How to Prevent Pockpocketing | Anti-Theft Clothing & Accessories

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I remember the first trip I ever took abroad, I read and heard stories about pickpockets and travelers becoming stranded indefinitely in another country.

That can be a traveler’s worst nightmare!

One way that we prevent theft is by wearing anti-theft clothing or accessories. Many anti-theft products have hidden pockets, indestructible fabrics, or can even be worn under your clothing, close to your body, and away from thieving eyes.

It’s important to prepare and prevent these situations from happening so that you can have a memorable and safe vacation.

With so many products on the market, we tested the following products to provide our readers with the best gear to keep their important stuff safe.

Here are some anti-theft products that you can wear to prevent people from stealing your belongings when you least suspect it.

Anti-Theft Clothing and Accessories

#1 Scarf with Pockets

One of the things I never leave home with while traveling is my scarf. Scarves are great for keeping warm, folding up and using as a pillow, and keeping cool from the hot sun.

We love infinity scarves with hidden pockets. They come in multiple colors and have a zipper pocket to keep your belongings safe and out of sight from sticky fingers.

#2 Anti-Theft Backpacks

Aero Jet Travel Backpack

Anti-theft backpacks are made to last. They will have features that make it difficult for thieves to steal your belongings, such as locks, impenetrable fabric, hidden zippers and pockets, and even built-in RFID pockets to prevent data theft.

Here are the Anti-Theft Backpacks that we recommend:

High Spirit Anti-Theft Fashion Backpacks (£100 or $120 USD)
Gossamer Gear Aero Jet Travel Backpack ($225) – This is the ONLY backpack I carry while traveling. It’s very comfortable and functional.
Mancro Anti-Theft Backpack ($25)
Pacsafe Slingsafe LX300 Anti-Theft Backpack ($77)
Inateck 40L Travel Backpack ($67)
Osprey Fairview 40L Travel Backpack ($150)

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#3 Money Belt

A money belt is worn near the body and protects your personal belongings such as credit cards, passport, IDs, and more. According to a 2015 Statista study, 9% of travelers often lose their credit cards due to theft. Luckily, there are wearables you can wear to prevent credit card theft.

Money belts are typically worn under clothing and look like flat-profile waist bags/fanny packs. If you like to go hands-free, we recommend wearing a money belt.

Money Belt brands that we love:

#4 Clothing with Hidden Pockets

We always travel wearing clothing with lots of pockets. Pockets are a great way to hide your belongings and travel hands-free.

While we love pocket activewear by K-Deer or lululemon, there are also clothing items made specifically to prevent theft while traveling.

Brands that make anti-theft clothing include:

#5 Tracking Devices

Attach a tracking device that you can attach to important belongings. If you tend to misplace your belongings, attach a tracker to that item and use your phone or web browser to track your device when it goes missing.

Before traveling abroad, consider attaching a tracking device to your personal belongings, including luggage, in the event that things get stolen.

We recommend the following tracker devices:

#6 The Aqua Vault “Flex Safe”

The Aqua Vault “Flex Safe” is a portable safe that you can snap onto bars, beams, and rails to keep your belongings safe and secure. The Flex Safe packs into your luggage and requires a 3-digit code to open.

Snap it onto your bike, lawn chairs, gates, etc., and keep your important stuff safe while you explore the world. It is spacious enough for multiple smartphones and all your important documents.

What we love is the ability to register your code on TheAquaVault.com so that you can access it when you need it.

#7 Defender Ring

The awesome Defender Ring conceals a pointy weapon that you can use to defend yourself in the event of danger. This is a great gift for solo female AND male travelers who want to stay safe from burglars and predators.

Choose from their many styles, such as a Rose, pearl, sphere, and Plumeria, and colors (gold, silver, and rose gold).

You can use code ALEXGOESGLOBAL to save 10% off your orders at Defender Ring.

#8 RFID Blocking Accessories

When buying any accessories, consider getting products equipped with Radio frequency identification, or RFID, blocking ability.

Data thieves can steal your information with magnetic card readers and by just brushing up against you. This is known as RFID skimming. It’s very common in countries where contactless or wireless payment is accepted.

Keep your data safe and use RFID blocking to prevent thieves from stealing your information.

Items with RFID blocking capability include the following:

Wallets – We especially love the minimalist and compact RIDGE wallets and Ekster.
Belt-bags
Passport holders
Card Sleeves (for passports and credit cards)

#9 Stashitware – Underwear with Pockets

Stashitware makes undergarments with pockets to hide your important belongings. The hidden pocket allows your important documents to be stowed away from pickpockets.

These hidden pocket undergarments can be purchased on Stashitware and on Amazon.

#10 PortaPocket

The PortaPocket is a hidden compartment that you can wear on your body to hold your important belongings.

The neoprene sleeve detaches from the velcro strap so that you can access your belongings easily. Stick the sleeve back onto your velcro strap and continue going about your day hands-free.

You can wear the PortaPocket around your waist, chest, arm, thigh, and even calf. The ability to adjust the fit makes it very useful for traveling, working out, and crowded events like festivals and concerts. It also comes in various sizes and can be used with an RFID sleeve to protect your data from skimming thieves.

I wore my PortaPocket underneath a bridesmaid’s dress, and it changed my life! Now I wear it underneath all my dresses and never leave home without it.

We recommend the PortaPocket Essentials kit ($24.95), which comes with two different-sized pockets and a strap for your legs and arms.

#11 Wrist Wallets

Wrist wallets are a great way to travel light and safe. The wrist wallet comes with pockets and fits around your wrist or ankle.

Smartphones can fit in wrist wallets and they stretch well beyond what you might anticipate. They also come in various colors and sizes.

Here are Wrist Wallet brands we recommend:

#12 Portable Door Locks

The Add-a-Lock is a portable lock that you can use to add security to your home away from home.

The temporary lock makes it so that burglars can not enter your unit, and that you can sleep with peace of mind.

#13 The Pocklette

The Pocklette is a portable pocket that snaps around your bra or underwear. It’s meant to hold your important documents like credit cards, Passports, IDs, and dollar bills yo.

The pocket simply snaps into your bra or underwear bands and is a great way to move about hands-free. Head to the restroom to discreetly retrieve your belongings. You can even loop your Pocklette around your underwear if the bra is not an ideal place for hiding.

The Pocklette is lightweight and attaches with velcro to your undergarments. They also come in many colors to match your mood of the day.

Each Pocklette is thoughtfully handmade from imported fabric by a mother and daughter duo in Pennsylvania.

#14 Bindle Bottle

The Bindle Bottle has a secret compartment at the bottom that allows you to keep all your important belongings hidden from view.

Choose from their 20 or 24 oz bottles in different fun and bright colors and patterns.

#15 Sewable Pockets

If you don’t want to buy new clothing, consider buying these pockets that you can sew into your apparel for extra storage. The pockets are lightweight and are discreet.

The pockets come with a velcro closure to secure your belongings, and the pocket is large enough to fit your phone and passport.

Final Thoughts

One of the best ways of preventing theft is by preparing for the worst. Wearing anti-theft apparel and accessories is just one of the ways you can prepare. Make sure you stay vigilant even while wearing anti-theft gear.

We received these products to test out on Alex Goes Global. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and our own.

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