Review on Anti-Theft Daypack For 15" Laptop - Pacsafe Venturesafe G3 15L In Lakeside Blue by Omar Obong

I like the looks of this Pacsafe Venturesafe G3 25 Liter (model60545100) better than prior years. It doesn’t look like a geeky security pack. It looks "normal”. Not "travel normal”. Just city-use normal.For example I got black. The zipper tabs are normal pulls, not cable loops anymore. Plus, a nice dark tone for the zipper pulls, with no paint to rub off. The anchor point (Roobar) is also dark toned. The PacSafe logo is monochrome. The exterior fabric is all nylon, an upgrade over cheaper polyester.Starting in 2019 ( I have the pre 2019 version too) there is a water bladder tube hole at top and internal suspension point, a better haul handle (no longer cuts into my hand), the laptop slot (15”) is suspended so you won’t bump your laptop with every set-down, and the laptop slot is padded with high density, but thin, foam which I think offers the best trade off of weight and bulk vs. protection.This is a simple two compartment design. The frontmost compartment is sized about like an 11-12 inch laptop. The main compartment provides the bulk of storage space. There isn’t any wasted space on superfluous pockets and slots, but the main compartment has that laptop or water bladder slot, and the smaller accessory compartment has an RFID passport slot, phone slot, and mesh zipper pocket. It’s sleeker looking due the mild teardrop shape, but conversely less efficient than a more truly rectangular travel-optimized carryon pack.The back panel is nicely done - enough medium stiff padding for structure, not so much it wastes too much storage space.There’s side compression straps, unpadded simple waist strap, and sternum strap. The side compression straps unbuckle so you don’t have to loosen and retighten as often.The mesh bottle slots, like almost all of their ilk, are too shallow to keep slick metal bottles from sliding out. I mainly use them only from post-TSA to seat to hold my refilled Platypus flattenable "IV”-style water bottles (I drink them flat inflight, then roll and stow them inside the pack, when safely empty and not wasting space).Jury’s out on the detachable, at shoulder height, mechanism for separating the backpack strap to loop around a pole or chair. The strap used to unlock at the hip.The lockable mechanism for the zipper pulls is really clever; I use cable zip ties through the optional travel padlock hole and use a pair of nail clippers to cut the zip tie off later. 4” zip ties are dirt cheap so single use works out ok fir the convenience and peace of mind.In terms of bus security, I give this a "10” if you fall into a medium heavy sleep on a bus. A 0-5 if you are passed out drunk - but that’s not the bag’s fault.In terms of room security, if you zip tie the shoulder strap and compartment zippers, this also gets a "10” in terms of another guest spotting the daypack through an open door while cleaning staff is juggling several rooms at once. A thief can’t easily open it or make off with it. It is NOT designed for extended unattended storage in public places. The Exomesh doesn’t cover all panels, for example.In short the security features delay and hinder, they aren’t invulnerable.One new security enhancement that I think is a great help is making the zipper coils much harder to separate with a ballpoint pen tip. If someone accesses, it will be by knife or shears and you will be warned by the visible cuts, not get fooled by a stealth zipper attack.4” zip ties are essential!In terms of travel, this is my usual transoceanic, plus connecting flight, "kit”:1. This pack stowed overhead.2. 15L tote or shoulder bag or messenger bag under the seat.3. PacSafe Vibe 4L hip pack, worn. The gate agents don’t ding me for the hip pack as a "3rd piece”.This 25L pack holds my toiletries, iPad, old spare phone, spare reading and distance glasses, spare synthetic (for sink was) tee shirt, spare underwear and socks. Travel pants if space permits.The tote holds my inflight "comfort items” (Fire tablet for movies and Kindle, earbuds) and a wind shell in summer or something warmer in winter.The hip pack contains whatever "must have” items I would want in the event of an emergency evacuation.This simple formula has taken care of me for years and years. I have tried larger overhead bags (Patagonia MLC; LLBean 32L school pack) but even setting aside security features, I keep coming back to this 25L PacSafe. It’s the right size, has sensible pockets and compartments, is durable, 5 year guarantee, and isn’t very heavy at all despite an interior lining and padded back, and most importantly (LOL) looks good.I can’t recommend which size or model is best, but I can say there is no longer a weight or appearance or even cost penalty. Well worth checking out!