🔴 City with at least one stopped pick-pocket
Editor's Note: This is your 1st stop in Venice and 25th overall in Rome!
Dear Clothing Arts,
I bought my Adventure and Business pants with the anticipation of my trip to Italy. I was there for 10 days and we went all over. I got back today and can say these pants saved me... twice in 10 days.
Once on our train ride from Venice to Rome, I was wearing the Business Pants and had my wallet in the secret inside zipper. I noticed my outside zipper was undone while leaving the train.
Then, in Rome, while in line for the Colosseum, I was wearing the Adventure Pants and felt someone trying to unzip my pants pocket. They made it to the button flap.
Nice job Clothing Arts. Thank you.
- Austin J. from Utah, USA.
Editor's Note: This is your second stopped pick-pocket in Milan.
Dear Clothing Arts,
On a crowded Metro Line 1 in Milan eight days ago, I got sandwiched between a middle-aged woman holding some kind of drape over her arms and a younger woman asking me how to get to the Duomo, Milan’s fabulous cathedral, several stops ahead. As she kept directing attention to a small Metro map in her hand on my right, I felt pressure on my left from the other woman. As I tried to free myself from the squeeze, the younger woman became increasingly insistent that I help her. I had to raise my voice and shove myself clear.
At that point, I checked the zippered (but not buttoned) left front pocket of my pants and noticed that the zipper had been opened but my wallet was still with me. The two women exited abruptly at the next stop. Thanks for sparing me the nuisance of a stolen wallet. From now on I’ll also button shut my wallet pocket.
Thanks for the crafty pants,
Robert K, New Mexico, USA.
Editor's Note: Rome takes back the title of "unofficial" pick-pocket capital with 24 known stops. This is an excerpt from a recent Adventure Travel Pants review.
Rating: ★★★★★
Title: Excellent, purpose-built pants.
Quite simply these are very comfortable, purpose-built pants. I go on 2 or 3 vacations abroad each year and have mainly used a bulky money belt or 5.11 cargo pants for security in the past... After determining that the pants fit comfortably and all of the snaps, buttons, and zippers functioned I removed the sales tags and washed the pants prior to use. They laundered very well and came out of the dryer wrinkle-free. I wore the pants for a few days prior to vacation to get used to the fit and using the extra security pockets. They took some extra effort but were still able to be used in a functional manner. They are also stain and water repellent. I managed to splash water on the front of them while washing my hands and mostly all of the water beaded off the pants. They were comfortable to wear during 60+° days.
On the first day of my vacation, I wore the Adventure Travel Pants in Barcelona and felt confident that the pants would do their job. There were no issues with fit or function, and I was able to access my pockets when needed and immediately secure them after use. After embarking on our cruise, I saw another passenger wearing a pair of CA pants during a stop in Florence, Italy. As I was wearing mine at the time, he remarked about the pants and indicated that he was pleased with his collection, too.
Upon completion of our cruise, we spent several days in Rome and used public transportation and walked as well. The areas we visited were packed with tourists and others, and it would have been difficult to guard against thievery without my CA pants. During one packed day outside of the Vatican, I was constantly being pushed and jostled while in a large crowd. I noticed afterward that one of the buttons on my back pocket was undone, but the contents were still safe because of the other button and zipper. I also noticed there was some tugging on my right front pocket where my cell phone was, however, the button tab was secured and stopped the zipper from being undone. I’m sure this was an attempted theft that was prevented by the pants.
In closing, I think that the pants are well constructed and seem like they will hold up to heavy use during a vacation where pocket security is required. Although a bit pricey, consider the cost and aggravation.
- Edward B. from New Jersey, USA.
Editor's Note: This is the second stopped pick-pocket by a traveler wearing our Women's Travel Pants and the 23rd stopped pick-pocket in Rome!
Dear Clothing Arts,
I had a similar Rome incident in the subway/train at the end of my via Francigena hike from Lausanne. thanks for your product - I only wish you had smaller sizes for small women.
** We followed up to learn more about the story and to confirm that this was a stopped pick-pocket. Here is her response:
Yes, I was in the subway in Rome... I was standing up next to the pole, with some friends and another woman intentionally banged into me. It was clear that she was trying to pick my pocket. I yelled at her and pushed her away. Because of Clothing Arts, she didn’t have a chance to get anything. I had just finished the via Francigena and everything I owned was with me. Thanks to you I still have everything 🤗
- Gretel S. from Vermont, USA
Editor's Note: This testimonial came from a recent ***** review and is your 22nd stopped pick-pocket in Rome!
Dear Clothing Arts,
My order was back-ordered for about 8 weeks, but it was worth the wait. The color and fabric are awesome. It was everything I expected and wished for. I am a world traveler performing quality audits all over the world and have my share of pick-pocket attempts. The most recent one in Rome, Italy while on the train. A girl just made full body contact and that was enough to tell her to "Get away, don't touch me."
By this time I noticed she had already opened my pocket zipper on my pants. With your clever zipper design opening from the bottom up, that will immediately pose resistance in addition to the other safety features. I am truly happy with my purchase and can't wait till the next frustrated pick-pocket. I will order additional pants from you guys.
- Anthony A from California, USA
Not Quite a Stopped Pick-Pocket, Not Quite a Typical Travel Day...
Editor's Note: Sometimes pick-pockets and would be pick-pockets are simply deterred by our travelwear and not actually caught red-handed. We refer to these as honorable mentions. Here are our honorable mentions for 2018.
Venice Pick-Pocket Proof Pocket Admirers!
Dear Clothing Arts,
Editor's Note: This testimonial was originally posted as a review on our Adventure Traveler Pants.
Original Title: In Two Words...They Worked!
Rating: ★★★★★
Product: Adventure Traveler Pants
On October 1, 2018, my wife and I got on a commuter train from Naples to Sorrento, Italy. We had been warned about pickpockets operating in the Naples train station, so I had put on my Pickpocket Proof Travel Pants in anticipation. The train platform was packed and we let the first train fill and leave the station. The second train pulled in and it looked like it would fill before we could get on. At the last second, a young man reached out and, almost literally, pulled us into the train car as the doors were closing. We were standing up and packed so tightly that sardines couldn't have breathed! For next 30 minutes, we rode cheek-by-jowl (and other body parts) with fellow train passengers. The man who helped me on the train was right next to me the whole time, and several times I thought I felt his hand on my thigh. Finally, the train car thinned out so I could turn away from him. He got off at the next stop and I reached down to my right front pocket: the button was undone, the zipper was halfway down - but my wallet was safe in my velcro pocket! Cash, ID and credit cards all safe. These pants were the best investment of my trip!
- Scott from Colorado, USA
Dear Clothing Arts,
I was in the Galleria dell'Accademia (the museum where Michelangelo’s David statue is) in Florence last December and it was mobbed. Some of the galleries were really crushed in. When I left the museum I discovered that the zipper on my right hand-pocket had been pulled up to the button over flap. Someone clearly tried to unzip the pocket but was stopped by the flap.
Thank you Clothing Arts!
- Jeffrey W from Pennsylvania, USA