So a lovely, thoughtful workmate of my Mums who knows Im heading overseas in a month gifted me with a pacsafe. And she also gifted me with the pacsafe bag.

If anyone can tell me how to get the bloody thing into the bag and cure me of my pacsafe rage, I will be highly indebted to you. Do I fold and roll, roll and fold? (though I've tried both) Or maybe I'm doomed from the start?
Its.Driving.Me.Insane.

I believe these are the instructions. I also believe you should throw the thing in the garbage (or strangle mum's workmate in this silly contraption). Are you supposed to deal with this every time you open and close the bag?

Any way to return it for something useful??

Or hide it in the closet and say..oops, I forgot it at home!

Hey GoldLisa, thanks for the instructions though Ive been there done that - as far as I can see they only tell you what to do with it once its out of the bag!

And 'gifted' may have been misleading...rather the woman gave it to me because she didnt use it anymore (and probably got sick of having a giant cage lying around the house as she obviously couldnt get it back in the bag either).

I know these things are a pain in the ass (and from experience now) - And ive got no worries about my pack but Im taking a travel guitar thatd be mighty easy for someone to sling over their shoulder. I'm only wanting to use the pacsafe to secure my guitar to my pack if Im leaving it lying around for a day. Dont worry Marisa theres no way I'll be wearing the thing (Ive seen your pacsafe comments elsewhere!) But this is only if I can get it back in the bag.

Does anyone know if its even possible? Are my attempts futile? Maybe once its out its free for good....

Now I'm confused. Isn't the contraption supposed to go "outside" the bag?
They make a bag with the mesh silliness inside that does not come out, but I thought you have their other mesh thing to go outside the bag...

Yeah sorry, Im not doing too well explaining obviously! I'll try to use 'pack' and 'bag' and 'pouch' in the right places this time.

Yes it goes on the outside of the pack - covers the whole thing. Some people travel with the thing on their pack the whole time, this giant caged thing on their back. But I only want to put the cage round my pack and slip my guitar inside it too then lock it to something if Im leaving it. In the meantime, when Im not using it, it should fold up somehow and fit in this teeny tiny pouch to make it easy to carry around. Getting it in the teeny tiny pouch being my dilemma. Capesce?

Ahh I see the dilemma now. I have absolutely no uselfull advice on this. Have you emailed the company?

I have used the Pac-Saf all over and it is G-R-E-A-T.

Yes, it does take a little figuring (which is why I packed the instruction card in my backpack) BUT given todays high rate of theft and the likelyhood that you are carrying all your wordly goodies/essentials you need something and the Pac-Saf does provide an answer.

ONE THING: You NEED a backpack cover to go over the secured backpack as the Pac-Saf and baggage handling systems don't work.

AND, if you are going to/through the USA and have to leave you bags unlocked (so the thieving security types can steal your goodies) USE THE PAC-SAF INSIDE YOUR BAG and put all your goodies inside the Pac-Saf so they can be inspected and not so easily stolen.

When travelling in buses in developing countries I lock the protected bag to anything in the locker to prevent theft. I know of cases where an accomplice to the driver has ridden in the baggage compartment, cutting bags open during the journey and slipping out discretely when the bus arrives and before the passengers are permitted to dismount.

Believe me, the Pac-Saf is worth any hassle.

Thanks DakLak, good advice.
Well I dont have an instruction card....but I do have my mum! Some how in that amazing way that mums make beds and pack bags so perfectly, she managed to get the pacsafe in the pouch.
Unfortunately I cant take my mum with me - and I have this vision of me trying to pack the thing up in some hostel and getting myself completely entangled in the thing.
So I think I'll plan a pacsafe packing lesson with her once a week until I can pack that thing like lightning.