XD Design Bobby Bizz Review - Best Anti-Theft Backpack for Business Travel

XD Design Bobby Bizz anti-theft bag in navy, shown from the front with no exterior zippers, a side carry handle and a three-dial combination lock on the strap Save
TL;DR: The XD Design Bobby Bizz is a 10L 3-in-1 anti-theft bag that converts from backpack to briefcase to crossbody by tucking the straps into a back pocket. No front access, hidden zippers, slash-resistant fabric, a metal frame and a zinc alloy password lock in the strap guard a 15.6" laptop and a 10" tablet. XD Design has replaced it with the Bobby Bizz 2.0.

At a Glance#

Product : Bobby Bizz Anti-Theft Backpack & Briefcase

Brand : XD Design

Best For : Business travelers and urban commuters who need laptop protection in crowded, high-theft environments

Form Factor : Convertible backpack/briefcase/crossbody, 10L

Buy Now : View on Amazon

Key Highlights:

  • 3-in-1 design transforms from backpack to briefcase to crossbody bag
  • Hidden zippers positioned on the back panel, inaccessible when worn
  • Integrated zinc alloy combination lock secures bag to chairs, tables, or luggage
  • Padded compartment fits laptops up to 15.6 inches with a 10-inch tablet slot
  • Built-in USB charging port and a luggage strap for wheeled cases
  • Slash-resistant fabric and a built-in metal frame keep the bag in shape

Who Should Buy This#

The Bobby Bizz is built for travelers who've experienced that sinking feeling of wondering if their bag is safe. It combines genuine anti-theft features with professional styling that works in boardrooms and airports alike. While basic laptop bags offer storage, the Bobby Bizz adds peace of mind.

Perfect for:

  • Frequent flyers who leave bags unattended at airport gates and need the integrated lock
  • Urban commuters navigating packed metros where pickpockets target traditional backpacks
  • Digital nomads working from cafes who can't watch their bag every second
  • Business travelers who need a bag that transitions from plane to meeting without looking out of place

Design & Build Quality#

The Bobby Bizz sports a clean, minimalist aesthetic with illuminating safety stripes that XD Design specifies as giving 360-degree reflections in low light. The shell is water-repellent rather than waterproof — fine for a walk from the taxi to the terminal, not for a downpour. The version on this listing is navy.

What sets it apart is the concealed zipper system. XD Design's Bobby design has no front access and hidden zippers, so all access points sit against your back when worn as a backpack. The maker's own claim is that this significantly minimises the risk of pickpocketing rather than eliminating it, and the slash-resistant material adds another layer against cut-and-grab theft.

The convertible design works through a clever back pocket that stores the shoulder straps, transforming the backpack into a briefcase with side handles. Add the included crossbody strap for a third carrying option.


Key Features#

3-in-1 Convertible Design#

XD Design's claim is that the conversion takes a matter of seconds: you tuck the shoulder straps into the back pocket and the backpack becomes a briefcase with side handles. Backpack mode distributes weight across both shoulders for longer carries. Briefcase mode looks professional for client meetings. Crossbody mode keeps the bag close in crowded spaces.

The conversion mechanism uses a hidden back pocket that swallows the shoulder straps completely. No dangling straps or awkward bulk when you switch modes.

Hidden Zipper Anti-Theft System#

Traditional backpacks place zippers on the exterior where anyone behind you can access them. The Bobby Bizz positions its openings on the back panel that sits against your body, so reaching them means getting the bag off your back first. Treat that as a strong deterrent, not an absolute — XD Design's own wording is that the design significantly minimises the risk of pickpocketing.

The fabric is slash-resistant, so a cut-and-grab thief cannot simply open the material to reach the contents, and a built-in metal frame keeps the bag in shape rather than letting it be squeezed flat.

Integrated Zinc Alloy Combination Lock#

Built into the right shoulder strap, a zinc alloy lock lets you secure the bag to fixed objects. Loop it around a chair leg at a cafe, a table post at a coworking space, or your luggage handle at the airport.

It is a settable password lock rather than a keyed one, so there is nothing extra to carry and nothing to lose. XD Design describes a quick-open mechanism that gives you swift access at a 30-degree angle and opens fully at 90 and 180 degrees — worth practising once before you rely on it in a hurry.

What About an RFID Pocket?#

Worth being precise, because this is the one feature people assume: XD Design does describe "a hidden RFID-protected pocket" — but that sentence belongs to the Bobby Bizz 2.0 on its own store, and XD Design's current catalogue carries no entry for the original Bizz at all. This listing's own copy never mentions RFID. So if a shielded card pocket is your reason for buying, do not assume it is here; buy the 2.0, where the maker states it in writing.

USB Charging Port#

The listing specifies a built-in USB port for charging on the go, and a luggage strap for sliding the bag onto a wheeled case handle. Neither XD Design nor the listing says whether a battery is included, so plan on supplying your own.

Laptop & Tablet Protection#

The padded main compartment fits laptops up to 15.6 inches with a separate sleeve for tablets up to 10 inches. High-density foam absorbs impacts, and the structured frame keeps the bag from collapsing onto your devices.

A built-in metal frame maintains the bag's shape even when lightly packed, preventing that deflated look common with cheaper backpacks.


Technical Specifications#

Capacity : 10 liters

Dimensions : 16.1" x 3.9" x 11" (41 x 10 x 28 cm)

Laptop Compartment : Fits up to 15.6" laptops

Tablet Compartment : Fits up to 10" tablets

Material : Not published — Amazon lists a water-repellent water-resistance level, and XD Design no longer carries a spec sheet for the original Bizz

Protection : Slash-resistant fabric, padded compartments, built-in metal frame

Security Features : No front access, hidden zippers, integrated zinc alloy password lock

Water Resistance : Water-repellent (not waterproof)

Charging : Built-in USB charging port (no battery stated)

Weight : Amazon lists 1.22 kg for the item

Extras : Luggage strap, 360-degree reflective safety stripes, hidden shoulder pocket, secure rear zip pocket

Carrying Modes : Backpack, briefcase, crossbody


Pros & Cons#

Pros:

  • 3-in-1 convertible design handles any travel scenario
  • No front access and hidden zippers put every opening against your back
  • Integrated zinc alloy password lock secures the bag without extra accessories
  • 15.6" laptop compartment with a 10" tablet slot fits most business devices
  • Built-in USB charging port and a luggage strap for wheeled cases
  • 360-degree reflective safety stripes for low-light commuting

Cons:

  • 10L capacity is smaller than traditional travel backpacks
  • Premium price point compared to basic laptop bags
  • Water-repellent only, not waterproof for heavy rain
  • Discontinued at XD Design — the brand now sells the Bobby Bizz 2.0, so spares and colourways will thin out
  • No RFID pocket is stated for this model; XD Design only documents one on the Bobby Bizz 2.0

Final Verdict#

Buy it. The XD Design Bobby Bizz puts a serious deterrent between a thief and your laptop — no front access, hidden zippers, slash-resistant fabric and a lock built into the strap — wrapped in a versatile design that adapts to how you travel. If you've ever worried about your laptop bag in a crowded train or left your bag at a cafe table while ordering, this addresses those problems, without pretending anything makes a bag theft-proof.

Our recommendation: The Bobby Bizz works best as a daily carry and short trip companion. For extended travel requiring more capacity, pair it with checked luggage. One thing to check before you order: XD Design has moved on to the Bobby Bizz 2.0, which takes a 16-inch laptop and a 12.9-inch tablet, so decide whether you want the original or the successor. Check current availability: View on Amazon.

Category: Bags & Travel

Tags: bobby bizz, xd design backpack, anti-theft backpack, convertible briefcase, travel backpack, bobby bizz 2.0, laptop backpack with lock