Securing Backpacks for Airline Travel

[walktillyoudrop]

We're heading off overseas this year & decided to only take our backpacks for ease of travel. I'm concerned about the airline security issue as well as the possiblity of the straps becoming caught in the luggage carousels. I'm considering the PacSafe85, a lockable eXomesh net which fits over the pack, but the manufacturers spiel states that while airport staff have reviewed the product, it was designed specifically as a destination security measure to prevent theft.
I can't find another product online which would do the job.

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts, views, or experience regarding the matter. Thanks.

[flatfoot]

I use a deuter cargo bag. It can be collapsed quite small into a stuff pouch.

http://www.deuter.com/en_AU/accessory-details.php?artnr=39550&category=372&title=Cargo%20Bag%20EXP

It also expands to accomodate large amounts of gear.



I think you would get two two large backpacks into it because of the expanding section.

I just returned from Nepal and had it jam packed with stuff and also used it for a trip to NZ last year. For the NZ trip I packed a 40lt daypack and a 55litre pack into it, although I think it would comfortably handle two larger packs side-by-side.

It can be padlocked closed.

[Onestepmore]

We took a 60L pack on a recent trip to Tassie and put it and a 30L daypack in an Osprey airline transporter bag (large size). This protected the packs from evil conveyor belts (and enabled us to also bring home the presents we told relatives not to purchase for us because we wouldn't be able to fit them on the way home!) However, for a heavy pack, the straps are inadequate. No damage but I can't see them standing up to a lot of carrying. Next time I'll put on a couple of those standard luggage straps, cinch them up tight, and put one between them to act as a stronger doubled-up shoulder strap.
No real additional security - if somone wants to get into a pack al they have to use is a knife

http://www.paddypallin.com.au/osprey-ai ... -lz-1.html
Comes in 3 sizes:
Small - to 50L
Med 45 - 75L
Large 70 - 110L
Paddy Pallin has 20% off these at the moment, so about $36 for the large size

The one pictured above looks more robust.

[photohiker]

Dueter looks ok.

I use the Osprey 'Airporter' Works well, and I have been able to dump a lot of gear into it around the pack. I ziptie the zip rather than padlock.

Edit: Same product as Onestepmore has posted. I haven't had any durability issues with the shoulder strap, but it does get unwieldy when fully loaded.

[walktillyoudrop]

I knew there had to be something out there. I just wasn't looking in the right places! The Deuter model certainly looks robust enough. I usually take my daypack as my carry-on luggage, so would only need to fit my big pack into it. Looking at Paddy Pallin's website, I notice that Sea to Summit make one too.

[jimbo42]

Easy solution
I use a Pacsafe. This is a stainless steel mesh bag that fits over your backpack tightly and uses a padlock to secure it.
The straps are all secure inside the mesh and can't get damaged by baggage handlers. It also can't be fiddled with by drug smugglers. It also stops those annoying people (i.e. everyone except a bushwalker) who don't know how to lift a pack properly and just grab hold of any nearby strap and pull.
The other important advantage of a Pacsafe is when you get to a hostel. In some places there are no lockers/tiny lockers; I can put all my gear into the backpack and Pacsafe, then chain it to a bed or something secure so that nobody can steal it. I have been in hostels where I was warned not to leave sleeping bags etc out, as they get stolen by departing guests while you are out day-touring.
In hostels where there is a locker, you can stash your gear in them and use the Pacsafe padlock to secure it.

If you are out bushwalking and leave your carry-on bag behind in a hostel, you can tie the bag up in the Pacsafe to secure it, and chain it up in the luggage storage room
I take my Pacsafe on all my trips; love it

jimbo42

[Rob A]

To be honest I dont leave valuables in my hold luggage.
Shorten the straps (and turn the hipbelt on the current one) tape round it all up with electrical tape.
'If' I need a daypack its usually just a dilly bag, or one of the lightweight roll up palm sized macpac/patagonia/kathmandu.
Its the theft thing at destination which seems to be most peoples problems.

[casey79]

Sea to Summit travel tote. Comes in 3 sizes, packs away small when not using it, is light and relative inexpensive.

The pacsafe is good but is expensive, heavy & it looks like the contents are expensive which means thief's will target you as you look like a wealthy westerner with lots of cash.

[photohiker]

To be honest I dont leave valuables in my hold luggage.

When I'm flying to a walk, I keep as much critical gear and electronics with me in the plane as I can, but there is no way I can take my most valuable items with me, the volume is too great. Arriving at the start of the walk with no pack, no tent or sleeping bag and no cooking system is my worst nightmare.

[MartyGwynne]

I use a Katmandude bag which I can put my whole back pack into - similar to the travel tote but maybe cheaper (get them on special).
It has a pocket in it which it all stuffs into and a zip opening at one end.
I have even seen them now with a set of wheels on them! I just drag mine along the floor when shuffling along the queue at airports.
It is not as secure as the pacsafe but I just use a re-usable cable tie on the two zips to secure it (I can tell if someone has been into it).

[stuey69]

Sea to Summit travel tote. Comes in 3 sizes, packs away small when not using it, is light and relative inexpensive.

I have the 70l tote and it's done me well on four overseas trips. It has a few patches where it's been roughed up but works well.
Remember this also works as a pack cover.

[David M]

This is how checked baggage is treated in some places:

http://youtu.be/geeldwbn3jk

http://youtu.be/QLOHtHve_u8

http://youtu.be/oF2DWJSxL5U

[Onestepmore]

I wasn't sure what the Pacsafe protectors looked like, so here is a link
http://pacsafe.com/pacsafe-85l-backpack-protector

And I had a laugh at the name of this - modern equivalant of a chastity belt maybe? Keep your fanny safe!
http://pacsafe.com/stashsafe-200-anti-theft-fanny-pack