Editor's Note: This is your second known stopped pick-pocket in Addis Ababa!

Dear Clothing Arts,

On my travels in Ethiopia recently, we used the new light-rail system in Addis Ababa. It is a nice system, but thieves have found that the crowded rail cars and the very crowded stations are perfect for pick-pockets... they keep an active eye for visitors and newcomers.

I was about to reach the Stadium Station of the Green Line when I encountered a very aggressive set of young boys. These are kids who gang up to try and to pick-pocket you. The “system” they use it for one youngster to grab your upper arm so hard you wince with pain and have to turn your body to struggle with his grip. They hope who will lose concentration over your wallet or papers or passport. One grabbed my left arm as I was about to head up the stairs to the Stadium Station, and the other boy went for every pocket I had. They are fast and quick... but they left empty-handed!

My travel pants kept everything totally secure. Once they got nothing, they went running into the field nearby to avoid the police at the station. Yet, never has a single pick-pocket been able to get inside a pocket and get my phone or wallet or passport.

While generations have passed in Ethiopia, its capital city of Addis Ababa has grown, and some kids still have a way of finding the wrong path. Thankfully the triple protection of your travel pants offers security and peace of mind from the thieves.

- Dr. Mark S.

Editor's Note: This is your first known stopped pick-pocket in Israel!​

Dear Clothing Arts,​

I just returned from Jerusalem.​ ​While there I wore your pants exclusively. Last Saturday while walking through the narrow, winding streets of the Old City, I was constantly being bumped around, as it was very crowded. I was wearing your Adventure Travel Pants with my wallet in the left rear pocket, in the inner zippered pocket, followed by the outer zippered pocket, and two-button flap.​ ​When I checked my pockets after I left that area, I discovered that the outer button of the left rear pocket had been unbuttoned. But that’s as far as the thief got.

I can speak to the well-designed and well-made products from Clothing Arts. They really do work!​ ​Oh, and no, there was nothing of value in my wallet. My money and credit cards were in my front pocket, protected by two zippers and a button flap!

Sincerely,
Ron L​, from ​Murrieta, ​California

Editor's Note: This is your first known stopped pick-pocket in Japan!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I bought your Travel Adventure Pants and have used them in Thailand, South Korea, India, Philippines, and now Japan where it met its first test and passed with flying colors. On April 3rd, I went out into the American Village in Okinawa to enjoy one last night there and buy supplies for the week. Many places were crowded including the numerous small shops.

As I was on the main tourist street by the Starbucks a group of three professional pick-pocket thieves caused a distraction by dropping a bag of items on the ground while the walking crosswalk light was red and then bumping into me and others while the crowd of unsuspecting tourists helped pick up the items. They successfully unbuttoned my rear left pocket but were unable to unzip my zipper fully holding my cash/credit cards. I never noticed the attempt as my guard was left down being in “safe” Japan until I arrived at a supermarket and found my pocket was tampered with.

Luckily these pants saved the night as if these cards were stolen it would be very difficult to get a timely replacement due to the Covid19 current circumstances. These pants lived up to all the expectations and paid for themselves with both having a peace of mind and knowing I have that added layer of security when I unexpectedly needed it the most.

Thank you,

Rob S. San Diego, CA

Editor's Note: This is your third known stop in Quito & also the third confirmed stop by a pair of Women's Travel Pants.

Dear Clothing Arts,

I was in Quito, Ecuador in October 2019. I was wearing a pair of your pants with my cash, credit cards and passport tucked securely in the pockets.

Unfortunately, I was wearing a jacket with zipped side pockets. I was riding the TeleferiQo, a mountain cable car. It was crowded but I felt secure.

When we arrived on the other side both of my jacket pockets were unzipped. I never felt a thing! No one even seemed close enough to me to accomplish such a bold act. Luckily, I only lost my RayBan sunglasses, prescription (dang it), and some tourist site tickets.

Thanks Clothing Arts!

- Joanie J. from North Carolina

Editor's Note: We received this story from a Facebook comment by Edward S. from Minneapolis, Minnesota. This testimonial comes to us from the Eternal City which currently sits at #2 on our Top Cities List. It marks the 28th known stopped pick-pocket in Rome and narrows Paris' lead as the "Unofficial" Pick-Pocket Capital of the World to 5 stops. He wears both our pants and shirts which have served him well over the years. A comment from 6 months ago got him to share his experience wearing Pick-Pocket Proof Clothing. "Look upon them as insurance," he says, describing the value they add to his wardrobe.

Editor's Note: This testimonial came in via Facebook. It is your third known stop in London & the second confirmed stopped pick-pocket by a pair of our Women's Travel Pants!

Editor's Note: This is your 33rd stopped pick-pocket in Paris!

Dear Clothing Arts,

While touring Paris a few years ago, we went to visit a famous market in the south of the city, Marché aux Puces de Vanves.

As we were walking through, there was a very tight, crowded area, and shortly thereafter I noticed that my back button was undone. Of course, they didn't get past the other button, zipper, or any further than that.

Now I'm back getting some new pants as they have "unfortunately" shrunk in the closet over the last years ago!

- John W. from Ontario, Canada

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 your 11th & 12th overall stop in Athens and the second multi-stopped pick-pocket on a single train ride in the city. After reading the below testimonial, check out the previous Quadruple stopped pick-pockets #92/93/94/95!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I bought my husband a pair of your Pick-Pocket Proof Pants for his birthday in early October. We were going on a cruise that started in Athens and ended in Barcelona. The pants more than paid for themselves the first time he wore them on the Athens metro on a busy Saturday night.

My husband initially thought I was a bit paranoid, but he was really glad he had your pants on when he survived 2 pickpocket attempts on the same night on a crowded subway in Athens. On the first subway ride, the thief was able to get 2 rear buttons undone, but not the zipper. After securing all of his pockets and transferring trains, a second thief got one rear button undone as well as the button on the right front pocket. The thief actually had his hand in my husband's front pocket but came away empty-handed because he couldn’t get the zipper or Velcro undone. The pants paid for themselves in a single subway ride!

We didn’t have any close encounters in Barcelona, but we were prepared.

Thanks for a great product!

Joyce W. from Milwaukee, Wisconsin