The Pacsafe Explorer is not a suit case, as you see pictured above. It is the flexible stainless steel mesh container you see that is surrounding the suitcase. It is designed as a protective measure to deter (not prevent) someone from slashing your luggage, duffel, or backpack and stealing the contents. And if you secure the Explorer to an unmovable object with the included steel cable, it can help prevent someone from walking away with your gear.

Whether you are traveling solo, or with a group, there are many occasions when your luggage is out of your site, making it a tempting target for petty thieves. This even includes trips where your luggage is supposed to be watched over. For example, on a recent adventure travel trip, where our luggage was carried for us from night to night, I noticed that all the groups luggage was often left outside the hotel without anyone watching it. Fortunately, nothing was every stolen, but it would have been very easy for a thief to walk away with a lot of very expensive gear.

So whenever you are traveling, especially in poor countries, you need to be especially wary of protecting your gear when it is not within your direct protection. The Pacsafe Explorer is one such deterrent.

Here's what makes the Pacsafe Explorer world class:

• The steel mesh cover helps protects your gear by using a stainless steel mesh that can't be cut with a knife. And because it is made out of stainless steel, you don't have to worry about it getting wet. It won't rust.
   
• The Explorer, which comes in three sizes, is roomy and most any single suit case, duffel, or backpack will fit in it. Sizes include:
   
  • Medium: 26x13x13"
  • Large: 30x16x15"
  • Extra Large: 36x16x14"
     
• The Explorer is also designed to allow the wheels, or handle, of a suit case fit through the mesh so that they can be used normally.

I would recommend the Explorer for any adventure traveler who will be carrying luggage along on their trip.

Using the Pacsafe Explorer in the Real World

If you like, you can secure your luggage with the Explorer, and send it through whatever baggage handling system your mode of transportation uses. This will help deter thefts of your gear when it is outside of your control. But if you travel in the US, you don't just want to use any lock to secure it, as the TSA (Transportation Security Agency) may decide to open it anyway. But, if you use a TSA-approved lock (a lock that they can open), then all is good, and you won't have to worry about your Explorer being damaged.

The best way to deter theft is to secure the Explorer to a solid, unmovable object with the included cable. The hard part is to find a good object. In a hotel, a bed or desk is a poor choice. In the outdoors, a big tree is a good choice. Just be sure you select an object that can't be moved.

The biggest drawback of the Explorer is that once you get it out of the handy case it comes in, it is hard to get back in. It takes time and patience to get it just right to slip back in. Of course, if you are always using it, then it will never be in its case.

Recommendation

If you are a traveler with luggage, and feel you need extra protection against theft, then the Pacsafe Explorer is an excellent choice. But if you will be carrying only a backpack, and will be wearing it most of the time, then a protective device such as the Explorer might be a little overkill, along with adding over a pound of extra weight to your gear.

Product Notes

Pacsafe makes a variety of different models and sizes of its security systems. The Explorer is just one model, and comes in three sizes: medium, large, and extra-large. The large size runs $69.95 MSRP.