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Locks and cables, recommended or not?

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slee92630

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
March 2024
I've seen a few post elsewhere that suggest bringing a small cable and some type of padlock to lock your pack when going into stores, cafes or when at hostels. Other posts have said not to worry about it and it's rare for pack to go missing. Any thoughts, suggestions or input here from experienced pilgrims?
 
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In my opinion, you might use a lock if you stay somewhere that has lockers for backpacks, although that isn't very many on the Camino. A lock indicates to me that you have something valuable and might draw more attention from a thief. I carry my valuables with me at all times (even the shower). No one wants your dirty socks, so a pack with clothes near your bunk is pretty safe.
 
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Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
It is rare for a pack to go missing, and even thefts of smaller items such as cash or smartphones have become quite rare.

Some thefts of the small amounts of cash left in the little envelopes used in pack transport have occurred in recent years, especially on the Sarria > Santiago section, but as to that the pack transport is increasingly being organised bar to bar, where they are always under a degree of surveillance, rather than between Albergues. I think that's a current main cause of packs going missing, that and pilgrims forgetting the payment or to attach the little envelope, but then that's often easily remedied through some extra hassle and perhaps a taxi.

Honestly, I haven't heard of a stolen pack since the 2010s.
 
Yes, I always take a lightweight chain and simple padlock and use it whenever staying in an albergue or other shared/insecure accommodation. My pack has a metal external frame which facilitates securement.

When travelling by train, railway rules require that I put my pack either in the rack above me or in a luggage rack at the end of the carriage. I lock my pack to whichever rack it is in because eventually I will need to visit the water closet at the other end of the carriage.

When shopping I take off my pack and either put it in a shopping buggy or carry it by its top strap, taking care to not brush it against merchandise or other shoppers, or lock it into one of the lockers near the door of the supermarket. I never leave it unattended.

Bus travel is problematical because drivers won't allow passengers to lock their luggage into the underfloor storage space. I don't board until I see my pack go into the underfloor space. Once I know which side of the bus it is under, I try to sit in a window seat on that side so that I can keep an eye on luggage activities at each stopping place.

I never leave my pack or backpacking boots unsecured in a public place or ask someone to "keep an eye on it/them for me".
 
Here is a thread about a backpack that was stolen in 2024:
R

Lost & Found Thread 'Backpack stolen from albergue in León'

Hello everyone,

This is a cry for help. I post this on behalf of my wife, who is walking the camino at the moment. Her backpack was taken away from the reception of the albergue Benedictina's Sisters in León this morning.

She left her backpack at the spot where everyone places them and went for breakfast. When coming back, it was missing. The owner told her the post company did not pick it up, nor any other travel bag moving company.

My wife called the post office and they confirmed they did not take the bag. The owner called the police. It was the first time they had something like...
 
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While I’ve never felt the need and like others here I leave nothing in my pack I can’t replace, if it gives you a feeling of security, you should do it.
 

Wow. that would be so distressing.
I have to say my pack is rarely out of my sight!
 
I use the existing backpack straps to secure my bag to the chair, table, luggage, rack, etc where I am located. It simply stops someone from accidentally or purposefully walking off with it. Sure they could undo or cut the straps, but in the extremely rare chance it happens, they are simply hoping to take it unnoticed.

And yes, I really have nothing of financial value in my bag, but if it went missing, having no extra socks, underwear, pants, and more would certainly interrupt my Camino.
 
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@slee92630, we must be twins (you have my sympathy)! I'd been about to start a similar topic.

Many/most here will have seen The Way and will recall that Martin Sheen's character had his pack stolen by some young rapscallion in (I think) Burgos. I'd been idly wondering if this ever happened in the real world and whether it might be worth the extra 90 grams or so to carry something like this. Apparently (a) it does and (b) possibly not. But I'll be interested to see further thoughts from other forum members.
 
I do carry a small lock - but more for use in cities staying in commercial hostels - i don't think I have ever used it in a pilgrim albergue.
I am content enough to leave my rucksack in albergue dorms but never with valuables - someone could have a rummage but it's less likely to take a whole rucksack.
But the rest of the time - I don't like getting too far from it.
Most thieves are more likely to look for something easy to take- a rucksack is more awkward than say someone's wallet or purse sitting on a table or hanging on a chair in a bar.
But it is all about how comfortable you are with "risk" - some folks are more risk averse, others will be far less so. It would be a huge hassle to lose a rucksack on the camino - but I will take that risk with some precautions without locking it up all the time, making sure I have my valuables on me.
 
Never felt the need for any lock!
All my valuables are in my shorts; 7 pockets are enough for phone, passport, documents, cash and cards! Four are zippered and have a velcro tab also!
I have said before on another post if i am walking in my boxers I've been robbed !!
 
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@Pilgrim9 refers to locking luggage in trains and buses. Over numerous trips by train and bus in Europe I've never seen anything padlocked down, or come across luggage being taken. Which doesn't mean it doesn't ever happen or might not be the right thing for an individual to do.
So much depends on personal attitudes, experience and circumstances. In a tightly scheduled and budgeted trip losing a pack could be a real problem. With a flexible schedule, emergency funds and insurance considerably less so. And of course valuables on the body at all times and never take anything of great sentimental value.
If you are doing non-camino travelling in Europe and staying in hostels in big cities for more than an overnight your own padlock is handy.
 
My valuables stay on me, if I leave my backpack behind.
So no need for cables or padlocks!

I don't think that my clothing is of any worth and easy to replace, if my backpack or suitcase "disappears".
In all other (even international) travel situations I never used anything like a padlock.
 
We are a movable feast to predators and I find it amazing that there is so little theft on Camino
and most of us rely on other pilgrims and the 'norm' of walking out of a refugio in the evening, leaving the pack there.

A hiking trailer was stolen from outside a shop a while back .. like a bicycle, that should have been locked.
If a lock makes you feel safer then take one as the average thief will be 'pick up and go'.

I think the main protection is awareness - "Be as innocent as doves but as wise as serpents" though this Muslim phrase may be better "Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel".

Your choice.
 
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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
@slee92630, my approach is the same as @roving_rufus. Whilst I've never bothered using a lock in the Albergues on the Camino, commercial hostels (open to all) in a larger City are a whole different beast.
As @trecile highlights the important thing is that you have your valuables with you 24/7.
There have been a handful of backpack thefts reported on this forum over the last couple of years, one example is highlighted above. But I believe they are very rare.

I have spent many, many years travelling, like @Pilgrim9 if I am on a long distance train (especially one with multiple stops) I will padlock my pack to the rack. It simply stops people casually picking it up and stepping off the train.
When your life's possessions are in your pack you tend to take a little more care of it, if you are simply on Camino and have a home to return to my feeling is it is not is critical.

My personal feeling is that the risks are very minimal.
 
'The Way' is a work of fiction. The bridge Martin Sheen´s backpack fell off isn´t even on the camino. And how fast can a 12 year old run with a 10 kilo backpack? But be careful in Barcelona.
 
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I take my valuables and phone with me at all times. I place my shoes on the top rack in the albergue and tie my shoes together with shoe laces. Apart from that I just have my backpack with me. I do remember on the CF a Spanish woman wouldn't let me in her shop with my backpack so I just left as i didn't want to leave it outside.
 
need a lock?:

Post in thread 'Things you do NOT need to bring on the Camino'

An idiotic guy on his first Camino brought a 1-kg (2 pounds) bicycle chain lock in his backpack, and even dragged it all the way to Santiago, and home again. The purpose was to be able to lock his backpack to a cafe table etc. in order to prevent theft, not realizing that a thief only needed a small knife to cut up the pack and take what he wanted (dirty clothes, smelling sleeping bag, worn-out tooth brush, worn-out soap, and similar) while the idiot was at the toilet, or whatever. It was never used.

The idiot was me...

I am wiser now.
 
dick bird said:
'The Way' is a work of fiction. The bridge Martin Sheen´s backpack fell off isn´t even on the camino. And how fast can a 12 year old run with a 10 kilo backpack? But be careful in Barcelona.
Click to expand...
IMHO the more pertinent question would be how fast (and far and for hiw long) could Tom and Yost run after just completing a full day stage
I know it gets a bad rap, but I've never had any problems in Barca. Yes I did have couple of attempts to relieve me of my valuables but I didn't swallow the bait to begin with...
All in all it matters not where you are- be smart and reasonably cautious.
As to the OP- like others said above: if it makes you feel better go for it but I never felt the need. Since my valuables are always on me "if someone wants to carry my dirty clothes they are more than welcome to it"
 
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dick bird said:
'The Way' is a work of fiction. The bridge Martin Sheen´s backpack fell off isn´t even on the camino. And how fast can a 12 year old run with a 10 kilo backpack? But be careful in Barcelona.
Click to expand...
I visited Barcelona, Bruges, Venice, Marseille, Prague, Berlin, Dresden, Florence, Siena, Paris, Lucca and many more, having a phone in pouch, wallet in backpocket and thousands of € in photogear around neck. I never experience any theft or loss of any form.
 
I always carry a small padlock when I travel. I have have no real concern about anything being taken on Camino, and I never leave anything important unattended anyway, but will often stay in big city hostels (non Camino) which tends to be less secure as they can attract all sorts! Staying in hostels, say around Naples or Frankfurt stations, for example, is a whole different ballgame! Betanzos they ain’t!
 
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I didn't /wouldn't worry my backpack stolen by petti thieves. It doesn't look high-end. It doesn't look resellable. It is "battered". It is always in my sight.
 
I go with the assumption that a potential thieve would be looking for something of little volume, high value and easy to be made into money. Wallet, phone, watch... not sure if passports is even a thing here in europe but i understand it is a thing in the US. Whatever.
While i do have some fairly pricey options in my backpack (as well as the pack itself), i do think that it would be to much hassle for someone to steal my - say - used sleeping bag, identify a potential market for it and sell it there. Let alone that he/she would likely not know that it is valuable to start with.
I would not be super comfortable having my full pack sitting in the street by itself while i go into a shop, but having it sitting at the bar for a minute while i hit the bathroom... yeah, i don't worry.
 
I carried a lock because of recommendations for packing. Never used it once. One of the things I will not bring on my next Camino.
 
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If you DO burden yourself with a padlock - I never felt the need for one - do NOT rely on one that is "approved by the TSA". Especially the 007 key ones (apparently the most common version). You can buy the keys online for a few dollars and every street grifter in Europe will have access to one.
 
dick bird said:
'The Way' is a work of fiction. The bridge Martin Sheen´s backpack fell off isn´t even on the camino. And how fast can a 12 year old run with a 10 kilo backpack? But be careful in Barcelona.
Click to expand...
No, the unbelievable part was that the four pilgrims ran after him instead of hobbling around slowly down the stony streets
 
Vacajoe said:
No, the unbelievable part was that the four pilgrims ran after him instead of hobbling around slowly down the stony streets
Click to expand...
LOL
See my post above
Heck.... as it happened I hobbled into Burgos with my blisters full blown.... dont think I'd be running after anyone
 
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PiesIrlandeses said:
To put this into perspective, all of us who travel by air and check in our luggage are willing to have our unsecured bag glide by hundreds of strangers on a baggage carousel.
Click to expand...

Airlines attach an ID tag to each item of checked luggage. On a sampling basis an invigilator located at the exit from the luggage carousel room, before Customs, matches the ID tags to the possessor of the luggage. Airports are crawling with police and surveillance cameras, and that is good.

In Latin America, IME, most inter-city bus lines attach ID tags to each item of checked luggage, and the driver or his assistant matches each luggage tag to the person who is recovering the luggage. One usually cannot just take a bag and walk away with it. However this vigilance does not necessarily occur in other parts of the world.

Also, deliberately stealing someone else's luggage and then taking it through Customs would be very risky: how would one explain the presence in the stolen luggage of prohibited sausages or protected species or illegal drugs or unacceptable images or ...

Well, the thief could claim that s/he took the bag from the carousel in error.

To eliminate that excuse, and to help me quickly find my own luggage, I have my initials paint-penned in large letters onto my luggage and the my-body-facing side of my packs.
 
Agree entirely with the comments re keeping valuables upon you at all times , i do take a small combination padlock with me now but only ever used it in commercial hostels and never in albergues . even then never leave anything im not prepared to lose or couldnt do without .
Never thought about locking to chair etc as never leave unattended even in bars/cafes but something i will think about now.
 
If you're sitting outside or putting your pack on the ground by your chair set a chair leg inside the loop of the shoulder strap. If somebody grabs at your bag they lift the chair up too. Of course it's a bit embarrassing if you forget and go to leave, taking the chair with you!
 
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I think airport thefts would mostly be airside rather than inside the terminal?
 
I have a simple rule: I never leave my pack outside a cafe, shop, etc. I keep it on until I have bought what I need, then sit down and take it off, placing it close and visible. Even together with others.

Inside albergues, I don't care: All my valuables are in my hip belt, anyway, It is with me in the shower, and in the bottom of my sleeping bag.

Trust your fellow man, but don't ever tempt him.
 
I find it worth the weight to carry a very small combination lock. I seldom use it but have been glad to have it when I needed it. Please remember though that when you lock your backpack to a chair, you’re also locking a chair to a backpack.
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Or you can use the backpack's chest strap to attach it to a chair.
 
I would not leave my pack out of site outside a cafe or anywhere, not because I am worried about theft but because unattended bags are a security threat and are likely to raise concern and lead to an evacuation or a controlled explosion.
 
trecile said:
I've never felt the need during my 8 Caminos.
All of my valuables are in a cross body bag that only comes off when I'm showering or sleeping, and I bring it into the shower area and it is in my sleep sack with me at night.
Click to expand...
I have done two long Caminos and I also practice this routine. That over the shoulder bag goes with me everywhere and knock on wood, it has served me well and I have not had the need for those locks. I do not know about anyone else and cannot speak for other such places as general hostels, but I stay in Albergues where 'pilgrims' would not dare touch someone else's stuff much less steal; besides it may attract unwanted attention if you have them(?)
 
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Was that the only backpack taken from that spot that day? It seems strange
 
The important thing is to relax, and keep your invaluables with/on you at all times.

A backback w/ordinary pilgrim content can easily be replaced is Spain by buying new w/content. Assuming you have travel insurance, register with the police as theft, so you can document it when at home, keep all your receipts, and get the money back when you return home. You will have replaced your worn items with new ones .

That being said: In my 15 years on different Caminos, I have never been approached by thieves, never had an unpleasant experience from others, and in all my walks, I never heard about a theft of a backpack or anything else.

I know there may be dodgy people (emulating pilgrims) on the Camino; I have heard about them, but I never saw them. Mostly all people an the Camino are like you and me, and I can assure, we are not interested in old sleeping bags or whatever you/we are dragging along on our Caminos. We carry enough as it is.

I have been walking in downtown Los Angeles on a Sunday morning: I feel a lot safer on any Camino. The dangers of walking a Camino are grossly overrated.
 
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Let me add to this thread the most valuable easily stealable and resellable object that no one has mentioned so far but many pilgrims will consider to be essential, but are often likely to leave behind unattended while charging - your USB charger and Power Pack.

In general one of the earliest lessons that I took from this forum is "never take anything on the Camino that you can't afford to lose" - although in practice you are much more likely to forget or lose something than have it stolen.
 
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Just like others have said don't keep anything of real value (passport, money, credit cards, cellphone etc.) in your backpack. That being said other stuff, including backpacks, have been stolen from pilgrims on the Camino before. Pilgrims have always been targeted and victims of theft and worse since Medieval times. Why would modern times be any different?
If a cable and lock for your backpack gives you just a wee bit of peace of mind, I say by all means bring one. Don't mind the little bit of extra weight. Walking the Camino isn't walking a wilderness hike where pack weight is really critical and believe me, you'll see pilgrims carrying way more useless crap than a cable and lock.
 
I bring a small decent quality combination lock with a retractable cable. Not used it much but the rare occasion it feels prudent.
Was without my pack for a few days on last trip between the airline misplacing it and it’s return. Heeding the advice on here I keep all essentials on my person but it was still an awful nuisance and a reminder of why I might try to encourage any potential thief to move on to an easier target.
 
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