As a food and travel writer, a certain level of risk is unavoidable when traveling alone and exploring unfamiliar spaces. I love my job so much, and it’s always so exciting to meet new people and try new foods and flavors—but there’s absolutely been a few not-so-great moments along the way.
Like many of my travel writer friends, I’ve been pickpocketed in the past—I was lucky in that I didn’t lose my passport or my phone in the process, but I have lots of friends who weren’t as lucky. None of us wants to scale back on the travel we love, but we can make efforts to stay safer when we’re out and about, whether as a solo female traveler or just in crowded tourist-heavy spots. We can take easy steps to protect ourselves, with personal safety devices and other items that will help avoid potential theft and risk.
Thankfully, Amazon’s July 4th sales make that a lot easier, as some of my very favorite go-to packables for anti-theft protection and personal safety are now on sale—some as much as 50 percent off.
Best Overall Deals
Master Lock Pink Portable Small Lock Box
Amazon
There are plenty of places that we need to protect our valuables—trains, planes, the gym, while at the pool or the beach—and this cute and portable lockbox is a great way to get the job done. It’s light, compact, and easy to use: just set your own combination and go. Despite its portable size, it’s still roomy enough to keep passports, credit cards, cash, phone, keys, and anything else you need safe. One five-star Amazon reviewer calls this lock box “a must-have for peace of mind.”
It even comes with a handy included cable loop so you can secure the box to a fixed object, like your bike, bed post at the hostel, beach chair, or just about anywhere else.
Lewis N. Clark TSA Approved Padlock & Bike Lock
Amazon
We want our valuables to be safe and secure at all times, but we can’t always keep them in our sight. This TSA-approved luggage lock with a flexible steel cable is ideal for airports and on public transportation; it can keep our luggage and anything else we need to keep secure, safe, and sealed. “Bought this to lock up my skis at the ski resort so I don’t have to worry about them walking off,” shares an Amazon five-star review. It’s easy to use, too, since you just set the code and lock it, no key required.
Oxt Anti-theft Zipper Clips
Amazon
These zipper clips are great to keep purses or backpacks more securely closed when traveling. Clip one onto the existing zipper and it’ll be a deterrent for pickpockets. “Purchased these for backpacks we’ll be using in Europe. But not just Europe, anywhere we’re in a crowd where there is the possibility of a pickpocket getting into our packs,” shares a five-star Amazon review. They’re easy to use and come in a pack of six, so you can use them on all of your travel bags.
Peak Gear RFID Neck Wallet
Amazon
Pickpockets are going to go for open-topped purses or backpacks first and foremost; they want the easy grab-and-run. This neck wallet will be much harder to get into without you noticing; plus, its durable water-resistant fabric and RFID-blocking properties will keep the contents safe, no matter where you are. Amazon shoppers love how secure and well-designed this neck wallet is, calling it “great for travel” because of how much it can hold—phone, keys, credit cards, and a passport.
Emdmak Door Stop Alarm
Amazon
As a solo female traveler, I’m always extra alert when staying at hotels or Airbnbs. My personal safety is always front of my mind, and I know sometimes people get the wrong key card or a door can swing open. This door stop alarm is so easy to carry and use; you don’t have to be handy because there’s no installation necessary. Just place the alarm behind any inner pull door and have added peace of mind when showering, changing, or going to bed for the night. “I appreciate the extra sense of security I feel when I travel alone. It’s easy to use and the alarm is loud enough that it would most certainly get my attention,” shares an Amazon reviewer.
Skysper Sling Bag RFID Crossbody
Amazon
A crossbody is the perfect way to keep items secure and attached to you, while also in your line of sight and your hands free. This Skysper bag’s main compartment is large enough for your phones and keys, while the RFID-blocking zippered pocket is a perfect spot for your passport, other IDs, and credit cards.
Nilone Hidden Camera Detector
Amazon
There are absolute horror stories about vacation rental and Airbnb hosts leaving hidden cameras in even the most sensitive areas of their home in order to monitor their guests. This means you could possibly be a victim of listening devices or hidden cameras, even while in the bedroom or bathroom. Hidden camera detectors are surprisingly affordable and help keep you safe by scanning the area for any signals. “I actually used this at a hotel we stayed at. Busted!” says one Amazon five-star reviewer of this hidden camera detector.
Tracki GPS Tracker
Amazon
The Tracki GPS Tracker is a handy device when traveling as it’s an app that works as a GPS tracker for cars, luggage, keys, and more—even children and pets, making it truly priceless when traveling or even right at home. Use it to keep an eye on your belongings, or keep it on your person and have a friend or family member know where you are when traveling solo. It’s the best tracker on the market, says an Amazon five-star reviewer. “Not only is it incredibly reliable and easy to use, but it’s also surprisingly affordable compared to other options on the market,” they write. “I’ve been impressed with its accuracy and consistency—it gives me peace of mind knowing I can track what matters most without any hassle.”
Nite Ize Hitch Phone Anchor and Tether
Amazon
Whether keeping our phone in a pocket or holding onto it, it can drop, get lost, or be grabbed—and travel is a nightmare without our phone at our fingertips, not to mention the safety or cost concerns. This phone anchor is super secure with a double-gated carabiner with a twist-to-lock center locking mechanism. This is a must for peace of mind when traveling, according to Amazon shoppers. “On a recent trip overseas, I had my phone in my hand most of the day, every day, in a city that has recently become notorious for phone snatchers,” writes one five-star reviewer. “The design gives the flexibility to attach this to an item (bag, pants, etc) or loop around your wrist, but I ended up using it around my wrist most of the time.”
Onever 4-pack Faraday Bags
Amazon
Hackers pose a serious risk, and I live in constant fear of fraud and identity theft. Access to passports, other IDs, and credit cards makes theft that much easier, so a pouch that protects against those RFID readers scanning our chips is a huge help. These signal-blocking bags can protect bank cards, credit cards, and anything else that has our crucial private information from being tracked or hacked. Even more fun? Put your phone in the bag and it won’t get a signal either…great for avoiding phone calls or texts when trying to get some shuteye on another time zone. “Worth every penny!” shares an Amazon shopper.
Anker 621 Magnetic Portable Charger
Amazon
A portable charger can literally be a lifesaver if we need to access maps to find our way home when lost or call an Uber to get us out of a dangerous situation. This Anker device charges quickly, is lightweight, and even comes with a built-in USB-C cable so you won’t worry about forgetting yours in the hotel room. “This is a great piece of tech, compact in size, has just enough capacity for what can be needed in day-to-day life as a backup power device,” says an Amazon shopper.
Boxiki Travel RFID-blocking Sleeves
Amazon
RFID-blocking gets increasingly important as hackers continue to become more sophisticated; these secure sleeves couldn’t be simpler to use. Protect bank cards, credit cards, ID, or passports from scanners that can hack and commit fraud and theft by sliding them into the sleeves. “I was a victim of someone scanning my credit cards while they were in my wallet, and I came across this product,” shares an Amazon shopper. “It fits snugly in your wallet. It comes in various colors ,which can assist you in organizing your cards if you have multiple cards, like I do. The sleeves are very durable, weightless, so it doesn’t make your wallet too bulky. Since I’ve purchased this, I have had no more problems with RFID scamming.”
Drink Cover Scrunchies
Amazon
As a solo female traveler, there are a lot of dangerous situations we can find ourselves in. It’s very easy for someone to slip something into our drink if it’s unattended or uncovered. These reusable drink-cover scrunchies are an easy solution for peace of mind by covering cups to block someone from slipping nefarious drugs inside. As an added bonus, reviewers say they use them while at the beach or camping to keep sand and bugs out of drinks, too.
EverBrite 3-pack Mini Flashlights
Amazon
There are many reasons to consider packing a mini flashlight when traveling. They offer a light source in emergencies or blackouts, or simply a dark room where a light isn’t accessible. If you are lost or injured and trying to find your way back, it can be a lifesaver—and, if you are simply trying to read instructions, a label, or even relaxing with a book in a dark room, that light can be helpful then too. “Perfect for travel. Lightweight, small, and easy to fit in a carry-on. Love the glow in the dark feature; makes them easy to locate in the dark, yet it is not obnoxious,” says one Amazon shopper.
Xeoxarel Women’s Fleece Vest With 6 Pockets
Amazon
Pickpockets know to look for purses and backpacks, but hidden pockets are a great line of defense. This cute fleece vest is great for layering and feeling comfortable and casual while exploring, but it also boasts six pockets, both internal and external, and some zippered and hidden, ideal for keeping valuables and personal items secure. “This is a necessary part of my travel apparel when I fly. I fill the pockets with my passport, boarding passes, phone, ear buds, reading glasses, etc. It looks nice with black stretchy pants and a white blouse, plus it keeps me warm in a chilly airplane,” says one five-star Amazon reviewer.
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