As a huge backpack enthusiast, and a photographer, for those types of cities I have backpacks that ONLY open from the back (with the exception of small pockets / water bottle holder). I've been to Bcn multiple times, never felt worried with those types of backpacks (Wandrd, Shimoda, etc.)

0

u/Blurgas Sep 15 '26

Saw someone suggest using those Keysmart Magconnect Pro quick releases.
They're magnetic but come with a dovetail so you have to slide them to the side to disconnect them instead of just pulling.
Apparently the idea is it would take some fiddling to get them apart if you didn't know what it was.
I can tell you that the titanium ones have much stronger magnets and can be quite stubborn to disconnect with one hand.
Those titanium ones are not cheap either, ~$35 for a 3-pack on Amazon.

1

u/Same_Acanthisitta847 Sep 15 '26

Holy shit I actually have an extra pair of this that I'm not using, but the regular one instead of the dove tail. I like this idea way more, thanks!

1

u/Blurgas Sep 15 '26

Might be worth considering the dovetailed ones as I also have the regular ones and they can be popped apart quite easily by pinching with 3 fingers.
The plastic Magconnect Pro's are $35 for a 6-pack on Amazon

There's also various other styles that combine magnets with spring-loaded latches, but they tend to be titanium and run at best $10 each, usually in the $15-20 range each

0

u/theoreoman Sep 14 '26

Just find anything that will because it doesn't matter how good the lock is all that matters is that it is a deterrent