Money belts -- are they really necessary?

Here's what Rick has to say about money belts, based on his 30 summers in Europe: Click HereAnd here's the first 2 paragraphs of Rick's discussion:"Money belts are your key to peace of mind. I never travel without one. A money belt is a small, nylon-zippered pouch that fastens around the waist under your pants or skirt. You wear it completely hidden from sight, tucked in like a shirttail — over your shirt and under your pants. (If you find it uncomfortable to wear a money belt in front — as many women do — slide it around and wear it in the small of your back.)

With a money belt, all your essential documents are on you as securely and thoughtlessly as your underpants. Have you ever thought about that? Every morning you put on your underpants. You don't even think about them all day long. And every night when you undress, sure enough, there they are, exactly where you put them. When I travel, my valuables are just as securely out of sight and out of mind, around my waist in a money belt. It's luxurious peace of mind. I'm uncomfortable only when I'm not wearing it."And here's a discussion with many posts from women, discussing the comfort issue: Click Here

No, not really. The only people who use money belts are those that are concerned that pickpockets might get there valuables. But if you don't carry anything valuable or don't think a pickpocket can get to you, then don't worry about it.

Some people will say moneybelts are not necessary. But then, some people say shoes aren't necessary.

Moneybelts come in all shapes and sizes. If you don't like one around you waist, there are those you wear around your neck, attached to a bra, ones that have loops and can be worn on a belt, and even some that go around your lower leg.

I sometimes take different ones along and decide which one to wear depending on what I'm wearing.

I always use a money belt when TRAVELING, but, once I am somewhere I lock my valuables in the hotel safe and just carry a days cash with me. Works for me, and I have done it this way for years and years. No maid has yet broken into the room safe,, LOL
If I stayed somewhere without a safe I would most likely carry valuables with me.
I have stayed with relatives in Paris , and I just leave eveything on the dresser, LOL .

Travelled throughout Europe for years on business, including to some of the less desirable destinations that have now achieved independence, never used a money belt, and never lost anything. Even lived there for a few years with no 'theft' problem. I was cautious, aware of my surroundings, and kept a low profile. On our upcoming 'holiday' month in Europe this spring, however, both my wife and I will be wearing money belts. The talented pickpockets can recognize tourists, target them, and make a good living doing so. When you see the official signs posted around the outside of the Centraal train station in Amsterdam, and in other cities, saying "pickpockets operating in this area", you'll look over your shoulder and wish you had a money belt. Have fun and make it tough for the buggers by securing your passport/cash/credit cards.

I never use them because they are too uncomfortble.
I use a jeans coat with 2 big inside pockets I sewed some velcro on it.
I also made some little cotton pockets credit card size I place inside my jeans with a safety pin.They worked very well. I've been to many countries and less safe areas and never had a problem. You don't need anytthing like, you only need to be careful.Don't leave your camera or purse unattented on a table. I heard horror stories about this. A lady left her purse on a table in a bar and she went to the bathroom just for a few minutes and she expected to find her purse where she left it. Guess what? It wasn't there anymore....
I believe many of the bad things happen because some people don't have common sense.
However European pickpockets are very skillful.

Weigh the inconvenience of wearing a moneybelt against the risk of losing a passport, credit card, debit card or several days worth of money. If losing something will put a major dent in your travel, keep it safe in a money belt. If you don't care about losing something, it doesn't matter where you put it.

I don't mind taking risks, but I try not to take easily avoidable risks.

As has been said, there are different kinds of neck pouches and money belts depending on your preference. I have several of each but decide which one to take before each trip and lend the others to my travel companions/spouse/kids (if they lose something, it affects my plans too).

Take a gamble if you like - nuf said! :)

I agree, its worth the marginal discomfort of wearing a money belt rather than risking it. Remember that in Europe violent crime is generally lower but petty crimes like purse snatching is higher.

I plan on getting one and trying to wear it under my jeans, but I''m buying a shoulder/messnger bag with a zip over the compartment I plan to carry when out. I think that with my jeans and shirts people will plainly see me wearing it around my waist or it will be uncomfortable, but peace of mind is good!

If it gives you peace of mind then wear one. It is good just in case I get pickpocketed or loose my purse scenario. I prefer the one that crosses my chest(more comfortable) vs the belt.

I wore one in my jeans and pants every day of my month long europe trip in the fall of 2006. when I wore my jeans, I moved the pouch part over to my side so I would not look puffy in front. I also wore a rectangular black leather purse with a zip for my that evening stuff. During the day I used the RS captiva day pack. When wearing the purse It went over my head and one arm and is always held in front of me with my arm over the top of it with my fingers curled around the bottom so no one can slash it. I was in Rome on the buses and on the Metro.

One of the men in the group took his daily cash out of his money belt and had it in his front pocket, it was 105 euros... When we got to the Vatican, he was 105 euros poorer.

I was never uncomfortable with my money belt, but I am thinking about maybe trying one hangs down below my neck. Someone would have to get way to friendly with me to find that one.

I wore a money belt for the first time on our trip to Europe three years ago. Honestly, after the trip I thought I might just keep wearing it rather than carry a purse! It was very comfortable and my hands were free...I loved it!

If your money belt is so uncomfortable that you don't want to wear it...you're probably wearing the wrong one!! They aren't all that expensive so it's worth trying a few out to find one that is comfortable enough that you will actually wear/use it. Try a test run at home. That's what I advise my friends and family...

If it is a comfortable fit you shouldn't be troubled by it at all. It helps, I find, to wear a longer shirt/blouse so it's not sitting directly on your skin. Or better yet, have a money belt custom tailored with a detachable zipper system so you can fit it into multiple pieces of clothing. I've found this works well and for about $6.00 each I can get pieces of my travel wardrobe done. It's worth it for the convenience factor.

Earlier I posted the following during another discussion about money belts under the Scam site. I think it is equally appropriate for this discussion ----

From the tone of several of the prior posts, a lot of people don't have a clue as to the proper use of a money belt. I laugh at the billfold suggestions. A friend of mine could have written the billfold posts. He was absolutely convinced beyond any argument that a rubber band around a front pocket billfold was pickpocket proof. Why ?? -- because he had been to Europe four times and never had a problem. He thought we were silly to use an inconvenient, waist money belt. At the beginning of his fifth trip while boarding a train in the Paris his proof disappeared along with two passports, all credit cards, all cash, and his train tickets just as the train started to pull out of the station. He now wears a money belt and we DO NOT discuss his prior experiences. But privately we smile a bit at the price he paid for his lesson

I have always used a concealed document pouch since 1975, usually the kind that has a neck string and is worn inside my shirt. In the past few trip to Europe I have used the following method. I cut up an old pair of khaki dockers and sew pouches with a piece of velcro at the top. Then I stitch a pouch INSIDE each pair of pants and shorts (in the vicinity of the rignt front pocket). I stitch the top part of the pouch along the area covered by my belt, so the bottom part of the pouch hangs free. I always keep money for the day's expenses in a pocket, so I'm not getting into the pouch except at the apartment or hotel. I go to Europe about every third year, so I remove the pouches when I get home and save them for later use. Charlie Robinson, Lodi, CA

I always travel with a moneybelt and cant understand those who claim they are uncomfortable.I dont even know I have it on.I wear it in the back.I also like the neck pouch as it is easier to get into.I would not travel with anyone who refused to wear a moneybelt because if they lost their passport It would affect my travels plans a great deal.

What's wrong with stuffed deep in your front pocket?

My passport gets less dog-eared there than in the belt, which crumples and mutilates anything inside.

Is Frank really saying that his friend got two passports and a credit card picked from inside his front pocket?

Was he making out with the person?

My husband had his front pocket cleaned out, not in Europe but it has still happened. Again, I will mention the guy on our tour who had his front pocket cleaned out. When in a full metro or bus or in a packed crowed, it is hard to know when or who is taking things from your pocket.

My sister was in Spain, in a plaza, and she had on jeans, they were not loose so this was an expert working, she turned her head and saw a hand coming OUT of her pocket. She NEVER felt it. Amazing. She said she was so glad she didn't have anything important in that pocket. If she did, it would have been gone. If she had not turned her head she would have never known.

Bill, he sure did -- two passports, four credit cards, return airline tickets, two train tickets and a couple hundred Euro. Got everything. He didn't believe in splitting things with his wife because she used a handbag and that is not safe. Also he admits they had too much luggage. He was placing luggage in the end storage with both arms over his head when he was jostled from behind - not uncommon when loading luggage in tight quarters. But within a few seconds he realize it was gone but did not feel anything. As he step to the doorway he could see someone running through the crowd. In hindsight, he thinks he was made when they stopped to buy snack prior to going to the train platform because he had his fat billfold out to pay for the snacks. He vaguely remembers someone standing off to one side watching them. Had the same type of leather jacket that the guy running through crowd had. But remember he was an experienced traveler who had never had any problems.

Kim:

This may be guy-centric, but...

Buy T-shirts with pockets and use them as undershirts. 'Available in a rainbow of colors. Put your shirt/sweater on over it and Voila!

You can still get to your passpost/credit cards/money without having to open your trousers in a store.

Happy Trails.

bill

Great idea, Bill. Was going out tomorrow to pick up my new/travelling/half-dozen t-shirts, briefs and socks for an upcoming, month long trip. Now I know what I'll get in the t-shirt department, thanks. Will still carry my money-belt, though.

Every year when I am in Europe I hear about or come across at least two people that had lost something or EVERYTHING but cause they didn't use a moneybelt or some sort of concealed carrier.
There are all types and it is a small price to pay for peace of mind and security.

Destiny -- don't encourage everyone to do it right. We need to have a few of those people around so that the pickpockets have some success and leave the rest of us along.

I have a question regarding the use of a money belt....

If you use a money belt, do you solely use that for your money/credit cards/passport, or do you use a normal wallet with the money belt?

Are people really lifting up their shirt every time they want to buy something?

My thought is to use a wallet with less than 50 euros in it and just reload it with money from the belt. This way I don't have to show my hairy stomach every time I want to buy a drink.

What are your thoughts? Belt only or combo?

You should never be getting into your moneybelt while out and about. I carry a moneybelt, a wallet that I keep totally safe and then a coin purse with all those coins and some money/ID in it to use. My Grandmother always carried a decoy wallet and was disappointed that she never had to use it...but she was a 'sharp' traveler :-)

I have started using a holster that is called smartcarry it is the best money belt I have ever used! It is really a holster to carry a concealed firearm. But I just use it as a money belt. Worth ever penny!! I like it so much more then the standard money belt nothing gets tangled and it is way easier to put on. I hope that helps...