7 ways to safeguard your gear when traveling (and the products I refuse to travel without)

Traveling with expensive gadgets, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, has become a part of life — and while the majority of travel goes without a hitch, there are times when things go wrong.

Items can be lost, left behind, or stolen, putting a crimp on your day. Theft, in particular, can be upsetting, especially if it involves physical violence.

Also: I traveled 70,000+ miles last year for work – here’s what’s in my bag

Here’s how I use tech to prevent things from going wrong, and how to make things better if the worst happens. Note that this is what I personally do when traveling, and your mileage may vary, so feel free to alter and customize these tips to match your needs and preferences.

1. Get insurance for your gadgets

First things first — get insurance. While it won’t prevent items from being lost or stolen, it does take the sting out of replacing them.

2. Use common sense

If you walk around with a smartphone in your hand, a laptop under your arm, and buds in your ears, you’re advertising what you own, but you’re also making yourself an easy target because you lack situational awareness. On top of that, the more items you carry in your hands or under your arms instead of in a bag or pocket, the more likely you are to leave something behind when you stop for a break.

Think carefully about what you need to take with you. Do you really need that MacBook Pro, or can you get by with just your smartphone? If you don’t take it with you, it can’t be lost or stolen.

3. Back up and encrypt data

Do yourself a favor before you go: back up your data. Hardware can be replaced, but your data cannot. Use a cloud backup service, such as Backblaze, and then you can access that data on the move. It’s also a good idea to password protect all your devices and encrypt the data.

Also: The best VPN services (and how to choose the right one for you)

4. Use finder tags

My grandpa used to say, “Have a place for everything and keep everything in its place.” This advice has served me well, especially alongside modern tech like finder tags.

As an iPhone user, I rely on Apple AirTags, but there are alternatives for Android users (such as the Chipolo POP). Finder tags have become a core part of my daily life, and have removed a lot of travel-related stress. I attach tags to everything important, including my passport (in its own Satechi “Find My” cover), keys, and wallet, and I place two tags in my luggage and bags.

Also: This is the best AirTag alternative for Android users, and I love its safety features

Why two tags? Thieves have become wise to finder tags and may look for them in bags and suitcases. Having two tags increases the chance that one will be overlooked, giving you a better chance of recovering your item.

I’ve also started using ElevationLabs TimeCapsule for AirTags, which swaps out the puny CR2032 button cell with its one-year battery life, for two powerful lithium AA batteries, giving the tags a 10-year lifespan. I’ve found that I can epoxy the entire holder to the bottom of a case so it can’t be removed, lost, or misplaced, making it a great option for tracking. 

As for what to do with the location information for your lost item, that’s up to you. You can retrieve lost items, but I recommend caution when dealing with stolen items. It’s always best to leave the recovery of stolen goods to the authorities — you don’t want to inadvertently wander into a den of thieves.

5. Secure your phone

Tether tags that fit inside your phone case and allow you to attach a lanyard are a great way to prevent your phone from being snatched. They are a T-shaped plastic or fabric tag that fits inside the phone case, and you attach a lanyard to the loop that sticks out of the charge port hole. 

I have a heavy-duty one that is supplied to first responders, police, and the military from a UK company called Niton999, but if you want something heavy-duty that won’t let you down no matter what, take a look at the Nite Ize phone anchor and tether kit. For under $15, this kit offers great peace of mind. 

However, do avoid putting the lanyard around your neck — this can be dangerous if your phone is snatched or gets caught on something.

6. Invest in good luggage and bags

Returning to my grandpa’s advice, having decent luggage and bags is essential. I use Peli Air hard cases, a cabin case from Aer, and I’ve been trialing the Rollaer cabin case, which swaps wheels for a rubber roller. These cases are tough and have survived numerous encounters with airline baggage handlers.

I also cover my luggage with distinctive stickers and reflective tape. This makes the luggage stand out, reducing the risk of someone picking it up by mistake, and makes it easier to identify if someone tries to steal it. While I’m restricted to TSA-compliant locks while going through airport security, I switch to better-quality locks afterwards.

7. Use anti-theft bags

I’ve been testing an anti-theft sling bag from Pacsafe. These bags have features designed to deter thieves, such as clips to secure zippers, RFID-blocking pockets for bank cards and passports, a clip to fasten the bag to a secure object, and anti-slash wire mesh in the strap and fabric to prevent thieves from cutting the bag.

I’ve seen lots written about these bags, but I wanted to test their slash-resistance. So, I bought one to sacrifice. I tested it against two common bag-slashing attacks: in one, the strap is cut to steal the whole bag, and in another, a discreet cut is made to steal items from inside without the wearer noticing.

Also: The best VPN services for iPhone and iPad (yes, you need to use one)

You can cut the fabric so far, but you soon hit some wire mesh that brings the cutting fun to an end. The straps have two lengths of wire that prevent slash attacks going far at all:

There’s no way I could slash this bag to remove anything sizable, and cutting the strap is out of the question. 

Bottom line: I’m impressed with how the bag held up. It’s another line of defense against theft. The bag I use (a larger version of the one I tested) is sensibly laid out with pockets and zippers and holds everything I need.

Also: The best power banks you can buy: Expert tested

I usually carry a small power bank or two (I prefer thin, low-profile power banks like the Nitecore NB Air for travel) and a couple of cables. This way, I don’t have to rely on AC outlets in cafes during the day. I can run cables from my bag into whatever device needs charging and keep my setup compact and mobile — much better than spreading out a bunch of cables, chargers, and more across a table in a cafe.

There’s room for customization

This is my gear loadout, and even this setup varies depending on where I’m going and what I’m doing (and what I happen to be testing at the time). Sometimes I need a huge case (or two), sometimes I’m fine with a small carry-on backpack, and other times I’m adding things like drones. 

However, the core gear stays much the same when traveling. And everywhere I go, I use finder tags, keep my wits about me, and do things that make it hard for thieves to do their thieving.