Pacsafe ECO Anti-Theft Waist Pack Review

The Pacsafe ECO Anti-Theft Waist Pack is part of Pacsafe’s ECO collection and features almost 100% recycled materials. Each bag uses the equivalent of six recycled plastic bottles throughout its lining, mesh, webbing, and labels. Pacsafe excels at combining environmentally conscious materials with clever designs and innovative security features, and this waist pack is no exception.

Whether you are exploring a new city, hiking a trail, or hitting up a festival, this pack’s anti-theft technology provides extra security and protection for all your essentials. With a capacity of 3.5 liters and weighing only 0.66 lbs (0.3 kg), it offers plenty of space for just about everything you could need while maintaining a simple and flexible approach to organization. The versatile design can be worn as a shoulder bag, waist pack, or crossbody sling with a simple strap length adjustment. This also ensures a seamless transition between carry styles, making it easy to go from one to the other.

External Components

The Pacsafe ECO Anti-Theft Waist Pack is durable and sustainable. Its 320D ECONYL® regenerated nylon Taslon offers water resistance up to 1000mm and is PFC-free. This nylon fabric not only feels smooth to the touch but also looks great and effectively protects your gear from the elements. What makes this fabric truly special is that it’s made from ocean waste, such as discarded fishing nets, fabric scraps, carpets, and other industrial plastic, demonstrating Pacsafe’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

The external fabric incorporates Pacsafe’s eXomesh® slashguard technology for extra security. This innovative feature includes a built-in stainless steel wire mesh, making the bag cut-resistant and providing users with additional peace of mind. Despite this robust addition, the fabric remains surprisingly soft and comfortable to the touch. You may not even notice that the stainless steel mesh protection is there. The material is also easy to maintain and clean. Any dirt can be quickly wiped off either by hand or with some water, ensuring the bag stays clean and presentable throughout your adventures.

Super smooth YKK zippers glide effortlessly around the bag like butter, enhanced by wide openings that minimize sharp corners. They also feature Pacsafe’s Roobar Sport locking system, which secures the zippers in one place. It not only prevents tampering but also keeps gear safe from pickpockets. It requires a slight learning curve, but it’s a nicely implemented feature once you get the hang of it. You can configure it to secure either the main compartment, the front compartment, or both, offering versatile protection options.

There are two attachment loops on the side with the PopNLock security clip. These loops, one medium-sized and one larger, are relatively pliable yet incredibly sturdy and robust. During testing, we found these loops perfect for clipping on headphones, a Heroclip, or even a water bottle, depending on the size. This pack lacks any grab handle, so aside from these attachment loops, there are no dedicated grab points. The Heroclip, a multifunctional carabiner that can be twisted into a hook for extra versatility, proves particularly useful by serving as a method to attach additional gear. It can also add functionality by providing a way to hang the bag on a hook or a table.  We find the larger size of the Heroclip to be more versatile than the smaller ones, especially since the large attachment points are easy to clip onto. It is an excellent accessory for this waist pack’s attachment points, allowing you to customize and attach extra gear further.

When it comes to branding, this pack is pretty minimal, with a simple Pacsafe logo subtly displayed on the front in a laminate and similarly colored design. This approach advertises the brand without drawing unnecessary attention. The pack also showcases Pacsafe’s commitment to sustainability through various design elements. A tab on the front advertises the use of ECONYL fabric, while a cute little sea turtle emblem is featured on the side. Opposite to the sea turtle, another tab states the company’s goal to “reduce ocean plastic.” These details clearly demonstrate Pacsafe’s dedication to reducing ocean plastic and waste, making it a central theme in the product’s overall aesthetic design.

The Pacsafe ECO Anti-Theft Waist Pack lacks grab handles or secondary grab points for holding or maneuvering, relying primarily on a clutch style or the hip belt/shoulder strap for carrying. The strap features Carrysafe® slashguard technology with Dyneema®, which is reinforced with stainless steel wire mesh to prevent cutting. Despite this extra reinforcement, the strap is still surprisingly smooth and comfortable, though slightly stiffer than most.

One of the standout features is the strap’s adjustability. The adjuster allows for a flexible range of lengths, making it ideal for switching between crossbody and waist pack modes. For a strap reinforced with stainless steel, it is surprisingly easy to adjust. The plastic adjuster is simple and intuitive and allows for flexible positioning of the plastic buckle anywhere along the strap, which is a nice touch when adjusting and wearing the pack.

One notable feature of the strap is its detachable design on one side, which incorporates Pacsafe’s PopNLock Security clip. While this detachable feature isn’t necessary for putting on or removing the bag, it provides a unique security feature. The PopNLock Security clip, once mastered, is quick and easy to use. With a simple press of the button, you can slide out the locking mechanism. For added security, turning a small tab locks the button, preventing it from being pressed and the clip from detaching. This clever feature allows you to secure the bag to a fixed object for an extra layer of protection against theft. Although it may require some initial familiarization, this security feature is a nice touch that enhances the bag’s overall anti-theft functionality, making it an excellent choice for travelers concerned about their belongings.

Fit Notes

The Pacsafe ECO Anti-Theft Waist Pack has a clean and minimal design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Each colorway features dedicated stylish accents that complement the main color well. For example, the Tidal Teal color is paired with a vibrant neon green accent that we are fans of. While these vibrant color combinations may not be the most inconspicuous, they contribute to the pack’s overall aesthetic. With most of the color options, the pack maintains a minimalist and casual appearance, making it work in a variety of settings. The Black variant, despite its neon blue accent, could potentially be used in more formal environments, showcasing the pack’s adaptability to different scenarios.

The pack also offers a pretty comfortable design that provides easy access to all your gear. Its versatility is apparent through its ability to work as a crossbody bag, allowing it to sit comfortably against the body. One particularly noteworthy feature is the strap material. When worn as a crossbody bag on the back, it rarely slides forward when bending down or leaning over. This may seem like a small or inconsequential pro, but it is greatly appreciated in practice as it eliminates the annoyance of repositioning the sling after unwanted forward sliding. The pack’s ability to stay securely in place on the back enhances its overall comfort and usability throughout the day.

Inside The Pack

The Pacsafe ECO Anti-Theft Waist Pack’s interior lining is made from a 75D recycled polyester ripstop, featuring a water-resistant coating that is also PFC-free. The material’s durability and water resistance make it ideal for protecting against accidental spills and ensuring easy cleanup. Additionally, the lining has an aesthetically pleasing grid-like pattern that contributes to its overall durability, making the interior as robust and thoughtfully designed as the exterior.

The front compartment offers practical and straightforward organization. It includes two slip pockets for a minor degree of separation, which, while lacking stretch, sit flush against the compartment’s back when not in use, making them convenient when needed. A nylon key clip with a plastic carabiner is attached to the top, which, although not the most robust feeling, sufficiently keeps keys in place. This compartment’s sides are gusseted, preventing items from accidentally falling out. Beyond these specific features, the rest of the front compartment serves as a general storage area for various gear, providing flexibility in organizing all your gear.

A hidden rear compartment provides enhanced security for valuables. This compartment is RFID-protected, making it ideal for storing sensitive items like a wallet, cards, and passports, effectively shielding them from unauthorized scanning. The compartment’s entrance is cleverly concealed with a zipper dock, blending seamlessly into the pack’s design. This discreet feature adds an extra layer of security, as it may go unnoticed by those unfamiliar with the pack’s layout.

Positioned against the body when worn, this rear compartment provides an additional safeguard for your belongings. It is surprisingly spacious, spanning the entire back panel. This expansive size allows for ample storage of various items. However, it’s worth noting that the compartment functions as an open space without any internal organization.

The main compartment has an exceptionally wide opening, providing an excellent overview of all the gear inside. This feature is particularly appreciated, as it allows easy access and organization of everything inside. Internal organization includes a versatile elastic pocket that fits up to a 7″ tablet. Throughout our testing, this pocket proved ideal for securely storing a larger smartphone, like an iPhone 15 Pro Max, without it falling out of the pocket. On the opposite side, a simple zippered pocket offers secure storage for smaller items such as headphones, hand sanitizer, or keys, keeping them neatly organized and easily accessible.

The rest of the main compartment offers plenty of space for larger items, easily accommodating a wide array of essentials like a power bank, mini fan, or hand warmer. The minimal organization within this space is thoughtful and intuitive, keeping things tidy without sacrificing valuable room. This design allows users to maximize the available space while maintaining a level of organization, combining an ideal balance of flexibility and structure.

The Pacsafe ECO Anti-Theft Waist Pack offers a fantastic blend of security, sustainability, and functionality. Its eco-friendly materials show Pacsafe’s commitment to environmental responsibility without compromising quality or performance. The pack’s anti-theft features, including the innovative PopNLock Security clip and RFID-protected compartment, provide peace of mind for travelers, urban explorers, and festival-goers. With its comfortable design, versatile carry modes, space, and intuitive internal organization, this pack is an excellent choice for those looking for a secure, environmentally conscious, and stylish pack that can flex to fit a variety of scenarios.