PacSafe experiences and alternatives.

steven_ber

Can members please tell of their experiences with PacSafe bag protector?

How easy is it to store the PacSafe (in a backpack) when not in use?

How easy is it (for me) to get something out of your backpack when it's all locked up and surrounded by the PacSafe? (I can't think of a single train journey I've made when I didn't have to get something out of my backpack)

I've read (on IM) that the PacSafe works best if it fits tightly around your backpack, but I have a 65L backpack and the PacSafe is only available in 55L and 85L, will the 85L be too big?

Are there any good alternatives to PacSafe?

My dilemma......

I've done previous trips with a 50 or 55L pack, but I found a decent 65L pack in a charity shop, so I bought it.

I'm a little older now and feel I'll need a bit more room in a pack, I was forever trying to cram everything into my old pack, but this time I think I'll take some extra clothes and maybe a change of underwear.

Here's the problem I have with the 65L pack, it doesn't have a lockable zip to protect the main section of the pack, and I regularly leave my pack at railway cloak rooms, and they insist that packs are locked.

I've never really liked the idea of the PacSafe, and still feel it indicates you have something worth stealing, and I'm disgusted with the £55 price.

I looked at other backpacks, and was not too impressed, but found an ideal pack that had everything I wanted and was comfy, but this one cost £100, and I'm not happy spending that amount of my spending money on an alternative backpack.

Are good quality backpacks cheaper in India (Mumbai or Delhi)?

Thanks for any advice.

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Haylo

How about getting a tailor to sew on a flap with a loop which can take a padlock?
Bet that would cost next to nothing.

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dcamrass1

Don't know if this will help.
Take a ring or strong keyring, fold over a strip of strong canvas on ring/keyring and rivet it on at the side where zip is closed, put lock in the hole of zip and ring.

edwardseco

Heft the weight of the pacsafe first. I did that twice and said...

I do own a purse sized pacsafe bag for at hand items since that kind of cut & snatch is common in some countries..

anarkali

Hi Steven,

We used something that looked very like PacSafes for our packs when we were in India (all our gear was borrowed).

Easy to store? Reasonably. If I recall correctly, it comes with a little pocket that it squishes down into. It bundles up fairly small and doesn't take up very much room.

Accessing your stuff? The mesh passes right over the pack and all its access points. Unfortunately, you're going to have to do some fiddling to get to your stuff, unless your target's really small (small enough to pass through the squares of mesh) and you're prepared to fiddle the zip open by sticking your fingers through the mesh. But, if you release the padlock that tightens the cord at the back, and loosen the cord, you will be able to bag out the mesh a bit to allow your hand access from the side. That's if you know where in your pack the thing you're looking for is, and it's packed near the edge. If it's right in the middle of the pack you will probably need to pull the mesh away all around the top.

Nevertheless, have done this in a second class sleeper with a bemused Jain family looking on. Though it seemed a bit of a pain, the pacsafe allowed us to loop the security cord around the leg of the second class sleeper berth while we were in the top berths. There were a bunch of stops on the way to Mumbai and a bunch of hollering and it gave is a bit more of a feeling of security.

Size? The mesh is secured by a plastic-covered reinforced wire cord which was quite long in the one I used, and which is threaded through the mesh at the back, allowing the mesh to be pulled quite tight across the bag. Can't remember if the mesh is shaped to fit over a particular size of bag. I think we had 55L packs. Can you take your pack while loaded up to a shop to test different packsafe sizes?

Alternatives? Don't know. This was our first trip so we were hyper aware of our security. I think the main benefit of the pacsafe for us was the ability to hitch it to the train, but that can be done with any chain. Suggest you do look at ways of padlocking your back itself because as I described above, it is possible to wrestle small items out of a pacsafed pack.

Hope this helps. Happy to be able to provide help to an IM guru!

tstan

G'day Steve

The best way to use a Pacsafe is to put it inside at the top of your pack - it doesn't need to go around all your stuff- so you can get a smaller one than the pack capacity.

Make sure to get a good strong lock like a German Master brand - the stainless steel cord is about a metre long at the top of the Pacsafe and it ends in a strong loop. A smaller padlock comes with the equipment and locks the cord. This is not, in my opinion, strong enough by itself and the extra Master lock can be linked in with the smaller lock and fastened to the pillar in the train or at the railway station.

It is versatile and can be used in your hotel room or retiring room.

Dcamrass's suggestion is very sound - get the pop rivet gun from your toolbox and a small padlock - this will satisfy the most fastidious cloakroom manager. At cloakrooms, I always show the attendant that there is a Pacsafe inside and lock the cord to one of the shelves.

Discretion should be used when you are in a sleeping compartment since security is a sign of mistrust.

Have a great trip!

obione980

Linking a weak lock into a strong lock is ineffective! A 'chain' is only as strong as its weakest link!

Anogenic

Can you buy packsafes in Delhi? Where and how much?

trustindia

Another cheaper alternative is one of those big bags into which you can fit your pack, it locks with a set of eyelets. So a long hasped padlock or small chain will secure it for the guys at left luggage.

steven_ber

Thanks everyone for the detailed replies and great suggestions, I'M sure this thread will be useful to many members.

I'm considering the rivet gun solution, or the big bag with eyelets, but first I must test the backpack a bit more, I tested it a few days ago and one of the main clasps kept opening, maybe because I really filled the pack and it was a lot heavier than it will be when I travel, so I'll test it a few more times before trying to solve the locking problem.

Thanks again for all the wonderful info and suggestions.

spike

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/air-cover-3254614/

This might be the bag you need. I use the same one for flights and left luggage. It folds up quiet good.

steven_ber

No joy, the main clasp keeps opening.

So I bought a new backpack, I got a Macpack Pegasus 65 for £80, it's actually a ladies backpack, but I tried the men’s pack and it just didn't feel right, the man in the shop tried adjusting all the straps, but it never felt comfortable, I tried the ladies pack and it fit like a dream (I really should workout more. ).

I was shocked when I got the pack home, there's a couple of big doors on the back, when you open them you find 3 big mirrors and space for make-up and a hair dryer.

Once again, thanks for all your suggestions.