Money belt and/or neck wallet?

I bring both types with me in my travels but don't use them simultaneously. I use under the pants money belt I use when just doing regular sightseeing. I use the neck wallet if I'm in transit between cities, and I need to access my passport, plane tickets, or rail pass etc.
To use these devices effectively, you should keep just a day's spending money in your wallet/purse, and perhaps one credit card if you have multiple cards. Everything else goes into the belt/neck wallet not to be accessed in public. If you need get extra cash, do it someplace private like a bathroom. If you get robbed you're limiting your losses to what's in your wallet/purse, and it won't ruin your trip.

Thank you Michael, That is valuable adivce!
Ruth

Michael is right but there are a few differences of opinion here. Having some day-money in a wallet/purse/pocket is a great idea and if by chance it got stolen you wouldn't lose much or ruin your trip (or even your day). But I do not recommend carrying a credit card that way. If that is stolen, you spend time and money calling to cancel it and then later re-working all your auto payments. I also do not feel accessing your money belt/neck wallet in public is a safety concern. The point of those is to make it virtualy impossible for someone to pick-pocket them since they are buried in your clothing. It doesn't matter if they know where it is, they can't get to it. Now some are difficult to access without practically stripping and you certainly need to be reasonably alert when you do. So to each their own, but no need to be overly paranoid. I personally prefer an option that is secure but fairly easy for me to access when I need it. That will vary by the individual and what you plan to wear.

I've never used a neck wallet but always wear a moneybelt. Check out the Why Bother post.

Ruth, I will not use wallet/purse because it is a easy target. I put DB, CD and PP inside the money belt and ware it under my under ware. I only carry some cash for the day and I only carry the DB when I go to ATM.
Be careful when you are at the train stations, bus stations and on the bus. These are the places the pocket pickers get rich Have a good trip.

Ruth, I'd agree with the above posts. You need some form of personal security system like a money belt or neck pouch. There are also many other types - a few I've never heard of until I started researching! Some are "gender-specific!" For some other "security" options, some tips on protecting your vacation, and some of our personal experiences in Europe with pickpockets, you might read this article.

I agree with the previous posters, that you need some sort of secure system for your valuables: cash, credit cards and passport. Small amount of cash in pockets, but no credit card. My husband carries a neck wallet, and does take it out during the day, primarily at restaurants. It is a bit conspicuous, but IMHO, nobody can get at it when it's in his shirt, so the insecure part of it is when he has it out (but still around his neck) to take out a credit card or cash. One problem I have is that I am a short female, and if I put a neck wallet on, you would look at me and say what is that thing sticking out from that woman's stomach. Same problem with the money belts where the pocket extends down the leg - I just don't have enough leg; if I wore one of those, I wouldn't be able to sit down. Even the kind that goes around the waist, I'm not sure where it would sit on my body when I am sitting. We have a secure day bag that we've used for years with no problems. It's the size of a small backpack, and closes with a zipper AND a flap, which has two clips to close it. I carry it cross-body. I usually keep the passports and my (small) wallet in the bottom of that bag. If anybody can distract me long enough to (i) get under the flap; (ii) unzip; (iii) reach hand in under the umbrella, water bottle, extra sweater and guidebooks to get the passports or wallet, then they deserve them. I only take my wallet out when I'm inside a store, not out on the street.

@Lexma - I'm short also (5 feet tall) and normally wear my money belt in front. But on my next trip I'm going to try what someone on this site suggested - turn it around and wear the pouch in the small of my back. I tried that a few days ago with the passport in it. I tucked it into my pants and pulled down my shirt. Standing in my house, at least, it was comfortable and not visible under my clothes.

There is also a cute little item called a bra safe- it won't hold your passport but it will hold credit cards and folded cash. I also use the neck wallet, shortened, and put it diagonal under my shirt like a crossbody bag.
In the suitcase, buried in the black bag RS sells are copies of the passport and about a hundred dollars. Elsewhere in the luggage I have a passport photo stashed, just in case.

Like Lexama I have day bag that I use everyday, even here in the States. You could say I'm a guy with a purse, but never have liked having a wallet in my back pocket. I have also used it in Mexico, France Spain & never had a problem. I tried the belt wallet, but just didn't work for me. When out in public I just never take it off my shoulder, even in a restaurant & in crowded places keep it to the front of me.

I agree with the above posts. We use a money pcoket and Pacsafe daypack and purse. We have had 2 pickpocketing incidents in 20 years of travelling in Europe - once in a crowded London subway train and once in the Puerta del Sol subway station. The thieves got nothing because we were prepared. You are most vulnerable when you first arrive in a city and are disoriented or in crowded situations.

Since my reply is based upon my use (male) it might not be helpful but then again.... In going to Europe every summer for about a month, I started using a waist money belt from the beginning. However, a couple of years ago I tried using a neck version and like it much better. It is certainly easier to get to when the situation warrants. And, I have no fear that it will be snatched from under my shirt as at 6'3" and 200# I hope the bad guys will try for smaller targets.

I tie my neck wallet to my money belt. I'm doubly protected although I can't stand up straight.

This reply is meant to be funny: For Richard, now we know the legend behind the Hunchback of Notre Dame.........he was wearing the forerunners of today's neck and waist wallets, only tied together :) LOL!!!