In 2019, I went to Paris with a friend for a week-long trip. On our first day, we walked along the Champs-Élysées, followed the Seine, and made our way to the Eiffel Tower. We were taking our time, enjoying a new city, and looking forward to everything still ahead of us.
The next morning, we visited the Louvre. At first, nothing seemed wrong. Then I noticed that the zipper on my friend’s backpack had been opened.
We stopped and checked her things. Her wallet was gone.
It held cash and important documents. We spoke to museum staff, reported the theft to the police, and asked whether security footage might help. With so many people around that day, there was little progress.
After reading suggestions online, we even searched around nearby trash bins, hoping someone had taken the cash and discarded the wallet. We spent much of the day looking, but never found it.
The following day, instead of enjoying Paris, we had to work out how to replace what she had lost. Thankfully, her passport was still safe. But the experience had changed the mood of our trip. She was upset and cried; I tried to comfort her, though I wished I could do more.
What I Wanted From a Bag After Paris
That experience made me realize how easily a backpack worn behind you could be opened without you noticing, particularly in a crowded place.
A separate bag lock might have helped. Keeping valuables closer to the body—or carrying the backpack in front—might have made an attempt easier to notice. None of those precautions would have guaranteed a different outcome, but I wanted to be better prepared next time.
I began looking for a travel sling bag that would keep my essentials close without making them difficult to reach. I wanted something smaller than a backpack, but with enough space for a day out: a water bottle, a tablet, a charger, and the smaller things I carry every day.
Most of all, I wanted to feel more aware of where my important belongings were.
Why We Designed a Sling Bag With a Lock
Eventually, I worked with manufacturing partners to develop the ReeYee N6 Urban Sling.
A crossbody sling can sit close to your chest, where it is easier to keep in view than a backpack worn behind you. You can reach your phone, ticket, or water bottle without taking the bag off and setting it down.
The feature most directly connected to my Paris experience is the built-in combination lock. It adds an obstacle to opening the secured zippered compartment.
We also added a hidden back pocket for cash and important documents. When the sling is worn against your body, this pocket keeps those belongings away from front-facing access, making them harder for someone else to reach casually.
Enough Room for a Day Out
Security mattered to me, but the bag also had to be useful throughout the day.
The N6 has three compartments, plus a small front pocket and a hidden back pocket. Our packing tests confirmed approximately 4 liters of usable space in the main compartment, with room for a standard 1-liter water bottle alongside other daily essentials.
Another compartment accommodates a tablet up to 11 inches, along with a notebook or documents. The middle compartment includes a mesh pocket for smaller electronics and charging accessories, while the small front pocket keeps frequently used items easy to reach.
We also considered different carrying habits. The shoulder strap can switch between left- and right-shoulder carry, so you can choose the side that feels more natural.
Water-resistant recycled nylon helps handle light rain and everyday splashes, making the N6 practical for both travel and daily city use.
Do Anti-Theft Sling Bags Really Prevent Theft?
After Paris, I found many travelers online who had experienced similar losses. I understood why people search for a “theft-proof” or “pickpocket-proof” bag.
A lock and a hidden pocket cannot eliminate theft—even the whole bag can be taken. But the N6’s combination lock and hidden back pocket can make it harder for someone to take your valuables quickly and unnoticed.
That was our goal in designing this anti-theft sling bag: practical protection, greater peace of mind, and easy access to everyday essentials. Staying aware of your surroundings still matters. In a future article, I’ll share precautions for protecting your belongings while traveling and steps to take if something goes missing.
A Different Way to Think About Everyday Carry
I cannot change what happened at the Louvre. But that day changed what I look for in a bag.
Capacity and appearance still matter. So does how a bag opens, where important items are stored, and how closely I can keep them to me in a crowd.
Those considerations helped shape the N6—a bag designed to carry what you need for the day, with a few thoughtful details that help you feel more at ease along the way.
