That can be said for either the curved hasp tabs or padlocks on many hard boxes too (see p89 in the book). It's more about discouraging opportunists - far more common than outright ransacking.

As you and Walter explain, baggage security is mostly about acting appropriately, but that preventative behaviour and associate aggro gets a bit of a drag on a long trip which is why addressing it is worthwhile.

While I am pretty blasé too and agree the fear of theft and all the other commonly assumed risks of overlanding in the AMZ are overstated (especially once you gain some street wisdom), it's still extremely inconvenient to have your stuff pinched - and the consequent days of stewing are bad for morale. On a bike it's not like you have much to spare.
Last year I had what added up to a galling £800 worth of gear lifted off my bike by the crew on a ferry to Morocco. I've never lugged my gear upstairs on any ferry in all my years, but will do so on that route from now on.

I actually think the 'end of the day' scenario described by you and Walter is an easy one to deal with. Especially in an urban setting get it out of sight and/or bring it in.

Leaving the bike in daytime in populated places is a more fitting example of moto security nags - especially when alone. Wandering off to admire a scenic waterfall or going shopping in a vibrant market.
I am sure lots of us have experienced: 'well I'd like to leave the bike and check out the temple over the hill but those two geezers look a bit dodgy'.
Like you say, hiring a minder can work, but in any case I'd feel better with a pacsafe wrapped around my twaron-lined Mags and obviously carry my valuables with me.


Getting back to the OP, there is a comparative review of soft bags in the current issue 16 of ABR.
Doesn't look like they actually used them as they did with hard boxes a couple of years back, but the selection is pretty comprehensive. Magadans quite rightly (IMO) scored top.

On that subject, before I left the US a mate was assessing Ortlieb's Speedbag and Moto Saddlebags. I recall we all got a bit excited about Speedbags here on HUBB when they came out a while back - until their capacity became evident. I still think a Speedbag shape with 50% more volume would make an inexpensive overlanding bag, though the fabric is pretty thin.

This could be a red herring but I noticed the (US sourced) Saddlebags (but not the Speedbags) he had had two small holes in the sides. They didn't look accidental and their only function I presume was to allow air to escape while rolling up, though it's not mentioned in the Ortlieb blurb and I can't say that's ever been difficult to do. But if I was buying a pair of these I'd prefer a set without holes, though they'd be easy enough to glue up.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail