Editor's Note: This is your 4th known stop in Lisbon, Portugal. Paul has been traveling with our secure pockets since 2019. He was wearing a pair of pants or shorts from the Adventure Traveler Line.

Dear Clothing Arts,

I am writing to let you know how my Clothing Arts travel pants stopped a pick-pocket in Lisbon, Portugal.

​On our way to dinner, we spotted a group of people​ gathered at the bottom of a hill.​ As we made our way up, they started behind us. About halfway up the hill the group began to overtake and pass by us, bumping into me in the process. There was no one else around, so there was no reason for them to be that close.

As they passed, I felt something (a hand?) in the area of my back pocket. I turned to see one of the men back away. Because of the secure pockets in the pants, they were not able to get anything.

Thanks for making these great pants. I always wear them when traveling.

- Paul G. from Greenbrae, California

Editor's Note: This is your 29th known stop in Barcelona, and another successful stopped pick-pocket from a traveler wearing our Women's Travel Pants!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I was in Madrid when I read your email about the 249th attempt. A couple of days later, I was in Barcelona. I felt confident with my passport zipped and buttoned on my left side. After my tour group's final dinner at a restaurant, we all walked as a group to the escalators to exit the building.

Within a microsecond, there was a tall man in a black jacket directly in front of me who came from my right side. I saw another man in a black jacket fumble in front of him. As the man in front of me came to a hard stop, I instinctively put my hands up and touched his back because he was too close. Then they disappeared and did not get on the escalator. One of my travel partners on my left side saw this and asked, "Did they get anything - check your pockets."  

My right upper pocket was still zipped (with my remaining couple of Euros). My side pocket was intentionally left unbuttoned as I had nothing in it. I never felt anyone, but I suspect they were hoping for some goodies from my open pocket. I normally carry my phone in this pocket, however, I always kept it in my hand when in public.

In my case, I initially just thought it was someone who stumbled, but after I thought about it, it was their ploy to get close to me. My story might be a good heads-up for others.

I found your product from a Facebook ad a couple of years ago. I bought a couple, knowing I would be traveling after the pandemic subsided. I wear them almost every day! I no longer carry a purse and know I can easily take all my essentials and keep them secure. I don't worry about pickpockets at home, but I love the zippers to keep everything intact. I recently bought my 4th pair!! I need the tall style and am happy they are the perfect length for me.

Thanks for a great product!

- Barbara F. from Minnesota

P.S. I also appreciate the easy hand wash and hang dry quality of the fabric so I always had fresh clothing during my travels.

Editor's Note: This is your 40th stopped pick-pocket in London... that we know about! Anthony upgraded to our secure travelwear in 2023 and a pair of Adventure Traveler Shorts successsfully frustrated the pick-pocket on the Metro.

Editor's Note: This is your 28th stopped pick-pocket in Barcelona... that we know about! Malcolm's testimonial came to us via a ★★★★★ review of our Flagship Adventure Traveler Pants. He has been a long-time wear of Pick-Pocket Proof Travelwear, first upgrading in 2018. We followed up with him to learn more about how it happened: "I was in BCN for work and was waiting outside a very popular restaurant for a table in the evening, and this charming guy started chatting to me and brushed up against me. I felt his hand try to undo the external tab, and I backed away and yelled, 'Pick-pocket.' He rapidly disappeared."

Editor's Note: ​This is your 56th known stopped pick-pocket in Paris. Scott was wearing a pair of Convertible Travel Pants on the trip.

​Dear Clothing Arts,

Long overdue getting you this, but here’s a good and bad news event. Four friends and I did a Germany to France tour from May 25 through June 10, 2023. Before the trip, I purchased two pairs of your convertible pants (unbelievable for all sorts of reasons – great looks, comfort, feel, washability, and incredible pick-pocket safety). At that time, I highly recommended getting a pair or two to the guys. One bought a pair of shorts (he should have purchased at least a pair of convertibles, which he regretted, but he’s cheap), and the other two guys didn’t buy at all (they’re even cheaper.)

Bad news. We’re now on the last leg of our trip in France, heading to the Eiffel Tour by subway. Of course, we stick out like real knuckleheads (which we are – but fun) from the U.S. trying to navigate subway directions. We might have well shouted we’re here, “Come all “pick-pocketers.” In my defense, I had pleaded with the guys to be extremely careful with their wallets. Keep your hands in your pocket, hold onto your wallet, stick close together, and don’t get caught surrounded by a bunch of kids asking questions. I might as well have been talking to a brick wall to one of the guys. It didn’t take two seconds getting on the train (I didn’t even notice) when, unbelievably, a lady held up a wallet and said, anyone named John Baptiste (our buddy) here? As you would expect, $500 is gone. But that’s all they took. John got his wallet back with everything in it except the money (I guess there “is honor among thieves.) I asked John what happened. I don’t think he knew, but his brother said he got surrounded by four or five kids asking him questions and just like you read about, a “textbook hit” – amazing.

Good news. This may sound crazy, but my other buddy (the semi-cheap guy) who bought your shorts had the same thing happen the next day. I had noticed two boys a little further back the aisle from us and two girls close behind one of my friends. It seemed like they were just there. (I bumped into my friend, who had his back to the group, and he guarded his wallet.) As we got off the train, my buddy, who was wearing your shorts, felt his pocket tugged long enough to realize what was going on and slapped a girl's hand away. He said she then just looked at him with a cold, unblinking stare – like, what are you doing? It bothered me enough that he mentioned how cold the stare was a couple of times after that – there was absolutely no feeling.

Forgot. Funny, but not funny to John. After the incident going to the Eiffel Tour after John got taken, one of the other “cheap” guys immediately handed me his wallet and said, “Hold on to this for me.” I did, but I never gave him his money back – just kidding.

In summation, I’m so glad I found out about you guys. Your pants provided me unbelievable comfort, knowing nothing was getting out of my pockets. As a note, I kept everything in my front pockets. (If there is one complaint, it was even hard for me to get stuff out of my pockets – a good problem to have!) I'm heading to Ireland soon. It's great comfort to have your convertible pants ready to go.

Thank you, Clothing Arts.  

- Scott

Editor's Note: ​ This is your 27th stopped pick-pocket in Barcelona. Glenn was wearing a pair of our Adventure Traveler Pants in Spain when the pick-pocket marked him. This testimonial came to us via a Facebook comment.

Editor's Note: ​This is your first known stopped pick-pocket in Turkey. Enrique is a long time wearer of our apparel having first upgraded in 2019. He was wearing his Buisness Travel Pants when the pick-pocket attempt was made.

​Dear Clothing Arts,

I purchased a pair of your dress pants, which I have used for years when traveling. Last week, for the first time, I had an attempted pickpocket in Istanbul while riding the Metro. The thief could not lift the left front zipper & quickly stepped out at the coming stop. It was almost entertaining feeling him struggle as my wife watched him from a few steps away.
 
You have a great product, which is also very durable.

Enrique E. from Dayton, Ohio

Editor's Note: ​This is your 5th & 6th known stopped pick-pockets in Milan. It is also the first time a single pick-pocket has attempted a group of travelers both wearing our apparel! Robbie F. from Pittsburgh, PA, and his friend were both wearing a pair of Adventure Traveler Pants.

Editor's Note: ​This is your 55th known stop in Paris! Paul was wearing a pair of our flagship Adventure Traveler Pants. This is your third stopped pick-pocket occuring in the lead up to the Paris Olympic games!

​Dear Clothing Arts,

I was in Paris from July 7 to 11 and had both my dress pants and cargo pants with me. I felt very secure using them, and they actually saved me from a pickpocket. I am obsessive about making sure everything is zippered and buttoned.

I was on the metro for just two stops. Two girls boarded the train, and one sat next to me. Their total time together was less than 3 minutes, but during that time, she managed to open the zipper. Thanks to the design of the cargo pants, the button strap prevented her from opening the zipper anymore.

I didn’t even notice until I got off the train and checked my pockets I found that it was partially unzipped.

Well worth the cost. Also, the dress pants, very very comfortable. My new go-to plane pants even for long haul.

- Paul M. Originally from NY, now in Brunei

Editor's Note: ​This is your first known stop in the Netherlands.

​Dear Clothing Arts,

During a recent trip to Amsterdam, your amazing product saved the day!!

My wife and I were walking around Dam Square in the heart of the city during the evening hours. It was a very busy time of day, and many tourists and locals were enjoying a beautiful evening. Everything appeared normal, and it wasn’t until I returned to the ship when, to my surprise, the right pant zipper was pulled down!!  

Really good thing I was wearing my pick-pocket proof pants and had additional security for money and a credit card, or I would have lost everything and ruined my vacation.  

Many thanks!

Sincerely and a customer for life!!

David H. from Tampa FL