Money Belts and "Belt Wallets"

I used just such a device on my last trip and loved it. Nothing shows, it just dangles inside your pants, easy to access when needed. I used to sling a pouch over my shoulder but this is much better.

Here's a typical example

http://www.amazon.com/Lewis-N-Clark-Travel-Wallet/dp/B00I5IWC1E/ref=lp_15743861_1_8_mc?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1429731971&sr=1-8

The money belt isn't on your skin, it's over your underwear and under your trousers or pants.

This is the one I got:

https://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/pacsafe-coversafe-125-secret-belt-wallet.html

I use a belt wallet that actually hangs on the outside and love it. Maybe not the most stylish looking but it is very easy for me to access. But it has various Velcro and zippered inner pockets so that no one else can access it. I've used a version of this for over 20 years and the nice thing now is that my iPhone fits snuggly inside. The version that tucks inside your pants would work just as well I would think.

Yanksteve, I used the RS Hidden Pocket and as near as I can figure it slid off my belt and down the leg of my comfortable and loose fitting travel pants in a men's room at a cafe in Nimes. There was only one thing in it: my passport. I liked it well enough, and had done a three week trip the year before without losing it, but it was definitely gone.

Just be aware and use caution with these.

As you can see from Dave's experience, always wear these on the 'buckle side' of your belt - between your buckle and the first belt loop. Waaay less chance of it sliding off. Sorry about your experience, Dave :-(

This 'belt wallet' is a similar item to the Lewis N Clark, Eagle Creek, and Rick Steves' 'Hidden Wallets'. I've used one for years (when I'm not wearing a 'regular' waistbelt-style money belt) and you don't have to wear a belt with them. The Eagle Creek version always used to (don't know about these days) come with a large safety pin (OK - a diaper pin!) so you could pin it to the inside of your waistband, pocket lining, etc. Just stick the pin through the loop, your waistband/pocket lining, back through the loop (if possible) and close the pin. (All of this pinning activity happens on the INSIDE of your pants, not on the outside! It's supposed to be a Hidden Wallet...) This way, you can wear it horizontally or vertically, and at any place on your pants (higher or lower, centered or more to one side). For instance, if I'm going to be spending 4 hours on a train, I'll pin it higher (like through my pant waistband) OR way lower (so it rests on my thigh) to be more comfortable. (Those loops are long so they are very versatile.) This also keeps my passport from getting bent from sitting. If I'll be doing a lot of walking, I'll pin it lower and to one side so it hangs farther down my leg.

And now for TMI - I usually wear my wallet of either sort inside my underwear (or at least well inside the waistband of); if it should ever come loose somehow, my underwear is a last defense against it falling completely out of my clothing. All of the moneybelts that I wear are made of comfortable fabric so being against my skin isn't a problem.

You're welcome for that bit of mental imagery ;-)

So...yes, many of us have lots of happy experience with hidden wallets, just maybe not this particular version.

The best one is the one that you'll wear.

Several times I have dropped my cell phone that was in a belt holster when I went through security and had to take off my belt. No way do I want my "wallet" hanging on my belt. That's a sure recipe for disaster. I will use a neck wallet until TSA requires us to take off our heads.

Eileen, I've just laughed so hard over your post that MY knickers may need a change!

I've used the one by Eagle Creek on my last 3 trips and feel wonderfully secure and not in the least uncomfortable. I always wear jeans, a belt and a top that hangs out so it didn't alter my clothing options. The pouch holds my passport, cards and excess cash and can be accessed easily if need be, though the restroom is the preferred place to do so. I wear tight jeans with a low rise so for me the pouch feels better worn along my hip.

My money belt is the belt loop type that you describe. I much prefer it as there is no string wrapped around your waist and it is very easily accessible (you just flip it in and out rather than having to lift/pull down anything). The only drawback is that you must wear a clothing item with belt loops, which rules out some things. I find it very comfortable, easy to access, and conspicuous in general.

My husband has used that type of money/passport belt wallet since his first trip to Europe in the 90s. He prefers that type to having the waist one up again his skin where his passport would get bent and the whole thing would get so sweaty--3 times we've traveled for 4 months. When walking all day in a hot climate the soft cloth waist packs can get really sweaty. He also doesn't like the string of the neck pouch wearing against his neck all day so the dangly belt loop pouch is his favorite by far. Now that TSA requires him to take off his belt, he just slips it out and off and tucks it into a bin under his shoes to go through security. Eileen, thanks for the tip about wearing it between the buckle and first loop!