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Your laptop, phone, and wallet are not just valuable to you, they are valuable to others too, so protect your gear virtually anywhere with a portable travel safe. Safes are no longer just metal boxes, they can be soft and packable and they’re definitely not just for homes, portable travel safes offer security in hotels, vacation rentals, vehicles, RVs, boats, offices, dorms, and even outdoors too!

What is a Portable Travel Safe

The latest safe designs are packable and they even incorporate flexible steel for added protection too. Most have hidden steel mesh cages or are of a hard quality plastic that you lock closed and tether to a stationary item. Typical stationary items used for tethering are bed-frames, lounge chairs, car seat frames, bike frames, umbrellas, and even tree trunks. Travel safes are great lock-n-leave security solutions for everyday security concerns and travel as well.

Where to Use a Travel Safe

There are many situations where your valuables are vulnerable and that is precisely why you need to pack a portable safe. Many of the better hotels in the US and abroad offer room safes. However, many of the safes are too small to fit a laptop, files, or larger camera gear. So what do you do if you need to secure bulkier items? What if you’re out and about, or just even poolside and need to secure your valuables while you leave your lounge chair? How many people have access to that vacation rental property you’re staying in? Do you trust that your apartment can only be entered by you? Are valuables secure in your office when you leave them behind?

Useful Locations to Use a Portable Safe

hotel
gym
home
car trunk
boat
beach
camping
vacation rental
dorm
hostel

In all these situations a portable safe can offer peace of mind and security. Each of the following designs has unique features to meet the various need you may have. I have two portable safes. One which is larger that fits my laptop and DSLR camera and a smaller one just for essentials like glasses and phone and wallet. Keep reading for our review of the best models you can choose from. Be sure to click on the item to see images of how and where to use the safe!

Check out These Popular Portable Travel Safes

Pacsafe Travelsafe X25 Portable Lock Box 25 Liter Stainless Steel Mesh Design

The largest portable travel safe this bag has carry handles and backpack strap straps to help carry it. It measures 20 inches H x 13 W x 8 D. This bag secures a generous amount of equipment like camera gear. Your 15-inch laptop, a table and so much more! The external fabric of this travel safe is water-resistant in addition to being slash safe. There’s actually steel mesh known as 360-degree exomesh embedded in the material of the bag to stop any slashing or cutting attempts. The built-in locking cable is steel and the included lock is a 3 dial TSA accepted steel lock. The safe can be folded flat and placed inside luggage for use at your destination, or you can use it as your carry-on bag making this portable travel safe highly versatile. The travelsafe weighs 2 lbs.

Pacsafe Travelsafe 5L GII Portable Safe, Charcoal

This maximum-security portable travel safe has stainless steel wire mesh embedded in poly canvas is extremely cut resistant. It’s designed by Pacsafe the original anti-theft brand. This portable safe measures 10 inches wide by 16 inches high and 1.5 inches deep. So measure your laptop to see if it fits and place it your tablet passport, wallet and other valuables inside. The way the safe works is that once your valuables are inside you cinch the bag closed with the steel cable keeping it closed with the built-in locking nut and the looping the steel cable around a secure item and locking it down with the included TSA accepted 3 dial combination lock. The light-colored interior enhances the visibility of the travel safe’s contents. This safe stores flat in your luggage taking up very little room and it’s surprisingly light at just one pound. About $99.00

LOCTOTE Flak Sack SPORT – Lightweight Theft-Resistant Drawstring Backpack | Lockable | Slash-Resistant | Portable Safe

This portable travel safe is theft-resistant and designed to be a drawstring backpack too. This bag has a steel-reinforced locking strap and heavy-duty combination lock so you can the bag shut and to a fixed object. The material is slash, tear and abrasion resistant fabric with industrial exterior coating It’s also water resistant to protect your contents from rain, spills, and more. This bag features a large interior RFID blocking pocket to shield credit cards and passports from unauthorized scanning by e-thieves. About $120.00

Anti-Theft Portable Safe. FlexSafe by AquaVault (Beach Chair Lockbox & Packable Travel Vault)

The Flexsafe is the smallest and most portable of the travel safes we’ve reviewed. This design fits your phone, passport, small wallet, and keys. This easy to pack travel safe is water-resistant and measures 10 x 6 x 2.5 inches. It’s perfectly suited to pool-side security and sports applications like golf carts and bikes. Take the Flexsafe to water parks, on cruises, or camping. It secures with a programmable and quality magnetic closure. the Flexsafe makes a great bon voyage gift. About $69.00

Masterlock Set Your Own Combination Portable Safe-with Lock Down Cable

Made by the trusted name Master Lock. This compact portable safe or lock box secures your small essentials in a hardshell case that has a built-in cable and 4 dial lock so you can lock it closed and then lock it down for peace of mind at the field, park, pool or anywhere else you may want to secure your small valuables. this little security box even has an ear/bud/charging cable access port so you can still charge your phone or use the headphone while your phone is secure inside. This is a great feature that most use for charging and while keeping their phone safe if they are away from it. The dimensions are 8W x 3.5 D x 1.25 H. A great value at about $24.00.

SAFEGO Portable Indoor/Outdoor Lock Box Safe with Key and Combination Access

This is a great smaller safe that is lightweight but strong enough to keep smaller valuables secure. You can stash your phone, wallet, keys, and even your glasses when you head out for a swim or jog along the surf in this element resistant portable safe. Made by Safego this portable safe is constructed with high-impact ABS plastic and is water and sand resistant to offer protection for small electronics when you’re out boating, camping, lounging poolside, or diving. The Safego travel lock box is equipped with a 17-inch adjustable cable you use to attach the safe box to a fixed object. A fixed object can be a lounge chair, clothing rod in your room, or fence at the park among other things. Select from a variety of colors to express your style. About $49.00

Anti-Theft Cooler Bag that locks closed and to your deck chair to keep gear secure

The Cool Bag has a locking zipper to secure contents and a handle that locks to a stationary item to thwart theft of the bag. It’s made of 100% UV-resistant polyester and features stain/water resistance and waterproof coating. Side water bottle pockets are expandable, and a magazine pocket has a hidden zipper that allows the TSA-compliant bag to fit over a rolling luggage handle. Make this your onboard travel bag, your bag for sporting events, and beach days. As its name suggests it’s also a cooler with a separate compartment for snacks and beverages.

Can’t decide? See a greater selection of anti-theft portable travel safes to secure your valuables at home or while traveling.

I’m sure you’ve wondered what is the best way to keep valuables safe at the beach or pool. Have you ever gone to the beach and wondered what should I do with my phone, camera, keys or other valuables while I’m in the water? You’re not alone and thefts are common, especially at popular and crowded beaches favored by tourists.

Keeping Valuables Safe While at the Beach

1. The only way not to lose something to theft is not to bring it in the first place. Well, that is not always possible.

2. The next step is to try to thwart the efforts of would-be thieves by keeping your valuables on your person (in a waterproof gear) while you swim or stroll along the shore.

3. The next option is to secure your gear in bags you can lock down to a stationary item like a lounge chair or umbrella. Be sure to see the videos below that capture how thieves operate and get inspired to protect your valuables too before you pack your sunscreen and towel.

(VIDEOS ARE AT THE BOTTOM KEEP SCROLLING DOWN)

Guarding Your Possessions at the Beach or Pool

The first thing you can do to protect your valuables is never to leave them unattended. Especially when you go into the water or doze off to catch a few winks.
Store small, necessary items like your car key, spare cash and credit cards and even your phone or tablet inside a waterproof pouch you can carry on your person. Yes, you can go into the water with your phone on your person. Make sure your waterproof pouch is secured to your body as closely as possible so that a wave doesn’t pull it off.

Waterproof waist pouches are better than waterproof neck pouches in the ocean as neck pouches are more apt to float off your body especially if you get hit by a wave.
Use a portable locking safe. Certain bags can be secured to a stationary item like a chair or umbrella, or another immovable object. The Pacsafe Travelsafe X15 Anti-Theft Portable Safe secures essentials in many environments including the beach or pool. You just need something to lock it to like a lounge chair or beach umbrella.

Travelsafe 5l , protecting valuables at the beach or pool

Pacsafe Travelsafe GII 5 Liter Portable Safe

Another bag with built-in locking technology is the CoolBag Locking Anti-Theft Travel Tote With Insulated Cooler. It offers anti-theft features plus a built-in cooler. It keeps things secure and cool, again you just need something to lock the bag to.
Locking Anti-Theft Travel Tote With Insulated Cooler Compartment- Check Price

Alternatives To Keeping Gear Safe at the Beach or Pool

Don’t have the right anti-theft gear with you? Here are a few alternative measures to take.
Try to go into the ocean in shifts so someone is always watching the valuables. If you can’t do this, read on for various suggestions to protect unattended valuables.
Set your towel down in front of a lifeguard tower when possible. The hope is that thieves won’t want to operate near someone who might catch them in the act of stealing while you are in the water.
Don’t leave your valuables exposed – if you must leave your valuables, at least, tuck them under a beach towel. If the item is larger, dig down a little in the sand so the towel remains flat when placed over it. If you have electronics place them in a large zip-lock style bag and bury it, then cover with a beach towel. The bag protects the electronics from the sand. If you do this, make sure the bag is completely sealed. We like weather and water-proof cases specially designed for 100% protection against water and sand. These bags are stronger than plastic food storage bags.
Strike up a conversation with a family near you. Make sure the people remember you and don’t be shy about asking them to keep an eye on your stuff for short periods of time. If you’re generous about sharing things like cold drinks, you can generate enough goodwill to ensure your possessions are watched over even when you’re not there. If you ask another beachgoer to watch your property, remember, you don’t know who they are, nor that they would watch your property as much as you would so make sure you think this idea through – but it is an option if you had no other choice and at least you are selected the person. Most people really don’t mind, and they might even ask you to return the favor.
Take or rent a beach chair and use it to attach a portable safe to or place your beach bag directly underneath it, making it more difficult for a thief to grab it and run. The added cost of renting a chair or umbrella is better than having to replace valuables.

Great Packable Security Safes

The following two beach or pool safes lock to a stationary item (like a beach chair or umbrella) and they also lock closed to keep valuables safe while at the beach.
The beach towel with built-in sand resistant and water-resistant pocket is a less secure alternative, but ideal if you don’t have a chair or umbrella to lock a portable safe to.

SafeGo Portable Lock Box

• Durable plus water and sand resistant
• Lock box has 3 digit combo + key access
• Heavy-duty 17″ steel cable wraps around a fixed object
• Rust-resistant, nickel-plated lock
• Lightweight ABS plastic, easy to pack

Flexsafe Portable Safe

• Ultra slash-resistant portable travel safe
• Water-resistant design
• RFID blocking
• Re-programmable 3 digit combination lock
• Light-Weight & easily packable

Travel Towel with Hidden Water/Sand Resistant Pocket

• Towel with built-in water-resistant pocket
• Conceals valuables while you’re sleeping or swimming
• XL size, 60″x 30″ weighs 8oz.
• Made of quick-drying and ultra-soft microfiber
• Light-Weight & easily packable

These Videos Show How Thieves Work at the Beach

You really need to plan ahead and think about how to keep valuables safe while at the beach or pool before you leave on your trip. That way you can invest in a waterproof body pouch or a larger portable lockdown safe. While more expensive than a body pouch the flexibility of a safe is that you’ll be able to use it in a hotel room, car, vacation rental property, camping, etc. for years to come.

Simple Safety and Security Advice When Making Hotel Reservations

After you pick the location for your next hotel stay, savvy travelers recommend you do two things when making hotel reservations to ensure a more relaxing stay.

First, you need to give security some thought, even if you’re staying at a top resort. Next, you should make your personal requests known in advance. Here’s why.

Security Priorities

Request a hotel room in the “safest room zone”
That’s defined as a room on the second floor or higher, but below the 6^th in case there is a fire and the fire department needs to reach you. A room on the ground floor that has doors or windows that open to the outside is riskier especially in the case of motels, rooms off parking lots, or if you like to sleep with an open window.

Who else can access your room?
Pack a portable travel door lock. You never know if there are extra keys, key cards or pass keys out there that can open your hotel room while you are inside. You’ll sleep more soundly knowing your room is truly locked.

Identity theft happens most frequently in hotels
According to Experian, identity theft crimes took place most commonly in hotels (24 percent), restaurants (18 percent) and followed by airports (12 percent). Guard your credit cards, ID, and passport when you travel. Do not give out your credit card number to someone calling your room, even if they say they are calling from the front desk. Do not use the open WiFi connection or business center computers to conduct personal business or anything requiring a password protecting personal data.

How safe is the room safe?
A common place you leave items with your personal information while you are away from the room is the room safe. All hotel safes have a bypass code or way to open them in case a guest forgets their passcode or if the safe’s electronics fail. Theft from a room safe is virtually unprovable. Consider a safe lock that works to discourage and stop would be thieves. There’s a lot of peace of mind right there.

Personal Request for Comfort and Convenience

Room location
Do you want to be close to the pool, lobby or an elevator? Have the hotel reservations agent mark your preference in your reservation at the time of booking (try to get that room between the 2nd and 6th floor.)

Room amenities
Do you want more pillows or special hypo-allergenic pillows? Ask for them at the time of booking so that housekeeping can place them in your room before your arrival or as soon as you arrive. The same goes for extra towels or a bathrobe. Make sure your preferences are noted in your booking record and then confirm at the check-in desk even before going to your room. This prevents you from having to open the door to someone else.

Be hands-free and worry-free at the pool or gym

If you plan on lounging by the hotel pool or beach, bring a portable pool or beach safe to secure valuables you leave behind when swimming or walking around. Knowing your valuables are close and secure will let you enjoy your activities more without carrying your phone, room key, etc. with you or taking turns guarding the “stuff.”

Most importantly, confirm that your security and comfort preferences are noted in your hotel reservation 24 hours before you arrive by speaking to someone at the front desk, not the reservation center. While asking for special accommodations does not guarantee that you’ll always get them, but by speaking to a person on the property does up your chances. If they do accommodate you be sure to thank them in person for their effort, and they may continue to help you out throughout your stay.

Personal safety practices once you’re at the hotel

Read the below article Must Read Hotel Safety Tips on personal security practices once you arrive at a hotel. It’s worth the read