Miscellaneous Forum

Anyone have any experiences with cargo pants? I have read many people love them to travel, but are they any safer, or are pockets - pockets for the picking.

Depends.

I like mine because they are comfy, but only use the noisy Velcro pockets (and the tight-fitting ones in front) for anything valuable. Same with any other sort of trousers: I don't think cargos are much safer, though probably safer than a backpack (which can be slashed) or a shoulder bag which can be grabbed/have its strap cut.

Yes, Velcro makes a lovely loud noise when opened. That is it's major protection.

The pockets on your legs are at a perfect height for those cute little children with the newspapers.

I think they'd be good for carrying lots of extra stuff on the plane ,if you're trying to keep within weight restrictions. I haven't booked in a bag for the Karlsruhe trip because 'm doing a bit of travelling afterwards and don't want to be carrying a heavy bag. So it's just my small carry on case but now Aer Lingus are limiting cabin baggage to 6 KGs.Think I can pack enough for aweek in 6KGs ? I'll probably end up wearing three sets of clothes travelling :)

i always use them for travel - but only the ones with zipper pockets in front (i never place anything in my backpockets). they at least deter pickpockets to a degree.

Ekaterinburg, I wore a layered outfit on my last plane trip, and I was pulled aside at the metal detectors. They made me wait in a glassed-in box with a locked door at the other end, and then had me walk through a machine that blew air up my skirt -- like Marilyn Monroe, only not so much fun.

When I asked why, the security guy said, "Because you're wearing bulky clothes." It was a long dress with a long sleeveless tunic over it (both made of thin cotton jersey), and a thin sweater over that. It really was not bulky. Plus, it was silly to think that the air machine would help. If I'd had plastique or an AK-47 strapped to my waist, a blast of air would not have dislodged it.

People wearing cargo pants onto the plane might rate the same treatment.

So if I get a slash proof shoulder bag (see link below) and wear it "New York style", which is across the front, what do you think are the chances someone would try to pull it off? I'm concerned about someone injuring my neck!

The back pack (it's a slash proof one) is really too big and uncomfortable to hike around with - I bought it, it's great for some things, but too much of a load.

I'm looking at the following "Metro Safe" shoulder bag with a slash proof strap:
http://www.rei.com/product/735779

I think you are worrying about this far too much.

Someone might try and pull it off, of course. Anywhere. But it's never happened to me nor have I ever seen it happen, and I doubt there are probability statistics for it happening anywhere.

I doubt anyone would try and pull off a bag which was actually over someone's head anyway; thieves aren't stupid, and trying to do so would rather defeat the whole speedy bag-snatching point!

Bags over heads are more likely to just have their straps cut, I would have thought.

Thank you leics ... I agree, and I know I'm paranoid at times. I think I'm just trying to improve the travel experience with every trip.

-I had a nice small leather backpack, but after a while it started staining my clothes black (it was not inexpensive either).
-I moved to the "slash proof" bag, but I find it too big.
-I have downsized what I carry - and walking around with a smaller bag was great

So now, I think I may have the right combination - smaller bag, slashproof. You're right, I think I'm over stressing ... it's just nice to have some concurrence. I hope this is my last change - the new bag. Like in the Three Little Pigs ... not too small, not too large ... just right! ;=)

And there really, really are so very, very few wolves.............:-)

Martha, I understand you feeling a little apprehesive. I'm always a little apprehensive before I go on a trip but then once I actually get going I'm fine. Last year I read so many horrible things about Prague, in terms of pickpockets and tourists being crowded on the trams and robbed, that I didn't use any public transport.I think it's no harm to be careful.I carry a small wallet like container, big enough for passport and travel documents around my neck and underneath my clothes. It's very lightweight and if you have a jacket or loose shirt on, no one would ever realise you were wearing it. You can also get the same sort of thing, very flat and discreet and wear it round your waist underneath the waistband of your trousers. Make sure you have photo copies of all your important documents in your luggage. Then look confident and casual :))

Thanks Katherine ... yes, I have a neck pouch which I actually wear around my waist - *always* use it. But now I'm down to the other part, where I carry my camera, a small amount of cash, cell, water, and maps. This is where I carry a couple of extra batteries for the camera and the extra chip.

I did have someone hit my back pack last year in Madrid (could have happened anywhere). There's a metro change coming from the airport, and when I got in the second train a lady from outside knocked and told me somebody was robbing me ... of course this person was next to me! So I told her in Spanish there was nothing there! I had bought some items and they were lodged on top of the cameras, but had it not been for that I think they would have gotten to the cameras -that is, as paranoid as I am. There was a small amount of cash they missed. It was awful to see *all* the zippers opened. This is what I'm trying to "fix".

I would feel lost without my underclothes pouch! And I'm hoping this new bag I ordered will "fix" the rest - as well as can be done.

See you in Karlsruhe!

I have several cargo pants and I like them very much. My only problem is that as the velcro straps get older, it loses its grip and thing tend to fall out from these pockets as I drive or seat in the office. The buttons also fell out on some , so keys and bulky wallets tend to fall out.


bong

I think I'd look a bit silly in Cargo pants so I have to have everything either on me or in my bag. I've decided not to bring my new camera as it's too heavy to carry around discreetly. The compact which can be kept in one's pocket will have to do. Front pockets of jeans are fairly safe places for money I think. other than that I'll just carry the tote bag I use at home and look as if Ihave nothing worth stealing.

Bong,

Velcro straps can be replaced and buttons sewn on again :)