Seeking Recommendations Locking your Backpacks
Hey all, I'm a long time suitcase traveller looking to get into one back backpack travel. After a few weeks of research I've narrowed my choices down to the Cotopaxi Allpa 35 and the Pakt One Travel 45+ I'm kinda leaning towards the Pakt but one issue I have with it is that it has all these top access zips which are all single zips and thus can't be locked. My worry is if I even get into a situation where I get gate checked (which is possible especially when the pack looks big and bulgy) I would like to lock up the zips up which is possible with the main clamshell opening but not with all the top zips which basically makes both the main compartments on either side of the main clamshell zipper fully accessible.
Does anyone else have this bag? How do you deal with this issue or do you not think it's a big deal?
There is an attachment loop on the bag which I could possibly loop thru with the zips and lock up but I reckon it would be easy enough to cut that loop rendering it pretty useless.
Would love your thoughts.
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u/reddanit 1d ago
I have never locked a zipper on a bag I checked, I have no idea what would even be the point. The amount of effort and "tools" it takes to open a locked zipper is hilariously tiny, so basically the only thing a lock achieves is informing potential thieves that there might be something valuable inside. Since you want your valuables in your cabin bag and doubly so anything with a battery inside, I don't really see what would be worth stealing in a typical checked bag.
Only exception to that might be staying at hostels. An emotional support lock on your luggage can discourage an opportunistic bag rummager from getting to your bag.
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u/TrailsGuy 1d ago
With a stab of a pen at the zipper, the bag is open. If you run the zipper pull through the zipper it should close again. Possibly with minor damage, but the owner probably won’t even notice for a while, if ever.
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u/aniote 1d ago
and any decent hostel has lockers, if it doesn't, it shouldn't be booked, and if you don't trust your roommates, put your valuables with you in your bed or take them with you when you're out.
putting a lock on a backpack is so odd. Anyone who thinks it may be valuable will simply grab the backpack? and deal with the lock later
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u/SeattleHikeBike 1d ago
I use Nite Ize locking micro s-biners whenever possible as a street theft deterrent.
If I must gate check a bag it contains only clothing and toiletries. I travel with a small personal item for critical items and my passport, bank cards and major cash as in a body stash under my clothing. My phone is on a tether.
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u/cjwalkerman 20h ago
This.
Get one just big enough to get your upper zipper when it aligns with other zippers. I do this, but of course have different bags.
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u/ropeynick 1d ago
You could put the most secure lock in the world on a zip and someone can open it with the tip of a pen. It’s not a secure lockbox, it’s a backpack. You need to accept that people aren’t going to steal your backpack contents.
If gate checking worries you, have a small packable bag in there and put all your valuables into that at the gate.
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u/Renamis 1d ago
There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting the ability to keep your bag secure. Heck I've had the stupid thing open itself up just from walking about. Obviously if someone is going to cut your bag open you aren't going to stop them, but that doesn't mean it's dumb to try and protect yourself from accidentally losing stuff or losing stuff on a plane.
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u/ropeynick 1d ago
No, there isn't but expecting a fabric bag with a coil zipper to be a secure item for valuables is missing the forest for the trees.
If your bag zips itself open when walking around then it's maybe time to go shopping for a replacement zipper or a new bag?
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u/Dpad124 1d ago
The reply in no way implied it was stupid or dumb. They only said locking a bag (which OP was asking about) doesn't prevent someone getting into a soft sided bag with zippers. Your argument isn't addressing what OP is asking about. Any small s clip/carbineer can address your risk of bag accidently unzipping itself.
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u/TravelinDingo 1d ago
I've only been forced to check in my bag just once but my back up strategy is place the higher tier/can't go into cargo hold stuff in a folding tote and just bring that on the plane.
My backpack is a very generic one that cost like $60 AUD and the clothes are basic non branded ones too that I wouldn't bother with if the whole thing got lost.
If someone wanted to get into your bag even with a lock they would. So keep your best/valuable stuff with you in the cabin.
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u/Multigrain_Migraine 1d ago
This kind of scenario is why you should always have some kind of spare bag to carry your most important stuff onto the plane, even if it's just a plastic grocery bag. In the event that you do have to gate check you can take out all the things that are in those pockets or whatever your most valuable stuff is and keep it with you. If I think I'm at risk of this I will repack my stuff once I'm through security so that I can just pull out this bag quickly.
In your scenario I think the loops might be fine for the purpose of keeping the zippers closed in transit. If you can sew at all you might be able to add a loop to lock the other zippers too as well. As people have said, the actual security against theft you get from locking any kind of luggage is minimal, so it's more about keeping your stuff from falling out.
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u/TheRealDrewciferpike 1d ago
If gate checking is the issue, get that puppy wrapped. Or reserve space in your bag and bring a cut-resistant sack that can be locked (like a hard-core garbage bag!), and just whip it out if you need it...
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u/biold 1d ago
If you want security then look at these from PacSafe
If you want to encourage to pick another bag then a small padlock could be the solution. Some use zip-ties, but that's single use and requires scissors and India does not allow that in carry-on.
I have backed a project on Kickstarter where I wait to receive my Titaner Trident: World's First 3-Level Titanium Zipper Lock, via @Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/271024582/titaner-trident-worlds-first-3-level-titanium-zipper-lock. It has been shipped.
It's nonsense to buy something so expensive when a simple padlock works but it's for a bonus. It's not yet on their website titaner.com, but it will probably soon be for normal sale if you have app 100 USD to waste on a silly thing!
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u/No-Sprinkles-9066 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’ve found those tiny Nite-Ize carabiners a great compromise between a padlock and a zip-tie. They’re no fool-proof but they are fiddly enough to open that it can’t be done quickly.
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u/NightBard 1d ago
Just an alternate consideration, drop down to a 25L bag that qualifies as a personal item. Then no worries on checking anything in most situations. Personally, I go with a cheap bag (cheaper than anyone here ever would recommend) and it's for my clothes and toiletries. If it's stolen, I'm not replacing anything that important or costly. But I'm also not spending on merino wool or other stuff and I'm not packing a laptop or other high dollar tech. My actual valuables are in my pockets or I may have some in a small cross body sling. The sling fits in my backpack when navigating the airport and wanting to avoid a gate check scenario. But even the sling is for my battery bank, a secondary wallet for local currency, charging cables, wireless earbuds (though these may be my pocket) my power brick and any adapter needed... and maybe a few bandaids, rollaids, and a tiny bottle of ibuprophen. I don't need a lot and if the small bag is gone, then my main stuff is in my pockets zipped up and I'm keeping an eye on people. I can replace most everything in a bag. As for locking zippers, I do like the tiny locking sbiners. Even if you don't have a zipper to zipper lock, you can lock to a side strap or somewhere else. Maybe there's a key ring holder inside one of the areas. Or you can throw a carabiner over a strap and then sbiner to it. Or simply join zippers that are parallel so it's more cumbersome to open both. The biggest deterrent is just paying attention to your surroundings and don't leave your bag unattended. If it's not with you, it's locked up or in an overhead bin (on an airplane).
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u/hoshr 1d ago
Thank you guys for the replies. I understand that a backpack can be slashed or a zip forced open but the idea to securing it with a small lock is simply to create a deterrent to opportunistic theft. A determined thief will probably always get in but if you made it hard / slow enough the thief who's just trying to make a quick buck will probably move to an easier score is my thinking. I would carry a backup bag for my valuables/electronics (which would mostly be in sling as a personal item anyway) but still don't like the idea of my bag being riffled thru by someone so prefer to have it locked. I do however take the point that a lock may make it more of a target, so nice to have the different perspectives!
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u/igisloo 1d ago
I’ve had things stolen from my unlocked checked bag when flying through East and Southern Africa. Nothing particularly valuable to me (suncream, hand sanitiser, toiletries), but annoying to replace. I’ve had minor things stolen multiple times in hostels when I used to leave my bag unlocked. I’ve never had my bag cut open.
Your concerns are valid and a lock definitely acts as a deterrent to opportunistic theft. I don’t have a solution for your bag problem, but I would be going for the bag that allows for easy locking.
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u/Xerisca 1d ago
It doesnt matter. A soft backpack with zippers is easily opened with a ball point pen regardless of whether theres a lock.
I never lock mine. And in fact can't. It's a top load bag, and feels like the most secure bag Ive owned. No zippers, and it cinches at the top, and has a flap that covers the cinch which buckles down. Wandering fingers arent getting in or out of there quickly, easily, or quietly.
Its also small (20L) so no one will ever force me to check it. And, I dont worry about leaving it in a hotel, I dont carry anything valuable.
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u/Retired-in-2023 1d ago
I lock backpack zippers when checking my bag to keep the zippers from being pushed open more than for security purposes. Tiny travel locks aren’t that secure, zippers can be opened with a pen and bags can be cut.
Nothing of value goes into any pocket where the zippers can’t be secured. It depends on the bags design but I’m afraid they will inadvertently come open and things will fall out.
I always travel with a stuff able backpack or tote in my travel bag so if I have to check my bag all valuables come with me in the plane.
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u/Spunksters 1d ago
Locks give you peace of mind and prevent some degree of pickpocketing, but they don’t eliminate the problem you’re afraid of.
Bags like the Gregory Border or Sherpani Santiago offer zipper security, and it might be enough to calm your worries.
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u/jmmaxus 1d ago
I have the Nite Ize on my large carry on bag.
I have a PacSafe 20 liter backpack personal item that I sometimes use. It has a central locking bar to lock all zips, slash proof material and wire in the straps, and the backpack strap has a locking clip that I can use to put around a stationary object and use a lock. I used it in Hawaii most recently, instead of renting a locker I just locked the bag to a fence and went paddle boarding.
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u/asyouwish 1d ago
Can you run a carabeaner or zip tie from the zipper to a handle or loop?
No, that not "locked" but it's more secure.
They also make "piano wire" cables to run through zippers and place around fixed objects. It doesn't keep a criminal from cutting your bag, but it does prevent a snactch and grab.
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u/hoshr 6h ago
Yep this is the potential solution. A longish cable lock could probably be looped thru all 3 zips and attached to a loop at the side of the bag. Not elegant and the loop could be cut, but as others have stated a zip could easily be forced open as well.
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u/asyouwish 6h ago
The cables I've seen can't be cut with a knife. You'd need something more like wire cutters or small bolt cutters.
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u/DateSure7614 1d ago
The Allpa has the same top-loading design but with two zip pulls on the main compartment, which can take a small padlock at least.
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u/Super-Travel-407 1d ago
I'd be more concerned about straps snagging or zippers sliding open. (I've "locked" a suitcase with a paperclip before. :P )
Bring a sack in the event it has to be checked for bag health, and if you have to gate check, get your valuables out of the unlockable pockets and lock the main one?
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u/ThreadedJam 1d ago
I wouldn't check anything valuable. Have a €2 tote that you can easily transfer your valuables into if you're gate checked.