Whether you're navigating the bustling streets of Bangkok, exploring European capitals, or simply enjoying a day trip closer to home, keeping your valuables safe is paramount. A well-chosen bum bag, combined with smart travel habits, provides excellent protection against opportunistic theft. Here's your comprehensive guide to travelling safely with a bum bag.
Why Bum Bags Are Ideal for Travel Security
Bum bags offer several security advantages over traditional bags and backpacks. Their position on your bodyâwhether worn at the front, side, or under clothingâkeeps them within your sight and reach at all times. Unlike shoulder bags that can be snatched or backpacks that sit in your blind spot, a properly worn bum bag is difficult for thieves to target without your immediate knowledge.
The close-to-body fit also makes it nearly impossible for pickpockets to operate without detection. When worn correctly, any attempt to access your bag requires physical contact you'll definitely feel. This alone makes bum bags one of the safest options for carrying valuables while travelling.
Choosing a Security-Focused Travel Bum Bag
Not all bum bags are created equal when it comes to security. If you're specifically shopping for travel, look for these protective features:
RFID-Blocking Technology
Modern contactless cards and e-passports contain RFID chips that can potentially be read by electronic thieves using scanning devices. RFID-blocking pockets use a metallic mesh that prevents these signals from being transmitted through the fabric. While the actual risk of RFID theft remains debated, having a blocking pocket provides peace of mind and costs little extra.
đĄ Understanding RFID Protection
RFID-blocking pockets are typically lined with a thin metallic material. Look for bags that specify which pockets have this protectionâusually it's a dedicated inner pocket rather than the entire bag. Store your passport, credit cards, and hotel key cards in these protected areas.
Slash-Resistant Materials
Premium travel bum bags often incorporate slash-resistant fabrics and straps. These materials contain embedded wire mesh or use tightly woven fibres that resist cutting. A thief attempting to slash your bag or strap to steal it will find the task much more difficult, giving you time to react.
Lockable Zippers
Some travel-oriented bum bags feature zipper pulls designed to accept small padlocks or come with built-in locking mechanisms. While determined thieves can still defeat these measures, locks act as a significant deterrent and prevent casual zipper-dipping in crowds.
Hidden or Low-Profile Design
Travel bum bags designed to be worn under clothing are excellent for carrying essentials like your passport and emergency cash. These ultra-slim designs sit flat against your body and remain invisible under a loose shirt or jacket. They're particularly valuable in high-risk destinations or situations.
Smart Wearing Strategies
How you wear your bum bag is just as important as the bag itself. Strategic positioning significantly reduces your vulnerability to theft.
Front Positioning in Crowds
When entering crowded areasâpublic transport, markets, tourist attractionsâalways position your bum bag at your front. This keeps it in your direct line of sight and allows you to place a protective hand over it if needed. The visual presence of your hand on the bag signals to potential thieves that you're aware and alert.
Cross-Body Wearing
Wearing your bum bag across your body (diagonally from shoulder to opposite hip) provides excellent security. The bag sits at your front or side where it's highly visible, and the strap position makes grab-and-run theft essentially impossibleâthey'd have to physically remove it from your body.
â Pro Tip
In particularly risky situations, you can wear your bum bag cross-body under a jacket or outer layer. The bag remains accessible through your jacket opening while being completely hidden from view.
Under-Clothing Positioning
For maximum security with slim travel belts, wear them under your clothing against your skin. This is ideal for carrying documents and emergency money that you don't need to access frequently. Keep a small amount of daily spending money in a more accessible location to avoid revealing your hidden stash.
Essential Travel Safety Practices
Beyond choosing the right bag and wearing it correctly, these habits will further protect your valuables during travel.
Divide and Distribute
Never keep all your valuables in one place. Distribute your cash, cards, and documents between your bum bag, hotel safe, and perhaps a hidden pocket in your clothing. If you're travelling with a partner, divide critical items between you. This way, losing one bag or falling victim to one theft doesn't leave you completely stranded.
Keep Copies and Backups
Photograph your passport, visas, credit cards, and important documents. Store these images securely in the cloud where you can access them from anywhere. Also email copies to yourself or a trusted family member. If your documents are stolen, these copies will significantly speed up the replacement process.
Minimise What You Carry
The less you carry, the less you can lose. Before heading out each day, ask yourself what you truly need. Often, you can leave your passport locked in the hotel safe and carry just a photocopy for identification purposes. Carry only the cards you'll actually use that day.
â ď¸ High-Risk Situations
Be especially vigilant in these scenarios: crowded public transport, popular tourist sites, street markets, outdoor cafĂŠ seating, and anywhere groups of strangers press close to you. These are prime operating conditions for professional pickpockets.
Recognising and Avoiding Theft Tactics
Understanding how thieves operate helps you avoid becoming a target. Common tactics include:
Distraction Techniques
Thieves often work in pairs or groups. One person creates a distractionâasking for directions, bumping into you, or creating a sceneâwhile an accomplice targets your bag. Stay aware of anyone who approaches you unexpectedly, and immediately secure your belongings when something unusual happens nearby.
The Squeeze
In crowded areas, thieves may deliberately press against you under the guise of crowding. This close contact provides cover for accessing pockets and bags. When you feel unexpected pressure from strangers, move away immediately and check your belongings.
The Helpful Stranger
Someone pointing out that you have something on your shirt, offering to help with your belongings, or showing excessive friendliness may be setting up a theft. Politely decline unnecessary help and maintain control of your possessions at all times.
What to Do If You're Targeted
Despite all precautions, theft can still happen. Here's how to respond:
- Stay calm: Your safety is more important than your belongings. Don't physically confront thieves.
- Report immediately: File a police report as soon as possible. You'll need this for insurance claims and document replacement.
- Cancel cards: Contact your bank and credit card companies immediately to cancel stolen cards.
- Contact your embassy: If your passport was stolen, your country's embassy or consulate can issue emergency travel documents.
- Use your backups: This is when those photos of your documents prove invaluable.
Key Takeaway
A bum bag is one of the safest ways to carry valuables while travelling, but the bag alone isn't enough. Combine a security-conscious bag choice with smart wearing habits, awareness of your surroundings, and sensible distribution of your valuables. With these precautions in place, you can explore the world with confidence, knowing your essentials are well-protected.
Build Your Travel Security Kit
Consider your travel bum bag as part of a broader security system. Pair it with a slim under-clothing money belt for document backup, a sturdy hotel safe usage habit, and a healthy awareness of your surroundings. Together, these layers of protection let you focus on enjoying your travels rather than worrying about your belongings.
For more on choosing the right bag for your travels, explore our complete beginner's guide or use our comparison tool to find bags with the security features you need.