product review: Zpack passport pouch

[Daniel Kalal]

If you're carrying your passport with you on the ride, you'll need it to be protected, accessible and dry.

I've used this for many years, and it's really held up well.  It has a waterproof zipper and fits easily in my shirt front pocket (buttoned shut) or my Aerostich pocket (which is not a waterproof location).  Orange is so I never lose sight of it in the morning in some small hotel in Bosnia.

When ordered, you'll be sent any random color, so it's best to email them if it matters to you.



You'll find it at http://www.zpacks.com/

In case you're wondering, a Ziploc sandwich bag will last about four days on the road...

[ITSec]

A good idea, and the weather resistance is nice.

However, I would look for something a little larger so that you can use a passport sleeve that includes foil or other RFID blocking material. New passports for most countries include an RFID chip that can be read at some distance. It's simple to build a reader that can do this from yards away - some techniques allow distances up to about 50 feet or so if there's no wall in the way. Although the information on the chip varies by country, it always includes name, DOB, place of birth, citizenship status, passport number, issuing office or service, and so on.

[Daniel Kalal]

...so that you can use a passport sleeve that includes foil...

The U.S. Electronic Passport (as they call it) does already include a metal element in the cover to address skimming.  The passport must be opened before it can be read.  There's far more security in a passport chip than those chips used to track parts in the supply chain of an assembly line.    I cannot say what other countries do.

[ITSec]

The U.S. Electronic Passport (as they call it) does already include a metal element in the cover to address skimming.  The passport must be opened before it can be read.  There's far more security in a passport chip than those chips used to track parts in the supply chain of an assembly line.    I cannot say what other countries do.

Not to be difficult, but the security in the chips is basic - even for the US ones. As for the protective layer in the passport cover, the demonstrations I have seen were performed using US passports; perhaps the mesh used is not completely effective. The protective layer (and other protection) is there as much or more for the protection of the chip from tampering as to protect the bearer. While the ICAO standard calls for a variety of security measures, they are almost all optional - and I don't think any country is using all of them. Many countries either do not follow the standards or do not fully participate - especially in those means that allow authentication through a public key infrastructure (geek speak for 'I trust you because someone I already trust says I can trust you).

Also, certain data is stored and read 'in the clear' as a standard among nations participating in various programs, such as the Visa Waiver Program. A number of authentication measures can be used so that the reader needs to enter data from the physical passport to decrypt certain information, but this is used almost exclusively to protect biometric data such as digitized photos and fingerprints. Using it for the basic information would defeat the purpose for which these passports were created - to allow higher verifiability and increased speed in validation.

I wouldn't panic over the privacy concerns, but an ideal design would be additional shielding in the pouch - and then placing the passport in it with the spine towards the opening.

An yes, I am a professional paranoid. 

[sturgeon]

In case you're wondering, a Ziploc sandwich bag will last about four days on the road...

Not a sandwich bag, but a heavier duty inexpensive version of one. I've carried my passport in the same one for several years now on many bike trips, still completely waterproof:

http://loksak.myshopify.com/collections/aloksak

[Daniel Kalal]

...loksak...

I've used a Loksak for my phone for a number of years.  Have you not had the ripping issue along the locking channel?  Clear Gorilla-tape seems to solve that problem.  The nice thing with the Zpack is that it's an exact fit for a passport.

[sturgeon]

I've used a Loksak for my phone for a number of years.  Have you not had the ripping issue along the locking channel?  Clear Gorilla-tape seems to solve that problem.  The nice thing with the Zpack is that it's an exact fit for a passport.

Sure, with the bulk of a phone. I've never owned a phone as flexible and thin as a passport 

I've got a much heavier duty case for my phone. Also a 'zip-lock', but the channels are rubber and the case materials are much sturdier. SealLine E-Case.

[Daniel Kalal]

... SealLine E-Case....

Thanks for the reference.  They've got  some interesting things.  https://www.seallinegear.com/protective-cases

[sturgeon]

Thanks for the reference.  They've got  some interesting things.  https://www.seallinegear.com/protective-cases

Yes, I also use their map cases for canoeing. And I have a couple of their waterproof duffels for canoeing and the bike, along with a portage pack. That stuff is bomb-proof, and often less expensive and more durable than so-called "motorcycle gear". I figure if it can survive lots of severe beatings at the hands of airport baggage gorillas along with the rigors of Arctic canoeing, it's good enough for me.