Pacsafe V Anti-Theft Companion Crossbody Review

The Pacsafe V Anti-Theft Companion Crossbody has extra security features to keep your gear safe and add peace of mind while traveling. Do those features hinder usage, or is there a seamless transition between security and usability? Let’s dive in and find out!

External Components

The primary external fabric is 750D recycled polyester. It also features a PFC-free water-resistant coating, which helps protect your gear from rain. In light precipitation, it’ll hold, but we’d recommend heading for cover if the weather takes a turn. The materials are durable and feature an internal eXomesh® slashguard, which protects against someone trying to cut the bag open, and RFID protection to ensure your digital identity and finances stay safe.

The zippers are from YKK, which is our favorite brand. They’re sturdy and are easy to open and close. Plus, they feature Pacsafe’s Roobar™ Sport locking system. Essentially, both compartments have two zippers. You can slot the pulls together and attach them to a locking mechanism in the center of the bag. It will slow down someone trying to get into your bag, but not keep them out entirely. There’s a small hole where you can attach a lock, which adds an extra layer of security. Nothing is foolproof, but the lock makes things more secure.

When the zippers aren’t locked, the pulls can get pretty noisy. For that reason, we typically lock them up when we aren’t going to be getting in and out of one of the compartments.

The buckle on the strap is a PopNLock security clip, which adds extra protection to the carry as well. It includes a switch to lock the mechanism, preventing it from opening, and you can also secure it with a physical lock on the end to ensure it remains closed. Again, nothing is foolproof, but this would certainly slow down a potential thief. It’s crafted from metal and durable plastic, so it’ll last.

There’s a small loop on the side of the sling to add accessories, like a carabiner or travel sunglasses, when you step inside.

The sling has a top handle with ample padding, making it more comfortable to carry in this manner. We didn’t do it often, as the strap is easier and more comfortable, but it’s an appreciated feature.

Fit Notes

The strap is thin and can feel a bit abrasive if it rests on bare skin, but it’s comfortable enough in most situations, even when wearing a thin shirt. Pacsafe calls this a Carrysafe® slashguard strap with Dyneema®, indicating that it has a wire inside and is slash-resistant. Like most security features, someone could cut through with enough force, but it won’t be an easy fight.

The strap lacks padding and aeration and can dig in when fully packed, but it’s generally a comfortable fit if the sling isn’t bulging at the seams.

There’s also a permanent, hard plastic strap keeper, which keeps things organized. Because it’s permanent, you don’t have to worry about the dangling strap sliding through and having to feed it through again, which we dig.

The back panel features thin padding, which is a nice inclusion, but it only works if you stow a flat item in this area of the sling’s main compartment. Something odd-shaped will still poke out, so packing smart is essential here. Overall, the carry is comfortable.

Inside The Sling

The lining on the Pacsafe V Anti-Theft Companion Crossbody is PFC-free 150D Recycled polyester. It’s quite lightweight, but feels durable enough for your daily carry gear.

The front compartment has a zippered pocket on the front side. It’s crafted from mesh, so you can see what’s inside it. It works well for a wallet, small tech items, or a snack. On the opposite side, there’s an RFID-protected pocket with a hook-and-loop fastener to secure it. This is a secure location to store items with sensitive data. Additionally, there’s a pen pocket, which is handy if you like to write things down. There’s extra space in the middle of this compartment, but you lose it when the main compartment is fully packed.

The main compartment features a design similar to that of the secondary one. On the front side, there’s a zippered mesh pocket. This one is larger, allowing you to fit bigger items here. Think a 20,000 mAh battery bank, more tech, a larger snack, or packable gear. Additionally, there’s a key leash here for attaching your keys, a flashlight, or your wallet if it has a loop.

On the backside, there’s a liner pocket crafted from soft, semi-padded material. You can fit up to an 8-inch tablet here, but we mostly used it for an iPhone. The padding isn’t hugely protective, though we never felt like our phone was in danger.

There’s a large open area in this compartment. Independently, we were able to fit over-ear headphones, a small mirrorless camera, an Instax Mini, a Bluetooth speaker, or several tech items in this compartment. If you don’t have any large items to bring, you can combine smaller items here.

Despite the learning curve, thanks to the extra security features, this crossbody has a fairly simple design that’s easy to get used to using. It feels like it’s missing a hidden pocket or a smaller compartment, though we didn’t miss one while using it.https://packhacker.com/guide/best-sling-bag/