Pick Pocketers - would this would?

[greeneyeddreamer]

I was wondering if using twist-ties to twist zippers together would be an effective way to sway thieves?

I mean, trying to unzip someone's bag and pick pocket while trying to untwist one of those things would either be noticeable by the wearer or frustrate the thief?

[WillTravel]

It might help a bit, but I wouldn't rely on it.

[Eagle]

greeneyeddreamer, I concur with WT regarding that method. It would probably work sometimes, but wouldn't be effective at all in a some locations. A twist-tie could easily and quietly be cut by a small pair of wire cutters, and the zippers easily opened. If this happened in a crowded and noisy location, you probably wouldn't notice a thing.

The zippers on most Packs have small "eyelets" to fit a Padlock. While there are never any guarantees, that would be a better method than using twist-ties. I use these travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=124&id=164 Locks in my Daypack. One of the benefits is that when travelling by air, they can be left unlocked and opened for inspection just by pushing the button. The end of the cable is small enough to fit through the eyelets on my Pack.

Happy travels!

[greeneyeddreamer]

eagle said:

greeneyeddreamer, I concur with WT regarding that method. It would probably work sometimes, but wouldn't be effective at all in a some locations. A twist-tie could easily and quietly be cut by a small pair of wire cutters, and the zippers easily opened. If this happened in a crowded and noisy location, you probably wouldn't notice a thing.

The zippers on most Packs have small "eyelets" to fit a Padlock. While there are never any guarantees, that would be a better method than using twist-ties. I use these travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=124&id=164 Locks in my Daypack. One of the benefits is that when travelling by air, they can be left unlocked and opened for inspection just by pushing the button. The end of the cable is small enough to fit through the eyelets on my Pack.

Happy travels!

I meant that the twist ties could be used during day time when you are walking around and might need to go into your back often.
But locked any other time. No good?

[Eagle]

greeneyeddreamer, from a "practical" point-of-view, I don't believe that twist ties offer any significant advantages over a small three number combination Padlock. The time to remove each would be similar, and the twist ties would become progressively weaker with each use.

It's certainly your choice whether to use them, but it's not a solution I would ever use. When you're "walking around" could be the time when you're most vulnerable. If you were to walk through a crowded location, it's not likely you would take the time to remove the twist tie and replace it with a Padlock.

I tend to use a Daypack mostly when taking longer "day trips", when I might need to carry a Jacket, Umbrella, water, lunch, spare Camera gear, etc. Most of the time when I'm just touring around cities, I use a Travel Vest in lieu of a Daypack. Everyone has to find the solution that works best for their circumstances.

Cheers!