Video Overview

Huge thanks to Pack Hacker Reviews for this in-depth look. Pack Hacker is one of the most rigorous travel gear review channels on YouTube — they test products over real durations in real conditions, which is exactly what they did here with the Pacsafe EXP 28L. Two full weeks of use before filming means this isn’t an unboxing reaction: it’s an actual assessment. The Pacsafe EXP 28L is a 28-liter anti-theft travel backpack that’s been in production long enough to have a community of loyal users, and Pack Hacker’s review covers every feature and limitation in structured, chapter-by-chapter detail.

Items and/or Gear Mentioned in the Video

• Pacsafe EXP 28L Anti-Theft Backpack – Purchase on Amazon

The Pacsafe EXP 28L is the sole focus of this review — a 28-liter travel backpack built around anti-theft construction including slash-resistant panels, lockable zippers, and RFID-blocking pockets. Pack Hacker walks through every compartment and feature in detail, making this one of the most complete assessments of this bag available anywhere.

Editor’s Insight

Anti-theft bags occupy a specific niche in the travel gear world: people who travel to high-pickpocket environments and want structural protection rather than just behavioral awareness. Pacsafe has owned this niche for years, and the EXP 28L is their flagship backpack offering built around that core philosophy.

The anti-theft engineering on the EXP 28L is the most aggressive you’ll find in a carry-on-compatible bag. The outer shell incorporates slash-resistant panels made from a metal mesh layer bonded inside the fabric — this is what separates Pacsafe from bags that simply claim to be “cut-resistant.” The zippers are all lockable, compatible with a small TSA-approved lock or Pacsafe’s own locking system. The shoulder straps include attachment points that can be locked to fixed objects, which is useful in hostels or café situations where you want to step away from your bag briefly without leaving it completely unattended.

Pack Hacker’s review covers the external features thoroughly. The front pocket is generous and well-organized, the side water bottle pockets are accessible on both sides, and the exterior compression straps serve double duty as both a compression mechanism and anchor points. The 28-liter volume is the right size for a travel day bag or a short-haul personal item, though it’s borderline for anything over 2-3 days of carry.

The harness system is where the video gets interesting. Pack Hacker notes that the shoulder straps are comfortable for medium carry loads but start to show limitations when heavily loaded — the foam density and back panel padding are optimized for city day use rather than extended all-day walking with a full pack. If your primary use case is museum days and transit, it performs well. For 8-hour hiking days with a heavy load, you’ll want more structure.

Fit notes are worth paying attention to if you’re on the smaller end of the size spectrum. The back panel length is fixed, so shorter torsos may find the carry ratio isn’t ideal. Pack Hacker addresses this explicitly in their review — worth watching the harness section carefully if this applies to you.

The interior organization is practical without being excessive. The main compartment is a clean clamshell opening that works well for packing cubes, and the secondary compartments cover the needs of most travelers: a quick-access pocket, a document compartment with RFID-blocking fabric, and a hydration-compatible main compartment. Pacsafe doesn’t include a reservoir, but the slot is there if you bring your own.

At its price point, the EXP 28L competes primarily against other anti-theft bags like the Travelon Anti-Theft bag family and Bobby by XD Design. The Pacsafe wins on structural protection but gives up some weight and flexibility. If security is your primary concern, the engineering difference is meaningful. If you’re mostly worried about casual zippered pocket theft rather than coordinated attacks, a lighter bag with a lockable zipper will serve you just as well at lower cost.

Pack Hacker Reviews consistently delivers the kind of structured, timed testing that the travel gear space badly needs. Their commitment to using products before filming is a standard more reviewers should follow. Go subscribe and check their full catalog of travel bag reviews — it’s one of the most complete libraries on YouTube.

Closing Remarks

The Pacsafe EXP 28L is purpose-built for travelers who operate in high-theft environments and want structural protection, not just behavioral awareness. If that’s your use case, it’s one of the best options at this size. What anti-theft measures do you build into your travel carry? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear how the community handles this. Affiliate links above support the blog at no cost to you.