Pacsafe X Anti-Theft 16-inch Commuter Backpack review: Safe and secure

Macworld

At a glanceExpert's Rating
ProsMany sectionsVery good zippersConvincing theft protectionGood accessibilityConsPriceyOur VerdictThe Pacsafe X Anti-Theft 16-inch Commuter Backpack is a near-perfect backpack for the urban jungle. Made with robust materials, lots of compartments, and sophisticated protective mechanisms, you can fit almost everything you need without worrying about the contents inside if it gets lost or stolen.

It’s not uncommon nowadays to have thousands of dollars worth of gear that you carry around with you when you’re on the go. So, it follows that you should use a carryall/holdall that securely protects your stuff. The Pacsafe X Anti-Theft 16-inch Commuter Backpack has several mechanisms to prevent theft when you’re out and about.

The Pacsafe X has a few features to protect it from being quickly slashed open with a blade. The straps have wires built in, the body of the backpack has a steel mesh lining, and the zippers are made to resist punctures.

In addition to the slash protection, the Pacsafe X has other safety features. The zippers in the two main compartments are protected with a lock-like system, and in the secondary compartment with an extra loop. The main compartment also has pockets with radio-frequency identification (RFID) blocking to stop RFID readers. A safety clasp on one of the carrying straps is used to securely attach the backpack to a chair.

Everything has its place

The Pacsafe X is not a classic backpack that you load from the top. Instead, like a sling, the opening is located on the long side. This provides very good access to the impressive storage space, although the numbers (a height of 17.3 inches (44 centimeters), a width of 11.8 inches (30 cm), and an 18-liter volume) don’t sound like that much.

The zipper can be locked to prevent the compartments from opening.Pacsafe

The large main compartment has a zipper on three sides. Completely open, you have very good access to two padded compartments, one that can fit a MacBook up to 16 inches and one suitable for an 11-inch iPad. A slim folder has additional space in the main compartment.

The second compartment is larger than it looks. It runs the entire length and width of the Pacsafe X and has an additional large mesh compartment with a zipper. It’s a good place to stash cables, power supplies, and tissues.

A large A5-sized compartment with a zip fits a lot of small items, and there are also three compartments for thick pens. Another compartment is hidden on the back and a good place for the iPhone. One of the most practical compartments is on the right shoulder strap, perfect for opening with one hand and storing earphones with a charging box or keys. There is also a compartment on the side for a slim water bottle.

The Pacsafe X backpack is made of recycled nylon (the equivalent of 23 plastic bottles) and has a PFC-free coating. It’s available in Black Slate, and Tan, and a smaller version is available that fits a 13-inch laptop. The 16-inch backpack is $179.95/£169.90 and the 13-inch backpack is $159.95/£149.90.

A safety clasp on one of the carrying straps is used to securely attach the backpack to a chair.Pacsafe

Should you buy the Pacsafe X Anti-Theft 16-inch Commuter Backpack?

The Pacsafe X Anti-Theft 16-inch Commuter Backpack has an excellent set of features to protect your gear from theft, and I really liked the many compartments, especially the small pocket on the right shoulder strap. It’s also very comfortable to carry. The price seems high but, after several weeks of daily use, I can say that the Pacsafe X is built to last.

Pacsafe X Anti-Theft 16-inch Commuter BackpackPacsafe

This article originally appeared on Macwelt and was translated by Roman Loyola.

Accessories