Money Belts, etc...

I wear slacks and travel during the fall and winter months. Instead of a money belt I use a leg wallet. I also keep my small coin purse with a few euro hidden inside my coat for easy access. The pocket is a zippered one. Obviously the leg purse wouldn't work with shorts. If my room has a safe I keep copies of my credit cards and id in there. If it doesn't they along with the passport are in my leg wallet. If I ever get off work and can travel when I can where shorts I'll use a neck wallet for the passport and the money belt for everything else. I don't even carry a purse. Hands free.

After spending 25 summers in Europe, much of it leading (in the early days) or operating tours, Rick has probably just about seen it all when it comes to travelers having unfortunate experiences with pick-pockets, and as a result he's a big believer in a money belt, or similar item, worn under clothing. Here's why Rick on Money BeltsIn a recent poll, 100% of European pick-pockets said they'd prefer you don't wear a money belt.

There are four basic kinds of moneybelts large enough to hold your passport:

1) The type worn around your waist

2)The hidden pocket which attaches to your belt (if wearing one_ and hangs down from it underneath your parents. (I personally find this the most comfortable

3) The type worn around your neck and under you clothes

4) The leg stash worn around an ankle

As far as the various caches are concerned, I think any one will work, the main thing is not to access it in public. Put it on in the morning and keep it out of sight until you take it off at night. Put enough cash for the day (and maybe a credit card) in an old wallet in your pocket. That way, you might lose a days cash to a pickpocket, but not everything.

I travel mostly in Germany and German speaking countries, and I think their ethics are higher than the U.S. I don't think I have a high probability of having things stolen, it is just that the consequences of it happening are so much more severe than if it happened over here.

Hi. I use the waist belt and I turn it so that the bulk is at the small of my back (tip from a RS tour guide). I feel very secure with it. I do carry a very small leather purse that goes under my jacket or sweater where I have my day cash and coins and maybe lipgloss. Most of the time that is out of site. I do carry the RS civita backpack with my sweater or rain jacket, water bottle, RS tourbook/map and some snack like an apple, almonds or something exciting from a street market. I also put my camera and batteries in there too. I saw a great tip on this list that I used on a short trip to Vancouver: instead of a camera case, I wrapped the camera in a toque (aka a winter hat) and thick sweatsocks for extra cushioning. It took up a lot less room than the camera bag. I stuffed that in my carry on messenger bag/softsided briefcase carry on and it worked very well. I will do this again to save room in my carryon. I think I will use a cheap zip bag for the extra batteries and memory card. I have used an altoid tin for batteries and card before (another tip from this site), this also worked well. Happy Travels.

Here is a site to browse:
http://www.kevincoffee.com/money/guide_to_security_belt_and_pouches.htm

I wear an RS money belt; my husband uses the hidden pocket type, purchased from Eagle Creek. Our son also used this hidden pocket for summer semester in Spain. Has two different color belt loops.
http://www.eaglecreek.com/accessories/security_id/UnderCover-Hidden-Pocket-40024/

I use a RS moneybelt. Someone with a gun might get it but a pickpocket won't. (armed robbery is rare in Europe)

I handle it a lot like June does. I have a money belt, my husband has one that goes around his neck and under his shirt.

I had always worn one, but my husband insisted that he didn't need one. He kept his wallet in either his front or back pocket. When we were in Prague, he had pants with velcro pockets, so he thought he was safe with his wallet in his back pocket. While getting on the subway, I got on the train, and 4 men pushed in between us and blocked the door so he couldn't get on. When he tried pushing past them, they turned him around, got his wallet, and passed it out to someone outside the train before the doors closed.

Luckily, I had his passport and most of the money in my moneybelt. He did lose his visa debit card, which I had to call and cancel (he also didn't follow my advice to copy the back of his card, that was fun trying to track down the number to call. Thank God for internet cafes).

So the moral of this story is that these pickpockets are professionals and know a lot more ways of taking your wallet than you know about keeping them from it. Like I said, my husband wears a neck pouch now.

I've got a collection of moneybelts and neckpouches now. When we pack, I pick one out and every other family member takes one as well. The trip I just got back from I used a pouch, most of the time I use a money belt.

My daypack never has anything valuable in it, I've also never had anything taken out of my daypack. Coincidence? You decide.

The main thing is don't keep anything you don't want to lose in a pocket or in a daypack.

I also can never figure out why people take valuable heirloom jewelry on vacation. Even if it isn't stolen, you run a risk of losing it. I wear a very small wedding band, a Timex watch and no other jewelry. Even if I lose them, it's no big deal. So far I haven't lost those either.

Thanks! This is all excellent information. I'm becoming a believer, especially as I'm thinking that with the world economy the way it is, incidents may be on the rise this year. I found Maureen's story is especially convincing.

Has anyone ever had anything stolen from any of these packs? It appears from the posts that they seem to to the trick.

I only use a daypack in the warmer months, when it isn't possible to hide my camera under and in heavy clothing... and when carrying water becomes a necessity.

But like most of the other posters here, I put one day's supply of cash in a money belt along with my credit, passport and debit card, if I think I'll need it that day. I've had my empty pockets picked on numerous occassions (one thief did relieve me of some useless ticket stubs once), but no thief has yet to find an inconspicuous method for obstracting a moneybelt hidden beneath clothes.

I'm constantly updating my "security" system.....for my next trip I'm doing the following:

1)wearing a "hidden Pocket" type money belt for passport, credit cards, majority of my cash, copies of my papers, etc. I've worn this type for years and hardly know it's there. I keep checking to make sure.

2) Wearing a regular TSA approved belt (no metal) for my pants that has hidden pockets. I'll keep about $200 in emergency money and copies of passport, credit cards, etc, in it (It's too small for anything else.) Made by EAgle Creek.

3) I'm going to try a neck pouch for debit card, one credit card and my passport for the days I need to show it.

4)Small wallet in front pocket with cash

5)Messenger bag with locking zippers.. This will hold my ipod, cellphone, guidebooks, etc. I'll wear it over the pocket that has my wallet. (If I feel the neck wallet is uncomfortable, it will be moved into the bag.) This bag stays on all the time. I have the RS Civita Shoulder Bag but might upgrade to the Pacsafe Metrosafe 200.

Some may think it's overkill, but even though they've tried, I've never lost anything to a thief. For colder weather travel, I might dispense with the messenger bag and get a Scottevest jacket with it's numerous hidden pockets.

Frank, I'm looking at the Eagle Creek site. Are you referring to the "All Terrain Money Belt"?

http://www.eaglecreek.com/accessories/security_id/

I use a money belt on travel days,, the days when I can't leave my passport and credit cards in the hotel safe. I carry copy of passport .
I carry a days worth of cash in my purse, not in my moneybelt,, as assessing my moneybelt during the day just to buy a crepe would be silly. If I need to assess it I do so in a washroom stall, never in public .
I do not carry an expensive or large camera, it fits very easily into zipped inside compartment of my purse, which zips closed, and has a buckled flap which closes over zippered area.
I don't think the locals wear moneybelts to go to the corner store,, mainly as they do not carry all their stuff with them, I am a great believer in using hotel safes.

Yes, Tom, that's it. However, I believe you can buy the exact same belt, sans logo, for less. (I just mentioned Eagle Creek because it's well known.)

I'm trying to find out where else I saw it. It was on the net.

Now that TSA has announced it's increasing gate checks, and is allowed to make up its own rules when it feels like it (in some cities, all electronics, not just computers, have to be screened separately), it's important to get through security as easily as possible.

Amazing how they're doing all this junk, yet they still refuse to do full security screening on airport employees and are crying because they don't have enough people to screen cargo going onto our airliners.

Their response is always...harrass the passengers more. This way it will seem as if they are doing a good job.

Frank

What's the new security increase you're referring to? Recent change/development?

I've worn an around-the-waist money belt for the last 10 years of travelling, and it has done well for me. I keep the equivalent of $20 in an easier-to-access place (like a pocket), but I keep my passport, credit cards, cash, etc. in the money belt. My mother and sister both use neck wallets but tie them around their waists (as they find that more comfortable than wearing a money belt). The only downside of a money belt (for me) is they can be very hot and restricting in the sweltering summer months. Above all, though, wearing a money belt gives me peace of mind. I've ridden crowded subways and walked through busy street markets in the U.S., Europe, Hong Kong, and West Africa with very little worry. And travel is a lot more fun when you can concentrate on the experience, not on protecting your valuables. Good luck!

GAry, this article might help:

INcreased Gate Screenings

And here's the other one:

TSA Cargo Checks

Frank,

I just wanted to say thanks for the idea on number 3.

Also, reading this I wanted to add one thing we do when we have to go through security since we are a family of four.. I have my husband go first with as little as possible.. then kids pass.. I go last because I am the camera nut and the pack mule it seems for everyone, and have the electronics.. I pass my stuff and my husband and children are on the other side waiting and getting our things so the bags aren't left alone waiting for me.. (I never wear a belt or wear anything metal but my wedding ring and I ALWAYS get stuck with the sensor going off...??)

I use a moneybelt around my waist, under my clothes. On travel days I also used a neck pouch with passport and boarding passes. I could have it out and accessible when going through security, etc, and tuck it in during flight. I use a small wallet both travelling and in my regular hum drum life, and that goes... in my bra. Sorry if it's tmi, but often women's pants are made with no pockets or very shallow ones. You men just don't know the difficulty we have with pants pockets! I never carry a purse in my real life, and use a messenger bag when travelling for maps, water, etc.

My wife and I each havea waist moneybelt.In addition I have a neck wallet.On days we might need our passports I put both in my neckwallet.Also Credits cards if I need them.Everything else goes into our moeneybelts which we wear every waking hour.

I have been reading about the pacsafe bags and have looked, the economy is bad and i have been trying to safe every lil penny i can on this trip... the thing is i was going to purchase the hidden pocket wallet but i thought i would like to carry my camaera around .. whats the best thing to purchase??

Everyone raves about money belts and I did buy one and tried to use it but found it so uncomfortable and obvious that I finally left it in my suitcase. I think if you are a rather small person there is just nowhere for a moneybelt to fit. Same thing with a neck pouch. I did find a smaller zippered pouch that could clip on to your waistband and hang on the inside of your pants without too much bulk and that worked not too bad, at least on cooler days. However I really think just a general awareness of your surroundings is the best defence. I kept my over the shoulder bag always to the front when in a crowd, faced away from traffic when walking along the street and kept my eyes open for anything out of the ordinary - pretty much what I do at home!