Tip 1: Anchor Your Bag with a Double-Sided Cable Lock
The most common threat isn't always a dramatic bag snatching; it's often an opportunistic thief quickly unzipping your bag or walking off with it while you're distracted or asleep. A double-sided cable lock is your first line of defense against this.
Why a Cable Lock?
Standard combination locks often have shackles that are too thick to fit through the small holes in your backpack's zipper pulls. A cable lock, however, is thin and flexible, allowing it to easily thread through almost any zipper.
How to Use It:
Lock the Zippers: Thread the short end of the cable through the pulls of your main compartment's zippers and lock them together. This simple act stops anyone from quickly rummaging through your bag.
Secure to a Fixture: Loop the long end of the cable around a stationary object. This could be a luggage rack on a train, the leg of your seat on a long bus ride, or even a fence post while you take a swim.
While a determined thief with bolt cutters could bypass this, it effectively deters the vast majority of opportunistic thefts. It creates a physical and visual obstacle that makes your bag a much harder target.
Tip 2: Secure Multiple Bags Together
If you're traveling with more than one bag—like a large backpack and a daypack—locking every single pocket is impractical. This method is perfect for securing your entire setup in places where you need to leave your gear unattended for a moment, like a questionable hostel dorm or during a nap at an airport terminal.
How to Use It:
Position Your Bags: Place your packs facing each other, front to front.
Wrap and Secure: Wrap a sturdy cable around both bags, making sure to thread it through non-removable parts like carry handles or permanently attached straps. Avoid looping it through straps with buckles that can be easily undone.
Lock the Loops: Connect the two looped ends of the cable with a single combination lock. Now, the only way to separate the bags or access their main compartments is by unlocking the lock.
This makes your luggage incredibly awkward and heavy for a thief to carry away discreetly. For an extra layer of security and discretion, drape a raincoat over the secured bags. The noise of it being moved might be enough to wake you up or alert you.
Tip 3: Be Discreet and "Don't Give the Papaya Away"
In Colombia, there's a famous saying: "no dar papaya" (don't give the papaya away). It means don't make it easy for thieves by overtly displaying your valuables. Walking around with your expensive camera dangling from your neck, your phone sticking out of your back pocket, or flashing a wad of cash is "giving the papaya away."
As a digital nomad, your laptop is your 'papaya'. Instead of carrying it in a fancy, obvious laptop bag, try a simpler method:
Use a generic shopping bag.
Place your laptop (in its protective sleeve) or your camera inside a simple, local-looking shopping bag. To a potential thief, you look like someone carrying groceries, not thousands of dollars worth of electronics. This simple act of camouflage helps you blend in and makes you a less appealing target.
Tip 4: Invest in a Bag Built for Security
If you want the ultimate peace of mind, consider investing in a specialized anti-theft backpack. Brands like Pacsafe have engineered their bags from the ground up to defeat thieves.
Key Features of Anti-Theft Bags:
Slash-proof Body: A hidden, flexible stainless steel wire mesh (eXomesh®) is integrated into the fabric, preventing thieves from slashing your bag open.
Cut-Resistant Straps: The shoulder straps are reinforced with steel wire, so they can't be easily cut.
Secure Locking Systems: Zippers are designed to be locked down, and many models include a built-in cable lock to secure your bag to a fixed object.
RFID-Blocking Pockets: Protect your credit cards and passport from digital thieves trying to scan your information.
These bags are a one-time investment that provides comprehensive protection against both physical and digital theft, allowing you to focus more on your work and travels and less on watching your back.
