Pacsafe Vibe 25L Anti-Theft Backpack Reviewed in 2025

Overview of the Pacsafe Vibe 25L Anti-Theft Backpack

After four months of constant use and some testing by my colleague (she has a smaller frame than me), I can attest to my experience with the Vibe 25L Anti-Theft Backpack. It’s been great as a daily driver with my laptop, riding 16 miles a day on my bike and including 30 minutes on the train in rush hour.

This period of testing came after I had been using the Stubble & Co. Everyday backpack for 3 months. It gave me the chance to compare experiences. I experienced less sweating with the Vibe and, therefore, a bit more comfort for longer walks and heavier loads and great when biking.

I took the Vibe 25L to a music festival and I was impressed by its security features, too. The backpack has a steel mesh inside the fabric that stops thieves from cutting it open. I found the lockable zippers very useful for keeping my stuff safe in crowded places.

In addition, it has a profile that is held tightly streamlined against my back, which makes it easier to cut and slide through crowds like the guy from Assassin’s Creed.

The pack is comfy to wear, with padded straps that I could adjust easily. It fit my 13-inch laptop perfectly in the padded sleeve, suspended above the bottom to protect against impact. I liked the side pockets for water bottles too, though they’re not big enough for my nalgene flask.

One cool thing is that I could lock the bag to a chair using the shoulder strap buckle. This gave me peace of mind when I used the bathroom. The RFID-blocking pocket is a nice feature when traveling. We’re not accustomed to worrying about this, but the pocket itself works just fine for an ebook, wallet, passport, etc.

The Vibe 25L is light at just over 2 pounds, but it holds a lot. It’s good for daily use or travel. The water-resistant nylon seems tough and easy to clean.

Key Features

The Vibe 25L pack from Pacsafe really impressed me with its functional security features. I was sceptical about the added time and inconvenience these features posed, but I used them selectively and without much disruption.

Smart Anti-Theft Materials

The recycled polyester fabric has a lightweight steel mesh inside, making it tough for thieves to cut through. I felt much more at ease knowing my stuff was safe, even in busy areas.

With 750D rating, the water-resistance passed many tests in the rain and in the bush too.

Secure Lockable Zippers

The zippers on the main compartments can be locked.

On the shoulder straps, similar to the Vibe Sling, there’s also a locking mechanism for the bag itself.

I liked being able to secure my belongings when I stepped away from the bag. It gave me peace of mind whether I was at a cafe or exploring a new city.

RFID Safe Pocket

Inside the smaller, front-facing compartment, a smaller RFID pocket, big enough for wallet, passport and telephone offers up protection against scanning, cloning and other digital breaches. I put my credit cards and passport in there. While I’m not as worried about this as I maybe should be, I did appreciate the additional security of it all while traveling.

Ergonomic Design and Comfort

The pack feels great to wear. It has padded straps that I could adjust easily. The back has a honeycomb fabric that’s soft and breathable. I wore it for hours without any discomfort.

High-Quality Durable Material

The nylon material is tough and water-resistant. I got caught in a light rain, but my stuff stayed dry. It’s also easy to clean, which is a big plus for a travel bag.

Ease of Use

The Vibe 25L pack is a breeze to use day-to-day. There are straps in all the right places without dangling too much–the waist strap is the exception. That includes the top grap strap.

I found the anti-theft zippers add peace of mind without much hassle. While they take a few extra seconds to lock, I often leave them unlocked for quick access.

Even without a padlock, sliding the zippers together is enough to deter pickpockets on my commute. The bag’s layout is simple and practical. I can grab what I need without digging around. The straps adjust easily, and the pack sits comfortably on my back. It’s not overly complicated, which I like for everyday use.

One drawback I experienced points to one of the advantages that I like, making a contrasting point. With my laptop, a pair of earphones and a sweater in the main compartment, there’s little room for milk, bread or some other incidental item to carry on the way home from work.

Comparing this to a 28-liter Borealis or the above-mentioned Everyday Backpack, the Vibe’s capacity feels more like a 20-liter daypack instead of 25-liter one.

Conclusion

I found the Vibe 25L comfortable to wear, even when packed full. The padded straps and back support made it easy to carry all day. What really stood out was how safe my stuff felt inside. The fabric has steel mesh to stop thieves from cutting it open. I also liked being able to lock the zippers and attach the bag to a chair when I needed to step away.

Inside, there’s plenty of room for daily items. The laptop sleeve fits a 13-inch computer snugly. I appreciated the idea of a RFID-safe pocket for keeping my cards and passport secure–though in truth, I don’t worry too much about my cards getting cloned. The side pockets were handy for smaller water bottles too as well as quick retrieval items like bike tools.

While it’s not the lightest bag at just under 2 pounds, the extra weight comes from its security features and it’s still significantly lighter than The North Face Borealis, for example.

For comparison’s sake, the Borealis is less streamlined but more versatile and can carry a larger laptop. This is where the customer preference plays in.

Using the Borealis vs Vibe comparison as an anecdote: I’d use Vibe when I don’t have much to carry and for commuting. I’d choose the Borealis when I’m not in crowded places and need to carry more gear.

Bottom Line

The Pacsafe Vibe 25L is a solid choice if you want a secure laptop pack. Its anti-theft features and comfy design make it great on-the-move in urban settings and can function fine as a daypack because of its robust stitching.

Once you get over the higher price tag, you’ll not regret having this pack.