Baggallini Securtex Anti-Theft Free Time Crossbody Bag

I just returned from a 3-week trip to Europe when I used trains, subways, trams, and buses and also did a lot of city walking. I bought this purse before going because of its anti-theft features, and I was very pleased with how this purse worked during the trip. It met my needs.After reading all reviews about it on this website and others, I had been uncertain given some mixed ratings. But I had also tried to find a good travel purse for over a year, had looked at MANY different types from many different companies, and all of them had drawbacks in one way or the other. This was the best one I found and bought it. Because which purse one takes on a trip is such an important decision, I'm taking the time to explain why this one worked so well.One of my pet peeves with anti-theft purses is that the opening to the main compartment is narrower and smaller than typically found because of extra padding and slash-proof material, so it's harder to fit or find things inside. For an earlier trip, I had bought one from another well-known anti-theft purse manufacturer, and I got so frustrated with it during that trip, I never used it again.Even though this Baggallini purse has the extra padding and material, and the opening is smaller than my normal everyday purse, it still worked well and I had no complaints. In fact, I loved this purse for travel.The main compartment has an interior wall zippered pocket, slots for cards and a passport (all RFID protected) plus a pocket that fit my iPhone 15. It was also roomy enough for me to include a small mesh bag (containing some pills, chapstick, lipstick, sanitizer, a Tide stain remover stick, a few bandaids, etc.), a pair of prescription glasses, a pair of sunglasses, tissues, a coin purse for local cash, and gloves for when it was cold. The locking mechanism to secure the main compartment was easy to use and I regularly used it.The exterior zippered pocket on the front (not secured with a latch) was useful for many small items that were not valuable, like a pen, small notebook, cough drops, etc. I used the second small zippered pocket on the front, that is secured, for door card keys, train tickets, etc.Many people complained about the pocket on the back side of the purse, which is closed with a magnetic snap at the top with a zipper along the bottom. It's intended to let you slide the purse over the handlebar of your carry-on. I also found it handy, with the closed zipper, for easy access to maps or other sight-seeing info.Many others complained about the 2 vertical pockets at both ends of the purse, that they don't hold a bottle of water, for instance. That complaint didn't hold water. (Sorry--couldn't resist that pun!) I was pleasantly surprised to find, during my Europe trip, that both were useful to hold a HALF-LITER bottle of water found in many European shops. If you're trying to carry a larger bottle, well--no, that won't work. Most of the time the half-liter bottles fit perfectly, but on the few occasions the half-liter bottle was shaped in a way that it did not fit easily into one of those end pockets, I opened the bottle, drank a few gulps, and then squeezed the bottle smaller while twisting the bottle cap back on, and voila, it also fit!The end pockets also fit a small, compact umbrella that I regularly carried and my sunglasses. They were great!Last, the strap was made of a thick sturdy material and was comfortable to use in a cross-body manner. I really liked the locking mechanism so I could unhook the strap and wrap it around a chair leg at a restaurant where I was sitting to deter would-be thieves. It was convenient and gave me more peace of mind that my purse would stay with me.I did not expect this purse (or any purse) to be completely pickpocket- or theft-proof. My goal was to discourage pickpockets or thieves and make it more difficult for them to steal anything valuable from my purse, or to steal the whole purse altogether, and I think this purse worked great for that purpose. I was also careful, aware of my circumstances, held it close to my body when in crowded areas (even wearing it under a jacket at times), etc. But this purse carried what I needed on a daily basis, and it was also comfortable and convenient to use.The only thing I wish it had had, but it didn't, was a keychain strap sewn inside with a clasp. Since most hotels use door cards now for door locks, I would not have used it for keys, but I would have found it helpful to, for instance, attach my small coin purse or some other small item that I wanted to securely store inside the purse. But all in all, it's a great travel purse and I look forward to using it again.

This is an update of my first product review. I purchased this bag for its anti-theft properties, including the cut-resistant material and strap and RFID-blocking material inside to protect my things while in New York and Times Square on a trip. I was hesitant about this purse due to other reviews complaining of stabs from the cables in the shoulder strap, but Amazon’s ease of merchandise returns convinced me to give this bag a try. I have been using it daily for a couple of months and find It a little heavier than my usual fabric bag but it fits me well in the cross-body configuration and is comfortable to wear. The water resistant material protected my things on a couple of rainy outings and I have not felt a need to lock the zippers because when closed, the zipper lays near my hand on the bag and I would notice if anyone tried to move it. The purse is roomy with one big zippered pouch in the main part, a pocket for cell phone adjacent to a grommet hole for the charging cable, and four RFID-blocking slots for cards. The outside front of the purse has a zippered pouch and a zippered pocket. Behind the main purse is a dual purpose pouch or hang strap with magnetic clasp above and zipper below. The purse holds all my stuff including keyes, car fob, wallet, phone, sunglasses, tissues, lip balm, nail file, etc. I like the option to fasten the main zipper closed in crowds. The cables in the straps have not been a problem: nothing is poking out or poking me. I am pleased with this bag for both daily and travel use.

It is a great size for traveling! I am very happy with it! The only thing I would like them to change is to make the vertical pockets on the ends big enough to hold water bottles. This would make it perfect! If it had those I would give it 5 stars.

Very nice size - not too big or too small, enough individual compartments/pockets for my needs. The strap was stiff to begin with, but is softening/relaxing over time and stays on my shoulder without slipping down. The strap is a nice width, without being too wide. I really do like this purse. I almost always get black purses because it goes with everything, but I choose the mullberry to have a little color. It looks purple to me, a dark purple.

Love Baggallinis and love this bag. Have had this for quite a while and have had no problems with stitching or zippers. It's a good size and is structured, not floppy.

PROS: It's attractive and a good size for carrying the necessities when traveling. Plenty of pockets, including a large zippered one inside. The main zipper at the top of the purse has a carabiner on it, which you can hook onto a metal ring for security.CONS: There's a large outer pocket that zips on the *bottom*. The zipper can't be locked in place, so it could be opened when you don't want it to be. Also, there's a 3/4" grommet on the outside of the purse. Some might find that useful, but a hole in your purse will let dust, debris, and liquid in.I bought this in the midnight blossom print. It would've been my 2nd Baggallini bag, but I returned it because of the cons, and because I received a used purse (there was stuff in it).

Just the right size! Have gotten a lot of compliments. Good construction. Easy to wipe off. Lots of pockets for organization.