Current advice on money belts, anyone?

I used a travel belt for the first time when we spent 5 weeks in Prague/Germany in May/early June. Other than when it was over 85 degrees (F), I almost didn't know it was there. I loved not lugging a purse/backback around.

To me they each provide a different function. The money belt is deep storage and not to be accessed in public. The cross body you are in and out of.

I know many like the Travelon or other security bags but they feel too heavy to me with the extra metal inside the body of the purse and the strap. I've added carabiners to the zippers of my regular Baggalini cross body. I got picked several years ago in Paris (they only got a pouch of my every day toiletry items) and I still have no idea how they got into my purse because I never felt anyone near me. I am vigilant about fastening the carabiners now but Paris isn't a place that is known for purse slashing and grabbing like some cities are.

I try not to travel when it's really hot so the money belt does not bother me at all. I know many complain they are uncomfortable but I'm fine with it especially on a day when I am transiting from one location to another.

I hope you enjoy your new purse and that it works well for your needs!

The Travelon bags have been around for years, not sure I’d call them “new breed”. I’ve used this and similar for several decades.

Money belts are completely hidden. They won’t be set down or disengaged from the cross-body position when a traveler stops for a bite to eat, starts a long train journey, or other circumstances when being attached to the crossbody may be less than optimal. Money belts are very good for keeping valuables that may not be needed on an hourly or daily basis safe - store of extra cash, back-up credit card, ATM card when cash withdrawals aren’t planned. Available if required, but not obvious to one and all as suggested by a purse or bag or pack or bulging pocket.

Many traveling women use both bags such as yours and a money belt. Designed for different purposes.

Of course, individuals can always decide what works for them - one size doesn’t fit all!

Responding to heat - I have used money belts in SE Asia extensively over many years despite temps of 90+F and 80% humidity. I can’t say I didn’t notice the presence of the belt, but with appropriate clothes for the climate, I have found them quite tolerable.

I used a money belt once over 10 years ago, however I prefer my satchel or small cross body bag.

One other thought on purses in general, straps can be grabbed and pulled. If you search around, there are news stories of women being pulled into the street by motorcyclists reaching out and grabbing straps as they pass sidewalk pedestrians. Because the strap was cross body, the force of the pull to the attached purse was sufficient to drag them off their feet into traffic.

Suggested remedy to the above was a purse with shorter straps that can be tucked under the arm, close to the arm pit. If necessary, traveler can let the purse loose to avoid being dragged.

I agree with what Pam said. I never found my money belt uncomfortable, but did question how it affected the fit of some if my clothes. So I now use a neck pouch for deep storage of valuables. It's light, made of lingerie fabric, and has a flat adjustable strap like a bra strap. And then I have my regular cross body bag for every day use. In addition to all the zippered compartments, it has a large flap that covers the access points, which I wear next to my body. I just don't like the idea of putting all my eggs in one basket, as it were.

Thanks everyone! I'm (literally) doing my final "pack" for a 2-1/2 month trip to Germany, France and Portugal.

I LOVE THIS FORUM and am so glad I am now in it. :0D

I'm leaving the money belt behind, however, I'll take my Road Scholar (!) neck wallet to stow my passport and extra credit card, big denomination euros, and my Travelon cross-body which has enough room for my iPad, a water bottle and some smaller change.

I feel this is a good combo for safety and comfort! Thanks to everyone :)

I use a money belt combined with a day bag or crossbody purse. At times when the weather has been HOT. I put my passport in a ziploc bag so it doesn’t get sweaty. I think in the summer in a warm climate you’re going to be hot and sweaty whether or not you’re wearing a money belt.
I use a crossbody purse for daily cash and one credit card and the money belt is deep storage only. I have used a Travelon purse, but it seemed like overkill and wasn’t super comfortable with the stiff reinforced strap.
The money belt makes me feel confident that my most important items (ex passport)) won’t be left behind or easily pickpocketed. Sure, you can get your passport replaced while in a foreign country, but do you really want to have to do that? Everyone has their own level of comfort/risk, and to each their own!

Barbara, we think alike! Yes to the plastic baggies for passports - and to cash (bills) carried in the money belt! I also have found the Travelon purses straps and metal make the purses heavy.

But, whatever makes me feel satisfied with the circumstances I’m heading for is how I travel. That means differences for different destinations. No money belt in Japan, underarm purse in Bangkok, crossbody with pockets but not Travelon or PacSafe in London, and phone tether, Travelon, and money belt as well as hotel safe in Barcelona. (The last was over-kill…. )

On my latest trip to Europe (solo to the Netherlands in April), I switched it up and used a "Stashbandz" instead of a traditional money belt, which is what I used for many international trips in the past. It was very comfortable and I never had to worry about the clasp coming undone as it has none. I use it for deep storage and never access it while I am out in the open.

I have quite a few Travelon cross body bags. The first one I bought in 2015 is pretty heavy and I don't use it very often, but the more recent ones are smaller and much more comfortable for me to carry crossbody. I use them primarily for travel (both international and domestic), but sometimes carry them locally due to the organizational features.

I never used a money belt until I found this forum, and frankly, became paranoid about it. I do have a small Pacsafe bag that I use when I'm in transit, but that has everything in it. Once at my location, I switch to either a travelon or Pacsafe purse (I love their organization). Also, I split up my financial items once at my destination or not in serious transport. I leave a credit card, debit card, and a copy of my passport and paperwork in my suitcase in the hotel. In my purse I split up my items so a pickpocket would not get it all...how one would get thru the zips and catches I don't know. Basically, I make it difficult to get everything. I NEVER take my crossbody bag off, so taking the entire bag is not an easy task. My bag is close to the front of my body and I usually wear a scarf so those few motorcyclist would have to be good to grab it, but I have backup in my room.

This being said, I have used a moneybelt in the past on occasion. The first time, a waist style bag fell off in the ladies room in the very beginning of my trip. Never used that again and didn't like it anyway. The one I finally settled on, but haven't used in years, is a leg wallet that was just under my knee that felt like a knee sock, which I eventually forgot was there. That was OK, but one needs bootleg pants or loose pants and I just don't feel it is necessary anyway. For years I lived in a city and rode public transportation a lot so protecting my stuff is not new, and protecting myself from myself by losing my stuff is more what I protect against. LOL

Sometimes, for the situation, I adjust a bit. I've just pinned one of RS's belt pockets on the inside of my blazer thinking I will divide my items when going through security in London for the Eurostar. For some reason this security check makes me more nervous than the airport for sending my items through the scanner and away from me.

I believe if you know where your stuff is and keep it consistent, then there is no need for a money belt, particularly with a Travelon crossbody bag. If you are one of those people who takes off their bag or leaves it open, then wear a money belt. Otherwise, after 50 years of travel (I can't believe I can say that), you don't need a money belt. Just divide, secure and be consistent, and keep your bag on. Even Rick Steves admits he was stupid when he was pick pocketed and didn't follow his rules because he had all his items in his wallet in his back pocket.

I will always use an underclothing moneybelt.
Mine is cotton with no clasp to come loose; and I put my passport , credit card and some extra cash in it, inside a ziploc bag first.
Now I’m going to wrap a paper towel between the bag and the cotton fabric for extra absorption.
(Thanks Laurie Beth for that tip!)
I wear it in the small of my back and don’t even notice it.
I don’t go into it unless I’m inside a change room or washroom, with a door between me and the world.
In my crossbody bag is some cash, tissues, etc.
I lock the zips with little carabiners, and never ever take the bag off me no matter what.

I was concerned reading yesterday’s posts about theft now on Italian trains …in Business Class!
Are thieves spending money to hopefully make money?
Or are these “inside” jobs with help from train staff?
Yikes.

I wear a cross-body messenger bag, but when I am in certain cities or traveling, I also wear a silk money belt under my shirt. Has my bank cards and big money.
Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Porto, Lisbon, Milan, Madrid, are all cities where I would wear one in Europe.

To me the Road Scholar neck wallets are flimsy. Be sure you reinforce the knots on the neck strap as Ive seen those come undone.

If you have a layover at an airport look for a good neck wallet in one of the travel stores instead of relying on the Road Sch nametag holder.

My mother loves her neck wallet. Has been traveling all around the world with one since the 90s.

Enjoy your trip.

Regarding passport in plastic baggie. This has been my "go to" ever since I got caught in a downpour that soaked through my backpack, through my purse that was inside the backpack, through the passport case and then my passport.... I was able to dry it out and it passed inspection as "not damaged" when I flew home to the US, but it was definitely a lesson learned. Now my passport is in a plastic baggie and I keep my backpack rain cover in the bottom of my backpack.

I do use the money belt but generally once I get to my hotel, everything goes in the safe and I don’t worry about it again until I’m leaving. While I’m in a city, I’ve got a few euros in my bag, one credit card, etc. If it all disappears, I can go back to the hotel and recover in about an hour.

Nothing makes you look more like a tourist than wearing a safe. Honestly, I feel like you’re setting yourself up to be followed to see if they can get something off of you because you’re screaming “look at me, I’m a tourist and this is where I’ve got valuable things”. The only people I know personally, who have managed to be robbed or pickpocketed on Europe had special “slash proof locking bags”. my theory is they got a little sloppy because the purse was protecting them.

I do see a lot of the "tourist clutch" with bags. It is a give-away. Wearing your bag without clutching it, is better. A cross body bag is best. The satchel type holds everything you need for the day. So much easier than a back pack, which you will need to take off and put on all day long.
With a money belt, no one knows I am wearing one, it is under my shirt.
Those with hip packs, the trend now is to wear them cross body. As in everyone is wearing them now, in Germany, in Spain, in Portugal, at least. Young and old.