TRAVEL GEAR REVIEW: CITYSAFE CX ANTI-THEFT CONVERTIBLE BACKPACK BY PacSafe

Note: I also have a video review of this bag!

Who doesn't love gear? I'm always eager to try out new travel related stuff in the eternal effort to travel lighter and better, but that usually mean sacrificing style for functionality. That's why I was excited to see one of my favorite brands, PacSafe, come out with their new CitySafe CX line line of versatile and more stylish bags that still have all the security features I've come to know and love from the brand.

Unfortunately throughout the years I have become no stranger to pickpockets, and have many stories of the occasions either myself or someone I was with were targets - and I'm sure there are more times I just wasn't even aware of! That's why for years I have used PacSafe bags for the peace of mind they offer. It's nice to walk through a crowded market or busy train station, completely distracted by the sights and surroundings but knowing in the back of my mind that my bag is fairly safe from someone trying to quickly unzip a pocket.

PacSafe bags have always had a utilitarian look to them, however, and I've always hoped they would come out with something that could go with my nicer outfits for those evenings out to the opera or a fancy dinner. That's why I was very happy to see the new CitySafe CX line, which swap out the heavy nylon fabric for something a little softer and shinier, with brushed gold accents that feel much more high-end. They also replaced the big PacSafe logo with a little gold button design. There are several new bags in the line, including two backpacks (which are my personal favorite). The Convertible Backpack immediately caught my eye because I really like the idea that I could change the bag depending on my outfit or what I wanted to carry.

The bags have all the standard security bells and whistles that are common with PacSafe products, including slash-proof fabric and straps, and hooks and loops to secure zipper pulls for all openings. The straps attached with a TurnNLock clip hook which makes it easy to attach the bag to a table or chair leg.

The bag is roomy enough for me when traveling, and has space for an umbrella, a water bottle, and a scarf or light jacket. The 8L interior is also lined with a high-contrast rose color, which makes finding item inside a little easier while still looking sharp.

The bag isn't perfect, and I have the most trouble with the buckle you have to slide the strap through to create backpack straps. It's a little hard to slip the strap through this buckle, and there is a plastic sliding component for hatching the Roobar locking zipper pulls that feels flimsy. Since the strap isn't held fast in this buckle, if you try and put the pack on as a backpack like you would normally do by slinging one strap on at a time, you'll find it pulls the strap through on one side, meaning you have to try and adjust the bag while it's one to get it even on both sides. I also don't love the interlocking zipper pulls for the main compartment, and wish there was a hook to attach them where the zipper ends. That way you could leave one tab attached at all times, and just unhook the top tab to open the bag more quickly.

Overall I'm super please with this bag. I can see myself wearing it as a cross body at the airport when I bring my 35L backpack instead of a suitcase, then switch it to a day-pack for running around a city during the day, then back to handbag for an evening out on the town.

Leave me a message below with any questions or comments! And I wanna know - what do you look for in a travel bag?

Happy Travels,

Alison