So I'm leaving soon on my first major trip to Europe. Spent 9 days in a hostel in Scotland on an unexpected work holiday a year ago, but this will be my first one of any substance.

Anyways, my question is around the security of packs in places that don't provide lockers. Naturally all my compact valuables will be on me (passport, money, camera etc) but what to do with my bag if it doesn't fit in a locker, or they're not provided and you're in a small city with little hostel selection. There was no problem in one of the places I was at in Scotland leaving my suitcase under the bed, but then that was just an old suitcase vs. a quality backpack. I'm worried more about the bag then its contents, since frankly the bag is worth twice whats in it. Do you know of anyone who's lost their bag? I've read some people lock them to the bed, but most have straps that can just be undone.

I'm lucky with my pack, the zippers have holes for small locks so they can't be unzipped. I also have a built in security strap on my pack that I chain to the bed frame any time I leave. Too many stories of people losing their shit, so I don't take the chance. Check your zippers, most of them have a big enough hole that you can use a small lock to secure them. Then check for anything on your pack that can't be undone or loosened and get a bike style chain and secure it!!! Just don't have the locks on through airport security, or you will be digging in your money belt or what not for the key!

if there wasnt a locker i didnt worry about it, most the time i didnt even use the locker..... i say dont worry about it

I wouldnt so much say dont worry about it, I take a couple of combi locks and a cable and wherever i roost I chain my pack up and lock the compartments, i never had any troubles but I guess it depends on what kind of person you are but Id rather waste time securing a bag no one will nick rather than coming home one day and it be gone....

Yeah I woudlent say dont worry eaither the best thing I did and it helps is take a bike lock the chain kind and loop it through your pack straps and strings and then around the post of the bed in the hostels, anything you have in your pack should be of no real value anywayus all your valubles should be on you always, I just kept them in a small sperate 10 leter pack
wills

I agree with TheWills. Having a separate small pack (as in a large purse size) is really convenient. Maybe check out kids packs. I hear the new tickle-me-elmo ones are quite chic. Oh yeah, and you should DEFINITELY get one of those chain link fence around your entire pack locks. Those look really really practical. Ok I'm kidding.

yeah playpal is right dont get one of those chainlink fence things that go around your whole pack, if you bust one of those out people are gonna be like wtf an never talk to ya lol......thats too much and its some company feeding on the fears of travelrs and cashin in. Be smart just never ever have anything valuble like passport camera wallet maybe even cds in your main big bag.

The most parinoid I ever got is I would take my little 10 leter pack and use it as a pillow if I was feelin redflaged. I had it set up so that little pack was my life if that got lost or stolen trip over my main big bag pffftttt whatever. No joke I left it straped (bigpack) to a post on the beach in spain for one week and nothing went missing.....outdoors on a public beach I slept out there but I would leave the beach for an hour or whole day on end and nothing happend cause there was nothing of value in there worth taking.
wills