October 24, 2017

62 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Portuguese Pick-Pocket Prevented in Lisbon!

Europe ›   Lisbon ›   Portugal ›  

Dear Clothing Arts,

My wife and I were in the train station in Lisbon. As I rode up the escalator to the platform, I felt something brush against my leg. I immediately turned and a man was passing me on the escalator. He offered an apology and blamed his red bag for brushing up against me. I thought no more of it. A while later, we were again going up the escalator and I felt a tug on my pants leg. I turned and the same man was passing me. I told my wife loudly that he had just tried to pick my pocket. He ran away. I notice that my right cargo pocket was unbuttoned, but my passport and wallet were still zipped inside thanks to my pickpocket proof pants!

- William from Georgia, USA

October 18, 2017

60th & 61st Stopped Pick-Pockets: 1 in Madrid & 1 in Morocco!

Africa ›   Agadir ›   Europe ›   Madrid ›   Morocco ›   Spain ›  

 
Hi Clothing Arts,

Finally getting around to the testimonial I've owed you for a few years.

Background:

A month-long trip through Europe and Morocco. Many airports, trains and train stations, subways and subway stations, city buses, tour buses, ferries, crowded tourist sites, city streets, small towns, big cities. Made it through big cities with pickpocket problems like Rome and Paris with no apparent problems (though I wonder if someone tried in those cities but I just didn't notice.) All in all a great trip but I had two "stops" on that trip:

Incident #1 - Madrid

One late night we got out of a show and headed for the subway to go back to the hotel. A couple other events let out at the same time and the subway hallways were suddenly overwhelmed with people. Big crowds waited for particular train lines. We shuffled in and out of the subway cars as a group. Suddenly I felt a smooth, faint pull on my right rear pocket. I immediately reached back but the person's hand was gone. I turned around but had no way of knowing who among the dozens of people could be the perpetrator. Luckily, I had the rear pocket double-protected with the zipper and the buttons and I didn't lose anything. The thief obviously realized what he was dealing with and moved on to greener pastures. It was a weird feeling which followed-- I was angry that someone would try to steal from me, but at the same time almost giddy that planning ahead and buying PPP pants saved me money and problems.

Incident #2 - Agadir, Morocco

I was visiting friends in a small town in southern Morocco and was traveling up to Marrakesh. To do this, I had to take a local taxi to a large taxi station in Agadir, and there transfer to another taxi which could take me to the bus station, which then would take me to Marrakesh. As I found a cab at the taxi station I was approached by two men who began begging me for money. One of the men became very aggressive, came very close to me and began shouting at me to give him money. As I opened the taxi door and was getting into the car he became even more aggressive and forcefully grabbed for my wallet which was in the front right pocket of my PPP pants. I had my wallet double-protected with zipper and button and he grabbed the outline of my wallet through the pant material and began yanking upward. A quick, hard elbow sent him sprawling backward and I jumped into the cab and we sped away. My pocket held tight and had no damage. If I had regular pants on I would have definitely lost my wallet. Incidentally, my wallet only had money in it. I usually separated my important things- I kept my cards in the smaller pocket inside the front pocket and I kept my passport in what I call the "secret back pocket" aka " passport pocket".

So thanks very much for a great product. I never travel
foreign or domestic, short or long without at least one pair of PPP pants and one pair of PPP shorts. I recommend them often to people during travel discussions. I haven't tried the shirts or jacket but I will get to them one day.

Thank you,

Scott from Hawaii, USA
 

October 11, 2017

59 Stopped Pick-Pocket: ATM Theft Prevented in Florence!

Europe ›   Florence ›   italy ›  

Editor's Note: It's a common trick for pick-pockets to stake out ATM's around the world, especially in tourist-prone areas. We suggest using enclosed ATM's when possible and storing your cash in your double and triple secure pockets.

Dear Clothing Arts,

This was in Florence Italy. I had gone to the ATM. I put the money in the hidden pocket and then zipped both pockets. A few hours later I discovered that my outer pocket was unzipped, I never felt a thing but my Euros were safely inside the inner hidden pocket. A HUGE sigh of relief waved over me!

Thank you!!!

- Jo from California, USA

Jo and her husband both wearing their Pick-Pocket Proof Pants on their trip!

October 03, 2017

58 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Paris Metro Thief Thwarted

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Photo of the U.S. Army's 28th Infantry Division Marching Through the Arc De Triomphe - 1944

Dear Clothing Arts,

I was in Paris a couple of weeks ago for 10 days. The evening that we went to the Arc of Triumph the sidewalks were very crowded. I simply wanted to see were my dad drove the tank through the Arc with General George Patton when Paris was liberated in 1944. It was an electrifying experience to be there. Walking back to the metro it happened. A group of guys, commotion, and the attempt at my wallet. All happened in just seconds. Of course I still had my wallet and everything else in my pockets thanks to my Clothing Arts pants. Thank you!

- Gary from New Jersey, USA

September 26, 2017

56 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Roman Bus Bandit Stopped!

Europe ›   Italy ›   Rome ›  

Editor's Note: This stop comes to us via a new 5 Star review on our Pick-Pocket Proof® Adventure Travel Pants. Winston was traveling on the #64 bus in Rome when a fellow passenger attempted to unzip his waist-side pocket.

The #64 bus in Rome is one of the biggest hotspots for pick-pockets in the city. The line runs East to West across the Tiber River; from the center of the city to the Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo. If you have a trip coming up to Rome or are thinking about going in the future, make sure to be mindful of this bus line. It is very convenient to get to some major sights but make sure to be observant of your surroundings!  

Winston's experience brings our stopped pick-pocket total in Rome to 17! We've posted a screenshot of the review below.

September 19, 2017

55 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Prague Pick-Pocket Prevented!

Czech Republic ›   Europe ›   Prague ›  

Editor's Note: We always consider ourselves lucky to get pictures with our testimonials. If you look closeley at the top image, the man in the striped shirt on the right was part of the team that attempted to pick Donald's pocket.

Email #1

Dear Clothing Arts,

I usually am attentive and so although I have seen pickpockets set their sights on others to this point I had not been a victim. But heading towards the Charles Bridge in Prague I was looking at my phone checking directions for a site on the other side of the bridge and I had the purportedly accidental bump from a young man with a map in his hand as an excuse and a partner nearby for the expected hand off. However, the best he could do was get under the rear flap where he met the resistance of the zipper in my pick-pocket proof pants. My wife thought it an accident but I knew better and exclaimed so and they scattered away no doubt looking for a less clothing prepared victim.

- Donald from California, USA

Email #2

Dear Adam,

We did not take many photos in Prague because we have been there before. This street scene is where the attempt took place and you can see the fellow in the striped shirt to the right. He was the person who expected the get the hand off. The actual pick-pocket had turned around and was out of sight by the time I got the camera on the phone working. Both turned around and went back the way they came on opposite sides of the street. The second photo shows me similarly distracted but at a different place and time. It looks like one pocket is ajar but I assure you my valuables were carefully secured.

- Donald from California, USA

September 07, 2017

54 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Roman Thief Thwarted on the Metro!

Europe ›   Italy ›   Rome ›  

Editor's Note: Sometimes our testimonials are short and sweet. This is our 16th stop in Rome and our 6 stop on a Roman Metro train!

Dear Clothing Arts,

While on the subway in Rome, three weeks ago, it was very crowded and lots of jostling. When the crowd thinned I found both zippers unzipped but my wallet was secured in the inner pocket and no loss.

I've had these pants for about 3 years and am really happy with them. Excellent customer service as well.

Sincerely,
Jim from California, USA

August 29, 2017

53 Stopped Pick-Pocket: One Night on the Champs-Élysées

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Editor's Note: This testimonial is a special one. We received an email a few weeks ago from Eugene, a traveler who said, "I've been meaning to write this story down for years, but I've been very busy!!" The story that follows is an in-depth recording of Eugene's experience of being wrapped up in a local Parisian football rally. Luckily for him, he was wearing our pants. Luckily for us, he an amateur photographer and captured some amazing shots from the scene that we now get to share with you all. This is also our 11th stop in Paris! Here's what he said:

Dear Clothing Arts, 

On May 13, 2013, I walked over to the Champs-Élysées to take some pictures and hopefully practice my French. I was living in Paris at the time and my French teacher told me that the sun would set through the middle of the Arc de Triomphe that night. She knew I was an amateur photographer and gave me some homework. She told me to go and photograph the sunset on the Champs-Élysées and, at the same time, try practicing my French.

I positioned myself in a good spot in the middle of the Champs-Élysées just behind a traffic light pole. Within a few minutes, other photographers gathered around me to photograph this twice-a-year phenomenon. But something was not quite right. Cars began to wildly honk their horns and soon a roar of people could be heard. There were groups of marchers shouting and waving flags. Some began to light flares and the sound of police sirens and shattering glass could be heard. Trying to practice my French, I understood that an official celebration for the local soccer team, Paris Saint-Germain, has just been broken up by police at the Trocadero plaza after having devolved into violent hooliganism. Paris Saint-Germain had just won its first French league title in 19 years. Their team included soccer superstars David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimović. I later learned that over 800 officers were called out and 30 people were injured along with 21 arrested.

Forced out of Trocadero, part of this raucous crowd turned up on the Champs-Élysées. Many were upset at not having had the chance to see and applaud their team when the celebration was abruptly canceled due to security concerns. I was soon in the middle of this crowd without really comprehending what was going on. Some were clearly ecstatic and celebratory, while others were clearly angry and upset. Police were unable to control the team’s fans. Cars and motorcycles were soon going in both directions on both sides of the street while groups of marchers disrupted traffic. A police van drove by with a hand extended from an open window dispensing pepper spray. The crowd surged toward my position. I made sure my camera’s wrist strap was snug in case someone tried to grab it from me. The crowd pressed all around us. It was impossible to move. I felt someone trying to grab my wallet, but I knew they would fail, my wallet was safely zipped and buttoned inside my Pick-Pocket Proof Pants. The photographer next to me had his watch stolen right off his wrist as he protected his expensive camera. In the end, I got some good photos and, thanks to my Pick-Pocket Proof Pants, would-be thieves were thwarted.

-Eugene from Virginia, USA

August 21, 2017

52 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Pick-Pocket Proof Shirt Saves Paris Vacation!

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Dear Clothing Arts, 

One more story about pickpockets being thwarted. We just returned from Paris last night, where we were accosted a few days earlier on the street by a small group of young women holding petition sign-up sheets on clipboards. We were emphatic about not being interested, but one of the women got right up to my chest and shoved the clipboard against me. I immediately felt her fingers in my right shirt pocket, underneath the clipboard, caught the fingers, and pulled them out. My credit card was safe in the zippered part of the pocket. I bought the pants and two of the shirts, and wore them the whole time we traveled -- and this event made me very glad I had the extra security I had always wished I had but didn't really know how to accomplish. Now I know! Thanks to Clothing Arts, and now I'm a confirmed user.

- Raymond from California, USA

July 26, 2017

51 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Paris Marathon Marauder Stopped On Metro!

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Dear Clothing Arts,

In March of this year (2017), we spent two weeks in France. Since I was concerned over the pick-pocket warnings, I bought two pairs of your pants; one pair of the adventure and one of the business. While in Paris, we were with a group of about twenty. It was the day of the Paris Marathon and the Metro was packed. We were packed in like sardines. I was hanging on to one of the poles and my wife was hanging on to my arm. I felt a tug at my left front pocket. I immediately asked my wife if her other hand was hanging on to my belt. She said ‘No’ and I said loudly, ‘Someone just tried to pick my pocket!’ I reached down and found the button undone, but the zipper was intact. There was a man standing directly behind me and he was jammed up against me. He tried looking away. Me and my wife just stared at him until we got off at the next stop. There were also two young French girls clutching their purses to their chests. They also started staring at him. I had been warned by my local guide that the #1 line was the most popular Metro for thieves. I was saved but, unfortunately, one of the other men in our group lost his wallet to a pick-pocket at Charles de Gaul Airport. Two other ladies were also pick-pocketed. They got one lady’s wallet and another lady in our group had her whole purse snatched. I am so fortunate that your pants saved me the time and aggravation of being a victim. I am so impressed that I plan on ordering a couple of more pairs and some for my wife, as well. Then she won't have to carry a purse.

- Fred, Texas, USA