hate money belts - alternatives?

I've used a couple of systems. Often, I wear a leg belt when in transit. It fits just below the knee and feels like a knee sock. However, I don't travel usually in the summer. I wear slacks and it is not noticeable and I forget it is there most of the time. Other times I have not used a money belt at all, but rather a pac safe purse, which I wear cross body, so it is always attached to me so I can't accidentally leave it behind and the zippers can be locked. Magellan has some clothes with built in security pockets as well, but I've never tried any. I would look horrible in a travel vest. Good luck.

Try a neck wallet. I shorten up the strap and wear it over one shoulder. I safety pin the strap to my bra strap and it hangs under my arm. I forget I'm wearing it. I considered a travel vest at one point, but if it is warm out I think it would be uncomfortable, not to mention bulky. Also, the pickpockets can get into outer pockets as easily as a purse. I have a coat that has multiple interior pockets and never used them because I was afraid if I took my jacket off I might forget the jacket or someone could take it from the back of a chair. I also use a crossbody purse that doesn't come off me in public. I use that for my daily stuff.

Sherri, We use two natives. Neither my wife or I liked using money belts. native one is the "hidden pocket" that attaches to your belt and hangs down the inside of your pants. I use one of these all the time. native two is the "neck wallet". These have a braided line that goes around the neck, and had an adjustable toggle on it. We take the toggle off, cut the braided neck line to the proper length to allow the neck wallet to hang where you want it and allow enough extra to be sewn along the edge of the wallet. Both of use use these. One is Eagle Creek, one is Victorinox. Let me know if I can define the nation more clearly.

That should be "alternatives", not "natives".

Many times I keep most in a bag that fits over my shoulder, so that I can either swing it to my side, or my front in tight quarters. I also have a "neck wallet/pouch" that I can also wear under my shirt in front or more often, under my shirt but over my shoulder, basically under my arm to the side. This gives a high level of security, but a good level of comfort.

Always use my trusty travel vest with inner zipper pockets. Have never had any problems whatsoever with pickpockets or thieves. Mine is a very lightweight Columbia I bought at REI.

I have a belly and I wear my belt with the pouch on the side. (I am a true apple shape. My body is like a marshmallow on two toothpicks.) The only problem I've found with money belts is that I wear dresses and sometimes I need to get money at inconvenient times. I'm sure I'm the only person who ever lifted her skirt in a corner of the Vatican Post Office to get enough money for a souvenir. I'm not a fan of sticking a lot of stuff in a vest because that would make me look even chubbier. Lately, I've been keeping valuables in my purse, but I pull my purse in front of me and hold it when I'm in a crowd, and I keep my passport and other valuables in a hotel safe. My mom used to tuck money into her bra. It wouldn't work for a passport, but it's another place for emergency money and a piece of paper with credit card info numbers.

Christina, I think you have missed the point of a money belt. It is not for souvenir money, it is for deep storage of your passport (when you do not need to show it to anyone), extra credit card and/or debit card, and extra cash. Spending money for the day should be more available.

If you travel during the cooler months of the year, interior pockets of your coat or jacket work just as well as a money belt. All the better if the pocket has a button or zipper.

Sherri, You might have a look at the Magellan's website as they have a good selecction of different types of Money Belts, including some that are worn on the leg or arm. My mid-section is also "too big" so the Money Belt isn't really a huge concern. Cheers!

The POINT of a money belt system is to keep your money and valuables safe from pickpockets. Any system that someone cannot access (at least without you knowing) is valid. Some are more easy for you to access and each person must decide what their needs and comfort levels are. I use a neck wallet that has a loop for a belt. Since I wear a belt, I just loop it through and it hangs near my right front pocket. Even though it's visible and I can easily access it, no one else can. It has several layers of velcro and zippers that can't be easily opened. Basically it's like a pacsafe purse for men. Neck pouches are great since they can't be removed without you knowing. And they are easy for you to access. But some people find them uncomfortable or unsightly under shirts. They are less unsightly if worn slung under the arm. Pacsafe purses are only good if you are the type of person that won't let it leave your body. Some women are very casual with purses and will sling them over a chair or set them down without thinking. They are also very convenient for personal access. But any purse needs multiple layers of security/access, not just a zipper or clasp like a regular purse. The leg pouch is good if you're not wearing shorts, capris or shorter skirts/dresses. The travel vest is fine, but becomes a permanent fashion on your trip. Again, the pockets must be secure since it is easier for someone to slip a hand in if you're distracted.

I have always worn a camisole under my clothing with an envelope type pocket (stretchy material) sewn on it. Also use a safety pin to secure flap as an extra precaution. Depending where you sew the pocket, you can have it in the front just under the bust or lower down in the small of your back.
Really easy to do and secure.

I have pants/shorts/capris that have zipped pockets where I keep my cash for the day and my ATM card. I always leave my passport and credit cards at the hotel/hostel safe or locked in a locker. In transit I put everything in my Pacsafe messenger bag which never leaves my side.

I use a Maruka purse that is very small and crosses over my body. Inside that I have a small leather neck wallet and that holds my money, passport, credit cards. I use the strap to tie it to the purse. I could wear the neck wallet around my neck, but I don't. I would never wear a money belt...way too uncomfortable (I am the kind of person who cuts all the tags out of their clothes) So, I am very aware of my purse and never take it off from across my body and it sits in my lap when I am sitting down (with strap still over body) In the crowded markets, buses, etc. I hold it right on the front of my body.

Sherri try wearing your money belt with the pouch at the rear in the small of your back.

When I am travelling I wear my moneybelt, otherwise my passport , extra credit card and Atm card, and excess cash is left in my hotel safe.

You have to watch leaving things in cargo pants - a friend was in Spain and someone slashed his pocket on the subway - he didn't even notice till a few hours later - there went his passport, and 4 wasted days waiting for a new one...I have a cross-body pacsafe bag, but I do find it gets heavy, but at least hubby and I can take turns carrying it...hubby still keeps wallet in his backpocket, but I have most of the money and all impt stuff in the ps bag.

I hate money belts, but I hate worrying more. I wear the stinking thing and don't worry.

I'm in the minority here, I know, but I just use a regular purse or messenger bag. If the hotel has a safe in the room or at the front desk, I will sometimes leave things I don't NEED that day, but I regularly keep my credit cards and documents in my purse while I'm out and about. I do try to split docs up a bit and keep my passport and at least one credit card in a different pocket or wallet than my daily cash and cards. I leave copies of my passport in my suitcase and also have scans of them saved in my e-mail ready to print if needed. I keep a copy of my credit card numbers disguised as phone numbers in both my purse/backpack of the day and in my suitcase. It takes a bit of work to break up and disguise the numbers, but it can be done. ;) If I'm traveling with a traveling companion, I usually suggest that each of us keep copies of each other's docs and maybe keep each other's spare credit card just in case. However, I do a fair amount of traveling on my own, so it's not always possible to do that. I know that I'm probably tempting fate by not being more paranoid, but in two years of living in Europe and 7 trips back since leaving about 10 years ago, I haven't had any problems with theft.

I bought one of those RS pockets that is supposed to go on your belt loop, but in the absence of a belt loop, I looped it over the part of my bra that goes under my arm (only works because my straps have snaps). I've been wearing it to school all week and it has worked pretty well.

Sherri,
We always use the money belts (and yes, we hate them). I position mine right below my bra, so it's sort of hidden in the profile, but I have to wear shirts that are not tucked in. My sister (who is an excellent seamstress) recently went to Italy with her husband. He wore the travel trousers that have the hidden zipper pocket. Concerned that pickpockets might be familiar with the make/model (so to speak) of the travel trousers, she sewed in three buttons/button holes BEFORE one would get to the zipper, with the philosophy that it might trip up a pickpocket. They also used the belt loop type money belt for some other times. One could always visit a local alterations place and have all sorts of pockets, etc. sewn into just about anything....shirts, skirts, trousers.......whatever seems to work for you. And, the cost to have that done might be not much more than a moneybelt. Agree that cargo pants are invitations for pickpockets......a fellow traveler on a Rick Steves' tour had a notepad taken from his front lower cargo pants pocket in the Paris subway.

If you hate a money belt, don't use one. Like Sarah, I carry a purse when I am in Europe just like I do here. All my girlfriends do too. In ten trips to Europe I have never had a problem. My friends haven't had problems either. I have visited areas that are considered pickpocket hot spots: Paris metro (I have graduated to the bus now though, better sight seeing), Rome metro, the #64 bus in Rome, Naples, etc. without problems. Like Sarah, I keep copies of everything in more than one place in case I do get pickpocketed though.

"I think front pockets work just fine. Especially jeans pockets. They're too tight for pickpocketers to be able to stick their hand in them." While I believe everyone should use a method they are most comfortable with (physically and from a risk standpoint) - there have been many examples on this site alone where people have reported having their wallets picked from front pockets. Most people think they'd feel someone's fingers sliding in, but these are professionals and they usually work by distraction. Maybe the victims have all been skinny, but I'd take such advice with a cautious grain of salt.

Douglas, Could you point out some examples of people reporting being pickpocketed from their front pocket? I must ahve missed them.

I'm in the same boat as Sarah and Sherry- my purse and messenger bag have a zippered pocket on the inside, so it's always against my body where I put the important stuff. As long as I remember to pay attention to the people around me I don't feel like it's a problem.

I use a neck wallet for my passport and cash. I had a dummy wallet when I hiked in Spain but I really needed it in a crowded space. I just got pickpocketed on the tram in Nice going from the train station to my hotel. I've travelled in Europe for the past ten years and I thought I was pretty safe because I'm left-handed and I had my wallet in my left front pocket with my fanny pack partially covering my pocket. But it was crowded and someone pushed past me and a few moments later my wife felt something hit her foot; it was my wallet minus the cash - but my credit card and license were still there. So, eternal vigilance; it only has to happen once to spoil everything.

I always do the same as Amanda (above). Neck wallet and cross-body bag for camera, etc. If the weather is warm a vest is not an option for me.