What are the most comfortable/durable money belts out there? Budget is $30ish, but of course, the less expensive the better!
Also, isn't it pretty obvious that you're wearing one if you just have 1 layer (simple T-shirt or tank top) on? Seems like that would sort of defeat the purpose of hiding your valuable documents and cash..?
A money belt is intended to be worn below the belt line, under the pants or trousers--not above the belt line, so it doesn't matter what kind of top you're wearing.
Some people (including me) wear them reversed, so that the "pouch" part is in the small of your back instead of at the stomach.
Even if someone knew you were wearing one, how do they steal the contents of it? They could threaten you with a weapon, I suppose, but that is more common in the US than in Europe. Money belts are intended to make it difficult/impossible for "pick pockets."
The best money belt I've found is the "silk" model sold on the Rick Steves website. Click here to see it: http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog&parent_id=124
Here's more info on why moneybelts are recommended:
http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/travel-moneybelt
As Kent says, unless they have their hands in your pants they aren't getting anything.
I bought the Civita money belt and Civita neck wallet at the RS shop. I like them both, strong and durable but smooth and soft. I wear lightweight scarves around my neck to hide the ribbons of the neck wallet. I wear the money belt in front but off center.
waste of time and inconvenience. Just pay attention.
ann,
You could also have a look at the different styles of Money Belts on the Magellans website. Some people find the waist style uncomfortable so prefer the inside belt or neck lanyard type.
I believe using a Money Belt is a reasonable safety precaution, but be sure not to access it where others can see.
I would spend the small splurge and get a 100% silk money belt. They are lighter, thinner, and cooler than synthetic. Makes a difference if you'll be in Italy in the summer.
Unless you're wearing skin-tight clothing, it won 't be noticeable. I carry extra cash, credit cards, and sometimes my passport, and it lies pretty flat. After 10 minutes, you forget you're wearing it.
I like them for the peace of mind, esp. if we have to carry lots of cash for a hotel bill, etc. (If I wear a dress, I pin it to my undies, just in case!!)
And once you get your money belt, take along some plastic zip-lock bags to hold your Euro bills and passport inside the money belt (keeps things dry on a hot, sweaty day)
DO NOT waste your money on a stupid money BELT. IF you have to have a money belt, then this is the better way to go.
http://shop.eaglecreek.com/undercover-hidden-pocket/d/1130
Cons to a traditional money belt:
1. you have that stupid money belt all the way around your waist
2. traditional money belts are difficult to use in public...you have to lift your shirt, tuck it back in, or go find someplace private, the belt is difficult to keep in a comfortable place and they are hot. Hard to adjust to get it just right inside clothing.
3. seems that most people have no idea that the money belt goes UNDER their clothing
This pocket is easier to use, only draw back is you would have to have a belt on to lace the tabs through. this pocket is easier to use because you can just flip it out of your pants or skirt and get what you need, then tuck it back in quickly. It's attached to your body, so no one should be able to grab at it....and it won't show under your shirt/tank top, it tucks down into your pants, just like your pocket on your pants/skirt.
As you see, this subject elicits strong opinions. You will have to find the solution that works best for you. I like the "hidden pocket" that hangs off the belt, as described in the last post.
Whichever kind of hidden storage you get, run it through the washing machine before using. It makes it much softer, and therefore much more comfortable.
I thought the same thing, so purchased both the waist and neck wallets in silk to give it a try at home. I'm only putting my passports and maybe a card in one. I turned the waist wallet around as suggested and it lays very flat. The band across your stomach is not thick and didn't add any bulk to the tummy area. I had on both a form fitting sleeveless tank top and skirt. I was surprised at his invisible it looked. The neck wallet I looped around one bra strap, then wore cross body and tucked it into my underwear in the front way over to the side. This way it was not hanging from my neck and you couldn't see the strap. Again, I had on my sleeveless tank. Couldn't see it.
I did find the waist wallet more comfortable of the both, but depending on what I'm wearing and doing, I can alternate. I'm like the idea of a big safety pin as added security
I purchased both the Rick Steves and Eagle Creek.
Adding another option here as neither my husband nor myself are fans of moneybelts or neck wallets….
We usually leave our original passports, extra cards and bulk of cash in the hotel safe and just take the cash/cards we need for the day plus copies of our passports. We have a Pacsafe bag with locking zippers that my husband or myself wear with the strap crosswise, and I pin a small zippered, cloth pouch to the inside front of my waistband; just large enough for some cash and a card or two. It is very comfortable, invisible, and easy for my fingers to get to but no one else's. When we change locations, almost everything goes into the Pacsafe except for the cards/cash in my little pouch.
There's really no single way to protect the valuables; it's all about just finding what works best for you.
Just returned from 10 days in Italy. We bought the regular money and one that my husband would wear on the belt loop and tuck in his pants. Didn't use either. At no time did we feel unsafe or in jeopardy. I used a great small, cross body purse by Travelon and it was perfect. Had small locks that I could lock the side where our money and passports were and I did when we travel on the crowded metro and trains.
I'm in the "happily wear the money belt" group. My husband is in the "I hate it but I'll wear the money belt anyway" group. Neither of us tucks in a top/shirt of any kind, so getting to our money belts is easy -- for us. We put our passports, driver licenses, emergency info including meds lists, credit cards, debit cards and "big" money in our money belts. Even with all that, they are still very thin and flat and not at all noticeable on us. We rarely stay anywhere that has a safe, but if we do, it gets other things like "really big" money, his iPad and my jewelry put in it.
This may be TMI, but this is how I wear mine. I always wear a tight shapewear camisole for the most obvious reason, but also because it helps with my posture and supports my back. Most people don't realize that with shapewear that goes down lower than your waist and over your hips, you are supposed to pull your panties up over it, not wear them under it, even though it is usually shown online with the panties under it. So skin out on the bottom, I have shapewear, money belt, panties, pants.
The money belt never touches my skin. I wear it in front because it is easy to pull out when needed, especially since the shapewear is slick. My pants either have a stretchy waist or are big enough that I can pull them and the panties out front enough for easy access. My husband wears his money belt between his shorts and pants, so it also never touches his skin. In either case, we would really have to be in a bad way for anyone to get to our money belts without us knowing it.
For our last trip, I got a neck wallet on a string. I took it on the trip and used it to store the currency I wasn't working in at the location. It ended up locked in the safe or my luggage. After several attempts at home and a couple on the trip, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to wear it comfortably. I couldn't tolerate it under the shapewear, and over it meant it was between the shapewear and top. I think they may work for men or for women less curvy than I am, but it was always on the dark side of the moon(s) on me and the string strap really was annoying. I even tried putting it around my waist and inside my pants, but it was too bulky and big for that.
I much prefer the money belt, but I might try pinning a hidden pocket/belt loop style in my pants sometime. It might work with some of my pants, although probably not those pull-up ponte knit ones that I love so much for traveling!
BTW, has anyone noticed how many pictures there are showing money belts or neck wallets being worn on the outside of people's clothes? No wonder people get it wrong!
Another vote against moneybelts and neck pouches. Leave passports, spare credit/debit card with hotel safe, only carry cash for the day and credit card. I have several different makes and models of those things in my closet right now. I've tried them all at different times of the year. They're most inconspicuous in winter time since your're wearing a jacket over it. But then why do you need it if you're wearing a jacket over everything? In summertime, they're very obviously there. And that's probably when you most need them. So fuggedaboudit!
I just use a small crossbody purse by Maruca. They are cute and just fit your passport and credit cards and money. Separate zippers for all. I always carry my passport with me (even at home... just a habit) Who knows when I may have the opportunity to just jump on a plane to Europe:) I would never leave it in my hotel room... knowing me, I would forget it. If I am feeling really overcrowded (tram in Istanbul) I can just shove the purse down my shirt like a neck wallet. Or, I just put my hand on it. I really like to be comfortable and would not be with a moneybelt. I also wear dresses most of the time and don't want to have to go to a bathroom to access it. I have traveled with many people from all over the US, and none of them even considered a moneybelt... it is really a popular RS thing, but definitely not for me.
Only asked for it a few times (train to Prague) but I think you are supposed to have it on you while in Europe...
As you can see, there are many, many options. Ranging from doing nothing and just having a pocket wallet or wallet in purse (and taking your chances with what are extremely talented pickpockets) to the traditional waist moneybelt (very hard to personally access), to leaving your valuables in the hotel safe and just bring along one credit card and some cash, to using a secure Pacsafe-type purse (more secure than a regular purse because it has more secure latches to get in, not just a top zipper), a neck pouch, a pouch hidden under the pants that pulls out for easy access, or the system I use - a belt loop pouch that hangs outside and is easy for me to access but very hard for anyone else.
Pick the one that you feel most comfortable with. The only ones with any real risk is doing nothing or carrying around just a card and a little cash in a regular wallet (at least in that option you lose less). The others are all very good at keeping sly hands away.
One last comment: The people that do nothing all say they pay extra attention. And no doubt they do. But pickpockets are masters at distractions and usually work in teams. This is how they make their living and I can guarantee that they are much more experienced at what they do than you will be trying to thwart them.
I've been looking at these as well - have used them before, but only on a plane. My only concern is wearing one with a dress. However do you access it???? :)
I don't plan on having to access my wallet. It is a deep storage emergency sort of thing. i will also be taking a baggalini and putting in about 40 euros each day, with other stuff that would be affordable to lose if pickpocked (not that I won't be vigilant with my purse). Also, it is illegal for americans not to have their passports with them at all times in Italy. I know many don't, and that is their choice, but you need to know that you are supposed to do it.
I've been looking at these as well - have used them before, but only on a plane. My only concern is wearing one with a dress. However do you access it???? :)
Not to sound rude, but did you read the posts in the thread. Waist-style money belts are not easily accessed in public. So many people don't use them and lot's of other ideas are listed. The key is to find a system that works best for you and that you are most comfortable with. There is no one solution.
Douglas is absolutely correct, there is no single solution for everyone. Decide what works best for you. Some people are comfortable carrying a bag with them, some put their wallets in their pockets and some use money belts. I use a combination of a money belt and secure bag. I've never run into any issues.
As for how to use a money belt with a dress on, you do it the same way as if you were wearing pants. It's not a purse that you go into multiple times a day. You only go into if you have no cash available. At that point you find a restroom and take out only the money you need for the rest of the day. Your passports, credit cards and the rest of your cash stay secure in the money belt.
We carry one credit card and about 40 euros in ready cash in a secure bag. The majority of the money, passports and other credit cards are in the money belt that either I or my husband is wearing.
Just a note on passports, you are required by Italian law to carry a government issued identification card with you. For those from North America that means a passport. If you are caught without one the authorities can take you to the police station until you can find someone to go get them for you. Do not leave your passport in the hotel safe, carry it with you to avoid any mishaps. With the heightened security around the city you never know when you may be asked to show it.
Donna
Glad to hear I am not the only "fool" that cannot handle all these money belts and neck pouches! We just cannot wear those things. We have to be very mindful, I carry a cross body bag (small, light) that is always in the front and my husband has shirts and jackets that have inside zippers or zipper pockets on the front of his shirts. We have tried all these devices and they are very uncomfortable to wear in humidity and on vacation, you need to be very careful anyway with individuals trying to distract you anyway. We also leave pass ports ect in the hotel safe. But becareful not to forget these when you leave!
You do realize that you are required by law to carry your passports with you At all times when in Italy?
Donna
