Editor's Note: This is the first time one of our pants have encountered a cutpurse using a knife / razor. We do believe that attempts have been made before, but since our pockets are designed to be cut-resistant, they left empty-handed, without disturbing the person wearing the pants enough to notice.

Dear Clothing Arts,

I purchased two Pick-Pocket Proof Pants before traveling to France in late September 2019 so I could alternate between washing and wearing each pair over several days during the trip. During our time in Avignon, someone had cut-out one of the buttons from the left-back pocket of one pair of pants.

-- We followed up with Ed via email & here are more details on how it happened --

Yes, I do think the pocket stopped a pick-pocket from easily opening the pocket and glad you designed two buttons for each back pocket (and each side pocket). Although I had nothing in the back pockets, they were zipped, snapped, and buttoned closed and looked a little bulky with contents.

Unfortunately, I cannot give you exact details on how it happened, only that it happened on day two of our stay in Avignon. That day, we took the train to Arles, went to several sites and restaurants, and walked throughout the city, then took the train back to Avignon. I wore the pants on days one and two and kept my cell, cards, and money in both front pockets under second and third levels of security. At the end of day two, I removed front pocket items and threw pants into dirty clothing pile to be washed on day four. I wore the second pair on days three and four. On the morning of day five, I put-on the washed the first pair and started placing contents into both front pockets when my wife noticed one button missing from the left-back pocket. Upon closer inspection, we discovered the button had been cut clean from the thread. Of course, we were alarmed, but I was more secured by continuing alternate wearing of each pair and kept all contents in front pockets remainder of the trip.

Unfortunately, the use of a razor, knife, or other sharp object is not new to pick-pockets. Upon return to the US, we heard first-hand from friends and co-workers of losses from purse and camera bag straps being cut and even bottom of the purse being cut while worn in a crowded situation.

- Ed W. from Davis, California.

Editor's Note: This is your 32nd stopped pick-pocket in the city. Paris extends its lead over Rome to 5 stops as the "Unofficial" Pick-Pocket Capital of the World. This story was sent to us via Facebook & we received an update via email.

Dear Clothing Arts,

My husband and I had just boarded the RER at Gare du Nord in Paris, returning from a week in Lille. The train was crowded and as we boarded, a man reached to help my husband with his suitcase. Husband shook his head “no”, and at the same time felt a hand on his back pocket. Classic distraction pick.

Both men jumped off just as the doors closed and went in search of an easier victim.

My husband always thinks he is too aware to be caught by a pickpocket, and wears these pants to spare himself my nagging (he carries most of our cash). I think this made him a believer.

- Kathy Y. from Anchorage, Alaska

Editor's Note: This is your 31st known stopped pick-pocket in Paris!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I just got to Paris coming from Colmar via Gare de L’Est. I transferred from the TGV to the Metro line 4 to head to St. Germaine. As I got into the metro car a large guy in front of me kept blocking me as I tried to head for a wall or other safe space with my roll-aboard suitcase. He was grabbing at my right front pocket but didn’t get anything as it was zipped closed. It was sufficiently obvious at that point what he was doing that people in the vicinity started to comment and he got off the train before the doors closed.

The pants just paid for themselves, because even though I have backups of everything, it would have caused a huge hassle to file police reports and cancel cards.  

Thanks Clothing Arts.  

Lachlan C. from Seattle, Washington

Editor's Note: This is your 30th known stopped pick-pocket in Paris!!!

Dear Clothing Arts,

Before my first vacation to Europe I purchased the pick proof adventure pants, my wife thought I was nuts for doing that. That was until the night of Aug 25th, 2019 around 11 pm, my wife and I got on a crowded bus in Paris from the Eiffel Tower.

A group of people got between my wife and I and I was sandwiched between a couple of guys. An attempt was made to get onto my back pocket of my pick proof adventure pants. I felt the person try to get the button undone of my back pocket, where I was keeping a wallet with nothing in it but receipts of souvenirs and food purchases the real wallet was in my front pocket behind the 3 layer protection.

When I reached back and touched the hand I asked, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING???" The lady that was trying to open the button quickly moved away with the help of her friends, and at the next stop got off. My wife was a skeptic about the pants until that happened, now she is suggesting I purchase some more.

Thanks!! These pants saved our vacation.

- Larry and Melanie D. from Grand Rapids, Michigan

Editor's Note:  This is your 29th known stopped pick-pocket in Paris. The city now has a 3 stop advantage over Rome as the "unofficial" pick-pocket capital of the world!

Dear Clothing Arts,

Received my pants (dress pants) just before my trip - Prague, no one tried to pickpocket me, Krakow, no one, Vienna, no one even tried —- 4th day in Paris I am riding the subway, one hand on a handrail, one on my wife’s hand - I feel just the slightest “tickle” and reach down and asked the 16-year-old girl next to me if she is trying to pickpocket me. Seems she was reaching through her bag and had gotten the front pocket zipper up about 1/3rd of the way - but couldn’t get anymore. She was “fighting” it when I felt her - she ran like hell when the door opened.

She wouldn’t have gotten anything anyway (cash and credit card were behind the Velcro section).

So your Pickpocket Proof Pants saved 1-Visa Card, 1-Amex Card, and 100€ (I spread cards and cash between multiple pockets just in case)

Thanks for a great product.

- Steve D. from California, USA

PS - Your pants also saved me in an unforeseen way, they are super light and comfortable even in Paris’ record-breaking heat.

Editor's Note: This is the first known stop in London and the 28th in Paris! The city of lights extends its lead over Rome to two​ ​stop​s​ as the "Unofficial" Pick-Pocket Capital of the World.

Dear Clothing Arts,

I just finished a two week trip to Madrid, Paris, and London and am thankful for the protection your clothes offer. I had an attempt in Paris and London but carry nothing in my back pockets in crowded areas.

Kept front pockets of pants and shirt zipped tight and no regrets. If I ever need to add to my travel clothing, I'll look to you first.

Thanks for the security, peace of mind, and comfortable fit.

- Dan J. from Missouri, USA.

Dear Clothing Arts,

Lyon, France, June 2, while boarding a train to Dijon, I noticed a pair of young girls had joined the boarding throng. They almost insisted I board before them.

My wife noticed one of them attempting the rear buttons on my ​P​ick​-​Pocket ​P​roof ​P​ants where I had stashed a dummy wallet behind the zipper. I have put a dummy wallet in a rear pocket after being victimized on the Paris Metro 22 years ago. My real wallet, passport, and phone were secure in the hidden front pockets behind your zipper and button flap.

She glared at them and they broke off the attempt before even able to undo the rear buttons. I only wish I had had your past on the metro years ago. We spent 2 1/2 weeks in crowded tourist destinations in Italy and France and thanks to your pants I had no problems with pickpockets.

- Rich R. from ​South Carolina, USA.​

Editors Note: This is your 27th know stopped pick-pocket in Paris!

Dear Clothing Arts,

On May 31, 2019, my Clothing Arts Pick-Pocket Proof Pants foiled an attempted pickpocket in Paris. I had just boarded the subway on my way to the Louvre Museum and standing by the door waiting for the door to close when suddenly someone next to me dropped keys and dropped to his hands and knees on the floor of the train. He started to rub my left ankle and was telling me that I dropped keys. I knew the keys were not mine as I did not have any keys on me at that time. I got a bit irritated so I hit his hands away from my ankle. At which time he and the person behind me ran off the train just before the doors closed.

I then checked my pockets and found that the button on my right pants pocket had been undone and the zipper was unzipped 1/2 way. Apparently, while I was distracted, his accomplice tried to reach into my right pants pocket to grab my cell phone. I had my cell phone in the Velcroed part of the pocket so I had one more layer of defense which he did not breach. Luckily my Pick-Pocket Proof Pants came to my defense and my cell phone was safe.

Thanks for making a great product. I will never again travel without them.

- Clinton C. from California, USA.​

Editor's Note: This is your 26th known stop in Paris and originally came to us from a Facebook comment.

Editor's Note: Paris overtakes Rome for the first time in the 8 years we have kept this list to become the "unofficial" pick-pocket capital of the world! This is ​your​ second stop in a row ​in Paris​.

Dear Clothing Arts,

Pick-Pocket Proof Pants Work!!

I ordered a pair of the Pick-Pocket Proof Pants for a trip to Europe in March 2019. While in Paris, on the Metro/subway, the train was very crowded, and a young lady got on and stood next to me. I felt a movement on the side of my pants and turned away from her. At the next stop she got off and I check my pocket to find the zipper had been moved upward in an attempt to get my cell phone.

Thanks to your pants I still have my phone. The pants are very comfortable to wear and wash up nicely.

- Jack W. from Tennessee, USA.​