Travelon Review: Anti-Theft Classic Essential Messenger Bag

An anti-theft handbag was an absolute necessity for our recent family trip to France and Italy where many tourists fall victim to pickpockets.  Our biggest travel fear was losing our passports, iPhones or credit cards.  My Travelon anti-theft classic essential messenger bag was a great way to easily protect these valuables while traveling with three kids (ages 3, 8 and 10) on a vacation that included seven different overnight accommodations and various planes, trains and automobiles during our 2.5 week trip.  Our itinerary included Rome, Paris and Florence, three of the top six cities in the world where visitors are likely to be pickpocketed, according to Travelocity.  This Travelon review outlines why I recommend Travelon handbags.

Travelon Messenger Bag Review

Is an Anti-Theft Bag Necessary?

Our family of five packed relatively light for our trip, carrying with us only one checked suitcase and two personal item-sized backpacks.  On travel days, I usually pushed my three year old daughter’s stroller and did not have any free hands.  My husband handled the suitcase and a backpack, and the two of us were often distracted as we kept track of our three kids in the midst of crowded cities.  I had never invested in an anti-theft handbag for prior trips but knew that our valuables could be at risk in one of my usual over the shoulder totes.  While I honestly avoid purchasing specific items for travel, I decided that an anti-theft handbag was a necessity and purchased the Travelon messenger bag after significant research and many Amazon searches.

Travelon – Anti-Theft Capabilities

I was attracted by Travelon’s locking zippers, slash-resistant body and straps, and RFID blocking compartment when I started exploring anti-theft bags.  The zippers to the main and front compartments have locks that are easy to fasten but make it much harder for thieves to access valuables inside the bag without the wearer noticing.  Although locking zippers is an extra step that doesn’t come natural to me, I got into the habit of fastening the zippers whenever closing a compartment.  My three kids (ages 3, 8 and 10) understood the importance of keeping our valuables safe and regularly checked if my bag was locked.

Travelon Messenger’s Exceptional Organization

Travelon’s messenger bag is smaller than my go to totes at home but offers many pockets for easy organization.  The front compartment also provides protection from radio-frequency identification.  The fact that thieves could potentially collect credit card data wirelessly is pretty terrifying.  The necessity of RFID blocking technology is debatable, and aluminum foil apparently offers similar protection.  Admittedly, my bags at home do not offer this protection, but I thought it was an added benefit that this Travelon crossbody was equipped with RFID blocking technology.  Contacting credit card companies while abroad is no easy feat, and we heavily rely on credit cards for travel expenses.

I used the front compartment to store my credit cards, driver’s license and pens.  It also had a zippered pocket that was perfect for change, Metro tickets and receipts.  All five passports did not fit in the specially designed pocket in the front compartment, but a zippered pocket at the back of the main compartment of the bag fit all five.  I felt safer with two sets of zippers protecting these most valuable items on travel days.  The main compartment also featured two mobile phone-sized pockets, and a pocket at the back, which did not lock, was perfect for holding maps and other items that I needed to access often.  The main compartment was large enough to hold my son’s Nikon Coolpix camera, a small wallet, tissues and the relevant Rick Steves’ travel guide, when necessary.

Travelon’s messenger bag makes it easy to organize travel essentials. Photo credit – Travelon

Are Travelon Bags Fashionable?

So, the downside to Travelon bags is that their slash proof body and straps and locking compartments make their bags not nearly as fashionable as my everyday Michael Kors’ tote.  I don’t claim to be trendy, but we were visiting Paris, the fashion capital of the world and Rome, which is not far behind.  I appreciated the wide selection but was not in love with any of the bags.  I really wish slash proof shoulder straps could be made thinner and might even be willing to forego the slash proof functionality for a sleeker strap.  After examining all the options, I chose to stray from my go to tote-style handbag in favor of a messenger bag that would be easier to keep in my range of vision.  I purchased the messenger bag in basic black for versatility, and it was much more budget friendly than Michael Kors.  And, the adjustable shoulder strap made it easy for me to shorten the length for a more comfortable fit.

Travelon Anti-Theft Test

Our family had a somewhat scary experience at the Rome train station with likely pickpockets.  As we were navigating our way out of the station, a well-dressed woman who spoke broken English stood at the top of an escalator and said we had to use the elevator because of our stroller.  While taking a stroller on an escalator is not common in the US, it is very common in Europe, where elevators are often not available.  However, we prefer to use elevators if they are easily accessible, especially when we are carrying all of our luggage.  Even though I was not sure if she was a station employee, we thought this was useful information and followed her to the elevator.  Unexpectedly, she and two other women jumped on with us at the last-minute and caused constant confusion obviously trying to distract us during our short ride, even telling us not to get off when we reached the Metro floor.  We remained alert and careful and luckily did not fall victim to their ploy.  I kept a hand clutching the clasp of my bag and was relieved that our five passports, two iPhones and most of our cash were safely locked inside.  We emerged unscathed but aware that we could have been victims if our valuables had not been securely stored.

Our Travelon Messenger Bag Review 

My Travelon anti-theft messenger bag protected our valuables while traveling in Europe.  While this anti-theft classic  messenger bag will not replace my everyday totes, I will absolutely use it again when traveling.

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