December 21, 2017

70th & 71st Stopped Pick-Pockets: Two Stops In One Trip - Rome & Barcelona!

Barcelona ›   Europe ›   italy ›   Rome ›   Spain ›  

(Left) Arch of Constantine in Rome, Italy | (Right) Aerial View of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain

Editor's Note: This stopped pick-pocket story originally comes from a ***** star review on our Pick-Pocket Proof® Adventure Travel Pants. Our Founder / Designer immediately reached out and was able to get some more detailed information on the stopped pick-pocket experiences. Check out Clark's original review and full email below!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I don't know if you remember, however I ordered the Travel Pants, but they were not scheduled to arrive until after we departed. You answered the phone as you were leaving the shop, and personally got me the Adventure pants - overnight - as a replacement!! (BTW-I just ordered the Travel pants yesterday in anticipation of my 6th trip to Russia, searching for the remains of Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov. The GD, brother of Tsar Nikolas, was actually the last Tzar and was murdered in June 1918 outside the city of Perm.)

Incident #1 - Barcelona

We were walking on a side street of Las Ramblas, actually in the market - fish, meat, pastries, cheese, vegetables...and it was crowded! I felt someone brush against me - not unusual, however their hand was trying to open my front right pocket. I never got a good look at the perpetrator due to the movement of the crowd.

Incident #2 - Rome

I have lived and worked in many countries and try to blend. I usually buy a local newspaper and shove it under my arm, hoping the locals will think I belong. Unfortunately I did not have time to purchase a paper and was trying to figure out the train platform and departure time. I just looked lost and harried and hence a target for being bumped into with the intent of relieving me of my wallet. The individuals who "bumped" into me were very apologetic and, of course, worried about the mess they had made with my clothes, especially the pants which they tried to smooth out! Sorry about their luck!

- G. Clark from Colorado, USA

October 31, 2017

63 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Roman Pizza Pick-Pocket è Impedita!!

Europe ›   italy ›   Rome ›  

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Photos Taken By Mike In Rome!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I always watch TV food shows for the best places to eat before traveling. Going to Rome was no different. After a long day of tours in St. Peter's Basilica and the Museum, I looked forward to my walk around to the backside of the Vatican to a highly recommended pizza place. The place was packed and by the time my order was ready I found that someone had been working on my right front pocket. Originally, I had the zipper down with the tab inside and the fold over button flap secured yet only the zipper was moved up to that flap - I didn't feel a thing! It wasn't the 30 or so Euros I had in that first pocket but the 1600 Euros in the interior zipped pocket I was happy to find intact. These pants do exactly what they claim. I've since purchased the jacket, another pair of pants and the shorts. Great product. I would highly recommend.

- Mike from Utah, 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 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

April 24, 2017

45th & 46th Stopped Pick-Pockets: One In Paris & One In Rome

Europe ›   France ›   italy ›   Paris ›   Rome ›  

Editor's Note: We get our testimonials in many ways and for our 45th and 46th stopped pick-pockets we had a long-time traveler write in on our Facebook page. Although we don't have too many details surrounding these stops we do know that one happened in Paris (2013) and one in Rome (2015). These stops bring our city totals to 6 in Paris and 17 in Rome! We wrote to our traveler and asked for more information on the stop, here's what he said:

Dear Clothing Arts,

3 shorts, 1 pair of convertible pants, & 1 shirt. They have served me well over the years. I'm was 65 in Paris and am 69 now. Both times it was my wallet pocket that got hit.

- Malcolm, Arizona, USA

February 02, 2017

43 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Roman Traveler Prevents Pick-Pocket

Europe ›   Italy ›   Rome ›  

Dear Clothing Arts,

I bought 3 pair of the pick-pocket proof pants for my trip to Italy last May.  I loved them because I didn't have to carry a purse.  Everything I needed was close at hand and very protected.  I did encounter a pick-pocket on the subway in Italy.  They were a team of three.  They came right after me, but got nothing.  I was scared to death, but glad my things were protected.  I bought the men's pants because that was what was in stock at the time.  They were fantastic!!!! Thank you so much.  

- Patricia, California

Editor’s Note: We followed up with Patricia on a phone call to find out more details. Read her interview below:

“I’m just really happy I had my [Pick-Pocket Proof ®] pants on and my valuables were safe”

What city did you encounter the pick-pockets?

• Rome

What was the reason for your trip?

• A religious pilgrimage to see the city’s many holy sites.

How many people went on the trip?

• About 50 people

Where were you when you encountered the pick-pockets?

• At the end of a long day of sightseeing, the priest leading the trip, Father Paul, asked if anyone in the group would want to do an optional walking tour. Afterwards, Father Paul walked our small group to a subway and even warned the group to beware of pick-pockets! The group had to transfer to 2 to 3 different subway lines to get back to the hotel.

When did you notice something was wrong?

• While on the way back, a team of 3 “interesting” looking people got on the train; 2 guys and 1 girl. I was standing and holding the pole in the metro when the they approached me. One came right up and put his hand right on the same pole. He started bumping into me to distract me.

How was the pick-pocket stopped?

• He openly tried to pick my pocket but couldn’t get through the zipper due to the buttoned flap and gave up! They then went on to try and pick-pocket another woman on the tour and successfully got into her wide-open hand bag and were able to retrieve a few items before the priest intervened to stop the thieves.

January 19, 2017

42 Stopped Pick-Pocket: A Roman Holiday Saved

Bus ›   Europe ›   italy ›   Rome ›  

Dear Clothing Arts,

While in Rome I was getting on the bus with a large group all waiting at the bus stop. Once on and still standing up I felt someone’s hand trying to unzip the pocket where I had my cash. Fortunately, along with the zipper, my tab that was buttoned and saved me from what would have been a very unhappy ending to my day.  I cannot imagine traveling without the Clothing Arts pants, they are wonderful!

- Lew S from Kentucky, USA

Editors note: Our last stopped pick-pocket on a Roman bus was 19... read about it here

December 23, 2016

39th & 40th Stopped Pick-Pockets: Two Pick-Pockets in Two Days in Rome, Italy

Europe ›   italy ›   Rome ›  

Email #1 - December 22, 2016

My family is in Rome, Italy right now. Inside a metro train yesterday, my husband caught a young teenager opening his pants to get to his iPhone. The extra button protection stopped the girl from getting my son's phone. She immediately jumped out of the train. Thanks to your brilliant travel pants! My husband and I own several pairs.

Lorna from North Carolina, USA

Email #2 - December 23, 2016

Hi Adam,

Your pants saved my husband the second time again. We went to watch a soccer game of Roma team at the former olympic arena. The metro bus was packed and a well dressed man almost got to my husband's pocket. The pickpocket was able to open the zipper and buttons. What saved my husband was the depth of the front pockets. He had several hundred euros in there as well as several credit cards. Your pants are well designed to thwart pickpockets. My husband is now self aware when he is in crowded metros. We owe you our safety.

October 24, 2016

30 & 31st Stopped Pick-Pocket: Adventure Buttons Stop Two Rome Pick-Pockets

Europe ›   italy ›   Rome ›  

Dear Clothing Arts,

It was a great trip to Italy and Europe. The men’s convertibles did the job, both being a very good travel pant but also thwarting 2 attempted pickpocketing incidents. One at the Trevi fountain and one in the Sistine Chapel, they only got passed the first buttons, LOL.

Traveler from Melbourne, Australia

September 01, 2015

20 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Coliseum Pick-Pocket Prevented!

Europe ›   italy ›   Rome ›  

Taken from a ★★★★★ Review for our Convertible Travel Pants

Great pants...piece of mind.

Short review... I bought these pants in preparation for a trip to Rome and Venice. These pants made me feel safe. I kept my important items in the front 2 strapped pockets (buttoned strap over zipper). I got comfortable with the pockets quickly, no issue there. The pants are well made also. My wife liked them, and she's picky. Her instructions...buy more. At the Coliseum in Rome with recorded warnings about pick pockets they tried. They went for one of my front pockets and failed.

We're back from Italy and I wore them yesterday for a bike ride after converting them to shorts. These pants are amazing. Im buying more.