It can be completely debilitating to have your most important valuables snatched from your pocket or bag, but even more so when traveling in unfamiliar locales. No one knows this more than acclaimed travel expert Rick Steves, one of the most respected authorities on European travel. Steves, who operates small-group tour programs for travelers to Europe each year, told me that, in his experience, thieves target American tourists for pickpocketing and petty theft because we’re typically the lowest-hanging fruit and the most distracted or sloppy with our belongings. And when it comes to avoiding theft, Steves said it’s really just about having common sense and a better awareness of your surroundings. “Whenever you’re in a crowd, there’s a thief. Whenever there’s a commotion, it’s where there are tourists, and it’s a fake commotion,” he said. “Those instances are where I take my wallet out, and I put it in my pocket with my hand on top of it, because there are people bumping around and picking pockets.”Carelessness aside, I asked Steves how useful certain travel bags marketed as anti-theft were when it comes to protecting essential items like phones, wallets and passports. “We take 30,000 people on our tours every year, and every one of them gets a money belt,” said Steves, who actually designed his own money belt. These packs are worn around the waist to be easily concealed under shirts and have several pockets to make accessing credit cards and cash easy. But Steves said to leave your passport at the hotel, because it’s far safer there than out with you on the street, along with one credit card. This way, if you do get pickpocketed, you still have one other method of payment to rely on.He agreed that lanyard-style tools that keep your phone secured to your person or inside your bags, or even bags built with internal loops to keep these items attached while in use, may be a good idea. What you can skip out on, however, are bags and wallets marketed with RFID-blocking technology. “Passports are built with a shield to prevent your information from being scanned by these devices and credit card information is encrypted,” Steves said. Additionally, Steves said that he’s never witnessed a thief cut the straps of bags to run off with them, nor make holes in the bottoms of bags to access valuables. Instead, the bags that are left open and unattended are the most at risk.“I’m all for buying gear that helps you travel better,” Steves said. “But I’m also all for people not succumbing to advertising that makes you worried and paranoid.”Steves didn’t recommend any anti-theft bags or travel brands in particular, but taking inspiration from his general guidance above, we built our own list of travel bags and accessories that may provide you with an extra layer of ease so you can actually enjoy your next trip abroad. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.AmazonAn extra-thin money belt with multiple pocketsFeaturing a water-resistant and extra-thin design, this adjustable money belt conceals seamlessly under clothes, and with 4.6 out of 5 stars across 12,400+ ratings, this is the highest-rated money belt option currently on Amazon. It has two main zippered compartments with inner mesh dividers to make it easier to keep track of all your essentials. AmazonA stretchy money belt with 360-degree storage This comfortable and soft-stretch money belt is made with a moisture-wicking and anti-chafe material so it won’t feel abrasive on skin if you wear it under clothes. Its 360-degree storage can expand to contain essentials like your phone, wallet, earbuds and keys, and has four pocket openings for easy, secure access, plus an internally secured hook that can clip to a lanyard. The Flipbelt comes in seven sizes, and it should be worn snug against the waist or hips. AmazonA phone lanyard with pouches for essentials This clever travel aid combines both a lanyard for your phone and a money belt-like design. Capable of being worn crossbody or around the neck, the base of this adjustable anti-theft bag attaches securely behind your phone’s case and features two zippered compartments, plus another loop at the front to easily secure a ring of keys. It comes in three colors. AmazonA lanyard-style wallet that fits your phone Wear this lanyard pouch over or under clothes and enjoy easy access to credit cards, cash, passports or your phone, securely. Fastened on an adjustable neck strap with a cord lock, the pouch features a Velcro-closure main compartment, two smaller zippered compartments and a slide pocket at the front for credit cards. It comes in six colors. AmazonA stretchy phone lanyard to hook on your belt loop or bagIf you need a way to secure your phone to your belt loop or to a tethered key ring in your bag, this lanyard kit may be a good option because the cord is stretchy, which allows you to have more freedom to use your phone while it’s still attached. It just requires a case on your phone, so the attachment base can stay in place underneath it. AmazonAnother money belt with a reinforced key leash Though this money belt doesn’t differ too much from a similar option on this list, it does have the added benefit of a reinforced leash that can keep lanyard-secured phones or keys connected to the interior of the belt at all times. It comes in gray or black. AmazonA valuables pouch that you can hide and clip into the bottom of your larger bagThis catch-all travel pouch and document organizer can serve as the one place you keep your most important travel essentials. With enough slide pockets and interior compartments, this zippered pouch is designed with a secure outer hook to make it easy to secure and hide in the base of backpacks, as well as a keychain loop with three key rings. AmazonA crossbody money belt with a detachable waist strapIf you want to wear a money belt cross-body and not around your waist, you might prefer this slim sling bag that can be worn over or under clothes and even provides the option of a detachable waist strap for extra security. It features two generously sized zippered pockets that are capacious enough to hold two standard phones, small wallets, keys and more. AmazonA pack of four zipper closure clipsThough not a bag, these clips may be able to keep your existing zippered travel bag from sliding open or being pulled open by a skilled thief. It uses a two-sided spring-closure latch and can easily attach to loops, wallets and other essentials that you want to keep secure. They come in several finishes. AmazonA simple messenger bag with locking zippers and a tethered key clipThis medium-sized messenger purse uses five points of security to prevent loss or theft. It has a cut-resistant strap, another strap that keeps it locked down to a chair when it’s not being worn and two locking compartment zipper pulls. There’s also an internal key clip to keep your phone tethered to the bag, should you want it. Shop it in four colors.