Zipper Clips for Travel: Anti-Theft Deterrent and In-Transit Bag Security
Small travel accessories can make a big difference, especially when you are moving through crowded airports, train stations, cruise terminals, city streets and tourist areas. These zipper clips for travel are a simple way to make backpack, purse, crossbody bag and luggage zippers a little harder to open casually.
This is not the same thing as locking a bag in a true security sense. These clips are easy to remove or break if someone is determined. The value is in the extra step they add. Instead of a zipper that can be quickly pulled open, the zipper pulls are clipped together, making casual access more difficult and accidental opening less likely.
In This Post
Why Use Zipper Clips for Travel?
We recently went on a trip to Europe. That trip included time in London, a cruise to four Northern European countries and time in Paris. While preparing, we spent a lot of time thinking through ways to reduce the risk of pickpockets in crowded areas.
One tip we picked up while watching this video was to put locks on backpack, crossbody bag and purse zippers. I liked the idea of securing zippers, but needing a key every time I wanted to open a pocket on my backpack didn’t sound very appealing.
That led me to look for a middle-ground option. I wanted something that would make zippers harder to open quickly, without turning every bag access point into a locked compartment. These small double carabiner-style zipper clips are a good fit for that type of use.
Anti-Theft Deterrent for Backpacks, Purses and Crossbody Bags
The main idea behind these clips is deterrence. If two zipper pulls are clipped together, the pocket is not as easy to open with one quick motion. That can be helpful when walking through busy places where your attention may be divided.
Examples include:
- Airport terminals
- Train stations
- Cruise terminals
- Public transportation
- Crowded tourist areas
- Street markets
- Museums and attractions
- Busy city sidewalks
For a backpack, this can be especially useful on exterior compartments that are behind you while you are walking. For a purse or crossbody bag, it can help keep zipper pulls together so the compartment is less likely to be opened casually in a crowd.
These are not high-security locks. A determined thief could still get into a bag, cut fabric, break a clip or take the entire bag. The point is to make quick, casual, unnoticed access more difficult.
In-Transit Security for Luggage and Travel Bags
Beyond anti-theft deterrence, zipper clips can also help keep zippers closed while bags are being moved around.
I know a zipper working its way open and something falling out is unlikely, but I still get concerned when I have important items in zippered pockets. That is especially true with travel documents, small electronics, medication, cash, chargers and other easy-to-misplace items.
These clips can be useful on:
- Backpack compartments
- Carry-on bag exterior pockets
- Personal item bags
- Soft-sided luggage pockets
- Packing cubes with dual zipper pulls
- Toiletry bags
- Electronics organizers
They can also be handy during cruise travel. Bags may be handled at the hotel, airport, cruise terminal and onboard the ship. For checked cruise bags, I still recommend using sturdy cruise luggage tag holders, but zipper clips can be another small layer for exterior pockets, organizer bags and carry-on compartments during the rest of your trip.
Zipper Clips vs Luggage Locks
A luggage lock is the better option when you actually want a lock. For checked luggage, a TSA-approved luggage lock is the more traditional choice if your goal is to lock the main compartment.
Zipper clips serve a different purpose. They are faster, lighter and more convenient for pockets you may need to access more often. You do not need a key or combination, and you are less likely to avoid using them because they are inconvenient.
That makes them a good option for day-to-day travel use, especially on bags you are actively carrying.
Where a Lock Makes More Sense
- Checked luggage main compartments
- Suitcases left in hotel storage
- Bags where you want actual lockable access control
- Situations where you do not need frequent access
Where Zipper Clips Make More Sense
- Backpacks used during sightseeing
- Crossbody bags and purses
- Carry-on exterior pockets
- Small organizer bags
- Compartments you open repeatedly during travel
Best Uses for Zipper Clips
The best use for these clips is on bags with two zipper pulls that meet together. Clip the two pulls together and the pocket becomes harder to open quickly.
They are especially useful for:
- Backpacks: Secure exterior pockets while walking through crowded areas.
- Crossbody bags: Add a little extra deterrence to the main zipper compartment.
- Purses: Keep paired zipper pulls together in airports, terminals and city centers.
- Carry-on luggage: Help keep outside compartments from opening during travel.
- Toiletry bags: Keep zippers closed inside a suitcase or cruise cabin bathroom bag.
- Electronics pouches: Reduce the chance of chargers, adapters or cables spilling out.
- Packing cubes: Clip zipper pulls together so cubes stay closed while being moved around.
They can also be used as simple zipper pull replacements, depending on the bag and zipper style.
Important Limitations
These clips are useful, but they should not be oversold. They are a convenience and deterrent accessory, not a true anti-theft system.
A few important limitations:
- They can be removed or broken.
- They do not prevent someone from taking the entire bag.
- They do not stop someone from cutting soft luggage or bag fabric.
- They are not a replacement for keeping valuables close and monitored.
- They may not fit every zipper pull or bag design.
For travel, I would think of these as one layer in a larger strategy. Keep important items close, avoid putting wallets or passports in easy-access exterior pockets and stay especially aware in crowded areas. The clips simply make some zippers less convenient to open quickly.
Zpsolution Double Small Carabiner Clips
Zpsolution Double Small Carabiner Clips – Theft Deterrent – Holding Zipper Closed – Zipper Pull Replacement – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
These are small double-ended carabiner-style clips. One end can clip to one zipper pull and the other end can clip to the second zipper pull. That keeps the zipper pulls attached to each other and adds a small extra step before the compartment can be opened.
For travel, I like that they do not require a key, combination or cable. They are simple, lightweight and easy to use on bags where a lock would be annoying.
Practical Cruise Uses
For cruise travel, these can be useful before, during and after your sailing.
- Embarkation day: Clip backpack or personal item zippers while moving through the terminal.
- Excursions: Use them on day bags in busy ports, markets and sightseeing areas.
- Air travel: Keep carry-on and personal item pockets more secure in airports.
- Cabin organization: Use them on toiletry bags, electronics pouches or packing cubes.
- Disembarkation: Help keep bag pockets closed while luggage is being moved and handled.
They are not something I would rely on as my only security measure, but they are a practical little travel accessory that can solve more than one problem.
Finding Other Options
These are the ones we landed on, but more options are available. Search Amazon for “security zipper clip” to shop around.
Alternate Use: Fix Broken Zipper Pull Tabs On the Go
These can also work as a quick fix for broken zipper tabs. If a zipper pull breaks during a trip, a small clip like this can give you something easier to grab until you can repair or replace the bag. That makes them useful not only as a zipper security accessory, but also as a small backup repair item for backpacks, packing cubes, toiletry bags and luggage pockets.
FAQ
Are zipper clips actually anti-theft?
They are better described as a theft deterrent. They make a zipper harder to open quickly, but they do not make a bag theft-proof.
Are these better than luggage locks?
They are better for convenience. Luggage locks are better when you want an actual lock. Zipper clips are useful on bags and pockets you access frequently.
Can I use these on checked luggage?
Yes! You can use them to help keep zipper pulls together, but they are not a substitute for a TSA-approved lock if your goal is locking checked luggage.
Will these fit every zipper?
Not necessarily. They work best with zipper pulls that have openings large enough for the clips to attach.
Are these good for backpacks?
Yes, backpacks are one of the best uses. They are especially helpful on exterior compartments that are harder for you to watch while wearing the bag.
Are these useful for cruise excursions?
Yes. They can be helpful on day bags, backpacks, purses and crossbody bags during port days, especially in crowded areas.
Can these be used as zipper pull replacements?
Depending on the bag and zipper design, yes. They can sometimes function as a small replacement pull or extension.
Final Thoughts
Zipper clips are a small, simple travel accessory that can add a useful extra layer of deterrence. They can help make backpack, purse and crossbody bag zippers harder to open casually, while also helping keep luggage, packing cubes and organizer bags closed in transit.
The bottom line is that these are cheap, super small and offer increased bag security without making it annoying to get into your own bag.
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