best money belt

You can purchase them at any store that sells luggage. Can also be ordered at this website, hit the "travel store" tab above. Don't bring any valuables to the beach; especially alone. They're safer in your hotel room.

I can't tell you what the best money belt is, but I can tell you I bought Rick's and thought it worked fine. No complaints.

The best one is the one you will wear.

Don't forget to take a few sandwich baggies to place your passport, etc inside, before putting them in the money belt, in case of perspiration, rainy day, etc. Your contents will thank you later :D

I never cared much for the wraparound style of moneybelt; some people swear by them — and others swear at them — but to me they just seem too bulky, uncomfortable and awkward to use. So I bought the Hidden Pocket version instead. Those are not as easy to find as the traditional moneybelt and neck pouches, but they are available at Rick's Travel Store, where I bought mine. It has worked well for me, and my passport and credit cards are secure and yet accessible when I need them

The best belt is a personal preference, but here are my thoughts. My husband strongly recommends the hidden pocket. There are no waist straps since it hangs from the belt, inside the pants. It feels comfortable, is not obvious from the outside, and he doesn't even feel it. RS, Eagle Creek, and other travel stores carry them.

I have had less success finding one that works for me. Most money belts don't seem to fit a woman's figure very well. With the waist style, I don't like the strap around my waist and the pouch adds a layer to the belly which is unattractive and uncomfortable for me. You really need waist-high pants, too. Some recommend turning the pouch so it lays on the small of the back, but I tend to perspire there. A plastic bag protects the contents, but I still have a clammy feeling plus still have that strap on the waist.

I tried the hidden pocket; it's not bad when standing up, but when sitting it bends at the wrong place, is uncomfortable, and noticeable. I don't wear a belt so had to safety pin it inside my waistband, and I didn't feel really secure with that. It may fit a man perfectly, but it hung down too long on me and moved around when I walked, sometimes to the outside of my leg and sometimes slipping almost between them. I was constantly fidgeting with it, which must have looked odd.

Neck pouches are obvious when wearing a thin knit top, especially with smaller women. Some people wear them more under the arm than in front, but I find that sweaty and uncomfortable. Someone recommended pinning items into your bra, but many women don't have enough bra to accommodate that, plus you have the comfort/perspiration issue.

I know someone who uses an ankle pouch for extra money and credit cards, but she always wears long pants. This won't work for capris or skirts, and won't hold a passport.

So I'm still looking. Sorry I can't recomend one for women, but maybe this will at least help you to eliminate something.

I highly recommend Rick's silk money belt...it's lightweight and comfortable, not bulky like other belts I've seen/tried. Some people complain that around the waist money belts are bulky and awkward, but I find the key is to wear the belt in the small of your back, not in front on your belly. It's how I wear it and to be completely honest, I never notice that I'm wearing it.....
As for the beach...can't help you there, although I know you can buy( not sure if available for women or not) swim shorts that have a small, waterproof pouch that attachs in the pocket of the shorts( I have a pair). It seems to offer a practical solution to the beach problem. Either something like that or leave all your valuables back in the hotel safe for a day.....

I've tried them all...and every style. And the one I've been going back to and using the most for over 20 years is the Eagle Creek Hidden Pocket.

The first one I bought is still in great shape but I've recently retired it and bought a new one.

As far as the beach goes, that's one of the few times I say leave our money belt in the hotel safe.

There are waterproof moneybelts/containers but I'd only suggest you take in them what you will need at the beach and not your passport, extra cards, extra cash, tickets, etc.

I agree with other posters, the best money belt is the one worn from a belt, tucked inside your pants. The traditional money belt, like a mini fanny pack is uncomfortable, hard to access.

Eagle Creek makes a great hidden pocket. It has 2 different color loops to match your belt, and it is basically hidden as the loop on your belt just looks like a loop from your pants. It's so much easier to get to and tuck away than a money belt that goes all the way around your waist.

It comes in two different colors, black, or khaki.
Here's the link to check it out: http://www.eaglecreek.com/accessories/security_id/UnderCover-Hidden-Pocket-40024/

I know this makes the moneybelt a tad more bulky, but in the summer your moneybelt gets wet from perspiring. I use a small sheet of paper towel between the plastic insert or baggie & the side next to my body to soak up the sweat.

OP here--as posted in the edit i'm adding above, i'm a woman, and will only be wearing dresses. thus, attaching something to a belt is out. dare i say i'm now considering not using a money belt at all? please no one use the term russian roulette. thanks ;-)

Since you're wearing dresses, you may be better off with a neck pouch, depending on the style of dress. But still note my reservations in my post, above.

But your husband will probably like the hidden pocket type.

We have the waist type, but frankly I don't like them. Our new RS belts arrived in the mail yesterday - The hidden pocket for my husband and the neck pouch for me. I don't know how close fitting your dresses are, but if they aren't too tight you could wear the neck pouch. The cord is adjustable so you can wear it higher or lower. My plan is to wear mine cross body like a purse, but under my clothes. I haven't actually tried it yet to see how it looks. One thing about the neck pouch...the pouch itself is longer than I thought it would be. I'm only 5'3" and I'm not sure if it is too long. If you are only wearing sundresses with spaghetti straps the neck pouch wouldn't really work for you. In that case I think the only type you could wear would be the kind that goes around the waist. You could wear the pouch part at the small of your back. A little awkward, but of course you wouldn't access it in public, so it's not like you would be lifting your dress up at the cash register!

EDIT If you are wearing bike shorts under your dress it may be easier to wear the waist belt. The shorts would help hold it down, so to speak.

We use the Rick Steves silk editions and are completely satisfied with them. I wear the waist style and my wife wears the neck safe (she usually wears dresses and skirts also). As for the beach, agree with the others, that's a good day to use the hotel safe.

I always love the comments from people who dislike certain money belts because "hard to access." That is the whole purpose behind a money belt. It should be very hard to access. But if you chose to use a money belt as an hidden billfold that is better than nothing. Just remember that the easier it is for you to reach, then it will be easier for someone to reach it. I use the money belt as deep security and cannot remember the last time I have to access the belt in public. I have posted many times that a money belt have to be apart of your security system and not the security system. This is a difference.

I use and like the Eagle Creek Undercover Deluxe moneybelt.

@Andrea--GREAT point about the bike shorts! Everything is coming together! ;-)

A money belt should not be so comfortable that you don't know it is there. I used a hidden pocket and when I sat down I could feel it slightly and I knew it was OK. My wife wore an around the waist type and had no problem with discomfort or bulkiness.

You need to remember that your money belt is your wallet. Leave your real wallet at home. For your husband have him get a Slim Clip (as seen on TV). It has one side that is a money clip for daily cash. The other side is for cards. I kept my driver's license, my primary credit card, and my debit card for ATM use in this part. This clip I kept deep in my front pocket. Everything else: extra cash, backup credit card, and passport stay in the moneybelt. You should never atempt to get into your moneybelt in public. If you need to replenish your money or put away ATM money go into a bathroom stahl.

I never use money belts, I find them a bit "too extraish" item. Plus if you need to take money out of it, you will need to reveal it... bad thing to do.
Instead I use a jeans jacket that has 2 deep inside pockets. I put 2 pieces of velcros on each pocket so they close well.When I need money I just put my hand inside and no one knows or would be able to rub me.
I also keep my credit card in the ourside small pocket (the one that closes with a tough metal button) .It's very easy to take your credit card out an dput it back in and no one would be able to open it. Last time when I traveled to Europe I used a neck puch, but didn't really like the string around my neck.. so I will keep use my jean jacket.

I didn't like any of the money belts I saw in stores. I am not a large person, and I wear fitting, feminine clothes for pretty much the whole summer. I finally found a slightly smaller money belt made by Belle Hop. It's lingerie material, so a little thinner than the other belts I'd seen (yes, including the RS belts; it's also smaller of a pouch, which suits my smaller frame). I wore it today under skin tight pants, with the pouch filled with my passport, a debit card, and a handful of bills--basically what I'll have in it while abroad--and with my t-shirt (also skin tight) pulled down over it, it wasn't noticeable unless you really looked. I also forgot about it being on very quickly!

Also, I wasn't sweating a ton, but I was dressed all in black on a hot, humid day, and the bills (closest to my body in the belt) did get a little moist. A thin layer of plastic will probably increase the sweating (no air flow and breathing for your skin), but will also prevent your papers from getting wet.

You definitely shouldn't take your passport to the beach. But you can get a small waterproof "beach safe" to put a little cash and your room key in for the beach. I got one from Magellan's that has a carabiner attached that you can clip to your suit to wear in the water. It's about the size of a deck of cards. It also came with a lanyard, although I'm not a fan of wearing things around my neck. Obviously, this is not intended to carry real valuables and it isn't meant to be hidden on your body, but it can keep your ice cream money and room key from disappearing.

I can adjust the strap on my security neck pouch to wear it around my waist or lower on the hip, which I found useful for hiding it inside my skirt where it was less visible than under my shirt. Maybe that would work with a dress too, since you won't be accessing it in public. The pouch hangs nicely from the strap in this configuration in a more vertical orientation, like the hidden pockets the men like so much. I can wear it around my neck, or across my body under clothing, or around the waist as mentioned. Maybe this option would appeal to someone else too.

@ Lexey - Thank you so much for mentioning how you wear your neck pouch. I just ordered one because I don't like wearing the traditional money belt. I was planning to wear the neck pouch cross body style, but was wondering how it would look under my clothes. Wearing it around the waist is genius! The hidden pocket needs a belt, which I don't wear, but this could be the next best thing.

I wear the RS waist money belt even with a dress since I never access it in public....If I absolutely had to access it, of course, I'd do so in a bath room or fitting room. I do try to thin it out by putting whatever I can in the hotel safe (if available) and try to only take clothes that are "fuller" (not tight-fitting) or that camouflage the bumps and fullness of the belt.

I think the need and convenience of a money belt is declining. There are alternatives. Due to the fact the money belt has to be in the carryon luggage for security, and at Heathrow they are even scanning the passports, I no longer carry a money belt, as transit time was the most important time to do so. I have a leather purse type money belt, that when I am insecure I remove it from my purse, which is always attached to my body, and wear it under my light sweater. Otherwise, it is securely in my purse or most likely in the hotel or home in which I am staying. I have copies of my passport just in case and I keep my credit cards separate from my money and atm. A thief is not going to reach three or 4 four separate pockets, and if my purse, a metro safe purse--is that the name of it?, is removed from my body, I have more important issues to deal with at that moment. I'm sure there will be many people angry on this blog with this position, but just be careful and the chances of trouble are small. And also, I do not feel comfortable with a waist money belt with a dress, as it can easily can drop off and the neck pouch is uncomfortable and visible as I am not flat chested. We all can be overly paranoid and must bring it back under control. Life happens. Let it. So there you have it, shoot. (BTW, the tone of this entry is pleasant incase you missed that. We all have our systems and no system is wrong. And I hate to be sexist, but until you guys start wearing dresses...)

Wray - You have some valid points, but I disagree with you that the main time to wear a money belt is when you are going through security. Every facet of travel opens up the opportunity for something to happen. I had my wallet lifted out of my purse on a crowded RER train in Paris. It was very crowded (we were packed like sardines on the train) and I was distracted because we needed to get to the airport and we had already missed one train because it was so crowded.

I think that everyone is entitled to their own way of doing things and no one person is right or wrong. I also think it depends on where one is traveling. You have to be more wary in a city than you do in the country or a small town. I am preparing to go to Italy and I will confess that I am a little paranoid after all I have been reading about pickpockets. After having experienced one theft, I am going to make sure it doesn't happen to me again. Does that mean I will be wearing a money belt or its equivalent 24/7? No. Does it mean that while I am in Rome or Florence or anywhere else where pickpockets are active I will be wearing one? Yes. I don't want to lose valuable vacation time dealing with getting things replaced.

It could also be what we are used to dealing with... As I live in the city and regularly travel public transit, perhaps I am used to being on guard...and my metro purse locks!!! LOL

Steve, Do you wear the belt, to which you attach your hidden pocket, on top of your dress or underneath it? :>)

@ Andrea: You're welcome :-). I like the flexibility of the neck pouch. Of course, I'm not wearing the gigantic broomstick skirt I once wore while traveling... I could have hidden many, many things under that thing ;-).

If anyone else decides to wear a neck pouch around the waist or a hidden pocket and is worried about it moving around while walking, a safety pin to your garment (or undergarments :-)) will help keep it in place, although I wouldn't rely on safety pins to keep a hidden pocket in place if you don't have a belt to hold it up.

By the way, I plan to wear pants as well as a skirt, but one pair of my pants does not have belt loops! I think this is fairly common on women's pants, so belts are often a problem for women, and one that men would simply not be aware of. Likewise, women's pants often don't have pockets--I suspect the only men's pants ever made without pockets are the very simplest of sweatpants (or pajamas!).

In addition to women's pants not having pockets, quite often the pockets they do have are almost pointless. I am bringing a pair of my SO's shorts to wear. They have REAL pockets, and lots of them! The clean lines on my linen pants are nice and all, but there's no way I can carry anything in the pockets!

The two features I like are:

Multiple pockets, one for cash/credit card and one for passport and other important papers. Almost all the moneybelts I see include two pockets.

Plastic lined, to keep sweat from ruining your stuff. If yours isn't lined, use ziplock bags to keep your papers/passport dry.

Sorry to resurrect this...but...I just came across three new design's of moneybelts:

Women's Body Pouch

Conceal Wear Money Pouch

PortaPocket

I can't remember where I got it (probably TravelSmith or Magellan's) but I really like my around-the-waist money belt. The "back" side of it is a knit fabric, not silk or nylon, and when I wore it with the pouch in the small of my back, it actually soaked up some of the sweat trickling down my spine!

I believe I wore it every day, with some of our credit cards, all but about 50 Euros of whatever cash we had last withdrawn from an ATM, and our train tickets that were needed later in the trip. It wasn't uncomfortable or bulky; I usually wore shirts hanging over the waistband of my capri pants or skort so I didn't think twice about the strap being visible.

I have heard good things about the "holster style" money belt. Has anyone used them? Your thoughs please.

Tracy, have you ever considered pulling the money belt up high, pouch in front, right under were your bra strap is? It should sit bellow your breasts. I have a friend who did this a couple of times in Spain while she wore dresses (they were the baby-doll type dress so they're not tight up front)and it was undetectable. (Use a safety pin to attach the belt strap to your bra strap if you're worried about it slipping).

I believe whatever type of money belt you wear is worth a little discomfort knowing your valuables are safe.

One method a friend of mine uses is she sews a pocket inside her clothes.

She is very handy at sewing and this allows her to put the pocket where it is least likely to cause an unsightly bulge. For example, often with pants she put the pocket on the inside under where the outside back pocket is and stored her passport there. With skirts she will sew a pocket about a third of the way down just large enough for her passport. She stores her currency bills inside a pocket in her bra (she has room to spare, she is flat chested but wears bras that make her look like she isn't.)

My wife and I both use RS money belts every year when we go to Europe. We get a new one every year with the package that comes when you take one of his tours.
We have taken 9 RS tours. The last couple of years I have switched from a "round the waist" type to a "neck" style. We don't put anything in them that we would need during the normal day there but carry our daily stuff in zip up front pockets.
Fortunately, we both are beyond worrying about any buldges that money belts may create. Life has certainly gotten a whole lot easier since we reached that plateau.

It's so good to see some posts here from women who have had no luck finding a workable money belt thing. I typically read nothing but good things about them, but my girl friends, mom, and I have tried all the different styles and none of them work well. I always bring one with me, and I am such a worrier by nature that I can't imagine not bringing one, but I always end up abandoning it. The belt will NOT fit comfortably under any of my pants/shorts, especially when loaded up with stiff passports, credit cards etc. Meanwhile, the various pouch types are clearly visible under your shirts, especially tee shirts, and then you are just asking to be robbed. Lucky for me, after I inevitably give up on the belt, my husband carries my passport for me and I carry my DL, 1 debit/credit card, my health insurance card and a reasonable amount of cash stashed in my small messenger bag, both zippered and clipped closed. Why don't you load up a money belt and try wearing it under one of your travel dresses as you run around doing errands. Maybe you'll be fine with it.

Here's my solution (for those wearing pants). I cut up an old pair of khaki pants and sew pouches (with velcro at the top). I make several and I sew these inside my travel pants and shorts. I sew them at the belt line so that my belt covers the stitching and the pouch is inside. For those of you staying at hostels, you can sew one in your PJ's too, so your stuff is safe at night. About an hour with the old Singer and I'm set. And I can un-stitch them from old pants and sew them into new ones. Charlie, Lodi, California

I use a version of Ed and Charlie's "inside pocket" method.

I tend to dress casually and like to wear cargo pants and shorts or convertibles when traveling. What works for me is to have an external thigh pocket sewn shut and an opening finished on the inside of the leg.

The pocket works as intended and can only be accessed from the inside. This works great for me as there is no need to wear a money belt or a belt for that matter. Of course this isn't a good option if you wear dress slacks or jeans.

OK - I'll play. (Tracy is on her trip, but this is one of The Eternal Questions - 'ohmmmmm')

I use the Eagle Creek 'Undercover Hidden Pocket' (the one with the khaki and black belt loops). It comes with a large diaper pin, so since I don't wear belts I pin it to the inside (duh! lol) of my pants to my pocket lining, waistband, wherever. I usually pin through one of the loops (not the actual passport compartment), and depending on whether I'm planning to walk all day, or ride on a train for the day I can pin it higher or lower. On my left side or right, in the middle, vertically or horizontally. Sometimes I pin it where it is lying on top of my thigh. Wherever I pin it, when I sit I can oh-so-subtly move it around a little bit to make it more comfortable - horizontally to vertically, for example.

The point is, you can be very versatile in how you use any pouch. You can pin a neck pouch over your tummy if you want, to your bra, pin a waist pouch to you sock, wherever - no rules. Just someplace inaccessible to a pickpocket. Maybe all of these locations in one trip. If you're wearing a dress, attach it to a pocket or perhaps the waistband if you have one. If you anticipate using an ATM, for example, maybe coordinate with your traveling partner and use their pouch for a few minutes or just get your card out in a restroom and keep a close eye on it until you can put it and your cash back in your pouch. Normally, you'll only get into your pouch every few days, at most. Bring an extra diaper pin...

The last couple of trips I actually went back to a (small) waist belt. You'll never see it on me; I don't wear clothing styles that would show it. And remember - 1)passport, 2)2-3 credit/ATM cards, 3)deep storage cash, 4)perhaps copy of companion's passport/cc's, (shrink copy to ~ 4x6) and 5)railpass if you have one. That's all. No wads of small bills or reams of paper.

I definitely belong to the Wear It! camp.

anyone try one of these?
http://www.beltoutlet.com/shoulderwallet.html

I am feeling very frustrated...money belt wise. We are going to Italy and I have become very paranoid about being the victim of a pickpocket. My husband and I both have the around the waist type of money belt, but neither one of us was very comfortable wearing it. For Italy I decided we HAVE to wear a MB, so I got my hubby the type that Mary described that attaches to his belt. I bought a neck pouch, with the intention of wearing it cross body, messenger style. I was going through my travel things yesterday and decided to try out the neck pouch. I hate it. I am only 5'3" and it is too long for me, even shortening up the strap. I tried it cross body and around the neck. Both ways it was obvious I had it on. I suppose if I only take clothes 4 sizes too big no one would notice, but that is not a good look. ;-) I need to come up with something...

Andrea,

Wear the neck pouch as a shoulder holster and pin the strap to your bra strap, with the pouch under your arm! I find that to be comfortable.

Madelia, I tried that, but it is the part that actually holds the passport, etc. it too long and hangs lower than my shirts. That is with the strap shortened up as far as comfortably possible. It is also a little wide. My husband said it was obvious I had something under my shirt, and I only had my passport in it. I could alter the holder and fold it in half horizontally, but then the most I can fit in it is a couple of credit cards. My husband might just have to carry everything. Lucky him!

Andrea, did you try out your husband's around the waist pouch. I like it the best. It can go through belt loops--or not. I wear it through the belt loops and on the outside of the pants. Of course I wear a top that covers over it.

Yes, I have tried the around the waist type. I don't care for it, but maybe I will try that again, as well as holster style cinched up as high as possible so it won't hang down too long. Of course that doesn't address the fact that it is too wide and is obvious under my clothes. Hmmm...I will have to see what I can make work.

There are a ton of posts here, so I didn't read them all. Sorry if this is a repeat. My wife carries a small Pac-Safe bag in lieu of a money belt. It is designed for tourists and has metal mesh inside the strap so that it can't be cut off your shoulder. She wears it across her body with the bag in front. The inside pocket is protected by a zipper with a flap that goes over it. The flap also has a latch to hold it closed. It is just as safe as any money belt you could own and much more comfortable.

MOst pickpockets do not cut bags off ,, they just pickpocket them. You don't really need steel mesh bags,, but a bag with an inner zipped pocket, then a top zipper,, then a flap that clicks close will be fine. I have used such a bag for last 6-7 years and its great. I love it enough I use it at home.

I am wondering,, what exactly do you ladies carry in your money belts that make them bulky?? I carry two ATM cards and two CC cards and one passport. The MB is wide enough that there are 2 cards on one side, 2 on the other and PP in middle . Its not bulky or thick unless I go to bank and have a load of cash in it. I then dump money in safe except one days worth .

Do people carry too much in their Moneybelts??

For those folks who don't wear a moneybelt but have a very secure purse instead, have you considered that you might accidentally walk off & leave it? Last year in Greece, my husband walked off without his daybag in a restaurant and when ik noticed he did not have it, we turned around and our waiter was running to us carrying the bag! Of course, my husband was wearing his moneybelt! The very next day I was useing the internet at a TI and walked off leaving my large DSLR camera with bag! About 20 minutes later, I realized what I had done & nearly had a stroke! I ran back & the bag was safely on a shelf where the girls on duty had placed it. They had tried to find me! These incidents happened at Oia, Santorini. We THINK we won't walk away from our valuables, but it can happen. I also did it once in France, and I got my bag back. But both of us always wear our money belt or I wear my shoulder holster with passport, ATM cards, credit cards, index card with important #'s and large amounts of cash. Even if a pickpocket may be aware that I am wearing the safely pouch under my shirt, I don't think he can get to it, and I can't walk off and leave it!

Pat, when I tried the around the neck type out the other day the only thing I had in it was my passport. It was not so much the bulk of it, but the width of it that made it obvious I had something under my shirt. I tried it hanging on my side (messanger style - the strap also showed BTW) and hanging in front.

hi! op here...i thought since this thread was resurrected i'd chime in. we've been in europe for almost three weeks now, and i've only used my money belt for two days (gasp!--please don't yell at me) i have a leather purse with a thick strap, and a flap over a zippered part with another zippered part within it. i carry it crossbody and always have one hand across it. if anyone can get in it, they honestly deserve to steal anything i have--and that's not much. i did wear the money 'belt'--in quotes because i got the RS neckpouch--for a two day trip to amsterdam, and in it i carried only my ID, my passport, and my credit card--i only needed the passport once (oddly to check into the hotel) otherwise i just sort of ignored it. i wore it crossbody, under my dress, and had to tuck the top of it under my bra strap to keep the strap from showing across my chest. i also wore afore mentioned bag (with a camera and some tissues and a guidebook) over top of my dress (obviously) which also helped to hide the strap and the pouch itself, though even without the purse over it, it was REALLY hard to tell i was wearing it, and i never found it bulky or uncomfortable.

yeah...i don't even take my purse off when i'm using the restroom. i wear it while i'm eating, on the metro (of course)--always. to leave my bag somewhere would be impossible--it does not leave my body. ever. and the most important thing it contains (when i'm using it without a money belt, which as i've said is most of the time) is my camera, and some change for afore mentioned restrooms. though my camera IS very important to me (a basic point and shoot--i suppose i should say the photos are most important, not the camera) ditto with my husband and his man-bag. never leave the body. ever. that's the best way we've found to not lose things! ;-)

I have been using RS money belts/neck pouches for the last 10 years with no problems. I would not go to Europe without using one. As far as fashionable appearance goes, I guess I am too old to worry how it may look under my clothes. I prefer the safety aspect of one. As far as wearing a jean jacket instead of a money belt, you would have been way too warm in Turkey where I was last month, let alone anywhere in southern Europe in the summer. This issue sure gets beat to death on this web site.

No Madelia,, I would never walk off and leave my bag anywhere,, never have in last 35 years I have carried a purse so don't imagine I'll start now. When I was 13 I was sent to France to stay with relatives for 3 months. My mom told me to never , ever leave my purse anywhere or I might get stuck in France.. and trust me, that was enough, I never put my bag down then and have grown up very careful with it. .

Perhaps the fact that I travel solo, or sometimes with just my one of my kids has made me aware of my situation, the buck stops here. If I left my bag somewhere I'd have no back up person. I am not surprised your hubby left his bag,, I doubt he carries one all the time at home, so its not something he is used to. And yes, I wear it cross body style so I never need to take it off.

As for the neck pouches,, I don't think they would be comfortable, and yes, I imagine they would show. I use a waist money belt when I wear one. Its under my clothes and it has never shown. Its thin, I do not wear tight or see through clothes,, so its never been an issue for me personally.

Lexey - I second the vote proclaiming you a genius! I just tried your idea of wearing the neck pouch around my waist. It's perfect. So much more comfortable and versatile than the hidden pocket hanging from a belt. Thank you for the great idea!

Tracy -- the answer may depend on how frequently you think you'll want to get into the hidden cache. I found a small 'purse' that attached to either side of the bra for very safely hidden storage, but it would require a trip to the restroom or access just in private. I also wore a belt style for passport etc. The neck style was just not comfortable for me, but I'd suggest trying out the various options at home before traveling. AAA travel store is pretty good about returns. For you beach time, I think what you'd want is something with velcro to wear around wrist or ankle; I've seen those but could not tell you brand or anything (may be able to find on REI website?). Have a wonderful time!

Tracy, I'm not sure this is for you. When Flight Attendent used to write on this board a lot(I'm sure I'm not the only one that misses her wisdom; I hope nothing happened to her.), she mentioned that she put part of a separating zipper on her money belt and the other part on the waistband of her skirts or slacks and zipped it in so that the problem with the waist belt of the money belt being too whatever--tight, narrow--was taken care of.

I don't know if you could do something like that with the dresses you are taking and whatever money pouch you are taking but if you can that might work.

Andrea, I have also noticed that the neck pouches are longer than I think they should be. I am also a short stuff. I thought that if I ever needed one that I would tuck the end under the waistband of the slacks or skirt I was wearing. I also think I will wear my tops not tucked into the waistband. That would help in keeping the neck pouch less obvious I think. I could be mistaken.

I retired my moneybelt the 1st time that I used it.

Then I tried different brands of neck purses.

Frank II convinced me to try the Hidden Pocket on our trip this last June. What a difference! I just wear it under the pocket of my pants, and it works great.

If I feel that I am in a safe area, I'll wear it just like a regular billfold.

My wife won't use any of these, and relys on her new Pac Safe backpak.

To each their own!