I've been happily using my Pacsafe anti-theft handbag for years and so I was curious to try one of their backpacks as well.
The Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 is an anti-theft backpack with a laptop compartment, making it great for travel and especially as a carry-on bag. I've been testing it for a few months now. You can read my Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 review below.
Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Review
Technical Specifications
- Volume: 25 liters
- Weight: 1.84 lbs / 0.84 kg
- Dimensions: 18.9″ x 11.81″ x 6.69″ / 48 x 30 x 17 cm
- Strap length: minimum 26.77″ / 68 cm, maximum 36.22″ / 92 cm
- Shell material: 650D Polyester Dull 2Tone, PU1000mm
- Lining material: 75D Polyester Herringbone Dobby, PU1000mm
- Other: Adjustable shoulder straps, Quilted back panel
Features
The key features of the anti-theft 25-liter Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 backpack are its lockable zippers, RFID blocking pockets, eXomesh Slashguard lining, and TurnNLock security hooks.
The bag is waterproof and also has a shockproof laptop compartment that can fit laptops up to 15”. Padded sleeves protect laptops and other digital devices, while organized pockets provide slots for credit cards, wallets, passports, and phones.
Other features include key rings and wallet attachment points, pen loop, three zipped compartments, two side stretch pockets, and two zipped interior compartments (one of which is RFID blocking).
Lockable zippers
Pickpockets are a big threat while traveling. To counter this, the Pacsafe Metrosafe backpack has a smart zipper system with Lockabout Security clips. These clips can be locked down so that pickpockets and petty thieves won’t be able to get into your bag with ease.
RFID Blocking Pocket
Devices such as credit cards, passports, and other ID cards are nowadays embedded with tiny RFID devices that contain personal and security information required by banks and other institutions. Information thieves try to steal this information by using radio frequency scanners.
This Pacsafe Metrosafe bag has one RFIDsafe blocking pocket that blocks this information from being transferred over radio waves and gives you the added protection of data security. RFID blocking pockets and travel gear are now vital to safe travel.
eXomesh slashguard lining
Pacsafe lines targeted areas of their bags such as side and bottom panels with their patented eXomesh slashguards. This stainless steel wire mesh discreetly protects the bag from slashers.
Carrysafe Slashguard strap
The bags use Carrysafe Slashguard straps for that added layer of protection. A lightweight and flexible stainless steel wire runs through the length of the straps. It is slash resistant and hard to cut, so that bag thieves will not be able to slash and run.
Turn & Lock Security Hooks
If you’re leaving your bag at your seat while visiting the washroom on a flight, or even if it’s right next to you at a dinner table in a restaurant or movie theatre somewhere, you don’t need to check a dozen times whether it’s still there. The TurnNLock security hooks allow you to lock your bag to a chair handle or table leg so that it can’t be snatched by a petty thief.
This feature is also useful in crowded tourist attractions, where you want your hands free to use your camera for those perfect shots. Just hook your bag to your leg so that your hands are free for taking pictures!
And if you want to take a selfie, you won’t always have the bag showing on your shoulders for every pic.
Water bottle holders
The Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Travel Pack has two side stretch pockets that can be used as a water bottle or umbrella holders, or just to stuff a napkin or small packets. For the versatile, it can also double up as a trash holder.
Shock-proof laptop and tablet compartments
This backpack has foam padding between the compartments and a well-padded laptop sleeve that is shock absorbent and shockproof. It saves your laptop or tablet from being damaged when the bag falls down or dashes into something hard. The other compartments also provide enough padding to save other gadgets as well.
Other compartments
While the main zippered compartment gives you enough space to store your laptop or even a camera, you can easily store your clothes, books and essential items here too. One of the zippered compartments includes an organized section to store all your important stuff.
There are slots for your credit cards, wallets, key chains, passports, pens, and phones. If you love organizing your personal effects, this section of the Pacsafe bag will make you feel like right at home!
Water resistant material
The Pacsafe LS450 is constructed with water-resistant material so that you’re belongings are safe no matter the weather. I haven't really spent hours in the rain with it, but so far, it's held up in quick wet walks.
Adjustable shoulder straps
While the shoulders traps are adjustable in length, I would have loved if we could make them a bit shorter still. Even when made as short as possible, they are a bit too long for me right now and the backpack hangs a bit too low.
It seems quite plausible that the designer made the backpack for taller folk. Oh well, that’s a plus for the tall folk!
Weight and size
Weighing just 840 grams, the Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Travel Pack is pretty light, so you can focus more on the bag carrying your things than you carrying the bag.
I’m 165 cms in height and find the LS450 comes a bit too low for me, which makes it feel heavy after a while. Although I would have preferred if the backpack was a little wider and shorter; in general it’s a pretty good size with a slim fit that appears to be designed for taller users.
Luckily though, even at my height, the well-padded back provides ample support.
Durability
The Metrosafe backpack is definitely durable. It’s designed for extended wear and largely weather-resistant. Plus, it comes with a 5-year warranty that keeps you safe from accidental damage.
So far, the backpack has survived short hikes, sun scream spillings, sweaty backs, drops on the floor and zipper-rough-handling. It's still fine.
Aesthetics
The Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Travel Pack is designed keeping both men and women in mind; so it’s comfortable for everyone. The design is simple, slim, sober and stylish. It can be used whether you’re on a hike or whether you’re on a business trip.
The verdict
If the bag was just a little less high and the shoulder straps could be made just a bit shorter, this would probably be the perfect carry-on laptop backpack for me. I love all the compartments, I love the way it looks, I love the quality Pacsafe provides and I love the lockable zippers.
I wear my backpacks very high up my back, though, so if you don't, there's really no reason not to try this bag. You'll be able to use it for years to come.
Get the Metrosafe LS450 from Amazon
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I received a Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 for review purposes.
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