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The Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag is popular for several reasons. It is light (104 g / 3.6 oz). It is packable. It holds around 4 liters of gear. It is dirt resistant. It has a wide shoulder strap, which makes it comfortable to wear. You can even use it as a substitute packing cube! It’s pretty much the ideal purse for personal item travel. There is only one glaring flaw – the lack of any security features. Fortunately, there is a very easy fix. It will only take about 15 minutes of your time, and cost around $10-15 US for hardware. If you want to add in an additional tether, add in another $8 US. Yes, that’s almost the price of the purse on sale. But isn’t it worth it to have an ultralight and secure purse?

Uniqlo round mini shoulder bag
The Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag awaits its upgrade

Materials

For this upgrade you’ll need:

  • Thread in the same color as your bag (preferably polyester for strength and durability)
  • A small split or closed jump ring
  • A medium size split or closed jump ring
  • A NiteIze micro lock S-Biner or equivalent
Thread, jump rings and micro-lock S-biner
Thread, jump rings and micro-lock S-biner

If you want to add in the optional tether you’ll need:

  • Round cord elastic
  • A lobster clasp with a reasonably wide opening.
Round elastic cord and lobster clasps for the tether.
Round elastic cord and lobster clasps for the tether.

Phase 1, securing the bag

The first step is to add a small security ring at the end of the bag near the zipper opening. This is accomplished by attaching the ring to the bag using a whip stitch.

Attach the jump ring to the bag near the end of the zipper closure.
Attach the jump ring to the bag near the end of the zipper closure.
The bag with the jump ring added.
The bag with the jump ring added.

Next, add the micro-lock to the zipper pull tab.

The bag with the S-Biner added and locked ​
The bag with the S-Biner added and locked

The bag is now locked and secure against opportunistic pickpockets

Phase 2, adding security to the contents of the bag

The next step is to add a security ring to the interior of the bag. This will allow you to clip a wallet, keys, or phone to your bag.

Turn the bag inside out and find the pockets.

The space next to the pockets is a good location for the interior security rings
The space next to the pockets is a good location for the interior security ring.

Whip stitch the larger security ring to the area between the pockets.

The inner security ring is attached near the pockets
The inner security ring is attached near the pockets

Thread the elastic cord through the security ring. My tether was around 20 inches (50 cm) long. After this, thread the elastic cord through the lobster clasp. Finish by tying the two ends together in a double fisherman’s knot.

The elastic cord and lobster clasp attached to the security ring.
The elastic cord and lobster clasp attached to the security ring.

Attach your wallet to the tether. You can attach a phone lanyard directly to the security ring.

The tether is attached to the wallet. I have also attached my NiteIze Hitch phone lanyard to the security ring.
The tether is attached to the wallet. I have also attached my NiteIze Hitch phone lanyard to the security ring.
My wallet and phone are easily accessible inside the purse. I will often pull on the tether for access to my wallet. While easily accessible, it’s also difficult for someone to run off with it.
My wallet and phone are easily accessible inside the purse. I will often pull on the tether for access to my wallet. While the items are easily accessible, it’s also difficult for someone to run off with either of them.

The final weight of the bag was 119 g (4.2 oz). The modification added 15 g (0.5 oz) to the bag weight. The bag remains light and is now secure against pickpockets!