Pacsafe EXP 28L Anti-Theft Backpack Review

Whether you’re a digital nomad hopping around the world for long stretches or heading somewhere unfamiliar on vacation, you might want to consider security when choosing a travel daypack. Especially if you’re concerned about pickpockets or other thieves, you might get peace of mind by packing an anti-theft bag for your trip. They’re not foolproof, but those features will still make it harder and slower for someone to get into your backpack if they can’t just yank on a zipper. Of course, the same features can also slow you down, so that’s something you want to consider before investing in something designed to keep you out.

We’ve reviewed tons of Pacsafe backpacks, slings, and gear, though, and we find that the brand usually has locks that are either easy enough to enter regularly or skippable when you feel more secure. We’ve been using the Pacsafe EXP 28L Anti-Theft Backpack for a few weeks now and find it easy to use every day while offering additional gear protection when the situation warrants. So, is it for you? Let’s find out.

External Components

The 28L backpack is made from 750D recycled polyester, with a PFC-free water resistance that works well in the rain. The exterior is beefed up with eXomesh® slashguard, wire mesh embroidered into the material. The Pacsafe logo on the front is the same color as the colorway you’ve chosen, whether that’s Black or Slate, so it’s visible yet subtle.

There’s other Pacsafe branding on the zipper pulls and the top carry handle, but it’s not very loud. Speaking of handles, there are two places you can carry the bag. The top handle is broad and padded, and there’s a similar handle on the front of the bag that you can use to carry it like a duffle bag or pull it out of the trunk. Behind the top carry handle is a thin webbing handle for hanging the bag. We really appreciate the inclusion, especially since the top carry handle is too wide to fit over most hooks. You at least need to be able to hang the backpack on a stall door when using the restroom, and this thin handle makes it easy to do that.

Now, let’s talk about hardware. Pacsafe uses KCC locking zippers throughout the bag, and they slide well. Some of the locking mechanisms require more finesse than others, though. We’re talking about the self-locking zippers on the top pocket and the front compartment. They slide together with a T-bar at the top, so you sometimes have to put in a bit more effort to undo them. They’ve gotten easier to open over time, but it’s something to mention, especially since they can lock themselves together if you leave them next to each other.

The main compartment zipper is easier to use. The two pulls slide together to form a triangle, which mostly keeps them together. For extra security, you slide them to the right side of the bag and pop them into the Roobar™ Deluxe. It’s a plastic bar that unlocks with a lever and slides down for you to insert the key pulls. You then slide the bar up and re-lock the lever. It’s easy to use in practice, but it definitely adds steps that would slow a thief. You don’t need to use it every day if you’re feeling secure, but it’s a nice addition when you want to lock things down. The zippers are puncture-resistant, too, so someone shouldn’t be able to use a knife to get into the material or through the zippers on your bag if you leave it unattended.

But wait, couldn’t they just walk off with it if you’re not watching? Not if you use the PopNLock security clip. It’s at the end of the right-hand shoulder strap and allows you to disengage the strap from the bottom of the bag and lock it around a fixed object, like a table or chair leg. Again, it’s not going to stop anyone, but hopefully it causes enough suspicion that someone else may intervene. The straps are also beefed up with Dyneema® wire to prevent them from being cut.

The rest of the harness system is pretty standard backpack fare. The back panel is padded, albeit somewhat stiffly, and there’s a luggage pass-through, too, so you can slide it over the handle of your carry on rolling luggage. There’s no breathable mesh on the back panel, so things can get a bit sweaty in warmer weather, but there is some on the undersides of the shoulder straps.

The straps are curved to mold around your body, though they’re attached somewhat close together at the top of the bag. A sternum strap on a sliding rail fastens with a Duraflex buckle for extra support.

Fit Notes

So, while the straps are attached close together, they’re still flexible enough to be comfortable on most users in most cases. The exception is when you really overload the bag with heavy gear—then you feel it tugging on your traps. We’ve not had that issue much in daily use, however, and engaging the sternum strap does help when carrying heavier loads.

No matter which colorway you choose, the bag has a clean aesthetic, though there are a lot of zippers around the outside, so it’s a little jangly. Still, it’s sleek and not too obtrusive, so you won’t look out of place on your daily commute or when exploring a new city. We probably wouldn’t use it as a hiking bag because of its lack of breathability, but the bears aren’t going to think you look out of place if you do.

Inside The Backpack

Once you unlock everything, there are plenty of different places to stash your gear.

We’ll start with the top pocket. It has a mesh pocket on the lid for small gear, whether it’s a toiletry bottle or tiny tech, and the rest of the space easily accommodates your phone, wallet, and sunglasses. It hangs into the main compartment, though, so you’ll want to note what you put inside before you crush it against something in the other area. The 150D recycled polyester material is thin and flexible, though, so it won’t take up main compartment capacity unless you use it instead of taking up space, regardless, as more structured materials would.

The front compartment is much larger and includes admin organization and additional security features. That comes in the form of an RFID pocket for your wallet or passport, which fastens at the top with a hook-and-loop patch to keep your gear from falling out while protecting your data from skimmers.

Next to that is a safer place for your phone than the top pocket; it’s just slightly less accessible. This slip pocket is lined with soft material to prevent scratches to the screen. However, it’s also beneath the key leash. The pocket is deep enough to accommodate 90% of a standard-size iPhone, and the key clip hangs below the opening; however, if you lay the bag down, your keys could slide up and potentially scratch your screen—just something to keep in mind. The pocket also works well for an eyeglasses case or a battery bank if you keep your phone elsewhere, though using it for something bulkier impacts the capacity of the slip pockets on its front. There are two: one for a pen and the other, card-size, for a minimalist wallet, card-size tracker, or business cards. They’re still usable with something fat in the soft pocket; it’s just a tighter squeeze.

This compartment runs the full length of the bag’s front, so you can easily stash more gear inside. We’ve used it for a tech pouch and a small notebook, but it’s also a good space for a packable jacket or snacks—whatever you want to stash here instead of the main compartment. You’re using the same space either way; putting more here means you have less space in there, but if it’s more convenient to use, then you do you.

Both sides of the bag feature stretchy mesh bottle pockets that accommodate standard and wide-mouth water bottles. It just takes a bit more effort to squeeze in a larger bottle, especially when the interior is fully packed.

Finally, we come to the main compartment. Its zipper runs between the bottle pockets, giving you a clear view of the interior. That’s good when you want to access the zippered mesh pocket on the front of the compartment, which we use for small accessories we haven’t locked down elsewhere. You’ll see the top pocket hanging above it, but it doesn’t block the zipper. The only thing that impacts this space is what you have stowed in the bottom of the front compartment.

Against the back panel is a softly-lined, padded sleeve for up to a 16-inch laptop. It’s not raised off the bottom of the bag, but the entire backpack has good structure and padding, so you don’t hear a telltale clunk when you set the bag on the floor.

In the middle, there’s plenty of space to pack your gear, which isn’t surprising given this is a 28L bag. We have no issue carrying a few books and a lunch, along with another pouch and our laptop. If you wanted to pack it for a flight, you can easily fit a packing cube and a toiletry pouch in here; there’s plenty of room.