Best Anti-Theft Travel Bags For Solo Travelers in Mexico: 6 Styles You’ll Love

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Tracking down the perfect purse can be quite a challenge. Fortunately, most of us find solace in having a selection of options on hand.

Sadly, this workaround isn’t as effective when traveling, especially if you prefer to travel light.
If you’re a committed carry-on traveler like me, you’ll likely need to pick one versatile purse to get through your trip.

So, how can you possibly find the best travel purse ever for your trip to Mexico?

After years of living and traveling in Mexico, I think I’ve finally determined the perfect combination of features to look for in a travel purse.

Recently, my favorite purse kicked the bucket. That unfortunate event prompted me to finally upgrade to an anti-theft purse. I’ve been wanting to make the switch for a while, but I couldn’t justify purchasing a new handbag when my existing one was still fully functional.

I investigated a ton of different options before settling on the perfect one, and I figured I might as well share my research with you in case you’re considering purchasing an anti-theft travel bag for yourself!

Below, I’ll share my TOP pick for the best anti-theft travel purse as well as several other excellent options. Because hey, everyone has different preferences!

HOW IS AN ANTI-THEFT BAG DIFFERENT FROM A REGULAR PURSE?

If you’re traveling solo through Mexico I highly recommend an anti-theft purse. Anti-theft bags are equipped with a few unique features which set them apart from your standard purse. Depending on your needs, you may wish to invest in an anti-theft purse for your travels.

Personally, I prefer the additional safety and protections an anti-theft bag offers, though, I traveled without one for years.

Key features of anti-theft purses:

• RFID protection: Are you aware that thieves can steal your passport and credit card information using Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFIDs)? You should be! The scariest part of this is that thieves can do this using small, hand-held readers without even coming into contact with you. Meaning, you won’t have any idea that it has happened until it is long over. These devices even work through materials like leather, so there’s a good chance your current purse is leaving you vulnerable. Fortunately, these days many travel bags feature RFID protected compartments to keep your info safe and sound.
• Slash proof material: Some thieves aren’t skilled pickpockets and instead opt for a technique that involves cutting the strap or side of your purse to free it from your arm and run off with it. Unfortunately for these lazy criminals, many travel purses are now equipped with slash-proof material. Basically, this is a thin layer of chainmail that protects your bag from cuts. Don’t worry, it’s not nearly as heavy as what a knight might wear.
• Locking zippers: Designed to deter pickpockets, these zippers include a little clip closure, so they can’t be subtly opened when you’re not paying attention. This is especially desirable for backpacks.

Are you starting to see how an anti-theft purse might have an edge over your go-to handbag?

Characteristics of my ideal travel purse:

Predictably, not just any travel purse will do. It’s important to find something that works with your travel style and your personal style.

Naturally, these requirements will be different for everyone, but hey, this is my blog, so my ideal travel purse fits the following description:

• Large enough to hold all the essentials for a day of exploring
• Comfortable enough to wear for long periods
• Nondescript design that doesn’t attract extra attention
• Versatile style that goes with (almost) any outfit
• RFID protection (because one Janine is enough)
• Slash-proof material
• Locking zipper closure to protect against pickpockets

TRAVELON ANTI-THEFT CLASSIC SHOULDER BAG

This petite bag has a neutral design that makes it easy to dress up or down. It measures 8.5” wide x 8.5” tall x 2” diameter. For those of you to whom that means nothing, a sheet of paper is 8.5” wide so you can use that as a visual reference.

One of many handy features of this anti-theft bag is that the shoulder strap of this purse attaches with a carabiner. With this, you can easily loop the strap around the arm of your chair while eating. Then, if thieves try to run off with it they’ll have to take your whole chair with them!

The Classic Shoulder Bag also features a locking zipper, but only for the main compartment.

Pros:

• The neutral design means it will go with almost any outfit, especially if you choose the black option. This purse could transition from day to night
• Slash-resistant body
• RFID card slots
• Locking zipper

Cons:

• It’s a little on the small side (for me), though many reviewers stated that it holds a lot more than they expected

TRAVELON ANTI-THEFT MESSENGER BAG

The Travelon Anti-Theft Messenger Bag makes a great carry-all for days out exploring. It measures 9.75” wide x 10” tall x 2.5” diameter, though, reviewers state that the opening is smaller than the maximum width. It’s large enough to fit a bottle of water, which is always convenient, especially when traveling. The wider shoulder strap indicates that it should be comfortable to wear, even when carrying heavier items.

Pros:

• Neutral design
• Slash-resistant body
• RFID card slots
• Locking zipper

Cons:

• The narrow(er) opening may make it too small to fit an iPad or tablet inside. If you have one of these devices, check the measurements before purchasing.
• The style is neutral but falls on the casual side. This might not be a good option if you’re looking for something that goes from day to night.

TRAVELON ANTI-THEFT HOBO BAG

The Travelon Anti-theft Hobo Bag is large enough to fit all the essentials for a day of exploring, including a water bottle or a DSLR camera and a (small) lens. It features two slash-proof shoulder straps so you can wear it as a crossbody or a shoulder bag. Both straps are wide enough to be comfortable, even when carrying heavy objects.

The casual style of this bag means it might not make a great option for dressier outfits. Still, I appreciate that it doesn’t look particularly expensive. The bag comes in four different colors, and the dark blue option dresses up a bit better than the others.

I love that both the main pocket and the outside pockets have locking zippers. Exterior pockets are often overlooked when it comes to this feature.

Pros:

• Slash-resistant body
• RFID card slots
• Locking zipper on both the main compartment and side pocket
• Large enough to fit a DSLR camera and lens or a water bottle

Cons:

• The design might be too casual for some people

MUNDI CROSSBODY BAG WITH RFID

Measuring 8.5” wide x 5.5” tall and 1.5” in diameter, this stylish yet simple crossbody makes an excellent option for travelers who like to pack only the bare essentials. It is made from vegan leather that comes in an array of colors, meaning you’re sure to find an option that suits your personal style.

This purse boasts RFID protection, but the anti-theft features pretty much end there. The fabric of the bag is not slash-proof, nor is the shoulder strap. However, the body does offer a zipper closure with a flap covering it, which means pickpockets would have to be pretty savvy to access it without you knowing.

While the Mundi Crossbody may not have as many anti-theft features as some of the others, the design is one of the more stylish on this list. Additionally, the comparatively lower price point makes it an attractive option. In my opinion, this purse is cute and versatile enough to warrant everyday use, even when you’re not traveling.

Pros:

• Comes in a wide variety of different colors
• The simple, classic style will go with just about anything. It can easily be worn both day and night.
• RFID protection
• Zipper closure which is also protected by a fold-over flap

Cons:

• The shoulder strap is not slash-proof
• The body fabric is not slash-proof
• Might be too small for a general travel purse, but it does have room for the essentials.

PACSAFE WOMEN’S DAYSAFE ANTI-THEFT SLIM CROSSBODY BAG

The Daysafe bag from PacSafe places functionality before fashion, but it is undoubtedly one of the most practical options on this list. This purse measures 11.42” wide x 9.84” high x 0.79” in diameter, putting it on the smaller side compared to some of the others on this list, but multiple reviewers mention that they had no problem fitting all the essentials.

This anti-theft travel bag comes in four colors. It is outfitted with slash-proof material, a slash-proof strap, and RFID blocking to keep your identity safe. The shoulder strap can be unclipped to loop around a chair or table leg for extra security.

My favorite thing about this purse is that the zipper pulls can be secured with Pacsafe’s “turn and lock security hooks.” The screw feature is then concealed under a nylon cover, making it virtually impossible for thieves to get into this purse.

Pros:

• The zipper pulls can be locked with an additional screw closure
• RFID protection
• Slash proof body & strap
• Neutral design will go with almost anything

Cons:

• Not the most stylish option

PACSAFE WOMEN’S STYLESAFE ANTI-THEFT CROSSBODY BAG

If you liked the sound of the Pacsafe Daysafe bag but would prefer a more stylish option, allow me to introduce you to the Stylesafe Crossbody Bag.

This purse measures 11.02” wide x 8.27” high x 2.95” in diameter and boasts the same anti-theft features as the Daysafe bag, but with different internal organization. The main compartment contains pockets to help organize your belongings and an attachment for your keys.

I’m a fan of the flap that conceals the zipper to the main compartment. I think it makes for an attractive design, plus it works to deter thieves. The only thing I don’t love about this purse is that it’s a little on the small side. It is said to have space for a small tablet, such as an iPad mini, but I’m not sure that it would hold a bottle of water.

Pros

• Versatile and attractive design that will go with anything
• RFID protection
• Locking zipper pulls
• Slash proof body & strap

Cons

• Slightly on the small side compared to other options

THE BEST TRAVEL PURSE EVER FOR MEXICO

In my opinion, the Travelon Anti-theft Heritage Hobo is the best anti-theft travel bag for Mexico… if you’re me.

I’ll be honest. I agonized over this decision the way a country-crossover artist on The Voice agonizes over whether to go with Team Blake or Team Kelly.

Part of me wanted to choose a smaller purse (the Stylesafe Crossbody), but common sense told me that on travel days I’d really appreciate having space for my camera and/or a water bottle, so the Heritage Hobo won out.

We’re still getting to know one another, but I’ll be posting a full review soon, so stay tuned!

What do you look for in a travel purse? Do you have a go-to bag?