Thieves can’t slash through the steel mesh lining in this pack’s front panel and straps

The Pacsafe MeshSafe B200 antitheft backpack is designed to hold a 15-inch laptop computer and other gear. A major advantage to any backpack—even one without added theft-prevention features— is that it doesn’t look like a laptop bag. Our 15-inch MacBook Pro fit fine inside the B200’s removable laptop sleeve, but not quite as snugly as we would have liked. Ditto for a 12-inch iBook.

The bag’s antitheft features include a steel mesh lining (called eXomesh) inside the lower front and bottom panels to protect items from being taken from the bag if it gets slashed in those spots, steel wires in the shoulder straps to guard against slashing, a shoulder strap that can be quickly anchored around a secure fixture to prevent someone from running off with the bag, and clips with locks to secure the zippers from pickpockets.

When we went at the bag with a steak knife, we were disappointed. There’s no eXomesh at the top of the bag, and cutting a hole wide enough to remove our old iBook took only seconds. The bag’s bottom and lower front and shoulder straps resisted repeated knife swipes, however, making us feel fairly secure that our MacBook Pro would be protected in this bag—at least for a few minutes—if we locked it to a café table leg, a library carrel, or other similar spot.

The B200 is a well-designed bag that doesn’t advertise the fact that a laptop might be inside. The zipper locks can foil pickpockets, and it might even be amusing to watch someone try to snatch a well-anchored bag. But if an assailant threatens us with a blade, we’ll hand over the bag and run like mad.

COMPANY: Pacsafe
CONTACT: www.pacsafe.com
PRICE: $119.95
REQUIREMENTS: 15-inch MacBook or MacBook Pro
Looks like an ordinary backpack. Useful compartments. Great design.
New bag has new-bag smell. Strap across chest could present choking hazard during theft attempts.