Men carrying billfolds

Scrap the billfold. What would be in it and what do you need it for. I carry a money clip with less than 50E in a separate zippered pocket -- for me it is a shirt pocket. In a zippered pants pocket I carry a credit card. And, if I need it that day -- passport and debit card in a second zippered pant pocket. If I don't need it, both are in the money belt. What else does he need???

I agree. Scrap the billfold. Get a small wallet that can hold bills and change--remember everything under 5 euros is in change. Keep it in his front pocket. I don't have pants with zippers in the pockets so I wrap a thick rubber band around the wallet. While it won't necessarily stop a pickpocket, I might have a better chance of feeling it happen.

Even at home, I have never carried my bills in my wallet or billfold. It does have my other credit cards, drivers license, insurance information, etc. My bills are always in my front pocket. When traveling, I carry a wallet in my rear pocket but there is nothing in it. My cash and credit cards are in a money belt or in zippered pockets elsewhere on my person. It may seem foolish to offer bait but I just feel if they can't see a wallet, they know you have your cash elsewhere.

ann,

If your husband would be more comfortable with a wallet of some kind, have a look at the selection Here.

I've always preferred using a wallet to carry my daily spending money while travelling, and thinking of trying a "test run" with This product, just to see how well it works. Of course, I won't be storing huge quantities of cash in it.

Cheers!

Ken, reminds me of a truck driver with his big, black, leather billfold and heavy chain. I am sure it will work very well -- but why? I would not put everything in one place even if it is chained to my leg.

My husband always carries his wallet (when he carries anything - sometimes he just takes some cash and one credit card in a pocket) - of course, if you REALLY want to blend in, carry a manbag like the Italian men do :-)

We are 2 men who never carried a wallet for a minute. Everything of value and necessity was safely tucked away in neckpouches (which we liked a lot), and a few euros for ready cash in your pocket. He may be used to carrying his wallet all over, as we frquently do here at home, but the truth is when travelling you really don't need all the junk that's stashed in them anyway.

I suggested that my husband get a manbag and a stylish scarf, but he would have nothing to do with it :->

hehehehe. me too ;-)

A wallet's fine at home. You can go a lifetime and not lose it. Carry multiple credit cards, photos, currency, a dozen other things you rarely need, but just might.

Most of that stuff you don't need when traveling. You travel lighter. When traveling, I like the idea of spreading stuff around in different pockets, not keeping all my eggs in one basket. A pick pocket might get one thing, but not everything. I love the pants and shirts with multiple pockets, many zippered, but I look for the ones where the pockets are not so obvious and unsightly.

So what do I have in all these pockets when out for a day of sightseeing?

Currency

Coins

Credit card for stores, restaurants

Cell phone

Train ticket, boarding pass, etc.

Car keys, if we're renting a car

Driver's license, if we're renting

International driver's license, if we're renting

Pocket knife (I wish...I always forget and lose it at airport security)

Then we get to the money belt with:

Passport

Currency

Debit card for cash advances

Backup credit card in case the CC company freezes the primary card.

That's a lot of stuff, even stripped down to bare essentials. Too much to risk putting in a wallet.

I actually have and use a manbag in Europe. Purchased it in Croatia at a leather shop several years ago. It is great. Very useful and just the right size for carrying all the critical items that Marcia needs.

Hi, Ann. I use a small "manbag" as a main, and a small leather pouch about 1"x2"4" with a spot for cards, and holds lot of coins.

I've used wallets, but there are a couple caveats:
Coins: Europe uses a lot more of them, they weigh a lot more, and they are worth a lot more. Most US men's wallets are not designed to hold a large amount of coins.

Bill size: May European notes are larger than US ones, so if it's a small billfold, they just, plain old might not fit.

Frank, rest assured, I won't be putting all of my funds and cards in the PacSafe Wallet. I'm always "fine tuning" my travels methods, so this is somewhat of a trial run.

In the past I've just used a normal wallet carried either in a back pocket or front pocket of cargo pants, and so far haven't had any problems.

Cheers!

I tried one of those wallets with the chain....the big problem was the chain hung down out of my pocket bringing attention to it. Not exactly what I wanted.

I bought the RS wallet for Europe. It's well designed for European coins and bills. I also have a moneybelt.

As for the "manbag." Well, I'm a convert. Much better than the Civita bag I used to carry.

I use a chain wallet to travel in the states. I just snake mine through a couple belt loops to shorten the chain. Makes it less conspicuous, and a little more secure.

For Europe though, Frank II is spot on - a wallet that's designed for Europe (coin spot, bigger bills, etc), and a man bag will work every time!

Is there an official definition for a manbag? After we stopped traveling with our sons, I needed a smaller bag instead of the day bag. The bag is roughly the same size as Steves' Civita bag but has 6 secure pockets which is handy for separating items. Never carry any thing of great value other than $150 point and shoot camera in it.

I have to admit I ussually carry a wallet with a chain attached. I feel pretty secure with it because if someone was going to pick pocket me it would be more difficult.

I actually don't use a money belt and I know I won't be popular but I find them very uncomfortable and awkward to use. I dont mind the neck pouch tho and have used that on occaision.

Bluedenim...have you tried the "hidden pocket" type of moneybelt? It attaches to your belt and hangs down inside your pant leg. It's what I use and I never even feel it. (I sometimes tap the outside of my leg just to make sure it's still there.)