The Highs: Small size belies impressive capacity; handy netbook pocket; Pacsafe security features
The Lows: Grab handle appropriate for that & nothing more; shoulder strap adjustment a bit finicky
The Verdict: A tough little daypack that performs well, day in and day out
Perhaps it’s the result of my reading approximately 487 comments on VirtualTourist about pickpockets and scam artists in Rome, or maybe I’m just getting paranoid as I age, but VT comments like this one have me thinking about security as we plan for our Italy trip:
We spent the weekend with no problems in Rome and just as we were about to leave, on Saturday night, all our photographic memories where stolen. There are many police at every station but nonetheless our camera was lifted from my wife’s bag while walking from the metro plaftform to the station exit at Termini station.
I had a trolley suitcase and my wife had a handbag slung infront of her and under her arm.
The metro was extremely crowded and we flowed with the crowd around the plaftform and towards the exit (which was via the platform in the opposite directions), as we “flowed” with the crowd a train arrived and all the people that were waiting against the wall stepped forward, the crowd made its way to the wall.
I lost track of my wife, two seconds later she appeared and then it was over, camera gone, bag left open by the thief. Fortunately, passports and money were not kept in the bag, but it leaves a bitter taste.
In truth, I probably won’t use a daypack in Rome as I feel it’s a sure way of branding oneself as a tourist, but I’ve been looking for a replacement “on board” bag for magazines, a book, perhaps my netbook, music player, and the like, and something that offers an extra measure of security seems like an excellent idea. It was natural, then, that my thoughts turned to Pacsafe.
The Pacsafe story
I imagine many of you are familiar with Pacsafe: founded in 1997, the company is dedicated to providing travelers with innovative, high quality travel security solutions. The firm offers a broad line of backpacks, daypacks, duffels, hip packs, and laptop bags. All boast the security features that make Pacsafe products much more secure and less prone to theft than conventional bags; from the Pacsafe website:
The bag I chose to look at is a mid sized daypack called the Metrosafe 350. I’ve been using it as my daily bag for the last week or so, and have traveled with it once already. My initial impressions are very positive, but before we take a closer look at the Metrosafe, let’s check it its specs.
Specifications
- 840 ballistic nylon, high tensile stainless steel wire
- 32 x 42 x 13cm / 12.6 x 16.5 x 5.1″
- Volume: 13L / 793 cu in
- Weight: 645 g / 1 lb 7 oz
- Strap Length: Max – 27.7″; Min – 18.7″
Key Features
- Large main zippered compartment
- Front zippered organization compartment with 2 padded electronic gadget pockets and credit card slots, pen holder and key clip plus a large mesh slip pocket
- Small front zippered map pocket with concealable zipper puller
- Padded back support
- 2 water bottle / compact umbrella side pockets
- Locking rings on main compartment zipper
- eXomesh® Slashguard in lower front and bottom panels
- Slashproof adjustable shoulder straps
- Snatchproof shoulder strap allows the bag to anchor to a secure fixture
- Tamperproof zippers on main compartment and front organizer compartment
A photo tour…
Look carefully and you can see the eXomesh stainless steel mesh beneath the material on the front on the bag. eXomesh is clearly targeted at anyone who wants to get all Norman Batesy on your bag; it’ll definitely slow him down.
By the way, the horizontal feature about 5″ below the pacsafe logo is the zipper for a small documents pocket. Normally, the zipper pull protrudes slightly from a tiny pocket on the right; I flipped the pull around so that the entire mechanism was hidden, making the pull completely unavailable to prying fingers. Press on the material to its right toward the zipper slider, and you can slide it out of its hiding place. Pacsafe didn’t mention this; I was just experimenting with making it even more secure. Also, I should note that the grab handle on top is only for occasional use, as it’s a very basic affair:
The Metrosafe 350 is perfect for bringing a long a netbook: an Asus is in the compartment in the shot below. For the record, I did manage to put a ThinkPad T42 in this compartment. It was a tight fit, and I had to coax it into the top of the Metrosafe, but it did fit. The bag is best suited, obviously, for netbooks. To the left in the compartment below, you can see the headband for my Bose QC headphones…
The smaller front compartment, below. There are a number of small pockets on the left that are perfect for business cards and frequent flyer membership cards; two padded pockets for electronics like a digital camera or iPod Touch, each with a Velcro closure; and a small mesh pocket, where I’ve placed a (Rough Guide, BTW) map:
The shoulder straps are well padded and comfortable; the underside surface is nylon, and as such is not especially grippy (if using just one strap, you’ll become aware of this quickly). Adjusting the straps’ length while the pack is on your back is not quite as smooth or as easy as with conventional packs, and I imagine the stainless steel cables in the straps are the culprit. I didn’t find this overly objectionable, however, and once I identified the correct length, I just left it there. These straps are the type that gravitate toward your armpits when the pack’s on your back, and as a result, the bag feels quite secure when you’re wearing it.
The “tamper proof” zippers, below. This approach is taken on the main compartment and the smaller front compartment: a small retainer clip which is anchored to the bag with an elastic material hides in a small pocket; pull it out a bit and you can hook it to the top zipper pull. The retainer clip is discreet, as it’s normally not visible. If anyone tries to unzip your zipper, they’ll meet with resistance; getting more aggressive, or trying to unhook the clip will attract your attention. Also, I should note that the main compartment’s zippers are locking types as well.
If you’re on a bus or train and want to protect your belongings from someone wanting to snatch your bag, a dual-action locking mechanism is there to prevent a theft. Put the strap through a metal bar or seat frame and secure it; in order to undo it, the small barrel shaped mechanism with a tab must be rotated. Then, and only then, can the release be opened. Keep in mind that the straps are steel reinforced, so if someone tries a “grab and run,” they’re in for a rude awakening.
An additional note: reader Dave recently commented that a similar feature failed on his Pacsafe Carrysafe strap after less than two months’ use. I am assuming that’s a fluke, but felt I should mention it. (His strap was replaced by the reseller he purchased from; Pacsafe products are covered by a Two Year Warranty).
As per the norm, side pockets can accommodate small water bottles – a 16.9 oz bottle is shown below.
Material quality, fit and finish were excellent on the sample I’ve been using; the quality of stitching in the image below is typical:
Although Pacsafe doesn’t mention it, splashproof zippers are used throughout, subtly enhancing the safe/secure feel of the bag; all the zippers operated smoothly.
Initial Impressions
No bag is going to magically eliminate the possibility of theft, but the Pacsafe approach will definitely slow down or completely frustrate the average petty thief. This is a bag that makes me actually want to wear it on the Metro or Bus #64 in Rome, just to see what would happen. (I know, I have issues.)
A few observations:
One: the bag didn’t produce even a raised eyebrow at the TSA magnetometer at Lambert Field or even at the local airport here in The Middle of Nowhere, home of the the most spectacularly underutilized, under-challenged, and as a result, Most Energetic TSA Agents in the World. Didn’t faze them at all.
Two: in order to take the photos in my reviews, I stuff the bags with towels or old clothing. I must have put 5 golf shirts in the main compartment and another in the secondary pocket of the Metrosafe 35o. Although Pacsafe claims a mere ~800 cubic inches in capacity, I was surprised at how much the bag will actually hold.
Three: at sub 2 pounds, it’s a lightweight. Also, it IS on the small side – perfect for a “personal” carry-on item, yet it’s large enough to carry my day to day work “stuff.” And, another tiny bonus: when using my Red Oxx Metro as a daily bag, I put it in the back seat when I get into my car each morning and night; the Metrosafe is small and light enough that I’m able to easily hoist it over the console and put it on the front passenger seat instead. It’s about the same size as the Tom Bihn Synapse, except the Synapse is a bit thicker (front to back).
Wrapping Up
I need to continue to experiment with the Metrosafe 350, but my initial reactions are positive. It’s surprisingly commodius, yet small enough that in a pinch it could be stuffed into a larger carry-on. The materials and fit & finish are top notch, and I like the discreet Pacsafe logo and markings on the bag: they’re suitably stealthy, a good thing.
Finally, there’s the matter of price. The Metrosafe 350 is $79, which seems quite reasonable, given the security features it boasts as well as the quality of the materials and execution. The bag is available directly from Pacsafe and a number of quality retailers including Zappos, REI, TravelSmith, Magellan’s, and many more.
You can see the Metrosafe 350 at the Pacsafe website by clicking here: Metrosafe 350
The Fine Print: I have no connection to Pacsafe, but did receive a sample Metrosafe to assist in the writing of this review
3.7.2010 Update: Here’s a picture of my ThinkPad T42 in the Metrosafe 350; it’s tight, but it does fit –
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:01 am
I have to say I am impressed.
When Pacsafe bags first came out, I thought they were too heavy, too stiff, and while very secure, not as functionally designed as other similar non-secure bags.
But it looks like they are now nailing the appearance/functionality categories as well as continuing to be the most secure.
The weight is amazing. Only about 8 ounces more than a non-secure daypack – and less than my RedOxx Gator! (which is SMALLER.)
The netbook slot is a very, very nice surprise.
I may have to get one, although I had been planning on using a Patagonia Crosstown in combination with a Briggs & Riley 18″ wheelie as my next-trip carryon.
My concern on flights is pilfering from the overhead bins. Not as uncommon as we’d like to think, especially with small electronics becoming more attractive to ne’er do wells. I think the security features would deter someone just looking to peel back a zipper and see what he or she can find.
But of course the security features are very good in any urban environment, and especially welcome when far from home which is when things get hard to replace. I like the idea of being able to “strap” the bag around the frame of a chair or table.
I’ve also had my eye on “stash pouches” from Pacsafe, which are Exomesh fabric pocket safes – latch and lock to a bed post. But my concern there is that they scream “start here and work hard” in terms of attracting trouble.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Apropos of nothing, I’ve never really understood the point of buying maps, especially international ones.
Every hotel in every city I’ve ever been to has free maps for anyone that wants it. You don’t even have to be staying at the hotel; just walk in and ask for one. Hotels also make great tourist information offices, and they’re open 24/7. Whenever I’m lost or have a question I just walk to the nearest hotel and ask the desk clerk.
If you need a road map for driving, those are available for much cheaper at your destination in any gas station.
I don’t mean to offend, it’s just something that’s always confused me, along with people who buy guidebooks based on which one has the prettiest pictures (which usually means the least words). If you’re going to see the thing in person, why would you need pictures?
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:05 pm
It’s a mixture of obsessive compulsiveness and the desire to figure out the layout of the city, the locations of different things we want to visit, and bus and Metro routes. I’d rather not figure out that stuff from scratch when I arrive.
As for guidebooks, how do you have insight into why people buy one guidebook vs. another?
[Reply]
Andy Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:50 pm
As you may have gleaned from my past comments, I enjoy giving guidebook-ish travel tips. I’ve been attempting for the better part of a year to write my own guidebook; it’s something I’d like to eventually get into doing as a living. With that I’ve actually asked a lot of travelers about their ideas on guidebooks and sharing my ideas on the genre.
I also spend a lot of time in the travel section, and observe the books people browse and eventually pick up. What I’ve found from all this is that mainstream travelers almost universally pick those “visual guide” books with lots of pictures and diagrams.
On my last bookstore visit there were two couples in the Italy section, and I recommended the exact book you have in your backpack. They both picked it up, flipped through a few pages, and put it back down. They picked up “Eyewitness Guide to Italy” instead, and if you look at Amazon that same book is the top result for Italy guidebooks. I don’t know if you’ve looked through this book, but it lacks a lot of actual content. There’s little or no information on logistics, planning, and even the sights it lists are only the most popular (or most conducive to eye candy).
Overly verbose books, or those with less flashy and less frequent pictures and maps by comparison feel dated, and that relates to the information therein or they simply don’t want to comb over hundreds of pages of text to get at what they want to see. This much is supported by the reviews, both positive and negative of the respective guidebooks on Amazon. The people who buy these visually-oriented guides don’t want a book so much as a brochure.
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:02 pm
OK, got it. I’m not familiar with the Eyewitness Guides, and am frankly surprised they’re rated #1 (at least for Italy). The Steves book is pretty good, in my opinion. I am more interested in useful information versus photos. Photos help, mind you, but the info is king.
Also, a bit off topic: I put the Steves 2009 Italy guide alongside the Frommer’s 2010 Italy guide, and as far as I can tell, they do not review the same restaurant for Rome once. I mean, there’s no overlap whatsoever. I know there are a thousand plus restaurants in Rome, but doesn’t it strike you as a bit odd that there’s no overlap? Could there be some tacit agreement between the two firms??
(As for Sorrento, they do have a couple of restaurants in common. Of course there are fewer than 50 restaurants to choose from in that town.)
Finally, I’ve relied upon TripAdvisor a great deal, and VirtualTourist quite a bit. Both are really helpful, and as both feature comments and reviews from (for the most part) regular travelers, there’s little chance of bias creeping in.
In any event, thanks for the clarification.
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I’ve always been turned off by PacSafe bags because of the weight, but you make a good case for this one, which seems a lot lighter than what I’ve seen. I think just you being aware of scams and thieves will help immensely.
As for maps and guidebooks, by all means, buy whatever you need to plan your trip. I always buy more than I take with me, for planning purposes, and also for travel ideas (how else will you learn where stuff is and how to get there?). Some of my favorite guidebooks have less words and more ideas like itineraries and day trips. And the pictures, well, they help a little bit in determining if you want to see something (a beautiful vista or interesting villa, etc.). Pictures certainly isn’t a substitute for being there yourself, but they’re useful in their own right.
Some of us are more go-with-the-flow type of travelers, and that’s cool, too, but you gotta do what makes you comfortable. I usually pick up hotels maps, but local maps are notoriously inaccurate, IMO, often leaving out random roads, and useful things like street names. I always take at least one map with me from home, to peruse on the plane, or just as a backup, especially if you can’t find a map in a language you can read and understand.
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Berg, great comment. I’m more of a go with the flow traveler, but Mrs. Hacks is a bit more regimented. Also – critical: neither of us has been to Italy in the past, so it’s all new.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I almost universally ignore restaurant and hotel listings in guidebooks. If it were up to me, I’d remove them from the book entirely. I agree that there are likely tacit and shady dealings going on, and you can be absolutely assured that once a restaurant or hotel makes it into a popular guidebook the prices go up and the quality goes down. A guidebook listing is a ticket to the gravy train with no incentive to improve.
There are few exceptions, and those are for very famous or historic places. For example, you must try Da Michele’s pizza in Naples. They will be universally mentioned in every guidebook for the region.
Rick Steves has a reputation for picking out less touristy places; his seminal work is “Europe Through the Back Door” after all. However, the problem you’ll find is that even hidden treasures are no longer hidden when they’re in a guidebook. A great example of this is the Cinque Terre, where Rick Steves explicitly states “if you think too many people have my guidebook, stay away from Vernazza”.
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Good point, confirming my suspicions. How do you feel about TripAdvisor?
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Andy, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten at a place discussed in a guide book, either, and the only time I’ve ever stayed in a hotel mentioned in a book is probably because I got a discount (AAA Guide or something like that). You also never know what the state of the hotel/restaurant has become between the author writing the review and you calling to book a room. I agree that listing restaurants & hotels in a guide book is usually a waste of paper & ink. I see some guide books are recently catching on and listing useful websites for planning activities and transportation instead of stuff that can be outdated very quickly.
For hotels, I go with TripAdvisor these days. For restaurants, I almost always ask the locals, or use those quirky local guides for recommendations. Or, for more adventure and surprise, I wander around ’til I find someplace I like (crowds usually indicate good food, though not everyone loves eating in that type of environment).
Kevin, I think it’s good that you & your wife have different styles for a place you’ve never been to before. I find that a little bit of planning helps me be more spontaneous with other things. It can be a challenge for a Go-with-the-Flow-er to travel with the Planner, but Italy has so many things going for it that I think you will both enjoy it immensely.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:11 pm
I personally don’t use it, because like most guidebooks it skews towards middle to high-end budget travel, the most popular attractions, and accommodations that appeal to most people. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, since this covers nearly everyone, but it’s the equivalent of trying to find the best music by looking at the Billboard charts or the best books by looking at the NYT bestsellers list.
[Reply]
Andy Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Here’s a few examples:
I think the open-air produce market near Vatican City is a great place to escape the tourist crowds and commiserate with locals, sample fresh local produce and pick up a nice little picnic for a bargain price. You get a sense of the *real* Rome, it’s an experience that you won’t get in any restaurant, but it’s buried in the TripAdvisor listings with only a single (Italian) review. http://tr.im/Qr21
Likewise, I think visiting a milk bar in Krakow is an essential experience. Milk bars are Communist-era subsidized cafeterias serving hearty and delicious Polish food to locals. It’s arguably the most authentic Polish experience you can get. Again, the TripAdvisor listing is buried despite good reviews. http://tr.im/Qr1B
If you simply go by what’s the most popular, you’re going to miss out on these authentic experiences, and isn’t that the point of travel?
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I think Berg is right on the money.
Eat where the locals eat, not where the tourists do!
[Reply]
June 12th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Thanks for reviewing the Metrosafe 350. I’d been looking for details, including photos of the interior, but most sites seem to emphasize the exterior security features. Also good is knowing the weight (I’m a light packer) and fit. I bought one and look forward to putting some miles on it during a trip to UK this fall. Great job!
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Hugo,
Thanks. I just used it for our trip to Europe – as my “personal item,” and it generally worked very well. I have one issue with one of the backpack straps (the lockable one) which could easily be remedied. I’ll post about it in the next week or two. Thanks for the feedback!
Kevin
[Reply]