Are anti-theft bags actually worth it, or are the features mostly gimmicks?

Across the reviewers we read, the honest answer is 'it depends on where you travel.' Specialist travel subreddits repeatedly note that locking zippers, slash-proof panels, and RFID pockets are most useful in pickpocket-heavy cities, on crowded transit, or anywhere lockers aren't available. For low-risk domestic travel, several commenters say the extra weight and clunkier access outweigh the security benefit. The consensus is that the deterrent value is real, the goal isn't to be uncrackable, it's to be a harder target than the bag next to you.