Rick Steves Money Belts

nylon will be even sweatier than silk, imho,
and you don't need heavy duty zippers etc. for something that will be rarely exposed and rarely used,
so stick with the RS if you're going to use this kind of item --

but consider also the variety of secret pockets available in the simple/lightweight direction
and the variety of small fannypacks available in the other (heavier duty) direction

note that the RS item is for wearing under your pants, not over your pants

Neither. I prefer the step-in, pocketed, knit running style and have used it for many years. It seems more secure on me.

These are some options. I'm sure there are others. Needless to say, you wear it under your clothes, not over them like the pictures.

StashBandz Unisex Money Belt.

Sporteer VersaSlim ... Travel Money and Passport Belt ...

Sporteer VersaMax ... Travel Belt ...

The Zero Grid belt on Amazon looked surprisingly bulky, more than the nylon Eagle Creek belt I’ve used for over 20 years, and more than I’d want strapped under my waistline. Clicking on the details, it’s just shy of 6 inches tall … half a foot! Rick’s microfiber belt is just 4 3/4 inches tall, enough for a passport, some cash, train tickets, credit/debit cards, driver license, and other critical documents. I’d never store my cellphone in the moneybelt, so the extra room the Amazon model shows wouldn’t be a bonus for me. The RFID blocking technology is also something I’m not concerned about, nor is the little carabiner that comes with it. The one advantage, albeit extremely minimal, that you’d get from Amazon is a choice of colors.

Rick’s moneybelt is less expensive, and is even cheaper with the sale on through Jan. 2, 2023. I’d go with Rick, without question.

I have a collection of RS money belts from my many tours. However I switched to the Eagle Creek silk model. Much more comfortable, rugged, feels more secure. https://www.eaglecreek.com/collections/money-belts-neck-wallets

With all due respect to Alan, the current Eagle Creek satin model, at more than $30, is still 5 1/2 inches tall. I just measured my Eagle Creek from 1997 and it comes in at 4 7/8 inches - more compact when you’ve got it shoved in front of your lower abdomen. I got mine from REI, before I ever knew that Rick Steves had money belts, and have never needed to replace it. So Eagle Creek is durable, but at less than $12 on sale, Rick’s would be the best belt for me, regardless of price. Splurge for Rick’s silk, and you’re still money way ahead.

I'm a neck wallet guy, so take this with a grain of salt (or sweat maybe). The one on Amazon seems bulkier than I'd want under my pants, and the elastic waistband means it would probably ride up uncomfortably under my shirt. RFID is really not needed, and the carabiner just seems like a complication for something you wear under clothes. I have a Rick Steves belt and I guess it's fine if you like belts. I like his neck wallet better, and another pouch with a belt loop that hangs inside the waistband for deep storage.

What really bothers me about the product on Amazon is the $300 "protection" it offers. Without knowing any detail, this seems like insurance from a non-insurance company that Amazon considers a "small business." It's a red flag that activates my BS detector and makes me question the integrity of the maker. Maybe this is unfair, and I'm sure the product will hold your stuff around your waist like it says. My guess is that you can do better, but this is a first-world problem. The main thing is, don't listen to the folks who say you don't need some kind of under-clothing storage because they've taken X trips and never had anything stolen. It's a low-probability, high-consequence event, a risk that's easy to mitigate, so do that.

Neither one.......this is the one I've been using for over 30 years. Rick also sells this type.

https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/undercover-hidden-pocket

I found the around the waist model bulky and uncomfortable although wearing it in the small of your back rather than in front was more to my liking. With the hidden pocket, I hardly know its there.

If you don't wear a belt, you can pin it to the inside of your pants, skirt, whatever with a sturdy safety pin.

I normally wear an older Eagle Creek money belt but have used the RS belts on occasion. I don't notice either one being "warm" so don't see a need to buy a silk model. The belts are easy enough to wash in a hotel room sink as they dry quickly.

None. Never use one in Europe.

Do you wear one at home? Just be aware as you are at home.

I don't wear a money belt at home in Frankfurt, but I do when I am in cities like Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Milan and when I travel to the US, as I carry cash. On planes it is useful too. On the Camino, I wear one pretty much 24/7 and it is the silk Eagle Creek model. I never even know I am wearing it.

My money belt is only for my bank cards and big money. Occasionally, my passport. They are not to be used for phones, coins, lip-gloss, glasses, etc. as you wear it under your shirt.

Assess your security needs. What are you going to carry in your security device? How many items, how much bulk, how often do you expect to reach for these items each day? Phone, wallet, primary credit cards, extra cash, ID, emergency cards, vax card, reservations, vouchers, rail pass, &c are all things you don't want to lose or risk having stolen.

Some of us divide our cash/cards/documents into two or three categories: easy access (pocket), restricted access (zipper- or flap-closure pocket), and deep storage (hidden container one or two clothing layers deep) for maximum security. Then shop for the products you think might work: neck wallet, hidden or flip pocket, money belt, or clothing with mechanical anti-theft systems. You want to practice with whatever you acquire. Try going shopping with it in place and use it. There are dozens of yootoob clips about travel security and how to use these various devices.

As others have stated, certain cities, like Barcelona, have much higher pickpocket activity than others, like New York or Boise, Idaho. The important thing is that you are comfortable with your system and know your valuable stuff securely stashed where it cannot be easily lifted.

Me: I always pack a neck wallet but I rarely use it. Most of the time, I prefer a flip pocket for my second level stuff My travel pants/shorts all have a zippered pocket—hidden under the belt—and that's my deep storage.

None. Never use one in Europe.

I'm in this camp - the only time I wore a money belt to Europe (my first trip in the 90's), the catch came loose while I was walking and I lost it. Eventually it was returned intact to me but I decided then never to wear one again. As Jennifer said, you don't wear one at home; why would you in Europe? Would you wear one if you were traveling to New York City? Probably not. Just keep your stuff in a secure crossbody bag, pay attention to your surroundings, and you'll be fine.

I do wear one in Europe. And the reason is I was with somebody who lost their credit cards, etc. It took an entire day out of the vacation but they did get everything recovered. They were fine but it was a day wasted and you only have so many days in Europe so it’s not worth it to me. If I’m at home it’s still a big hassle but I’m at home as opposed to wasting a day in Europe dealing with it.

Around-the-neck money belt for me, and the Rick Steves silky one is my favorite. I use it in Europe, and sometimes in big US cities, but not at home, and here's why: If I lose credit cards and cash, it takes valuable time out of my trip. At home it would be just another irritating errand. Friends and relatives of mine have been brazenly pickpocketed (elevator in Paris airport, crowded train in Rome.) Both of them could definitely have been prevented if they'd put their cash and cards in a money belt rather than their wallet in their pocket. You do you, but why would you want to run that risk?

. Just keep your stuff in a secure crossbody bag, pay attention to your surroundings, and you'll be fine.

A friend of mine did exactly that dismissing the money belt as ridiculous. Her wallet was lifted in Venice. She thinks on a very crowded vaporetto.

Yes, Frank and others are right. Let's face it, most Americans don't have the manual dexterity to succeed as pickpockets. Too many Europeans do. That's why it's a much bigger issue over there, especially in certain cities and certain situations (crowds, transit, manufactured distractions). You don't need RFID or a lot of bells and whistles and carabiners. Just have something under your clothing to hold the small stuff you can't afford to lose and won't be reaching for often.

Not until my trip in the 21st century, the 2001 trip, did I start wearing a so-called money belt in Europe. The ten trips made in the '70s, '80s and the 1990s I did not have, refused to have, just was ignorant of its existence, or plainly didn't care to believe in its utility.

I use only Eagle Creek products, began wearing the hidden pocket, the neck pouch, and obviously the waist belt starting from the 2001 trip. All three pieces are a given when out and about in Europe.

Thanks to all the responses. We have bought the Rick Steves money belts in the past & have always good results with them. We will probably buy a new set of them.

The only incident we’ve ever had our our travels was on our first trip to Europe many years ago. My hubby didn’t feel the need for a money belt so…somewhere between Amsterdam & Brugge, via trains, he got pickpocketed. We spent over a day getting credit cards canceled, securing more cash etc… Now we never leave on a trip without them.
—Debbie

. Just keep your stuff in a secure crossbody bag, pay attention to your surroundings, and you'll be fine.

A friend of mine did exactly that dismissing the money belt as
ridiculous. Her wallet was lifted in Venice. She thinks on a very
crowded vaporetto.

I don't dismiss it as ridiculous, Frank - I just find it easier and safer to carry a crossbody bag. It lays across the front of my body and has a zippered closure so the chance of someone snatching the wallet out of the bag (which is carabinered inside) is slim to none. I'm also very aware of my surroundings (I admit it's easier since I travel solo). If I get on a crowded bus, I just keep a tight hold on my bag, as I would if I were at home.

I've used the RS silk neck wallet and the Stashbandz that Lo linked. The Stashbandz is great. Lightweight and stretchy for comfort. I wore it everyday for 28 days, whenever I was out of my hotel room. The black blended with my black and gray leggings; unlike the picture, wear it under your clothes. The multiple pockets spread everything (passport, extra money, ATMs and back-up CCs) around my middle so there is no bulk.

We have bought the Rick Steves money belts in the past & have always good results with them. We will probably buy a new set of them

Sounds like a good plan. I wonder, though, why the OP is considering a new set. Are the previous Rick Steves belts unusable, or is it just time for fresh replacements?

When wearing the " Waist Belt" ( Eagle Creek, of course), upfront, on my left side below the belt, and visible , I know I am vulnerable, quite vulnerable , especially when packed in like sardines (or herring) in the Metro , in the train, or in any other subway.

Then so what, still never got picked in all these trips, and don't expect to be.

Bottom line....wear some sort of money belt.

If i were that worried I would get a small cross body bag and Pacsafe makes one that cant be cut off you or unzipped that is just barely large enough for the essentials and the advantage is everything is easy at your fingertips rather than messing with your pants in public (I really dont want to touch money that came out of the inside of someone's pants).

I have one but I only use if for flights as I am that guy that wants to be ready to go through security so before I even get in line everything from my pockets and my watch goes in that bag and I get through in a snap.

In Europe I do the same as here because people keep telling me Europe is safer than the US so whats there to worry about? I act a little different in Paris, and so far I have chosen to enjoy my trips and not worry so I have avoided Barcelona too.

Back up is an extra credit card and my driver's license and some cash hidden in my luggage; or once i put it in the spoon drawer of the airbnb and forgot it all when i checked out (the owner of the place pointed out that there was a safe, then said about every 10 guest that uses it leaves something in it).

Pacsafe also makes some portable vaults which are cloth bags reinforced with wire netting so they cant be cut and they have a steel tether with a lock so you can wrap it around the bed frame or something in your roof (some hold laptops).

Finally, I couldnt use RS's money belt, I think he has a smaller waist than I do.

I have been using one of these more than a half century and I am pretty happy with it:
https://pixnio.com/free-images/2017/05/23/2017-05-23-16-01-21-550x319.jpg

“I have been using one of these more than a half century and I am pretty happy with it:
https://pixnio.com/free-images/2017/05/23/2017-05-23-16-01-21-550x319.jpg”

Not really helpful.

My apologies. As in all things of this nature, if a money belt contributes to the enjoyment of the trip by helping to remove some stress, then it's a good idea. And to be fair, when traveling, you don't have the same conveniences and support network that you have at home, and a loss could turn a trip very bad and be quite expensive, so a extra security is very wise. You are entirely correct.

I don't use money belts anymore, haven't since the 1990s. My pants have a hidden zippered pocket, my shorts have a zippered pocket, and my travel shirts have zippered chest pockets and small hidden zippered side pockets.

All these zippers have heavy drag, nobody's getting in there, crowded subway or whatever I just stay aware.

I put my passport, couple extra cards, large bills in those.

Whatever the supposed advantages of a money belt are, not having that odd girdle strapped around my waist or bulky heavy dangly thing hanging around my neck inside my shirt all day ... Yeah I'll stick with zippered pockets

Whichever style you choose to buy, try and get one with an elasticated waistband with no catch or buckle or closure.
Just elastic all the way around your waist.
I say this as the one I got with a clip closure came undone once and I nearly lost it down a toilet in Italy.
I went back to my step-in old cotton one with elastic after that.
Also, I wear mine in the small of my back, way more comfortable and you don't feel bulky.

You could make one if you are handy with a sewing machine.