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We’ve done several reviews of Loctote products over the past year, from their Flak Sack II to their AntiTheft 3L sack. These portable security products have become very popular in the past year or so. As more people are traveling with electronics and expensive gear, innovative entrepreneurs are looking for ways to keep travelers safe. This is one such example — a backpack designed to provide additional protection than your standard daypack. In our Loctote Cinch Pack review, we examine how this latest bag from Loctote can help improve your travel security and peace of mind.
Loctote generously sent us their latest product, called the Cinch Pack, to test and review. Keep in mind that even though they sent us this portable safe, this is not a paid review and we are not being influenced to evaluate this product in any way.
Features of the new Cinch Pack
1. Size:
You’ll notice that this backpack is much larger than the other portable safes made by Loctote. It has a capacity of 22 liters and can easily accommodate a 15.5-inch laptop and other gear. The bag has multiple attachment points for the front buckle depending on how much is in the bag.
2. Material and appearance:
The bag features the same slash-resistant material as their Flak Sack
Even the threads are made with the tough polyethylene fibers, making the bag extremely durable and tough.
It’s not as heavy duty as the Flak Sack II bag, which has the proprietary Flaknit material with an A9 cut level protection rating. Though the material still provides a substantial level of slash protection with much less weight. The fabric is also water resistant, protecting your gear when you’re in wet situations.
The top hood of the backpack is made of waxed canvas, and the handles and attachment loops on the bag are made of leather. There are grommets on the bag that are made of brass, making it tough to tear or pull apart. The entire bag is also treated with a water and stain resistant coating.
Like other Loctote products, the quality of the bag is top notch. Everything from the stitching to the hardware on the bag is well applied and constructed with solid materials.
3. Laptop sleeve:
The Cinch Pack has a padded laptop sleeve inside that fits laptops up to 15.5 inches. The sleeve has a soft fleece liner on one side, which protects your laptop from scratches.
4. Internal pockets and RFID protection:
Like other Loctote bags, the Cinch Pack has internal pockets for smaller items, as well as a clip for your keys. The backpack also features a fleece-lined RFID-protected zipper pocket inside the bag. This is perfect for your passport or contactless cards.
5. External pockets:
The bag features two external side pockets that can fit a 1-liter bottle. These pockets can also hold umbrellas and small camera tripods.
The backside of the bag has a secret zipper pocket. I noticed that the pocket uses is a high-quality water-resistant YKK Aquaguard zipper. These zippers have a lip that seals when zipped, giving you extra protection from the elements. This a perfect place to store tickets or anything else that you want to access without having to open the backpack’s main compartment.
6. Steel-reinforced locking straps:
The locking strap for the bag also doubles as the wearable shoulder straps. Double steel-reinforced wires are inside the tightly woven strap and are rated for 1,000 pounds of force. Loctote uses their ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers in these straps. The material is supposed to be stronger than Kevlar, making them extremely cut resistant and durable.
The straps are adjustable in length and have brass hardware pieces to help fine-tune the fit.
7. Integrated lock:
Most times when you get a lock included with a bag or suitcase, it’s generally lacking in quality. This is not the case for Loctote. They include a solid three-number combination lock made of brass. The lock is integrated into the shoulder strap on one side of the bag, so you won’t accidentally forget to pack it with the bag.
Also, in case you’re wondering, the other strap has a brass carabiner clip that attaches to a stainless steel ring.
8. Bottle opener:
A small but interesting feature is the brass slide hook. It doubles as a bottle opener, which is very cool!
How to lock the Cinch Pack
To lock the bag, simply pull the shoulder ropes tight, then pull on the locking strap until the stainless steel grommets are visible. The Cinch Pack has several steel grommets which give you additional flexibility. This is helpful, especially when the bag is full. It’s great that Loctote added more grommets to the strap. I’ve noticed that it can be difficult to close my other portable safes when they’re full.
Once the grommets are visible, you can wrap the lock strap around an immovable or large object, then run the lock through the steel grommets. This creates a tight closing that would difficult to compromise and open.
You can also use the other strap that has a brass carabiner clip if you just want to secure the bag near you without locking it. This could be useful if you’re more concerned about someone quickly grabbing your bag and running off. I can definitely see this being useful in situations like cafes or restaurants.
Size and capacity
In term of size, the bag measures 20 inches high, 13 inches wide, and 6 inches deep. The weight of the bag when empty is 2.6 lbs or 1.17 kgs. And mentioned earlier, it has a capacity of 22 L.
Things that I wish were different
1. Side pockets:
While I appreciate having two side pockets on the bag, I wish they were elastic or adjustable. It’s not a deal-breaker, but I think it would enhance the versatility of the pockets.
2. Long term comfort:
Since the locking straps efficiently function as the backpack shoulder straps, I’m concerned about the comfort of the bag when being worn for a long period of time. My favorite backpacks tend to have more cushioning and sweat-resistant materials on the straps and backside of the bag, making them comfortable for extended wear, especially in hot weather. Also, I prefer to have a sternum strap, especially when I’m carrying a lot of weight.
I’m definitely being nitpicky, but it’s something that I personally wish was included with the backpack. As a travel gear reviewer, it’s something that I consider when I look at potential daypacks for trips and outdoor adventures.
Your use case might not require you to wear the backpack for extended periods of time. As a daily backpack for short excursions or commutes, I think the Cinch Pack works perfectly. It seems like a great backpack for urban and daily use, especially with all the security features built-in.
Fabric concerns
We had a few people recently comment on our video channel that they were able to cut open their Loctote AntiTheft 3L bag with a sharp knife and scissors. That may be a concern to you since this bag is made of the same
If you do have concerns about it, then I suggest considering their Flak Sack II bag. The Flaknit material on that bag is the toughest material that I’ve ever seen or used. If you don’t believe me, then you should check out some of the tests performed by Loctote. They pit the Flak Sack II against axes, guns, trucks, and other destructive situations. While it doesn’t always win, you can see how well the bag fares when compared to other fabrics.
Where to buy the Loctote Cinch Pack
The bag launched on Indiegogo on January 29, 2019, and costs $185. The price is a pre-order promotion until they officially release it on their website for $239. If you’re interested in this bag, I recommend pre-ordering it from their Indiegogo campaign.
Loctote’s motto is to allow you “live more and worry less.” Their original Flak Sack was created after the founder had his belongings stolen while swimming on vacation. This is always a fear of mine whenever I’m at the beach. They’ve definitely sought out to provide quality products that protect your belongings and give you peace of mind.
Final thoughts
The Loctote Cinch Pack is a well-designed and attractive backpack. I can see how this backpack addresses specific situations where you need to walk away from your bag and belongings. Situations like when you’re at a cafe and need to order another drink or use the restroom. Or even when you’re at the beach or pool and might not have eyes on your belongings. It’s extremely functional and provides a lot of options to protect your valuables both in your daily life and travels.
What do you all think of the Loctote Cinch Pack? Do you think it’s a backpack suited for your travels? Let us know in the comment section below.
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