Here are four super-tough bags that one could take around the world.

Concealed Holster Attache or Laptop Case

I love the duality here. You could use it as a shield when under fire and to carry a weapon in secret…or you could carry your laptop.

This little beauty is said to be able to withstand sub-machine gun fire and provide the highest blunt trauma protection available with soft body armor. This is a class III-A protection shield and can perfectly fit your toothbrush, shaver, and a change of clothes.

A Pelican Case

These cases are focused on protecting things from threats like three story drops and submersion. Pelican says their cases are extremely sturdy, water proof, and even airtight. So sturdy in fact that they can handle being run over by a truck or submerged for two hours without any problem.

I just wonder…will it blend?

A Pacsafe Bag

In order to foil pickpockets and other street theifs pacsafe has woven steel cables into their bags. There are some in the strap so that it can not be easily cut off you by a passing thief. There are even some cables in the fabric itself to prevent someone from slashing the bottom of the bag and letting things fall out.

But perhaps the most important features counter the sneakier criminals. With carefully placed zippers, many with locking ability, the sticky fingered will probably skip this bag.

I actually have and use one of pacsafes smaller bags and enjoy it’s durability and well placed zippers.

A Metal Laptop Case

Few things will raise more eyebrows than a shinny metal briefcase that is handcuffed to you. Combined with a few gigantic bodyguards I know of few flashier ways to securely transport things.

Sure, because it gets more attention than the other methods it may not be nearly as secure as the other bags mentioned above. However, what is really more important respect or security?

4) Board and Disembark Swiftly

This Helps you Avoid:

Missing your train -or- Ending up in the wrong town

Explanation

In order to keep things moving, the trains stop for just long enough to let people jump on and off. Usually this means the train will be there for just a few minutes before heading on it’s way. At some of the smaller stations the train may only stop for 60 seconds.

Creative Commons picture by …†∆†¡∆µ∆ .

3) You Can Often Stash Stuff Behind Your Seat

This Helps you Avoid:

Lifting your airline-carry-on-size bag over a strangers head only to realize that it doesn’t stand a chance of fitting up there.

Explanation:

I don’t know why, but the overhead storage space on many of these trains is only big enough to store something about the size of a….head. If your bag is bigger than you noggin, try to snag one of the behind the seat spots. I missed them because they didn’t seem like they were designed for bags. Bags slide into these spots easily and don’t slide out until you want them to. Plus: no lifting.

2) Look Out for Pickpockets

This Helps you Avoid:

Waiting to get a replacement passport while calling all your banks

Explanation

It sucks to get pick-pocketed. These trains are often dense enough to give a pickpocket cover. Not to mention that you are probably carrying some valuable stuff when you travel. Luckily, most pickpockets can be foiled by keeping your wallet in a zipped pocket or looking really tough. I use a zipped pocket.

1) Validate Your Ticket

This Helps you Avoid:

Rather Hefty Fines

Explanation:

Before boarding your train you are required to validate your ticket by sticking it into one of the little yellow boxes on the platform. The box will just print a time stamp on your ticket. This shows that you aren’t trying to use your ticket for train ride after train ride. If you are caught using a not-yet-validated ticket, you can face some seriously annoying fines.

Bonus tip:

If the train may be crowded, consider getting a reservation with your ticket

This Helps you Avoid:

Having to stand during an entire train journey

Explanation

A “Ticket” doesn’t assure you a seat. It just means you are allowed to take a train. If a train is crowded you may find yourself standing the whole way.

To get a reserved seat, but a reservation (Prenotazione) as well. This does assure you a seat.

Creative Commons picture by nikan_gr.

Even if you start your journey by leaving the most dangerous place on the itinerary, knowing how to call for assistance in the local tongue can provide peace of mind. Perhaps there will be a police officer nearby. You could also just pull a Blanche Dubois and rely on the “tripping foot” of strangers. Very few crowds are friendly to pickpockets and muggers.

To help you feel a little bit more comfortable at your destination here are 16 translations for the term “Help, Thief” as provided by Google’s translation capabilities.

Danish

hjælp, tyv!

Czech

pomoc, zloděj!

Bulgarian

помогне, крадец!

Dutch

help, dief!

Finnish

apua, varkaan!

French

aider, voleur!

German

Hilfe, Dieb!

Greek

βοηθήσουν, κλέφτης!

Hindi

मदद , चोर !

Italian

aiuto, ladro!

Norwegian

hjelp, tyv!

Polish

pomocy, złodziej!

Portuguese

ajudar, ladrão!

Russian

Пожалуйста, вор!

Spanish

ayudar, ladrón!

Swedish

hjälp, tjuv!

Creative Commons picture by fabbio.