The Best Way to Carry Items Abroad and Not Look Like a Tourist

Many, many countries are safe to visit. Your chances of being a victim of a violent crime, especially in most places in Europe and Asia, are incredibly low, often safer than it is in the United States. 

But there is one issue that appears to affect most countries – even the safest ones – do tend to have a problem with pickpockets. Pickpocketing in these countries is so easy that it is one of the few crimes that you have to worry about, and these pickpockets specifically target tourists the most. The more you can avoid looking like a tourist, the more you can protect your property.

Now, there are many ways to avoid looking like a tourist that have nothing to do with what you carry. For example, if you’re frequently staring out at monuments with your big camera, paying no attention to the world around you, you’re going to look like a tourist. 

But what about the bags you carry? What bags are “tourist bags” and what bags are more likely to be either used by locals or less noticeable to potential thieves?

What to Avoid

First, make sure you avoid backpacks altogether. Europeans, for example, do not carry big backpacks filled with stuff unless they’re University students. Tourists love to carry backpacks, and they apparently love to put their wallet and other items in the front of the backpack – which happens to be the easiest place for someone to take from without you noticing.

Fanny packs (hip bags) are a gray area. They used to be one of the most surefire signs of a tourist – almost hilariously so. Now, they’re back in style, so both tourists and non-tourists alike use them fairly regularly. Consider instead the look of the bag and what you keep in it. A stylish hip bag is far more likely to provide the look you want than a bulky cheap one, which tourists tend to wear. They’re stylish in Europe and Asia, and an unstylish bag will be a sign of being an outsider.

What to Use

With that in mind, what kind of bag is best if you’re trying to look like someone other than a tourist? 

First, consider if you need a bag at all. The less you carry on you, the better. Small wallets won’t make you look like a tourist and will be harder to steal, especially if you keep them in your front pocket (where our ultra slim nylon wallets fit easily). There are also passport wallets with flaps that go around your belt that will probably still have you looking like a tourist but make it very difficult to take any of your items.

One bag that can really stand out here is a sling bag. Sling bags are stylist and worn in a lot of countries. They also fit tightly against your body, adding to the idea that they are harder to steal and easier for you to watch over. Pickpockets do not generally want to reach over your body in front of you, where they can be easily spotted.

They also, to pickpockets in general, indicate an awareness that you’re keeping your items safe. They know that there are more than enough tourists that have backpacks, wallets in back pockets, etc., so they will typically leave anyone alone that has a safer means of carrying their items even if they don't look like a tourist. Since these stylish bags are “in” right now, they are also less likely to see you as a target.

Order Your Next Travel Bag or Wallet from Allett

Allett has handcrafted some beautiful bags for your next travel experience, as well as wallets for any occasion. If you’re looking for something that won’t scream “tourist” when you’re traveling and will help keep your items safe, order your next bag from Allett.