Once associated with theft and squalor, hostels are enjoying a comeback as some of the most valuable, budget-conscious lodgings available around the world. What they lack in luxury amenities, hostels make up in cost, community, and culture. However, while most hostels have become safe havens for travelers of all stripes, some still remain shady when it comes to the safety and security of your belongings.
Especially in the modern era, when travelers move with all sorts of expensive digital equipment to record their experience, losing your stuff could be particularly devastating. Even after extensively researching your hostels before your trip, you might rest easier at night knowing you’ll have your camera, phone, laptop, and more when you wake up for a new day of adventure.
Bring Locks
Most hostels offer closets and cupboards where weary travelers can stash their stuff and go, but most travelers are rightfully wary of leaving their possessions unguarded. Some hostel cubbies come with locks, but most times, travelers should come with their own to ensure utmost security. If you are flying through America, you can only secure your baggage using special TSA-approved devices, which the TSA can unlock with a master key. Fortunately, many of these devices provide excellent protection from intrusion, including:
- PacSafe. Uses a keycard that is inserted into its base, so there is no need to remember codes or passwords.
- SearchAlert. Uses a programmable four-digit code, and has a security window that changes colors if the TSA (or someone else) opens the lock.
- Boomerangit. Uses a key, and contains a tracking device that helps locate missing or stolen luggage.
Wear Pouches
Travel-savvy inventors have created hundreds of products that keep your valuables safe on the road. Unfortunately, for the most part, anti-theft devices are usually built to house smaller items, like passports, bank cards, and cash. Still, there are a handful of wearable pouches and other accessories that can keep smaller tech safe.
- Money pouch. Despite the name, these small pouches worn around the waist, under clothing, are usually large enough to stash phones, vaporizers, and even small tablets.
- Bra stash. These pouches are easily tucked into the sides of brassieres and are just big enough for a small phone or music player.
- Pocket underwear. These brief-style undergarments boast small pockets that fit small electronics.
- Hidden-pocket scarf. For more fashionable security, many accessories can have hidden pockets that easily fit phones, vaporizers, and other small tech.
Maintain Eyesight
Any time you are separated from your gadgets, you are vulnerable to theft. While you are in the hostel and using your gear, you should keep all of your valuables within sight and preferably within reach. This goes for periods of transit between hostels, as well.
You should never allow anyone to separate you from your baggage; you should kindly rebuff taxi drivers, bus valets, and others who wish to store your belongings in the trunk and opt to keep your stuff on your lap or on the neighboring seat instead.
You may think that certain often-used technology, like your phone or vaporizer, is less likely to be swiped because you’ll have a hand on it every few minutes. However, the fact that you keep these gadgets in an easy-to-reach place makes them more susceptible to theft. You should find a viable safety pouch for the technology you use often, and you might even consider investing in a vaporizer carrying case to disguise your valuables and keep them safer from other accidents.
Separate Stuff
You don’t want to make it easy for thieves to take your valuables, but leaving all of your technology in a single pack at your hostel is like asking to be robbed. The more secret stashes you have, the harder thieves have to work to get all of your valuables. You might want to ask your hostel if you can have more than one cubby to lock up your belongings. You can also separate some gadgets around your various bags; for example, your phone, vaporizer, and camera can travel in your day pack, while your computer can wait in your main bag.
Pack Light
While this might not be the most pleasing advice, it is perhaps the most sensible: Don’t bring your especially valued tech on the road. The more you bring with you, the more you stand to lose if your bag gets swiped and your gadgets get taken. You should strive to slim down to the bare-bones necessities, like your vaporizer and smartphone. Plus, travel is about seeing and experiencing first-hand, and you’ll waste a trip by spending too much time with your tech.
