“What kind of bag is that? I like the look.”
“Oh this? It’s a Pacsafe citysafe purse. Have you heard of them, Pacsafe? They put out great travel pieces.”
Word for word, this was the beginning of my conversation with a female traveler on my recent trip to Cuba. What followed was a lengthy description of all the bells and whistles of the gear I had just traveled with for the previous 12 days.
Pacsafe designs high quality, anti-theft travel accessories. As I wrote in my post three things I never leave the states without, there aren’t too many must-pack items for travel. The ones that are important though should be treated like gold. Unfortunately those unsavoury individuals who steal are advancing from a simple swipe of your bag while you’re walking on the street-they are becoming more advanced and using technology to take your information.
Not to create panic, but the chips that are in your passport and credit cards can be read and this information taken electronically from a what’s called RFID-reading device. Identity theft is on the rise because these mobile devices are easily accessible and cheap. Pacsafe has designed this wallet and purse with a special material that blocks the electronic transmission of your personal info. Exit danger of identity theft, enter peace of mind.
The purse comes in a variety of sizes and I chose the Citysafe 200 ($80). I didn’t want a purse that would leave my shoulders aching after a long day, and I found this size to fit well for my needs. Aside from the RFID technology, the rest of the bag is designed with security as top priority. The shoulder strap is durable, slash-proof, and adjustable in length. A small clip is positioned on the strap that allows you to lock the main zipper, so no one could help themselves to the contents in my bag while in a crowded area.
On the inside there is a large side compartment for iPads or e-books, where I often kept my notebook. Three narrow pockets helped to organize my cell phone, camera, and sunscreen. The outer material is waterproof and smooth, not likely to stain or snag. Above the narrow pockets a zippered pocket would open, and this is where I kept my wallet.
The RFID wallet 150 ($35) holds my passport, credit cards and cash comfortably. It has an organized, clean and simple design. There were plenty of slots for my bank cards as well as a clear pocket for my passport. The zippered pocket is where I hide my cash and kept my receipts in their own compartment as well. I am a minimalist as I’ve said before, and so the quick closure with the elastic kept it easy to get in and out of quickly.
For the peace of mind that these items provided they were well worth the cost. I’ll be using them on future trips, and I’ll be keeping my identity to myself thank you very much.